Yun Zijun’s expression changed.
Her heart slowly sank.
She hadn’t expected that the moment Madam Yun arrived, she would order Madam Zhou to beat Chaolu and Chaoyang, even threatening to sell them off.
As expected of the mistress of the Prime Minister’s household.
Her methods were anything but ordinary.
Under such overwhelming pressure, the two maids wouldn’t dare lie even if they wanted to.
Besides, they genuinely knew nothing.
The only thing they could do was tell the truth.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t even be capable of covering their own lies.
But that also meant there were no witnesses to Yun Zijun’s beating.
Even if she accused Yun Zi’rao, would Mother believe her?
There was no evidence.
Yun Zijun thought of Yun Zi’rao’s pitiful act.
Then she remembered the ruthless expression on her face when she had attacked her earlier.
She knew now that Yun Zi’rao was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
She absolutely could not let herself suffer this beating for nothing.
She would expose Yun Zi’rao’s true face.
She would make her pay ten times over.
A hundred times over.
“So neither of you saw who attacked Second Miss?”
Madam Yun’s face turned cold.
Her voice was sharp.
“What kind of personal maids are you?”
The two girls immediately kowtowed.
“Please spare us, Madam!”
“Please spare us!”
“Mother.”
Yun Zijun tugged lightly on Madam Yun’s sleeve.
Lowering her eyes, she spoke softly.
“They truly don’t know anything.”
“Please don’t blame them.”
Madam Yun replied coldly,
“You are too kind.”
“That’s why they’ve become so lacking in discipline.”
Yun Zijun lowered her head and remained silent.
Madam Yun’s expression did not change.
“Madam Zhou.”
“Drag them outside.”
“Ten strokes each.”
“A small punishment as a warning.”
“Yes, Madam.”
Yun Zijun’s expression tightened.
“Mother—”
Madam Yun patted her hand.
But her tone allowed no argument.
“When servants make mistakes, they must be punished.”
“They cannot be allowed to ignore the rules.”
Biting her lip, Yun Zijun could only watch as four servant women dragged Chaolu and Chaoyang away.
The room fell silent.
Before Yun Zijun could speak again, Madam Yun took the initiative.
“Chaolu said Yun Zi’rao was the one who beat you.”
Yun Zijun’s eyes immediately reddened.
Sorrow flooded her expression.
“Mother…”
“Big Sister resents me.”
“She thinks I was responsible for sending her to the Laundry Bureau.”
“But I truly pleaded with the Crown Prince back then.”
“It was His Highness who insisted on punishing her.”
“I never encouraged it.”
“Big Sister misunderstood me…”
“Mother…”
Madam Yun looked at her for a long moment.
Her gaze was complicated.
“Mother.”
Yun Zijun covered her swollen face.
Her sobs grew heavier.
“I really didn’t do anything.”
“It was the Crown Prince’s decision.”
“I begged him to show mercy, but he refused.”
“Yet Big Sister insists it was my idea.”
“That’s why she’s treating me like this…”
Madam Yun slowly closed her eyes.
A heavy frustration gathered inside her chest.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
“Zijun.”
“Your sister is weak.”
“She ate a little porridge tonight and went to bed early.”
Yun Zijun’s crying abruptly stopped.
She slowly raised her head.
“Mother?”
“When your maid came to report that you’d been beaten, I specifically went to Jing’an Courtyard myself.”
Madam Yun’s voice remained calm.
“Zi’rao was sleeping soundly in bed.”
“She was wearing her white nightclothes.”
“That alone proves she never left her room during the time you claim she attacked you.”
Her tone gradually cooled.
“Zijun.”
“I think you’ve misunderstood your sister.”
Yun Zijun froze.
Her fingers unconsciously clenched into fists.
Disbelief filled her eyes.
“Mother…”
“You don’t believe me?”
Madam Yun stood up.
A faint frown appeared on her face.
“When you first returned three years ago, you felt insecure.”
“I pitied you.”
“That’s why I repeatedly asked Zi’rao to give way.”
“But three years have passed.”
“I’ve taken you to meet noble ladies.”
“I’ve brought you to banquets.”
“You’ve attended palace gatherings more than once.”
“The Crown Prince is now your fiancé.”
She looked directly at Yun Zijun.
“You truly have no reason to keep competing with Zi’rao.”
“Mother!”
Yun Zijun stood abruptly.
She shook her head over and over.
Her emotions were becoming unstable.
“I’m not competing with her!”
“Please believe me!”
“Everything I said is true!”
“You can see the injuries on my face!”
“If Big Sister didn’t do this, then who did?”
“But Zi’rao was sleeping peacefully on my bed.”
Madam Yun’s expression darkened.
The disappointment in her eyes felt unfamiliar.
“Zijun.”
“I don’t know who injured your face.”
“But you certainly do.”
“If you refuse to tell the truth, there’s nothing I can do for you.”
“Mother!”
Yun Zijun finally lost control.
Tears burst forth.
“I am your biological daughter!”
“Why do you always protect Yun Zi’rao?”
“She held my head underwater and nearly drowned me!”
“You wouldn’t believe Brother!”
“Now she’s beaten my face like this, and you still won’t believe me!”
Her voice cracked.
“What do I have to do…”
“What do I have to do before you’ll believe me?”
Protecting Zi’rao?
Madam Yun looked at her hysterical appearance.
Her heart grew colder.
“If I truly protected Zi’rao…”
“Then three years ago I wouldn’t have allowed her to enter the Laundry Bureau.”
“I wouldn’t have allowed her to be tortured into that condition.”
Her voice carried deep disappointment.
“Zijun.”
“Zi’rao is your sister.”
“Can’t you get along with her?”
With a thud, Yun Zijun collapsed onto the edge of the bed.
“I didn’t lie.”
“She nearly killed me today.”
“But Mother won’t believe me.”
“Mother doesn’t believe me…”
Seeing her stubbornly insist on blaming Yun Zi’rao, Madam Yun felt utterly disappointed.
There was nothing left to say.
She knew that if Yun Zijun was determined to pin everything on Zi’rao, then no amount of questioning would produce the truth.
“It’s late.”
“Get some rest.”
Leaving those words behind, Madam Yun turned and walked away.
Yun Zijun stared at her in disbelief.
“Mother?”
She was leaving?
Just like that?
Her face was swollen beyond recognition.
She had suffered such a severe beating.
Yet Mother showed no concern.
No sympathy.
She was simply leaving.
Yun Zijun dug her nails into her palms.
For a moment she sat frozen on the bed like a carved statue.
Then, seeing Madam Yun step through the doorway, she could no longer restrain herself.
She hurried after her.
“Mother!”
“What I’m saying is true!”
“I didn’t lie!”
“Yun Zi’rao’s weakness is all an act!”
“She’s pretending—”
“Enough!”
Madam Yun turned around.
Her gaze was cold.
Her voice was stern and filled with disappointment.
“Zijun.”
“Zi’rao has never harbored any intention of harming you.”
“Why are you so unwilling to tolerate her?”
Yun Zijun’s face instantly turned white.
Her lips trembled.
But not a single word came out.