Chapter Fifteen: Reversal

Xue Fanzhi sneered coldly. “So you’re finally willing to speak up and plead with me?”

Lady Jin’s guilty face flushed red, and she snapped, “Do you even have a conscience? I’m your mother—am I wrong to plead for you?”

It wasn’t that she was wrong, just that she was too late. She only came after Xue Fanzhi’s heart had been wounded, perhaps out of fear that her elder brother might be hurt instead. Xue Fanzhi realized she was growing more distrustful of her mother, always expecting the worst.

Xue Yang, seeing Xue Fanzhi’s look of utter indifference, grew furious and shoved Lady Jin aside. “She doesn’t even care, and yet you’re still pleading for her? Today, I should just beat her to death and be done with it!”

Just then, a servant rushed in to report, “Madam, Master, the old general has returned!”

The Old Madam of the Xue family quickly stopped Xue Yang. “Your second uncle is back. Put away your sword—let him decide everything!”

Xue Yang’s hand trembled, and then, casting a cold, indifferent glance at Xue Fanzhi, he said, “I’ll deal with you later.”

As he spoke, an elderly man of medium build, with thick brows, deep-set eyes, and a fine beard, entered the room. He wore light armor, his strides steady yet brisk, exuding great authority. This was Second Great-Uncle Xue Qiu.

Gazing at the newcomer, Xue Fanzhi was reminded of some unhappy memories.

The fall of a king for his country, a general dying on the battlefield—these were considered glorious deaths. Yet in her previous life, Old General Xue’s end was a regretful one; he was implicated and killed because of Xue Jiaoyue. Xue Jiaoyue’s husband, Prince Yu, Xiao Jian, had plotted rebellion and sought military power. Xue Jiaoyue led people to force the old general to hand over the Tiger Tally to aid Xiao Jian. The old general refused and was driven to his death by Xue Jiaoyue.

No one ever learned whether Xue Jiaoyue herself delivered the fatal blow, or if, when Xiao Jian’s rebellion failed and she was taken hostage, she accidentally let it slip.

Until her own death, Xue Fanzhi never saw the old general again. When she was about to ascend to the Empress’ throne, the old general had told her, “Don’t fear that the Xue family is small in number. As long as your grandfather lives, you’ll always have someone to rely on.”

But when her grandfather died, she lost her sole support and could only cling to Xiao Yi, that scoundrel, just to survive—until she was finally granted death.

Now, seeing the stern face of her second great-uncle once more, Xue Fanzhi’s eyes filled with tears. She murmured, “Second great-uncle...”

The whole room was greeting Xue Qiu with loud voices, but Xue Fanzhi nevertheless felt that her second great-uncle had heard her call.

Xue Qiu swept his gaze over everyone, then raised his hand indicating they should be seated. At last, he took the seat beside the Old Madam, cupped his hands, and said, “Sister-in-law, forgive my late return!”

It was Xue Qiu who had summoned everyone to interrogate Xue Jingren and Xue Fanzhi, but he had disappeared, and no one dared question his whereabouts—matters concerning the old general must surely be of importance, perhaps even related to the court.

The Old Madam’s tone softened considerably. “These unworthy descendants—they trouble you so.”

Xue Yang, wearing an exasperated look, said, “Actually, there’s no need to trouble you, uncle. I’ve already invoked the family law. If I don’t give Little Eight a beating, she’ll never learn her lesson!”

“Xue Yang, what a mighty man you are! Do you use all your strength to kill your daughters?” Xue Qiu narrowed his dark eyes, his face stormy, and at once the room fell silent.

Xue Yang, fearful of Xue Qiu, forced a nervous smile. “If I have erred, uncle, please correct me!”

Xue Qiu ignored him, instead turning to look at Xue Jiaoyue, who stood behind Xue Yang. “Seventh girl, I left earlier to inquire into this matter. The servants of the Xie family heard you admit your fault to Little Eight. Shall I summon them to testify before you’ll confess to slandering your sister?”

Xue Jiaoyue was startled. Her second great-uncle had actually investigated the truth? Wasn’t this a trivial matter in their eyes? At least, her father thought so; if it was trivial, a beating for Little Eight would suffice—why bother investigating?

Xue Fanzhi thought to herself that her second great-uncle was indeed different. No wonder he commanded troops so well and was a pillar of the state. This earnest, pragmatic nature was something Xue Yang could never hope to learn.

With evidence in hand, how could Xue Jiaoyue dare deny it? Terrified, she knelt obediently, tears streaming down her face. “Second great-uncle, I didn’t mean to. I did it all for the Xue family’s reputation, and for the sake of my eldest and second brothers. Please forgive me this once!”

At this, the room erupted.

“So it really was the seventh girl?!”

“How could she say such things—she’s her own sister!”

“Defaming your own sister—what could you possibly gain from that?”

“Seventh girl, you’re the black sheep of the family!”

“And just now she flatly refused to admit it and wanted to have Little Eight beaten!”

The relatives’ criticisms were nothing compared to the Old Madam’s stern rebuke. “Seventh girl, if your sister’s reputation is ruined, have you considered the consequences for yourself as her own flesh and blood? What possible benefit could you gain? Utterly foolish!”

Xue Jiaoyue froze for a moment, as if suddenly enlightened. Yet this look lasted only a heartbeat before she began to sob again, pitiful and heartbreaking. “Grandmother, you’re right—I gain nothing from it. I truly didn’t mean it. I only acted for our family’s reputation and for the marriages of my brothers!”

“For your brothers? For the Xue family’s name?” Xue Qiu, having already investigated, knew everything: that neither Lady Jin nor Xue Jiaoyue had sent anyone to search for Xue Fanzhi; that Xue Fanzhi was missing for only a short while; and that Lady Jin should never have uprooted the camp before confirming her daughter’s safety. Yet Xue Jiaoyue had done it all—a truly venomous heart.

“And you still dare quibble?” Xue Qiu’s thick brows rose. “Seventh girl, you show no sign of repentance. Just now your father wanted to flog Little Eight thirty times—I think that punishment is far more suitable for you.”

He called to the servants behind him, “Bring the family rod!”

Seeing Xue Qiu truly angry, Xue Jiaoyue nearly fainted with fright. Xue Yang hurried to shield her, his brows drawn in fury as he faced Xue Qiu. “Seventh girl is still young, and she’s a girl. Thirty strokes of the rod could kill her, Uncle! You can’t do this!”

Lady Jin, panicked, pleaded as well. “Uncle, please forgive her childish mistake—she’s still young!”

So he knew thirty strokes would kill a girl!

So she knew the seventh girl was still young!

But had they forgotten that Xue Fanzhi was even younger than Xue Jiaoyue?

Wasn’t Xue Fanzhi also a girl?

As Xue Fanzhi recalled how Xue Yang had punished her earlier, she felt as though she had seen through the world’s cold indifference. Her heart was calm and icy, her face twisted with hatred.

Yet Xue Yang paid her no mind. He continued to plead for Xue Jiaoyue. “Her intentions were good—she only wanted to protect the Xue family and her two disappointing brothers. Such a pure heart deserves encouragement, not punishment!”

Xue Qiu’s tiger eyes narrowed with incredulity. “Is this how you raise children in your household? Is this how you judge right from wrong? Have you lost your mind? Seventh girl is your daughter, but isn’t Little Eight your daughter as well? Your partiality knows no bounds!”