"Why are you sick again?"
Yun Sheng stroked his daughter tenderly. With a soft sigh, all the sharpness in him melted away.
The already small tent was filled with people, making it seem even more cramped. This only deepened his pity for his daughter, who had been in poor health since childhood.
He also felt deeply ashamed of the suspicion that had flitted through his mind just now.
"It's my fault, Father. I've made you worry again," Yun Xi nuzzled her father's palm, looking so dependent and obedient that Yun Sheng's heart softened completely.
In the treacherous court, facing the harsh criticism of the ministers, he could argue fearlessly with them. But when it came to his daughter, his usual decisiveness deserted him.
"Silly Xier. It's Father's fault for not taking good care of you..."
Hearing this, Yun Xi's nose tingled. This was her father.
He always showered her with love. Even though she had suffered so much and resented him at times, she could never truly hate him.
The heart - warming scene of a loving father and a filial daughter deeply hurt Madam Jiang. She clenched her handkerchief tightly, grinding her teeth in anger. She couldn't figure out where things had gone wrong.
As if just noticing Madam Jiang, Yun Xi exclaimed,
"Auntie! Why are you here too?"
Yun Xi sat up straight, looking terrified as if Madam Jiang had a hideous face. Yun Sheng frowned immediately and instinctively pulled his daughter into his arms.
The address "Auntie" was like a sharp thorn piercing Madam Jiang's heart!
It easily tore apart the noble facade she had painstakingly maintained.
It instantly reminded everyone that this haughty wife of the prime minister had once been a low - ranked concubine!
But Yun Xi had said it respectfully, and Yun Sheng had allowed it.
Facing the contemptuous looks from others, Madam Jiang was seething with hatred but had to take a deep breath to maintain her composure. At this moment, Yun Xi timidly asked,
"Auntie, why did you bring so many people here?"
Madam Jiang glanced at the noble ladies behind her and met her husband's cold and skeptical gaze. She felt as if she had fallen into an icy winter. Hastily, she forced a smile and gently grabbed Yun Xi's wrist,
"Silly girl. You've been sick but didn't say a word. You're just trying to make your father and me worry, aren't you? Look at how pale your face is. People might think I've been mistreating you."
Madam Jiang's words were double - edged, seemingly scolding but also showing concern. It made people wonder if Yun Xi was deliberately playing the victim to gain her father's attention and frame her stepmother.
Madam Jiang's touch made Yun Xi feel as if a venomous snake had crawled onto her skin. She immediately struggled,
"Auntie, you're holding my wrist too tightly!"
Only then did Madam Jiang realize that she had been holding too tightly. Meeting her husband's warning look, she quickly let go as if her hand had been burned. Just as she was about to explain, she saw Yun Xi casually roll up her sleeve, revealing a distinct red mark on her fair wrist.
Yun Xi's skin was as fair as jade, and the red mark stood out prominently on her white wrist.
In the eyes of everyone present, it was obvious that Madam Jiang had taken revenge on Yun Xi!
"I..." Madam Jiang was stunned.
She had only exerted a little force. How could there be such a mark?
Not only in front of her husband, but even secretly, she wouldn't dare to harm this little bitch so blatantly!
"Auntie, I really didn't mean to cause you trouble..." Yun Xi said nervously.
She knew that the mark had been left by Jiang Qing, but she pretended to be anxious and tried to get up, coughing violently.
Each cough was like a heavy hammer striking Yun Sheng's heart.
Meeting her husband's livid face, Madam Jiang shook her head desperately, but she was unable to defend herself.
Yun Sheng gently rubbed his daughter's red wrist, soothing her tenderly,
"Be a good girl, Xier. You're my precious daughter. You don't need to explain yourself to anyone!"
Yun Sheng deliberately emphasized the word "anyone", showing his extreme partiality.
Everyone could clearly see who was more important in the prime minister's heart.
Madam Jiang's face turned as pale as paper. Her hand in her sleeve clenched into a fist, and her eyes were filled with jealousy and unwillingness!
Sixteen years ago, Su Yun had snatched her husband. Sixteen years later, Su Yun's daughter had taken away her children's father!
If she didn't send this mother - daughter pair to hell with her own hands, how could she be willing to give up?
Knowing that her husband doted on this little bitch like the apple of his eye, she had carefully planned and been extremely cautious. Finally, she had waited for an opportunity to get rid of her.
But unexpectedly, this little bitch had escaped all her schemes and even managed to outmaneuver her!
No! There must be something she had overlooked!
Madam Jiang recalled the morning's events. Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind. She whispered an order to the maid beside her.
Not long after, the bound maid outside crawled in, wailing loudly,
"Master, you must avenge me!"
The sudden wailing immediately drew everyone's attention. The maid knelt in front of Yun Sheng,
"Yesterday, the young lady met with her cousin and didn't return all night. When the madam asked me, I had to tell the truth. But the madam said I was slandering the young lady and tied me up without investigating. But just now when the fire broke out, I saw with my own eyes that the young lady had just come back!"
Upon hearing this, there was an uproar. Everyone stared at Yun Xi as if she were a monster.