C15 Too Cute

Lau Yuemei noticed that Jing Yeli seemed to have quite the temper. She quickly helped Hua Yunjin up, urgently whispering in her ear, "Yunjin, listen to what the Duke says."

Hua Yunjin, a bit dazed, stopped crying and hurriedly got back on her knees in front of Jing Yeli, nervously pleading, "Please, Duke, have mercy."

Jing Yeli looked at Hua Yunjin with a hint of coldness. "I don't like repeating myself."

Hearing this, Hua Yunjin immediately lifted her head obediently, looking up at Jing Yeli.

Standing nearby, Hua Xiangxue felt an inexplicable sense of satisfaction. When Jing Yeli got angry, he was just so, so adorable!

Jing Yeli turned to Hua Yunjin, with a slight, almost teasing smile. "Tell me, are you willing to be sent to the Duke's Mansion?"

At these words, Hua Yunjin burst into tears on the spot. Yes, she really cried, and it was quite the scene.

Seeing her pale and sobbing, unsure of how to respond, Hua Gongfeng panicked.

"Please, Your Grace, have mercy. My daughter is still young and doesn't understand proper etiquette. It would be unfortunate if she offended you."

Jing Yeli's calm gaze was hard to read, and his tone carried a slight chill. "If you understand she lacks manners, then she should be properly taught."

"Yes, Your Grace, absolutely," Hua Gongfeng quickly agreed.

Jing Yeli suddenly turned his head, catching Hua Xiangxue in the act of secretly enjoying the situation. For a moment, Hua Xiangxue felt a bit awkward.

As Jing Yeli slowly approached, a chill ran through Hua Xiangxue. Could it be that her schadenfreude had been caught?

She leaned back, her earlier smugness quickly shifting to a look of pitiful innocence. The five finger marks on her face certainly added to her woeful appearance.

As Jing Yeli drew near, Hua Xiangxue took a step back, only to bump into a chair and be forced to sit down.

"..."

Hua Xiangxue looked at Jing Yeli with some alarm, unsure of his intentions.

After a brief exchange of glances, Jing Yeli said calmly, "Xiawen, let's go."

Xiawen immediately clasped his hands in acknowledgment, "Yes!"

Watching Jing Yeli leave, Hua Xiangxue felt the oppressive atmosphere lift suddenly.

But wait! Xiawen?

A hint of surprise crossed Hua Xiangxue's face, and she stifled a laugh. She was convinced that Xiawen had a brother, or perhaps Jing Yeli had another attendant, who must be named—Buchi.

Jing Yeli's departure allowed Assistant Minister Hua to breathe a sigh of relief, and he quickly stood to see him off.

Once Jing Yeli and Assistant Minister Hua had left, Hua Yunjin threw herself into Lau Yuemei's arms, sobbing softly, "Mom, boo-hoo—"

Lau Yuemei gently stroked Hua Yunjin's hair, trying to comfort her, "It's okay, Yunjin. Everything's fine now. I'm here, and your dad will be back soon."

Hua Xiangxue glanced at Lau Yuemei, and Lau Yuemei returned the look, though her eyes held a cold glint.

Hua Yunjin continued to cry, and Hua Xiangxue understood that the time for reckoning had likely arrived. Should she play dumb and act pitiful, or face them with cold defiance?

Unexpectedly, a wave of unfamiliar sadness and grievance surged within her, leaving Hua Xiangxue feeling inexplicably restless and dissatisfied.

"Dear," Lau Yuemei said, looking at Hua Gongfeng as he returned. Her voice was filled with a sense of injustice, "I can handle a little grievance, but Yunjin—" Her words choked off, leaving her unable to continue.

Hua Gongfeng's expression was somber as he helped Lau Yuemei to her feet and gently patted the back of the still-sobbing Hua Yunjin.

"Dad, boo-hoo—"

Seeing Hua Yunjin's cheeks still flushed, Hua Gongfeng asked softly, "Does it hurt?"

Hua Yunjin pursed her lips and nodded.

Hua Gongfeng sighed, his face filled with remorse. "I had no choice back then. If I hadn't stopped you from speaking, do you know what crime that would have been? Our family would have been guilty of deceiving the king!"

Hua Yunjin's face turned pale, her lips trembling. "Father? Deceiving the king?"

Seeing that Lau Yuemei also looked at him in confusion, Hua Gongfeng sighed again. "Yes, it's true. Deceiving the king! Do you know the origin of that jade pendant?"

Lau Yuemei and Hua Yunjin both shook their heads.

Hua Gongfeng looked at them gently. "That jade pendant belongs to the current emperor—"

At these words, Lau Yuemei and Hua Yunjin's eyes immediately turned to Hua Xiangxue, who was sitting not far away.