268 No Request Is Too Big (1/2)

When Li Xueyue entered the dining room, she was surprised to see Duke Li Shenyang and Wenmin were already home. Everyone was already seated at the table except for Chenyang and her.

”Did I take too long?” Li Xueyue nervously asked as she stepped into the room.

”No, I'm the last person,” Li Chenyang commented from behind her.

Li Xueyue was startled by his unexpected arrival as she swiveled around to see him standing right beside the door she had just stepped into. When did he get here?

”Don't just stand there,” Li Chenyang said. ”Sit down, Xueyue.”

Li Xueyue nodded as she joined everyone at the table. She felt her appetite shrivel and die. It was to her luck that Minghua sat directly across from her. Their eyes met and simultaneously, they averted their gaze and glared at the floor.

Duke Li Shenyang raised a brow. It seemed as if the house would be divided. He supposed it might be a good time to intervene in this problem. Perhaps waiting for them to deal with it would take too long.

”Minghua,” he spoke up. ”Something interesting has come to my attention. Would you like to know?”

Li Minghua glanced up from the steamed cauliflower she was playing with. She swallowed at the thought of what he would reveal to her. Did her father already find out the truth? He was a smart man. She didn't have a single doubt he would always get to the bottom of things. But she was slowly losing faith in him.

Li Minghua was directly under his nose the entire time in the Palace, yet he wasn't able to save her in time. Li Minghua had to save herself.

”What did you find out, Father?” Li Minghua responded. Her attention was no longer on the food. It was tasty, of course, and was much better than the bland food they served in the Palace, but she lacked the will to eat.

”Did you think you were replaced by Xueyue?” Duke Li Shenyang directly asked. He had no time to beat around the bush, especially with his family.

Duke Li Shenyang knew it was the truth when grievance flashed in her eyes. There was pain and heartbreak. Why was that? Did she feel betrayed by her own family?

Suddenly, her shoulders seemed so small and feeble. He realized she had lost so much weight over the past two years. Her cheeks were hollow and she no longer had a glimmer in her eyes.

His sheltered daughter had experienced the cruelty of this world—something he had done everything in his power to prevent. He never wanted her to look this unhappy. Her joy was his greatest wish. Why couldn't she understand that?

”Well, isn't that the truth?” Li Minghua said. ”Mother was undoubtedly upset by the idea of my death. Thus, you needed someone to fill that void in her heart, so you brought in a cheap replacement.”

Li Chenyang instantly slammed his chopsticks onto the table. It caught everyone's attention. ”Take that back right now,” he demanded in a harsh voice.

”Now, now,” Duke Li Shenyang reassured. ”There is no need to get so riled up by this discussion.”

”Father, she insulted Xueyue yet again. If you let her get away with it, Minghua will always think it's okay to do it,” Li Chenyang argued. ”You and Mother spoiled her so much, she's still a brat even after all these years.”

”You have the audacity to think that?” Li Minghua shot back. ”Because Mother and Father placed you on a high pedestal, you always think you're better than everyone! You think my spoiled attitude looks bad? You should take a good look at yourself!”

”What did you just say?” Li Chenyang hissed. His blood boiled at her provocation.

What has gotten into Li Minghua? Li Chenyang was familiar with her tantrums and always forgave her for it. After all, she was a caged canary. He had pitied her more than he loved her. He sympathized with the lonely girl trapped in a large house. She had all the luxury in the world but did not have a single companion to enjoy it with.

Times had changed. They were all adults now. Her present behavior was inexcusable. It was time for Li Minghua to grow up and face the real world. Her current attitude would only expose her weaknesses.

”You heard me,” Li Minghua demanded.

”Minghua,” Duchess Wang Qixing chided with a gentle voice. She placed a hand over her daughter hoping to calm her down.

”Let's not raise our voices,” Duchess Wang Qixing added on. ”And you too, Chenyang. Don't attack your sister so quickly. Whilst Minghua is also in the wrong for insulting Xueyue, fighting fire with fire will only create a bigger blaze.”

Li Chenyang narrowed his eyes. Of course, his mother would baby Minghua. She was the favorite child, after all. For every one hundred tantrums that Li Minghua threw, she would get scolded for one. But Chenyang only had to step out of line one time, and his mother already had the lecture ready.