Chapter 15: If You're Not Convinced, Keep Going (1)

The Old Matriarch opened her eyes and looked at the three chattering young ladies before her. Then, she looked at Long Ying, who stood silently behind them, quietly cradling the little fox. Her expression suddenly darkened. The more she listened, the angrier she became, until she was trembling with rage! The young ladies and their maids saw this and felt immensely smug. They could almost see the Old Matriarch severely lecturing Long Ying.

The Old Matriarch struck her coiled-dragon cane heavily against the ground and stood up with the support of a maidservant. She rushed forward in a few hurried strides.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!" Several heavy, consecutive sounds of slapping echoed.

To everyone's surprise, the slaps landed on the faces of Long Aohan, Long Xiandie, and Long Daiman! Not only did the expressions of the three young ladies freeze instantly, but even Long Ying was momentarily stunned. She looked at the Old Matriarch with eyes full of confusion. The Matriarch withdrew her hands, leaning on her cane with both hands, and began to tap the ground while urgently and angrily rebuking the three sisters.

"You yourselves said she is someone without spiritual power, so how could she have disciplined you like this? Even when framing someone, you should use your brains!"

"My precious granddaughter is a useless thing with no spiritual power at all, yet you people with spiritual power keep bullying her. What is your intention?"

"I never imagined you could be so malicious, even going so far as to play the victim first! You truly are unworthy of being descendants of my Long family. Someone, throw them out!"

By the time she finished speaking, even the ground had cracked from her strike! It was evident she was beyond furious! No one dared to delay; the three young ladies were immediately driven out by the Old Matriarch's guards. Only Long Ying remained before the Old Matriarch.

"Ying'er... come here, let the Old Matriarch look at you..."

*Ying'er?* Long Ying found herself somewhat amused and exasperated by this ancient term of endearment...

However, the pity on the Old Matriarch's face did not seem fake. As soon as she could, she took Long Ying's hand. Her slightly rough palm rubbed against Long Ying's delicate hand as she began to ask after her well-being with tender concern.

"Ying'er... do not be sad! If the Third Prince wants to break the engagement, then let him! We don't need him!" The Old Matriarch first offered a soft word of comfort to Murong Feixue, then looked at Long Ying's slightly thin face. As if remembering Long Ying's mother, she could not help but feel even more compassion.

She continued, "Originally, I thought choosing a member of the imperial family to marry you was for your own good, but I never expected it would instead cause everyone to mock you. I am an old fool! Rest assured, if anyone in the Long family dares to mock you again, just come to me to stand up for you. Hmph, I'll beat those rebellious children senseless!"

Hearing this, Long Ying nodded, a warm current surging in her heart.

To receive this sliver of warmth in this sycophantic Long Estate was enough to make one feel moved. Suddenly, she felt that staying in the Long Estate to continue this game wasn't a bad idea.

After bidding farewell to the Old Matriarch, Long Ying, holding Ali in her arms, intended to return to her quarters to rest. She had only just taken over this body, and it was not suitable for prolonged fighting and killing.

In the medicinal herb garden of the Long Estate, where a small river flowed through the treasure trove of herbs, several women with medicinal paste stuck to their faces were huddled together with distorted expressions. They were none other than the Second, Fourth, and Sixth Young Ladies who had been kicked out by the Old Matriarch. The group stood with heads bowed, whispering and discussing something.

Long Aohan, her face full of resentment, opened and closed her mouth—which had just been reset—with heavy fury: "Why does the Old Matriarch favor that useless thing so much! What is so good about her? We are the ones who got hit!"

Long Xiandie, who was always one to follow the wind, immediately nodded like a pounding garlic: "Exactly! It's simply unjust!"