Xue Manman lowered her head, remaining silent.
Xue Tingxue let out a cold laugh.
"The Marquis Zhongyong gave you much more than just this. Over these years, for every secret you stole for him, you were rewarded with a chest of jewelry."
"You're lying!" Xue Qing roared, "My older sister would never do such a thing!"
"Then where did these things come from? Can you explain it clearly?"
Xue Tingxue retorted, "The monthly allowance the Dingguo Mansion gives you is only a few hundred taels a year, yet this jewelry is worth at least tens of thousands of taels!"
"Don't tell me there's some secret to your courtyard that allows it to sprout silver on its own!"
Xue Qing was left speechless.
Duke Dingguo opened the letters one by one, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Finally, he slammed the stack of letters down in front of Xue Manman.
"What else do you have to say for yourself?"
Xue Manman raised her head, her face streaming with tears.
"Father, I... I was truly forced. The Marquis Zhongyong said that if I didn't do as he asked, he would kill me and my younger brother. I was in fear..."
Xue Tingxue said coldly, "Forced? Then why didn't you return this jewelry? How could you accept it with such peace of mind?"
Xue Manman raised her eyes, glared at her with hatred, and then quickly lowered her head again.
Duke Dingguo took a deep breath.
"From today on, you two are confined to the side courtyard. Without my permission, you are not to take a single step outside."
Xue Qing flew into a rage and rushed forward to strike Xue Tingxue.
"You bitch! It was you who ruined us!"
The household retainers swarmed forward and pinned him down.
Xue Qing struggled and shouted, "You will regret this! One day, I will make you kneel and beg me!"
Xue Tingxue didn't even move, merely glancing at him indifferently.
A buffoon.
As Xue Manman was helped up and led away, she turned her head to look back.
Xue Tingxue saw it clearly.
In the depths of Xue Manman's eyes was hatred!
Their Dingguo Mansion had treated them with the best food and drink, only to raise a pair of ingrates.
After the siblings were taken away, Madam Xue collapsed into a chair, covering her face and weeping.
"How could it be like this... We treated them so well..."
Duke Dingguo sighed, "Forget it, it is better to see them for who they are sooner."
Xue Tingxue stepped forward and poured a cup of tea for her Mother.
"Mother, do not be sad; they are not worth it."
Madam Xue gripped her hand, "Tingxue, today we owe it all to you. Otherwise, our family would not know how long we would have been kept in the dark."
Xue Tingxue shook her head, "This is what a daughter should do."
What she did not say was that in her previous life, the Dingguo Mansion was destroyed by these two siblings.
In this life, she would never allow it.
At night, Xue Tingxue returned to her own courtyard.
The maid Bi Tao served her as she changed clothes and couldn't help but ask.
"Miss, did that Xue Manman really commit treason?"
"With Conclusive Evidence, could it be fake?"
Bi Tao gasped, "It really is true that you can know a person's face but not their heart. She usually acted so well, so gentle and soft, who would have thought..."
Xue Tingxue did not respond.
She sat before the Bronze Mirror, looking at herself in the reflection.
An eighteen-year-old face, with eyebrows like a painting and skin as smooth as jade.
Dressed in a moon white gown, she appeared cold and ethereal.
In her previous life, she had this same face, yet she lived so miserably.
In this life, things were different.
"Bi Tao, go and call Liu Fu."
Liu Fu was her Confidant, reliable in his work and tight-lipped.
Before long, Liu Fu arrived.
Xue Tingxue gave direct orders, "Take a few men to He Dian's hometown. Find someone who knew the He family's children, preferably neighbors who watched them grow up, or any relatives, and once you find them, bring them to the Capital City."
Liu Fu was stunned, "Miss, your meaning is..."
"Uncle He was loyal and righteous, but Xue Manman and Xue Qing have the ambition of wolves. In my opinion, they may not be Uncle He's children."
Xue Tingxue's voice was calm, "Go and find out the truth."
Liu Fu felt a chill in his heart and quickly agreed.
"Also," Xue Tingxue added.
"This matter is confidential. Do not let anyone know, including Master and Madam."
"This humble one understands."
After Liu Fu withdrew, Bi Tao couldn't help but ask.
"Miss, do you suspect they are not from the He family?"
Xue Tingxue said indifferently, "Whether they are or not, we will know once we investigate."
She stood up and walked to the window.
The Moonlight was like water, spilling into the courtyard.
In her previous life, the identities of Xue Manman and Xue Qing were only revealed at the very end, by which time the Dingguo Mansion was already finished.
In this life, she would expose this hidden card ahead of time.
Footsteps could be heard outside the window.
Bi Tao went out to check and returned to report.
"It is the Eldest Brother."
Xue Tingxue immediately became happy.
Eldest Brother was here.
She could finally see her Eldest Brother again.
Xue Qing walked in with long strides, not even having time to change out of his armor.
"Tingxue!"
As soon as he entered, he asked, "I heard something happened at home. What occurred?"
Xue Tingxue had him sit down and briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Xue Qing slammed his hand onto the table.
"The scoundrels! It is a shame that Father and Mother raised them as benefactors when they dared to commit treason!"
Xue Tingxue poured him a cup of tea, "Eldest Brother, calm your anger. They are already confined and cannot run away."
Xue Qing took the tea, drank a sip, and suddenly looked at her, his eyes full of doubt.
"Tingxue, why are you so decisive today? In the past, you always tolerated Xue Manman."
Xue Tingxue smiled, "I was foolish before, but that will not happen In the future."
Xue Qing stared at her for a moment and nodded.
"That is how it should be. The children of the Xue Family should have such spirit."
He asked again, "What do you plan to do about your marriage to Fu Nanli?"
Xue Tingxue said indifferently, "I want to break off the engagement."
Xue Qing frowned, "Will he agree?"
"He is dying to get rid of me so he can marry his beloved."
"His beloved?"
Xue Qing was stunned, then realized, "Xue Manman?"
Xue Tingxue nodded.
Xue Qing's expression turned ugly, "Is he blind? He can even fancy that kind of trash?"
Xue Tingxue laughed, "Eldest Brother, the way you say that makes it sound like you are scolding me for having poor taste."
"That is not what I meant..."
Xue Qing was somewhat embarrassed, "I meant that he is not worthy of you."
"I know, that is why this younger sister does not want him anymore."
Xue Qing looked at her and suddenly felt that his younger sister had changed.
In the past, whenever Fu Nanli was mentioned, her eyes were full of longing.
Now that it had suddenly changed, it made him feel a bit unaccustomed.
However, this change was a good thing; his younger sister had finally seen through Fu Nanli's true face.
"Good, no matter what decision you make, Eldest Brother will support you. If Fu Nanli dares to bully you, even if he is a Prince, Eldest Brother will not let him off."
Xue Tingxue walked him to the door and suddenly called out to him.
"Eldest Brother."
"Hmm?"
"On the battlefield, you must be careful."
Xue Qing was stunned, then laughed, "Rest assured, your Eldest Brother has yet to meet an opponent."
Xue Tingxue pursed her lips and said nothing.
She remembered her previous life, when her brother's remains were hacked to pieces and fed to dogs, leaving no bones behind.
That was the most painful memory of her life.
"You must be careful," she urged again.
Seeing her solemn expression, Xue Qing restrained his smile and nodded seriously.
"Alright, Eldest Brother promises you."
The next day, early in the morning, Fu Nanli arrived.
He was wearing a black brocade robe, his expression cold and stern, as he stormed directly into the Dingguo Mansion.
"Xue Tingxue, come out!"
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