“What did you say!” Li Xiaoran’s expression was extremely surprised.

Li Weiyang’s complexion was rosy, her eyes clear and bright: “Father, I saw Third Brother playing in the garden, then he was led away by Third Madam. She even grabbed his hand and gave him quite a scolding, saying he ran around everywhere and didn’t even know where he lost one of his shoes!”

Then, as if just now seeing that shoe that had been retrieved, Li Weiyang showed a delighted expression: “Oh my, so it’s here? Third Brother is really naughty, actually running to the lake to play and getting his shoe all wet!”

Knowing it was a false alarm, Li Xiaoran’s heart relaxed considerably, but he quickly frowned again: “What are you doing running to the South Courtyard!”

Li Weiyang said with a smile: “Father, the Old Madam said there are too few people in Weiyang’s courtyard—it doesn’t look proper. Today, Weiyang followed the Old Madam’s orders and specifically went to Huichun Hall to select a few suitable maids. Passing by the South Courtyard, I saw many maids gathered outside. Someone said Father and Mother were both here, so Weiyang came in to pay respects.”

Li Xiaoran was stunned. The Grand Madam’s expression stiffened for an instant. Li Xiaoran then said: “Have you finished selecting?”

Li Weiyang’s face immediately showed a flattered expression: “The steward nanny said she had already prepared five maids for me and asked me to select three from among them. I thought they all looked good, so I’m planning to ask the Old Madam to help me make the decision.”

Since Weiyang had just returned, selecting a few maids was appropriate. But why did Huamei say Weiyang had come to visit Seventh Concubine? Li Xiaoran thought of that nonexistent white crane, then thought of Huamei’s stammering and hesitant expression. He immediately associated it with sowing discord and couldn’t help but glance at the Grand Madam with slightly cold eyes.

The Grand Madam thought to herself that they had indeed underestimated Li Weiyang too much. First, they couldn’t find that white crane, then Seventh Concubine hadn’t died, and now even Third Young Master, who should have been thoroughly dead, was alive and kicking. All these people who could have proven Li Weiyang was a disaster were alive one by one. The only remaining evidence was—

Before she could speak, Li Weiyang had already cried out in alarm: “Oh my, what happened to Fifth Sister?! Her face is injured so seriously?”

The Grand Madam snorted coldly and said: “She inexplicably fell into the water and was injured like this!”

Li Weiyang seemed very surprised: “Fifth Sister, this is—”

At this moment, Li Changxi suddenly moved. The maid beside her said with delight: “Fifth Miss has awakened!”

Li Changxi sat up and subconsciously touched her own face, but felt a handful of fresh blood. She immediately cried out: “My, what happened to my face! Mother, what happened to my face!”

The Grand Madam said regretfully: “Changxi, your face is injured. You absolutely mustn’t touch it anymore. I’ve already sent someone to fetch a physician. Just lie down properly!”

Li Changxi saw Li Weiyang beside her and immediately jumped up: “You jinx! It’s all you! You’re the one who harmed me!”

Li Changxi looked utterly exasperated, her finger almost pointing at Li Weiyang’s nose.

“What’s wrong with Fifth Sister?” Li Weiyang’s face was full of astonishment: “Who has made you this angry?”

“You don’t understand?! Hmph, you disaster! If it weren’t for you cursing me, how would I have fallen into the lake!”

Li Weiyang looked at her lightly: “Fifth Sister, be careful with your words. Although I was born in the second month, to this day, Father and Mother are both very healthy. For you to say this, aren’t you slapping our parents in the face?!”

Li Weiyang hadn’t spoken harshly in return, yet these words were enough to anger Li Changxi half to death. Hearing Weiyang’s words, Li Changxi was so angry she swung her hand to push her, while shouting: “You’re too shameless! You’ve harmed me into this state and still dare to make empty claims!”

Seventh Concubine was startled and almost immediately rushed forward to protect her daughter. Just then, Cui’er beside her pulled her back, and she suddenly remembered that her status didn’t permit her to do this!

Li Weiyang curved up her lips. The plot having failed, her own face was ruined instead, yet she still didn’t know to repent. Did she think everyone else was dead? As expected, before Li Changxi could strike her, she was blocked by the maids and nannies beside her.

“Silence! With this behavior, do you still look like a young miss?” Li Xiaoran pointed at Li Changxi and rebuked her in exasperation.

But Li Changxi struggled and shouted: “Father, my face is ruined! Do you know, it’s all this lowborn bastard—she cursed me! She harmed me into this state! Throw her out, hurry and throw her out!”

Li Xiaoran was stunned. Li Weiyang said calmly: “Fifth Sister is right. Of course Father makes all decisions. If you have something to say, you can speak clearly and explain plainly. Making such a big fuss, shouting and causing a scene—isn’t this losing face for Father!”

Li Changxi couldn’t break free from the many maids restraining her. Angry, she turned her head and cursed at Li Weiyang: “Dead girl, don’t really think you’re a noble young miss. You’re just a lowborn thing! A disaster!”

Li Weiyang sneered coldly. Although Li Changxi was vicious at heart, she was still too young after all. Choosing this moment to shout and make a scene, even trying to strike out, would only exhaust Li Xiaoran’s patience. He was a person who valued propriety above all. The current Li Changxi didn’t look like a Prime Minister’s Manor’s noble daughter at all—she was simply a little shrew.

Therefore, she only looked at Li Xiaoran with grievance and said: “Father, Weiyang only went to select a few maids. Fifth Sister falling into the water was because her own birth hour is too weak and she encountered a water ghost. Yet she keeps saying I cursed her. How could I possibly curse her?!”

These words had an underlying meaning. With a father and a legitimate mother present, and even a birth mother on that side, she couldn’t curse any of them, but somehow cursed an unrelated concubine-born sister. Could she really curse her?

Actually, this was also because the Grand Madam hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to be on guard against her early and had arrived at the South Courtyard ahead of time to save Seventh Concubine. Otherwise, with the fact of cursing her birth mother to death, plus the mysteriously wrongful death of Li Minfeng, Li Xiaoran would have had to deal with Li Weiyang. But now—for Li Changxi to forcibly pin the matter of her own drowning and injury on Li Weiyang was too far-fetched! It even carried a trace of deliberateness!

In the Grand Madam’s heart, she already understood that Li Changxi’s prospects ended here. A concubine-born daughter whose appearance was completely ruined had not a bit of value left, and showing such a ferocious appearance—everything was finished! But she didn’t plan to intervene. When it came down to it, Li Changxi was merely one of her chess pieces that could be sacrificed when necessary! So she said nothing, only keeping a stern face, coldly staring at Li Weiyang.

As expected, Li Xiaoran looked at Li Changxi with a cold face: “You shut your mouth this instant! Do you want no face at all!”

“Father, she harmed me and made me fall into the water! And my face—my face is completely ruined!” Li Changxi continued shrieking.

A trace of coldness flashed through Li Xiaoran’s eyes. He rebuked coldly: “I will find the best physician to treat you, but I never want to hear you say such things again!”

Li Changxi struggled desperately but was firmly held by the maids beside her. Her eyes were blood red, as if she wanted to pounce forward and devour Li Weiyang!

The best physician? Li Weiyang’s eyes smiled slightly. This cross-shaped scar was a grand gift she had given to Li Changxi. Even if Hua Tuo were alive, he couldn’t save her! Her eyes turned to the Grand Madam’s face. Next, it will be your turn!