Liu Chengfeng placed her on a chair next to the charcoal brazier. The snow on her body had melted and soaked her clothes and hair, making her feel even more uncomfortable as the dampness clung to her skin.
After Wang entered the house and sat down, she looked at Liu Yu with a hint of sarcasm in her eyes and said coldly, "I know what you're thinking. You feel that you have wronged Shushu all these years. Now that she's back, you can't wait to make up for all the past debts."
In reality, the mistakes you make can never be corrected.
Back then, you disregarded my objections and defied ancestral teachings to bring that mistress into the family. After her death, you went to the frontier in a fit of anger and lived a sham marriage with Madam Pan, remaining estranged for many years.
"You were largely to blame for Shushu's disappearance back then, and because of that, you've shown little care for Ying'er over the years. Now, in an attempt to make amends, you're completely biased towards Shushu, seemingly forgetting that Ying'er was also a child you once loved dearly."
Liu Yu fell silent for a moment.
Ye Ning's death has always been the most hidden pain buried in his heart. She was the woman he loved most in his life, a love that was selfish, obsessive, and unforgettable.
For many years, he could still clearly remember that bright girl in the dead of night, her smile more radiant than the summer sun. As he watched Qingying's appearance become more and more like Ye Ning's, he often felt dazed, as if constantly reminding him that his beloved was no longer alive, because he had failed to protect her.
He was somewhat afraid to see Qingying; it was a hidden feeling he couldn't bring himself to say.
Shushu's return seemed to break this strange situation. He had neglected his true daughter for Ye Ning's sake, and with guilt for this daughter he had lost and found again, he could not bear to let Shushu suffer even the slightest grievance.
But in the end, he has never been able to treat everyone equally over the years. Whether it is Ye Ning and Pan Shi, or Qing Ying and Shu Shu, the scales in his heart always tend to tip towards the weaker side.
Ignoring Liu Shushu's unpleasant expression, Wang pointed to the pitiful Qingying huddled to one side and continued, "You all just keep criticizing her, but not one of you stands in her shoes and thinks about her feelings. She used to be such a pure and kind girl."
Liu Chengfeng patted Liu Shushu's shoulder reassuringly, then said unhappily, "Grandmother, people change. Just because you watched her grow up, does that mean you have to favor her? Where do you place Shushu in this way?"
"Me, biased?" Madam Wang sneered angrily. "Ha! If I were biased, I wouldn't have waited until now to lash out! Search your conscience, how has Ying'er treated you all these years? Have you lived up to the sincerity she gave you?"
"I..." Liu Chengfeng opened his mouth, but didn't know how to refute it.
But deep down, he still didn't think he had done anything wrong. Just as Liu Chenglin had said, Shushu had suffered a lot and wandered around for many years, and now that she had returned to the manor, he should make it up to her. As for Qingying, she had enjoyed so much wealth and luxury for so many years, and should be more humble and tolerant of Shushu.
Wang seemed to see through his thoughts, gave a light sneer, and then glanced at Liu Yu, whose brows were furrowed, and Liu Shushu, who remained silent with her head down.
“I may be old, but I’m not senile! I’ve long since relinquished control over all matters in the household, but Ying’er is my granddaughter, and I cannot allow you to continue tormenting her like this!”
She doesn't owe you anything.
In the past, you all seemed to be good to her, but you were just imposing your guilt towards Shushu on her. None of you asked her if she was willing.
She could only convince herself to consider things from your perspective and accept it. But now? The real Shushu is back, and you take it for granted that she should give up her position and force her to be grateful for everything she has gained.
She refuses, and you blame her for being greedy, for being immature, for not recognizing her own status. You only stand on the moral high ground to criticize her.
But my dear daughter, what did she do wrong? She was just born into the wrong family by accident, and without knowing the truth, she was forced to live under someone else's identity for so many years..." As Wang spoke, she gradually choked up.
Qingying burst into tears, her thin body curled up in a small ball on the chair, looking utterly pitiful.
Liu Chengfeng had just felt a little guilty after being spoken to by Madam Wang, but seeing her like this, his heart softened completely.
Liu Shushu then said, "Grandmother, Third Sister is probably frostbitten. Why don't you let her go back and rest first?"
She didn't mention the injury on her face at all, and her sincere tone and concerned demeanor immediately made Liu Yu and Liu Chengfeng hesitate again.
They remembered that Shushu was the one who suffered the most injustice at first.
Madam Wang narrowed her eyes slightly, looking at her sincere face, and pursed her lips. After all, they were both her granddaughters, and she couldn't show too much favoritism.
So he said to Liu Chengfeng, "Shushu is absolutely right. Go and see her off yourself."
"yes."
Liu Chengfeng walked over and was about to pick Qingying up again when she shrank back, her resistance quite obvious.
Liu Chengfeng was both embarrassed and annoyed. "What are you doing?"
"It's obvious she doesn't want you to touch her." Before Qingying could speak, a clear male voice came from outside the door.
Liu Chengfeng was even more familiar with that voice than Qingying was.
He turned his head and frowned. "Why are you here?"
The others all stood up and bowed when they saw the newcomer:
"Greetings, Crown Prince."
“Madam, there’s no need for such formalities.” Wei Dongchen stepped forward to help Wang Shi up and said gently, “I arrived at the door a long time ago, but I heard you talking inside, so I didn’t want to come in. Now that you’ve finished talking, I’ll send the future heir’s wife back to recuperate. As you know, she’s in poor health and probably won’t be able to stay for long.”
He deliberately mentioned "future crown princess" to remind everyone present that he would hold anyone who hurt Qingying accountable.
Seeing that someone was backing Qingying up, Madam Wang relaxed a little and said with a smile, "I'll have to trouble you, Young Master, Qingying."
Liu Yu frowned, seemingly wanting to speak but then hesitated. However, seeing that Madam Wang had already given her consent, he ultimately didn't dare to object.
"Madam, you're too kind. This is what I, the young master, should do."
He then went over and picked up Qingying. This time she did not resist and obediently leaned into his arms.
Seeing this, Liu Chengfeng's face darkened, and he walked away in a huff.
Qingying was carried back to her courtyard by Wei Dongchen. When Tongxia learned that Qingying had been punished by kneeling in the snow, she rushed back to prepare hot water as soon as she brought Wei Dongchen to her.
Qingying was immediately carried into the bathroom and placed on a chair next to the bathtub. Wei Dongchen felt the bone-chilling coldness of her hands and instinctively wanted to help her undress. She quickly pressed down his fidgeting hands, her face flushed with embarrassment, "You...you let me do it myself..."
Wei Dongchen belatedly realized what was happening and quickly withdrew his hand, stammering in a panic, "I'm sorry, I was just in a hurry... You, you do it yourself."
Qingying was about to make a move when her fingertips landed on the buttons on his collar. She glanced at him again, feeling somewhat uneasy. "You...aren't you leaving?"
"Huh? Oh..." He stood up abruptly, feeling his ears burning, and quickly turned his back, stiffly walking out with his hands and feet moving in unison.
A stammering voice came through: "I...I'm...waiting outside. Call me when you're...ready..."
"Um."
Qingying watched his comical figure quickly slip out the door, and finally a faint smile appeared on her face.
There are still quite a few people in this world who genuinely care for her.
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