The vast room fell into a terrifying silence.

Trying to fight against everyone with her own strength alone? A trace of mockery flashed through Tuoba Zhen’s eyes.

In that instant, Li Weiyang clearly saw the cold cruelty in his gaze, and suddenly recalled that agonizing moment when her legs were severed. She felt a suffocating sensation. No matter when it was, she had always been fighting alone.

“Third Sister would never lie!” Just then, a hand suddenly reached out and pressed down on hers through the sleeve.

Li Weiyang’s entire body trembled.

She turned her head and followed the arm that grasped her hand. In the bright sunlight, Li Min’de’s eyes sparkled like stars, his gaze firm, pure, and filled with trust.

This young boy’s forehead was covered with crystalline beads of sweat, yet upon hearing this news, he had rushed to her side at the first moment.

Strangely enough, just moments ago she had felt suffocated.

But now, a warm current surged into her heart. When everyone was questioning her, doubting her, even despising her, this child stood by her side.

Warm, comforting, and yet—life-saving.

She gripped Li Min’de’s hand, feeling warmth flowing continuously from his hand to hers. The coldness from before had already dissipated like smoke.

She—would absolutely never admit defeat.

What fairness, what family affection—she didn’t care about any of it at all. What she wanted was to advance step by step, securing each position!

Li Weiyang suddenly tightened her grip on Li Min’de’s hand, then released it and quickly walked before the Old Madam, kneeling down: “Old Madam, since my return, I don’t know how much trouble I’ve caused the family. Please, Old Madam—send me back to Pingcheng!”

Her expression was resolute without a trace of emotion, yet in her eyes, there was a faint glimmer of crystalline tears that made people dare not look directly at her.

The room fell into complete silence; everyone held their breath.

Just then, the Old Madam smiled. Her tightly knitted brows relaxed, the corners of her lips curved upward, and her originally cold expression suddenly appeared incomparably gentle.

“Feng’er, kneel down and pour tea for your Third Sister to apologize.” The Old Madam made her decision.

Li Minfeng’s complexion changed drastically. He turned back in disbelief, only to receive the Old Madam’s cold gaze. He bit his teeth and quickly walked over, grabbing the teacup forcefully as if with hatred, breathing heavily as he walked before Li Weiyang. The muscles on his entire face were trembling, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak. Beside him, the Great Madam’s face already displayed an expression of extreme resentment. If not for the presence of everyone, she would likely have pounced forward to tear Li Weiyang’s face apart.

Li Changle suddenly turned her head, her face covered in tears, looking pleadingly at Tuoba Zhen.

In that instant, a trace of faint mockery appeared on Li Weiyang’s face.

She watched as Li Minfeng slowly, bit by bit, was about to kneel down!

Just then, a slender hand suddenly reached out horizontally, blocking Li Minfeng’s movement: “Brother Minfeng, a man’s knees bear gold—one may kneel to heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers, but what does kneeling to a woman amount to?!”

The Third Prince Tuoba Zhen’s face appeared exceptionally handsome in his brilliantly colorful magnificent robes, with deep eyebrows and lashes that made it impossible to look away.

Li Minfeng was stunned, then halted his movement.

Li Weiyang turned her eyes and quietly looked at Tuoba Zhen.

Tuoba Zhen was also looking at her. For the first time, he truly and clearly observed Li Weiyang as a person.

Clearly restrained and controlled, very calm, yet one could feel a rage about to erupt surging within her body. She appeared so delicate and weak, but there was no force in the world that could defeat her. So contradictory, yet so harmonious—naturally integrated in one person as if formed by heaven itself.

Tuoba Zhen couldn’t help but think that he had countless women around him—noble ones like the Empress, virtuous ones like Noble Consort Mei, elegant ones like Worthy Consort Wu, beautiful ones like Li Changle… However, someone like Li Weiyang—this was truly the first time he had encountered such a person.

That was clearly a blooming crabapple flower, blossoming amidst the mortal world.

Stubborn and beautiful.

What a pity—born a concubine’s daughter, far too lowly! His gaze darkened as he naturally accepted Li Changle’s grateful look.

Everyone was stunned. The Third Prince had intervened to save Li Minfeng. If Li Weiyang still insisted on making him kneel in apology, that would be going too far!

The Old Madam watched this scene and couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

The Great Madam, however, breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the Third Prince was present today—such perfect timing!

Li Weiyang laughed coldly. Without even glancing at Tuoba Zhen, who kept staring at her, she instead walked before the Old Madam and performed a deep bow: “Thank you, Old Madam, for standing up for Weiyang. However, elder brother’s body is precious—Weiyang cannot bear it!”

The Old Madam glanced lightly at Tuoba Zhen, her lips parting slightly: “Then let Feng’er kneel in the ancestral hall for one night. As for the apology, let Changle substitute for her elder brother.”

The Great Madam and the other two, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, simultaneously changed expressions.

Li Changle’s autumn-water eyes, brimming with tears, revealed a mixture of unease and embarrassed urgency. She looked toward Tuoba Zhen, clearly hoping he would rescue her from this predicament.

But one intervention was enough—not twice. Tuoba Zhen only looked apologetically at Li Changle, displaying a reluctant expression.

The Great Madam quickly assessed the situation and ultimately, between her eldest legitimate son and beloved daughter, made her choice: “Changle, you shall substitute for your elder brother and apologize to Weiyang.”

Li Changle looked at the Great Madam in disbelief. The latter gave her a meaningful look. She felt utterly humiliated but forced herself to remain composed, picking up that cup of tea and looking at Li Weiyang for a long time without moving. Finally, she stepped forward, her voice as thin as a mosquito’s: “Third Sister.”

Li Weiyang smiled at her, inhaling the cold air through her nostrils, calming the flames burning within her body.

Li Changle slowly knelt down, her smile becoming stiff: “Earlier, my elder brother and I misunderstood you—”

Li Weiyang said calmly: “Elder Sister is mistaken. It wasn’t a misunderstanding—it was a false accusation.”

Li Changle’s hair was black as clouds, her eyelashes like delicate half-opened rose petals still bearing dew. Everyone present felt a sense of reluctance to see her suffer.

The Great Madam was particularly resentful. Her beloved daughter, carefully raised, was destined for great nobility in the future, yet now had to prostrate herself at the feet of a mere concubine’s daughter. Even if Li Changle achieved high status in the future, this humiliating moment could never be erased.

Li Changle could barely suppress the hatred in her heart. Embarrassed, she lowered her head even further. “Yes. I falsely accused you.” She paused before continuing, “Please forgive me.”

Li Changle’s lips were bitten bright red, her eyes brimming with tears. Everyone was shocked by her beauty in this moment. Indeed, beautiful women were everywhere, but beauty that could topple kingdoms was rarely seen.

Li Weiyang looked at her and said word by word: “Elder Sister, I have never blamed you or elder brother.”

I wish I could drink your blood and eat your flesh.

“It was just a misunderstanding.”

One day I will slaughter you all completely.

“We are still good sisters.”

Slowly wait for all this to descend upon you—this process will surely be very interesting.

Li Weiyang blinked her eyes, then smiled brilliantly, revealing white teeth like shells: “Please rise quickly.”

The Great Madam thought everything had passed, but she didn’t notice that Li Xiaoran’s eyes held indescribable disappointment as he stared at the mother and children…