C15 You Need to Check the Owner Before Beating the Dog!

"I don't know," the maid said, a bit anxious, avoiding eye contact with Pingle. She was telling the truth; none of them had met Lo Qiuli before, so how could they know what kind of woman he liked? Pingle looked down at her feet, her mind drifting to Lo Qiuli's handsome and refined face.

Meanwhile, Lo Qiuli returned home to the sound of chaos coming from the Orchid Fragrance Garden. Faint cries of women reached his ears, and his expression turned cold. He realized his secret outing had been discovered. Thinking of Lo Qiushui's methods, a chill ran through him, and he hurried toward the garden.

Inside, he found the maids being slapped by the women under Lo Qiushui's command. Limo lay on the ground, barely conscious, her body marked with bloodstains—an alarming sight. One of Lo Qiushui's women was about to strike again.

"Stop!" Lo Qiuli rushed forward, grabbing the woman's hand and forcefully pushing it away, his eyes cold as he looked at Lo Qiushui. Lo Qiushui had been leisurely sipping tea, but upon seeing Lo Qiuli, her eyes filled with even more malice. This ugly girl dared to defy her; she wouldn't hold back!

"What are you doing, sister?" the woman protested, initially wanting to join in and teach Lo Qiuli a lesson too. But when she met Lo Qiuli's icy gaze, she felt a shiver run through her and instinctively stepped back, accidentally stepping on Lo Qiushui's foot.

"Are you blind? How dare you step on me!" Lo Qiushui shrieked, slapping the woman across the face. Stunned, the woman fell to her knees, and upon realizing who had hit her, she could only kneel there, crying and begging for forgiveness, her face a pitiful mix of tears, snot, and blood.

"Miss!" Limo's whole body ached, and as she looked up at the young lady, tears welled up in her eyes. Back at the old house, life was carefree and unrestrained. Who would have thought that upon arriving at the Prime Minister's residence, she'd be reprimanded by the eldest daughter without having done anything? Anyone would feel wronged.

"Limo, get up!" Lo Qiuli's eyes showed a hint of compassion, but she had no intention of helping her up. She looked at Limo with a stern demeanor. Today, she intended to teach Limo what it meant to be strong. The Prime Minister's residence was a large and imposing place; without resilience, one would only become a stepping stone for others. Those around her shouldn't meet such a fate.

"But Miss!" Limo hesitated, and when her eyes met Lo Qiuli's, she felt weak all over, her legs unable to support her, leaving her collapsed on the ground like a drenched dog.

"Limo, my people shouldn't be so weak and easily bullied. Even if you're wrong, you shouldn't act like a lost dog. Limo, do you remember what I told you when we left the old house?" Lo Qiuli's aura grew more intense. Limo's behavior disappointed her. Had she known, she might have let Limo go her own way when they left the old house.

"Yes, Miss!" Limo flinched, realizing her behavior today had displeased the young lady. She recalled the words the young lady had spoken, and her eyes showed less fear and more determination. She took a deep breath, standing up slowly under the pressure from Lo Qiuli.

"Who told you to stand up, you wretched girl!" Lo Qiushui hadn't expected this servant from the old house to defy her orders. She shouted angrily, signaling her people to push Limo back down.

"I'd like to see who dares!" Limo's actions seemed to satisfy Lo Qiuli. She nodded approvingly, turning around with cold, unfeeling eyes fixed on those who dared to approach. The maids hesitated under Lo Qiuli's gaze, turning to look at Lo Qiushui instead.

Lo Qiushui felt humiliated by someone she considered plain and unattractive. How could she stand it? She stood up and rushed to Lo Qiuli, raising her hand to slap her. But before she could make contact, her wrist was caught. The next moment, Lo Qiuli's cold voice drifted into her ears, "Sister, shouldn't you have a reason for this?"

"Reason? I'm the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's household. Do I need a reason to discipline a mere daughter of a concubine? Let go of my hand, or I'll have you thrown out of the house!" The pain in her wrist made Lo Qiushui frown, but her face remained defiant. How could she let herself be overshadowed by someone she deemed inferior?

"Sister, have you forgotten why Father brought me back to the house?" Lo Qiuli suddenly smiled, a gentle smile like a spring breeze, yet no one could ignore the cold glint in her eyes. Lo Qiushui had no doubt that in the next moment, Lo Qiuli would pounce and tear her apart.

"What... what do you want?" Lo Qiushui was startled, her body visibly flinching. Even their father, the head of the household, never exuded such an intimidating aura. Cold sweat formed in her palms, and all she wanted was to escape.

"I don't want anything, just hope you can behave yourself. After all, if I leave the house, it will only bring you trouble, not benefits." Lo Qiuli released Lo Qiushui's hand, her smile growing more enchanting, like a beautiful yet fearsome specter. Everyone who crossed her path felt a chill in their hearts. This daughter of a concubine, who had never lived in the house, was indeed intimidating.

"Don't think that just because you have something on me, I won't dare to deal with you! Lo Qiuli, I'm telling you, I'm the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's household. As long as I wish, you're not even worth as much as a maid!" Lo Qiushui felt unnerved under Lo Qiuli's gaze but refused to back down. How could she let someone she considered beneath her take the upper hand? She was not willing to accept it!

"Big sister, you're overreacting. I'm just a minor daughter, how could I possibly compare to you? But Limo is under my care, and I can't let her be mistreated. You understand, right?" Lo Qiuli's harsh demeanor softened slightly, though her lips still curled in a seemingly gentle smile. Yet, anyone could see the mocking glint in her eyes.

"Hmph, as if you'd dare do anything!" Knowing she wouldn't gain any advantage over Lo Qiuli, Lo Qiushui left decisively, casting a warning glance as she departed. But Lo Qiuli didn't seem to care, instead guiding Limo back inside the house.

"Miss," Limo said, worriedly glancing at Lo Qiuli. "The look the eldest sister gave you was clearly one of resentment. I'm afraid I've caused trouble for you this time. She's surely going to seek revenge."