Shen Xuejin stared coldly at Shen Wanya, marveling at her talent for fabricating tales out of thin air.
Upon hearing this, Qin Rong snatched up the hot tea from a side table and splashed it toward Shen Xuejin. "Shen Xuejin, Wanya is your younger sister! How could you bring yourself to harm your own flesh and blood?"
With her back to Qin Rong, Shen Xuejin was caught off guard as the hot tea soaked the back of her neck, leaving the skin instantly inflamed. She stifled a groan.
Harming her own flesh and blood? What a laughable notion!
Harming kin, abusing the mistress of the house and the legitimate daughter—wasn't that the standard behavior of this mother-daughter duo? And yet, here they were, turning the tables with yet another baseless accusation.
Shen Xuejin’s expression was filled with mockery.
Huo Nanchi looked up, casting a glance at Shen Xuejin, who had been shoved to the floor. Her once clean and tidy dress was covered in dust, her hair was disarrayed, a clear palm print marked her left cheek, and her neck was reddened from the hot tea.
But after only a single glance, he lowered his head once more and continued to drink his tea.
"Wanya, we have an honored guest here," Shen Hong said in a low, cautionary tone.
Only then did Shen Wanya notice Huo Nanchi sitting behind Qin Rong.
His face, even more refined and breathtakingly handsome under the sunlight, featured meticulously crossed robe collars and sword-like eyebrows that swept into his hairline. He looked as if he had stepped straight out of a painting.
How could anyone be so handsome and possess such an aura? Shen Wanya was completely mesmerized.
A mother always knows her daughter’s heart; Qin Rong knew exactly what Shen Wanya was thinking. The Pingnan Marquis Estate was a noble house, and although Huo Nanchi was the Second Young Master, he was a legitimate son of the second rank. Moreover, he held a post in the Imperial Capital Garrison. If her daughter could marry Huo Nanchi as his primary wife, she would enjoy endless splendor and wealth for the rest of her life.
With this thought, Qin Rong’s expression toward Huo Nanchi became even more obsequious.
"Second Young Master Huo is truly a dragon among men," Qin Rong flattered him. "Only the gentlest and most beautiful woman in the Capital could ever be a match for you." She turned to Shen Wanya and added, "Wanya, why don't you pour Second Young Master Huo another cup of tea?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Wanya hurried to pour a cup and moved gracefully to Huo Nanchi’s side. "Second Young Master Huo, please, have some tea."
Huo Nanchi said nothing, merely blowing gently on the floating tea leaves.
Shen Wanya had never suffered such a slight before. Seeing that he made no move to take the tea, her hand trembled, and several droplets splashed out.
Huo Dao suddenly drew his sword and pointed it at Shen Wanya. "How dare you! Do you intend to assassinate our young master?"
Shen Wanya had never encountered such a display. Terrified, she shook, dropping the entire teacup to the floor. The hot tea splashed onto the top of her feet, and she shrieked in pain.
Only then did Huo Nanchi speak in a flat tone, asking Shen Hong, "Lord Shen, was she trying to assassinate me?"
Shen Hong was startled. As a man himself, he knew perfectly well what Huo Nanchi was implying—that he clearly disliked Wanya's behavior and was intentionally finding fault.
Yet, restricted by Huo Nanchi’s status and position, he dared not argue. He hurriedly shook his head and stepped forward, fawning, "Second Young Master Huo, this must be a misunderstanding. Wanya only wanted to serve you tea; she had no intention of an assassination."
Huo Nanchi gestured to Huo Dao.
Huo Dao sheathed his sword, retreated behind Huo Nanchi, and let out a soft, cold snort.
Shen Hong glared at Qin Rong and Shen Wanya in frustration. "Why are you two so ignorant of manners? Hurry up and apologize to the Second Young Master."
The mother and daughter were forced to mumble their apologies.
As Shen Wanya turned away, she caught the mockery on Shen Xuejin’s face and immediately pointed at her. "Father, the most urgent matter is to deal with this wretch! You have been so considerate toward her, yet she not only fails to understand your intentions, she even defies you, leaving you unable to eat or sleep these past few days."
Seeing the coldness on Shen Xuejin’s face, Shen Hong was also fuming. "Someone, bring the family law instruments!"
As he spoke, a guard brought over a long, heavy ruler.
Shen Hong said to Huo Nanchi, "I am disciplining my daughter today, and I apologize for making you witness such a spectacle, Second Young Master. But her conduct has been truly excessive, and I have no other choice."
Because Shen Xuejin had a marriage contract with the Eldest Young Master Huo dating back to their ancestors, Shen Hong said this deliberately to test whether Huo Nanchi would intervene.
Seeing that Huo Nanchi did not speak to stop him, Shen Hong took the ruler and pointed it at Shen Xuejin. "You wicked girl, do you know your fault?"
"I do not know what fault I have committed," Shen Xuejin replied, lifting her chin slightly. "Is it a fault not to respect a concubine as my superior? Is it a fault not to grovel before a half-sister?"
"It is one thing that you misunderstand your father's kindness toward you, but how could you misunderstand your father like this?" Qin Rong interrupted her. "You fled after being reprimanded a few times. During the days you were gone, your father was restless and worried for you constantly. Is this the attitude you show upon your return?"
Shen Xuejin sneered. It was clearly they who had forced her to act as a substitute bride, yet now, with a few words, they had painted her as someone who disrespected her elders and lacked breeding.
Shen Wanya added, "Shen Xuejin, where did you hide during these days you fled? An unmarried woman who hasn't been home for days—it’s questionable whether your virtue is even intact anymore."
She said this deliberately for the Second Young Master’s benefit. Even if it were true that Shen Xuejin had a marriage contract with the Eldest Young Master Huo, could a noble house like the Huo family still want a woman who was no longer chaste as a wife?
Huo Nanchi’s hand, which held the tea, paused, but he still did not speak.
Shen Hong lowered his voice, speaking so that only Shen Xuejin could hear. "The Vice Minister Zhang family already sent the wedding dress yesterday. If you obediently marry into their house, I will ensure your mother remains safe and sound."
"Is Father truly intending to favor a concubine over his wife and strike his own legitimate daughter to death on the spot?" Shen Xuejin’s expression was cold, filled with a hint of resolve. "If Father does not care about his reputation and is not afraid of the impact on his career, then go ahead and beat me to death."
The Shen family was waiting for her to act as the substitute bride; they would never actually beat her to death.
Enraged, Shen Hong kicked Shen Xuejin, sending her sprawling to the floor. "Stay there and kneel properly!" He raised his hand, and the ruler in his grip swung fiercely toward Shen Xuejin’s back!
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the air. Shen Hong’s hand swerved uncontrollably to the side, and the ruler landed squarely on Qin Rong instead, causing her to yelp in pain.
Shen Hong was heartbroken. He tossed the ruler to the floor and rushed to comfort her. "My dear Rong, are you hurt?"
Qin Rong wiped her tears, looking at Shen Hong with aggrieved eyes. "Honglang, it hurts so much."
Shen Hong offered a few words of comfort, then picked up the ruler from the floor and raised it high toward Shen Xuejin. "Today, I will surely teach you, you wicked girl, a lesson!"
Huo Nanchi set his teacup down on the table with a thud and said coldly, "Lord Shen is quite imposing, aren't you?"
Shen Hong braced himself and said, "Second Young Master Huo, a child's faults are a father's failing. She ran away from home without a word, and no one knows what filthy, wretched places she frequented. It has damaged the Shen family's reputation. If she is not disciplined properly, I fear she will cause a great catastrophe in the future."
Huo Nanchi cast a chilling glance his way. "If this ruler strikes her, Lord Shen, have you considered how you will answer to my elder brother, and how you will answer to the Huo family?"