Chapter 2: 第002章：凤凰涅槃（2）

Xue Linglong's small body trembled incessantly. She was truly terrified; she didn't dare cry out, fearing she might be beaten to death, yet she could only endure it in silence.

Everyone in the manor said her mother was having an affair, but she didn't believe it. Someone must have framed her mother, but she lacked the power to do anything. The three of them could only endure in silence. Ever since that incident five years ago, her mother had been gravely ill. She couldn't let her mother be sad anymore. She had to take care of her mother and younger sister. She had to hold on.

She tried her best to be more well-behaved, but she also knew that such a thing was a mere luxury. Her father hated her mother intensely for "bringing another man over the wall"; otherwise, why would he tolerate these people bullying the three of them so?

The rattan whip in Xue Qingcheng's hand struck with increasing ferocity, until her own hand grew weak from the effort, yet the hatred in her heart showed no sign of waning. Just as Xue Linglong thought she was about to be beaten to death, two women dressed in exquisite, luxurious silks approached. One was the Second Madam, Lady Liu, and the other was the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's manor, Xue Baimei.

With every frown and smile, Xue Baimei was truly a vision of charm and grace. Dressed in apricot red, she looked even more delicate than the flowers. At this moment, a trace of mockery played upon her gentle and enchanting face. Looking at the small, shivering figure being whipped by Xue Qingcheng, her eyes held nothing but malice and not a shred of sympathy. Who could blame her? Even though that woman's daughter was the legitimate daughter of this Prime Minister's manor, and even though Hua Liuwu had been caught red-handed having an affair, Father still hadn't kicked the three of them out of the manor. Her heart was filled with immense jealousy. They were clearly ten thousand times better than this useless fool; why was she the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's manor?

"Qingcheng, come. The owner of Juesuo Workshop has finished the clothes. They've been picked up, so let's go try them on quickly." Lady Liu's beautiful eyes were filled with smiles as she affectionately took Xue Qingcheng by the arm. Looking at the rattan in her hand, she rubbed Xue Qingcheng's aching, weakened hand and said with heartache, "Qingcheng, does your hand hurt? Next time something like this happens, tell Mother. Mother will have someone handle it. You must know that my daughter is precious."

Immediately after, Lady Liu turned around and delivered a vicious kick to Xue Linglong's body. "You little slut! If you cause any injury to our Qingcheng's hands, I'll chop your hands off!"

Lady Liu's eyes were full of ruthlessness. At this moment, she wanted nothing more than to tear this little slut apart. That slut's mother had somehow managed not to die even after five years; she stubbornly clung to the position of Prime Minister's wife. Why couldn't she have just died sooner?

Xue Linglong's already thin and frail body was thrown violently to the ground by Lady Liu's kick. She didn't dare make a sound, even though she was clearly the one in pain. Yet, she was always the one who got hurt. She gritted her teeth and struggled to endure.

Beside them, Xue Baimei moved her graceful figure, a soft smile appearing on her face as she spoke to Lady Liu, "Second Mother, do not be angry. Third Sister didn't do it on purpose. Besides, Third Sister is Prince Ming's fiancée. Baimei heard Father say that Prince Ming is coming to visit Third Sister tomorrow."

Xue Baimei appeared to be persuading, but in reality, she was reminding Lady Liu and Xue Qingcheng that this Xue Linglong was the fiancée of the incomparably handsome Prince Ming. No matter how much effort you mother and daughter put in, or how many new clothes you have made, all that effort could not overcome this fact.

A flash of poisonous, cold laughter flickered in the depths of Xue Baimei's gentle, enchanting eyes. She knew that Lady Liu and Xue Qingcheng were the most unable to withstand such a reality; this little slut would soon have something to suffer through. At this moment, her eyes were filled with the expression of someone waiting to watch a good show.