Chapter Sixteen: The Art of Feigned Injury

Xue Fanzhi also doubted whether she was truly Xue Yang’s biological daughter, but it was impossible. She resembled her mother, yet her eyes were unmistakably like Xue Yang’s—anyone could see she was his child. In fact, it was Xue Jiaoyue who bore little resemblance to them, but Xue Yang favored Jiaoyue regardless. Some matters simply defy explanation.

Xue Yang showed not a hint of guilt, continuing to argue, “You must be misunderstanding Seventh Daughter. She only acts for the good of the Xue family. Besides, Eighth Daughter is unharmed. Let’s just let this matter go.”

Yet when Jiaoyue was previously unharmed, he refused to let things go and even wanted to beat his other daughter to death.

Xue Qiu curled his lip disdainfully. “Get out of my sight. Do you think I’ll take back my words? If you can’t be the head of the family, someone else will. There are plenty of men in the Xue clan!”

The other branches of the family had arrived early, and for what? All for the position of family head. Their eyes shone with anticipation.

Sensing danger, Xue Yang stretched out his arm to shield Jiaoyue. “Would you really strike a child who only wants the best for the Xue family?”

Xue Qiu saw that Xue Yang remained unrepentant, his expression resolute, his gaze cold.

Lady Jin quickly stepped forward. “All blame falls on me, Second Uncle. If you must punish someone, punish me. Seventh Daughter is still a child—she’s only thirteen!”

“But Eighth Daughter is thirteen as well, and born later than Seventh Daughter,” Xue Qiu retorted, his gaze even colder. “Jin, you’re certainly involved. How could the Xue family have a daughter-in-law who can’t distinguish right from wrong? If Seventh Daughter is to be punished, you won’t escape either.”

“...Second Uncle—” Jin began in protest.

The servants brought out the rod for family discipline, and Xue Qiu ordered them to act. Seeing that Xue Qiu was serious, Xue Yang’s eyes reddened, like a wild beast protecting its cubs. He suddenly pointed at Xue Fanzhi. “If Seventh Daughter deserves punishment, then Eighth Daughter deserves it even more. Second Uncle, you may punish Seventh Daughter, but I will not spare Eighth Daughter.”

Xue Fanzhi felt her heart numb with pain, but she needed an answer. Her tone was cool and detached. “Seventh Daughter tried to harm me, yet you would punish me? Give me a reason—otherwise I refuse to accept it!”

She no longer called him father, but Xue Yang was unmoved.

The rest of the Xue family watched Xue Yang’s determination to punish Xue Fanzhi with disbelief.

Xue Qiu, incensed, stood up and shouted, “You are utterly unreasonable! Someone, bring out the family rod!”

As the servants stepped forward, Xue Yang barked, “Stop!”

He then pointed at Xue Fanzhi. “You want a reason? Seventh Daughter only thought you were in trouble because you went missing. She meant no harm. She’s always been kind, always sharing her good things with you. Have you forgotten? Yet you, when your sister made an innocent mistake, tried to send her back home to die. You acted on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Unintentional versus intentional—do you still not see your fault?”

“You have nothing to say, do you? For every strike against Seventh Daughter, I’ll strike you, the unfilial girl, once.”

“Father!” Xue Yang’s tirade against Xue Fanzhi was relentless, and Jingren was beside himself with anger.

Xue Fanzhi’s expression remained calm as water, but the loneliness and disappointment in her eyes could not be concealed—it wounded her deeply.

Xue Qiu saw this. Though not her biological grandfather, his heart ached for her. He shouted at Xue Yang, “Are you even fit to be a father? You are utterly unreasonable!”

“This is beyond you. I’ll handle it!”

Xue Yang, “I am her father, Second Uncle. Let me discipline my malicious daughter. You need not interfere.”

“You—”

If Xue Qiu struck Jiaoyue, Xue Yang would strike Fanzhi; deadlocked, the Xue family risked losing two grandchildren. The other branches and some from the main line watched with glee, their eyes shining, but Lady Xue could not allow such chaos.

She tried to stop them, but Xue Yang, for reasons unknown, took a sudden dislike to Xue Fanzhi’s cold demeanor. He raised his sword and brought it down on her shoulder. Thankfully, he kept his wits and only used the scabbard, but the blow was heavy enough that Fanzhi dropped to one knee, overwhelmed.

The turn of events was swift and unexpected. Jingren only reacted after seeing Fanzhi fall, rushing to help her up.

Fanzhi rubbed her thigh without lifting her head, but caught sight of Jiaoyue’s sly, venomous smile.

Xue Qiu was the next to react. He pointed at Xue Yang. “Well done!”

Xue Yang regretted his action as soon as it was done. As her father, he could have punished her privately—why strike her in front of the entire family, embarrassing Second Uncle?

“...Second Uncle!”

Xue Qiu raised the family rod and faced Jiaoyue.

Jiaoyue, ever clever, saw danger and cried out, “Second Granduncle is going to hit me!” Then she turned and ran.

She knew Fanzhi was just behind her, and as she neared, deliberately slipped and fell forward. But somehow, Fanzhi anticipated her move—she knew that if Jiaoyue touched her, the trouble would be endless. As Jiaoyue approached, Fanzhi deftly avoided her, and Jiaoyue, unable to control herself, fell flat to the floor.

The marble floors of the hall were polished smooth, and with the late spring weather, everyone wore light clothing. Fanzhi, after falling, slid forward, finally stopping with a bang as her head struck the stone basin by the door. When she lifted her head, her forehead was bright red—a stark contrast against her pale face.

“Jiaoyue!”

“Seventh Daughter!”

“Little Seven!”

Xue Yang, shocked, was joined by Lady Jin and Lady Xue, who cried out at the same time.

Jin rushed to the door, but her short legs slowed her, and Xue Yang caught up in a few strides. He shoved her aside—she fell with a cry—and hurried to Jiaoyue, helping her up.

“Where did you hurt? Does it hurt?” Xue Yang asked anxiously, almost in tears.

Jiaoyue rubbed her knee, pouting, as tears flowed down her cheeks. “Father, it hurts so much!” Her usual pitiable expression came into play again, but with her red forehead, she resembled a complaining immortal—almost comical.

Of course, Xue Yang would never laugh at his precious daughter. Seeing her in pain, he turned angrily to Fanzhi. “Look what you’ve done!”

Fanzhi sighed inwardly. Thank goodness she dodged—otherwise, she’d be in real trouble.

Jingren, standing beside Fanzhi, saw it all clearly. He frowned. “Father, how can you blame Little Eight for this? She kept her distance—your Jiaoyue fell all on her own!”

Even if Jingren hadn’t seen clearly, the room was full of witnesses. Everyone saw that Fanzhi hadn’t touched Jiaoyue; Jiaoyue had tried to stage an accident but failed to control herself.

Lady Liang, mistress of the fifth house, couldn’t help but say, “Third Brother, is Little Eight really not your own child? Don’t be so blatantly biased. It was clearly Seventh Daughter trying to crash into Eighth Daughter, wasn’t it? You’re not her stepfather!”

“You—” Xue Yang, as head of the family, was both biased and concerned with his reputation. Being publicly rebuked by his siblings left him thoroughly embarrassed.