Villain Lady

Hearing that, Wei Xiao Hua simply smiled. She neither agreed to her father's statement nor try to correct it. "Since Father said so, it must be that way."

Wei Hong nodded in satisfaction. He couldn't think of any other person who could possibly infiltrate into his residence without other people knowing. Though, the thought that there was Prince Ji Shu's people surveying him didn't make him feel so pleasant.

"But, why would an assassin try to assassinate Zilin and His Highness the Fourth Prince would have his men protecting her?"

"It must be because he's interested in her."

That one sentence caused two completely different reactions. Even in the midst of pressure, there was a light within Wei Zilin's eyes as if she had just realized a very important pieces of information. She knew that if she could gain Prince Ji Shu's affection, she would be like a phoenix reborn from ashes!

Her fingers clenched into a first beneath her sleeves as her head was lowered even deeper.

On the other hand, Wei Xiao Hua's eyes flashed with coldness. Whoever dared to try taking her man from her would be facing her first. There would be no way she would possibly give them any chance to get close to Prince Ji Shu at all.

She sneered internally and replied, "You must be joking, Concubine Xie. The assassin might have been passing by Second Sister's Residence."

"An assassin passing by your residence?" Wei Hong sighed. He turned his head to look at Wei Xiao Hua. The only person in this residence who was worth to have an assassin coming personally would be Wei Xiao Hua, who's Prince Ji Shu's fiancée.

Wei Xiao Hua seemed to understand what Wei Hong was implying. She put on a worried expression. "Father, are you telling me that the assassin is aiming for my life?"

"It's possible," Wei Hong replied.

"Father, I'm worried.

Wei Hong sighed. "I'll send more people to protect you."

"Thank you, Father. With your words, now I'm less worried," Wei Xiao Hua said with a bright smile.

In the hall, Wei Zilin was still kneeling. Her fingers were clasped into a fist as her eyes reddened. Why? Why is it so easy for Wei Xiao Hua to get in Wei Hong's good side now? Why is it not her?

Wei Zilin was thoroughly annoyed. 

She truly wanted to be the one receiving all attention from all ends, but what she hoped never came. Everyone's attention shifted from her to Wei Xiao Hua. It was all started with Wei Xiao Hua's change on that day.

"Also Xiao Hua, is it possible for me to have a talk with His Highness the Fourth Prince later?" Wei Hong asked slowly. He could try to talk with Prince Ji Shu at the court, but it would surely attract attention. Not to mention, the topic he wanted to talk with the prince was a private matter.

Wei Xiao Hua's worried expression dropped a bit, but she was still keeping her façade. She lightly nodded her head. "I'll try to ask His Highness the Fourth Prince later, Father."

"Good girl."

Despite being praised, there was not even a hint of happiness within Wei Xiao Hua's eyes. From the very start, she knew that this father of hers in this world was a swallow man that could easily get swayed with words and beauty.

She's only using her father just like he used her to get close to Prince Ji Shu.

Wei Hong looked at Wei Zilin. This second daughter of his, who used to be the apple of his eyes didn't look so pleasant to the eyes anymore. After seeing how useful Wei Xiao Hua was and how filial that girl was, Wei Hong was fonder of Wei Xiao Hua compared to Wei Zilin.

However, he still softened his tone when he recalled that Wei Zilin is the daughter of the woman he loved. "Do you know anything about this matter?"

"I don't know, Father."

"In that case, you may go." Wei Hong chose to end the matter here. He turned his head to the side. "Investigate what happened last night and find out where the arrow came from."

"Yes, Master!"

Wei Zilin bowed down and scurried away. She was thoroughly annoyed. Her carefully crafted plan was now useless because of all the protection Wei Xiao Hua had. She vowed inside her heart that someday, she would be the one who received all of those attentions.

Wei Hong shifted his attention from Wei Zilin to Wei Liuying. He looked at his third daughter with a cold expression. "Liuying, do you know what you do wrong?"

"I don't know, Father," Wei Liuying replied and bowed down.

"Do you know what people are talking about when they talked about you? They're talking about what you do with that servant. Do you think that a servant's life worth so much to the point you have to be the one to sell her?"

Wei Liuying didn't glance up and her voice remained tranquil. "I believe that this is the best method. Since Xiao Qing has been with me for a long time, I want to be the one to see her new owner."

"You…" Wei Hong pointed his finger but found no words to say. He was exhausted after a long day in the court because the Emperor was furious as there are some of his people who stepped on the line. He made all officials stayed behind while he accounted everything for several people.

Many would be sentenced to a death sentence tomorrow.

He was lucky enough to escape by a hair breath. His body was tense from the long interrogation that the Emperor held in the palace. Thankfully, the Fourth Prince helped to cover him up covertly.

There were some hidden schemes deep in the palace and the eunuch could be bribed, so Wei Hong was not punished badly since the eunuch helped him to put on some good words. In addition, there was no direct evidence that led to his participation. The Emperor had no other choice but to release him.

Since Wei Lu was involved and caught by the guards, Wei Hong had been in dilemma. He was happy that it was his brother who got into trouble but at the same time, he was worried that he would get involved. Fortunately, he was not targeted this time.

It was so tiring.

He waved his hand. "A noble lady should never get involved in those matters. Feng Chun, what can you say from here."

Feng Chun was in the hall too. She looked at Wei Hong with wronged expression. "I can't do anything to this rebellious girl. She's always so willful on her own."

"You're her mother but you can't control her?" Concubine Chou asked with a scorn.

"She has grown up, so it's not possible for me to be the one to control her forever," Feng Chun gave her reason.

Concubine Chou scowled, but she didn't say anything anymore. Who didn't know that Feng Chun deliberately favored her son and ignored her daughter? Besides, the two children were equally stupid and useless. Rather than taking care of a daughter who didn't have a future, it would be better to pour her attention to the son who might be able to be big as long as he improved.

Concubine Xie sighed. "The children have grown up, but they have to listen to their parents too because it's filial piety."

"Sister Xie is correct."

Wei Liuying kept her silent. She knew that the sentence meant that she was too rebellious and didn't have any filial piety. Lowering her head, there was faint coldness within her eyes. She had been trying, trying for her entire life so far to do what her parents wanted her to do in order to survive.

But what she got in the end was nothing more but scorn and pity.

Wei Hong looked at Wei Liuying. His eyes looked like he had long given up on her. "You should learn from your sisters. They listen from the elders and do their work properly."

"Yes, Father."

"You… forget it." Wei Hong sighed. Towards his third daughter, he didn't know what kind of stance he should make. "Go to the hut and stay there until tomorrow."

"Yes, Father."

Wei Liuying bowed down and planned to go. However, Wei Xiao Hua spoke out at this time to Wei Hong. "Father, I heard that there's a cleaning in the palace. Is that true?"

"Yes." It was not a secret because everything will be revealed tomorrow. Wei Hong didn't think it would be necessary for him to worry about any deviation of the plan by telling his family members. "There are several people who will be executed because of treason and also corruption."

Wei Xiao Hua put on an astonished face. "I'm glad that nothing happened to you, Father."

Wei Hong smiled. "Of course not. However, my brother is involved in a corruption case. Tomorrow, he'll be executed along with other officials."