Chapter 2 Just It?

The three of them turned to look at a girl who appeared drenched and frail. She was wearing a pale pink cloak adorned with rabbit fur around the collar.

Hu Zhangwei felt conflicted after hearing Hu Lihua's inner voice but still approached Hu Rui'an with concern and asked, "An'er, how are you? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Hu Rui'an nodded weakly and replied, "Father, I'm fine." She then turned toward Song Xiuyan, hoping for sympathy. However, upon seeing the hostility in Song Xiuyan's gaze, she quickly abandoned that thought. Lowering her head and gently biting her lip, she timidly said to Hu Zhangwei, "Father, Elder Sister didn't mean to hurt me. She might have just been upset for a moment when thinking about my engagement to the Second Prince."

The moment Hu Rui'an finished speaking, Hu Lihua pulled a disgusted face, as if looking at something filthy, and earnestly said, "There's no need to pretend to defend me. I did it on purpose, and it made my heart feel satisfied and delighted! So, how does the autumn pond water feel? Refreshing?"

Hu Rui'an was stunned. Why did Hu Lihua openly admit it? She wasn't even trying to defend herself?

Hu Zhangwei felt displeased upon hearing Hu Lihua's words. He spoke with a warning tone, "How could you say such a thing? Your younger sister is clearly trying to stand up for you!"

"No need, no need! Father, I'm afraid my lifespan might be shortened if a great Buddha like her defends me," Hu Lihua quickly retorted.

[Defend me? Father, are you stupid? Has your time on the battlefield made you this foolish? Which part of her words sounded like she was defending me? She's clearly trying to make you punish me!]

Hu Zhangwei choked. His face flushed red again as he heard his daughter scolding him inwardly.

Meanwhile, Song Xiuyan raised a handkerchief to cover her amused smile. For some reason, she felt slightly satisfied.

[Alright. Next, Hu Rui'an will definitely pretend to faint so that this cheap father will punish me by making me kneel in the Ancestral Hall all night. Aiyo! What bad luck!]

As soon as Hu Lihua finished her thought, Song Xiuyan and Hu Zhangwei both turned to look at Hu Rui'an, as if anticipating her fainting act.

Hu Rui'an was slightly confused when everyone suddenly stared at her. But after a moment, she remembered her original plan. Her body suddenly swayed backward, and she was swiftly caught by Qinqin, her loyal maidservant.

After witnessing the scene, Hu Zhangwei and Song Xiuyan looked back at Hu Lihua with complicated expressions. She even accurately predicted what would happen next?

[Bingo! Look, look! How amazing am I? Oh, no! Should I praise this Green Tea Girl's acting skills? Ha! Ha! Ha! Her acting is so terrible! How could someone faint yet still have their legs standing firm?]

Hu Lihua's remark made Song Xiuyan and Hu Zhangwei immediately look at Hu Rui'an's legs. Though concealed by her hanfu, they could confirm her legs were still firmly planted, only leaning against Qinqin.

Hu Zhangwei, who was about to scold Hu Lihua after seeing Hu Rui'an "faint," suddenly felt foolish. Had he really been this gullible all along?

"Miss! Second Miss!" Qinqin panicked and turned to Hu Zhangwei, saying, "Master, Second Miss has fainted! The pond water is so cold. What if she falls ill?"

Song Xiuyan turned and glared at Qinqin, who was looking at them with a worried expression. Feeling increasingly displeased, she said, "What are you standing here for? Do you want your mistress to freeze to death? Why haven't you taken her back to Xiangyu Pavilion and called for a physician?!"

Hu Zhangwei took a deep breath, trying to calm his startled heart, and said to Hu Lihua, "Alright. That's enough. Go back to Yufeng Pavilion and reflect on your actions."

Hu Lihua was surprised by the light punishment Hu Zhangwei had given her.

"Just… reflect?" Hu Lihua asked, afraid she had misheard.

[That's it? Why didn't my cheap father punish me by making me kneel in the Ancestral Hall?!]

Hu Zhangwei gritted his teeth. He had tried to be lenient and not punish Hu Lihua harshly, yet this girl dared to call him a cheap father in her heart? Had he truly fathered a little ancestor?

"What's the matter? Do you want me to punish you by making you kneel in the Ancestral Hall?" Hu Zhangwei asked.

"Ah! Father, of course not!" Hu Lihua quickly replied, flashing a sweet smile.

[Stop talking, stop talking! I'll behave and stay quiet!]

On the other side, Hu Rui'an clenched her hands tightly within her sleeves, digging her nails into her palms. She was furious. She had fallen into the autumn pond, the water was freezing, and she was sure she'd get sick. But why wasn't Hu Lihua punished as harshly as usual?

Qinqin snapped out of her shock, hurriedly bowed to her mistress, and then left with Hu Rui'an.

[Look! Ha! Ha! Ha! How hilarious! The "fainted person" can still move her legs to walk! This trick could only fool idiots like Grandmother, Father, and my two useless brothers! I'm sure only Mother sees through it! She always has a clear mind!]

Song Xiuyan lifted her chin proudly. Yes! In this household, only she and Hu Lihua had clear minds. The others might as well mistake pebbles for pearls!

Once again, Hu Zhangwei's face turned from red to green. His daughter didn't just inwardly scold him but dared to criticize the entire family!

Song Xiuyan turned to see Hu Zhangwei's face darkening but remained indifferent. "Husband, I'll go escort Hua'er back."

Hu Zhangwei stopped her just in time, "Wife, I need to speak with you."

Hu Lihua realized her presence was no longer needed. She quickly bowed to her parents. "Father, Mother, I'll return to Yufeng Pavilion first."

Song Xiuyan nodded, "Come to Ruyi Pavilion for dinner with me later."

"Yes, Mother. I'll definitely come."

After that, she turned and walked away, fearing Hu Zhangwei might change his mind. But halfway there, she remembered she didn't fully know the layout of the General's Residence. The novel only described it briefly. Just as she thought she was about to get lost, she saw a girl hurrying toward her.

"Greetings, First Miss," Xixi said, bowing deeply in front of Hu Lihua.

Hu Lihua gazed at the round-faced girl before her. Xixi was her loyal maidservant, only 18 years old, a year older than her. Just like herself, Xixi also met a tragic end.

"I just got back from the Tianpin Pastry Shop and heard that you were summoned to accompany Second Miss for a walk. Are you alright, Miss?" Xixi asked.

"I'm fine," Hu Lihua replied with a bright smile.

Xixi was momentarily stunned. Her First Miss was breathtakingly beautiful. Her arched brows resembled willow branches, her eyes were double-lidded, her nose sharp, and her lips small with white teeth. Paired with her jade-like skin and long, jet-black hair flowing like a waterfall, her beauty was flawless!

Hu Rui'an was always praised as the most talented and beautiful girl in the Imperial Capital. But to Xixi, she wasn't even half as stunning as her mistress.

Xixi sighed softly. Unfortunately, aside from the Madam, no one else in the family cherished her mistress. It was truly regrettable. Because of their treatment, her mistress often seemed sullen. That's why it was rare to see her smiling face.

"Miss, did something good happen?" Xixi whispered.

Hu Lihua nodded. "Let's go back to Yufeng Pavilion! I'll tell you about it later."