"Her Ladyship's actions tonight risk the reputation of sacrificing family for the sake of righteousness," he said in a low voice.
"What is there to fear?" Zhang Zhiheng smoothed her skirt lightly. "Years ago, my uncle showed me immense kindness, yet when he was exiled, I did not intercede. Besides, this is merely an old woman who neither raised nor birthed me; she is hardly worth my while to exonerate."
"Bearing the title of my mother—does she truly imagine we share flesh and blood? With state law before us, even kin cannot be spared—moreover, she and I are bound by no blood or affection, but merely a name."
Chapter 365