C16 He Broke the Jar and Broke the Vase

Hua Xiangxue noticed everyone staring at her, and her hand paused mid-air with a teacup. Her eyes darted around the room. When Hua Gongfeng mentioned it was the emperor's jade pendant, her heart skipped a beat. Of all the people to steal from, this little thief chose the emperor? She was almost ready to explode with frustration. With a sigh and a shrug, she adopted a resigned attitude, realizing she couldn't change the situation. Internally, she felt the original owner's emotions stirring within her.

Hua Yunjin pointed accusingly at Hua Xiangxue, her tone sharp, "Where did you steal that jade pendant from?"

Hua Xiangxue calmly placed the teacup back on the table where Jing Yeli had been sitting, and looked at Hua Yunjin with a slight, amused smile, "Didn't you say I took it from you?"

Hua Yunjin's face flushed with a mix of emotions, but she reminded herself that her parents were on her side, so why should she be afraid? She stiffened her neck, her voice full of irritation, "Hua Xiangxue, you've got some nerve! Do you realize you could drag our father down with you, and the whole Hua family too? Just like your mother brought misfortune to the Bai family, are you trying to do the same to the Hua family?"

Bringing up her late mother, Bai Cangmin, was a grave mistake, yet Hua Yunjin dared to openly criticize her at this moment!

The original character was already feeling a bit restless, but now she was suddenly filled with rage and anger. Her eyes flashed with a fierce intensity, and before anyone, including Gongfeng and Yuemei, could react, Xiangxue had already pulled Yunjin in front of her.

"You dare speak of my mother? My mother is the lady of this house. Who do you think you are to even mention her?"

Xiangxue's eyes were blazing with fury as she slapped Yunjin hard across the face, leaving five distinct marks. Her movements were swift, and before Gongfeng and Yuemei could process what was happening, she had already slapped Yunjin three times.

Yunjin cried out in pain, and only then did Gongfeng snap out of his shock. He rushed forward, pulling Xiangxue away and, in a fit of anger, slapped her back.

"You ungrateful child!"

Xiangxue was momentarily stunned, her eyes burning with a deep red. But after Gongfeng's slap, she snapped back to reality, realizing she had been overwhelmed by the original character's emotions.

From those emotions, Xiangxue understood the original character's fierce protection of her mother. She also realized the unfair treatment the original character had endured in this household.

Clenching her fists, Xiangxue silently reassured the original character: Don't worry, Xiangxue. I will make sure you get the justice you deserve for all the unfairness you've faced.

"Dad, Mom, waah—" Yunjin, like a frightened rabbit, burrowed into Yuemei's embrace.

Yuemei quickly comforted Yunjin, tears streaming down her face. She choked out, "Honey, Yunjin spoke rashly because she was upset. She was only trying to defend you and protect this family!"

Gongfeng's expression was stern as he looked at Xiangxue.

"I never imagined you'd become so wild. It's one thing to be reckless, but stealing a royal jade pendant and hitting your own sister?"

Every word from Gongfeng was an accusation against Xiangxue.

Xiangxue lifted her head, looking at Gongfeng, then glanced at Yuemei.

She smiled.

Her cheek was swollen, evidence that Gongfeng hadn't held back when he struck her.

"Gongfeng, who do you think is responsible for your success today?"

Xiangxue's voice was soft, yet it made Gongfeng's face go rigid.

"Gongfeng, my mother bore your children and helped you rise to where you are. And now, in the eyes of this concubine's daughter, she's just bad luck?"

Instead of being afraid, Xiangxue took a step toward Gongfeng.

Xiangxue already bore a resemblance to Cangmin, and her sorrowful gaze and demeanor were eerily reminiscent of Cangmin in her prime.

Hua Gongfeng's body trembled slightly, instinctively stepping back under the pressure from Hua Xiangxue.

"Today, are you really going to let an illegitimate nobody insult my mother?" Hua Xiangxue's voice was still soft, but it carried deep disappointment.

"I—" Hua Gongfeng stammered, feeling a pang of guilt, his emotions on the verge of collapse. The person he felt most remorseful towards was Bai Cangmin.

"I won't ask whether I've been treated the same as this illegitimate girl all these years. I won't ask if your conscience aches for ignoring me. I won't ask how the three of you have conspired against me. I only have one question: has it only been twelve short years since my mother's death, and yet you allow others to insult her?"

Hua Xiangxue's gaze was like a dagger, piercing straight into Hua Gongfeng's heart. Her words were sharp, each one leaving Hua Gongfeng at a loss for words. His hands began to tremble slightly—

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