263 Quiet Down (2/2)
”I didn't think you'd remember,” Duchess Wang Qixing gushed. ”Will you be staying home? If so, I'll make lunch. It'll be all of your favorite foods!”
”I'd love that, Mother,” Li Minghua brightly smiled as she happily swung her legs under the table.
Li Xueyue let out a quiet hiss when a foot connected with her shin. She averted her gaze and gritted her teeth, already knowing who did it. The only person sitting opposite her was Minghua whose gloating expression was ruining the meal.
”What's wrong?” Li Minghua asked as she innocently tilted her head.
Li Chenyang scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. He turned to Xueyue whose eyes were set ablaze.
”Someone kicked me,” Li Xueyue deadpanned. ”I wonder who.”
”Oh no, dear sister, that must've been me. Maybe if your legs weren't stretched out, and you sat like a proper lady, it wouldn't have happened,” Li Minghua said with a shrug of her shoulders.
Duchess Wang Qixing let out a small gasp. ”Minghua, you shouldn't behave like this.”
”I didn't mean to, Mother,” Li Minghua responded. ”She's my younger sister. Why would I purposely hurt her?”
Duchess Wang Qixing's expression softened. She had missed hearing Minghua's voice. ”You're right. Next time, try to be mindful of your actions.”
”I will, Mother,” Li Minghua said with a shy smile.
Li Chenyang was not having any of this drama. ”Apologize.”
Li Minghua's smile slipped in a second. She turned to her brother and glared at him. ”It wasn't intentional.”
”Apologize, now.” Li Chenyang glowered at her. His intent stare could've bore a hole right through her forehead. His voice was deep and angered, leaving no room for an argument.
”No,” Li Minghua seethed. ”You're acting as if I bullied her when she was the one who bullied me in the Palace!”
”That's because you were a sorry excuse of a servant,” Li Chenyang barked out. ”If you did your role, you wouldn't have been punished.”
Li Minghua was taken aback by his harsh words. Tears filled her eyes. She looked as if the entire world had wronged her. Letting out a loud ”hmph,” she stood up from the table and ran out of the door.
Li Chenyang frustratingly stood up.
”Sit down,” Duke Li Shenyang finally said. ”Your sister is just emotional. Leave her be.”
”She hasn't changed a single bit,” Li Chenyang retorted. He sat back down and angrily stabbed the egg.
”Chenyang,” Duchess Wang Qixing said with a sigh. ”You need to be kinder to her. She has finally come back to us. You were like this before the incident as well.”
”And what about Xueyue?” Li Chenyang questioned. ”She has been sitting there quietly, doing nothing but eating, and Minghua just kicked her.”
Every pair of eyes fell on Xueyue who squirmed in her seat. Their stares were uncomfortable. She suddenly didn't feel welcomed here. She knew they meant no harm, but it was a strange atmosphere—as if everyone didn't know what to do with her.