Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 23: It’s Not Aunt Liu’s Place to Fan the Flames

The Punishment Hall.

"Kneel!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Song Xingfeng slammed his hand on the table in a rage.

Mrs. Liu, sitting on the other side, advised in a soft, gentle voice, "My lord, don’t be angry. You’ll harm your health."

"She’s brought utter disgrace upon our General Mansion!" He glared at his second daughter and raged, "Your older sister is not yet married! Your actions will drag her reputation through the mud as well! You... You are utterly shameless!"

Mrs. Liu sighed, "Oh, my poor Lan’er..." She took out a handkerchief, dabbing theatrically at the corner of her eye before looking up again. "Lianhe, it’s no wonder your father is so furious. You really did..."

Song Lianhe sneered, cutting her off with a cold look. "Whatever I may have done, it’s not your place to be fanning the flames, Aunt Liu."

"How audacious! Is that any way to speak to your mother?!"

Mrs. Liu gave a sorrowful little laugh. "I’m used to it. When you’re not home, my lord, Lianhe... Never mind. It’s all my fault for failing to guide her properly. I am willing to accept any punishment and take the blame."

Her tactic of feigning retreat to advance only fanned the flames of Song Xingfeng’s fury. "You wretched girl! Kneel, now!"

Song Lianhe remained standing ramrod straight, her hands clasped behind her back. She held her head high. "I did nothing wrong. Why should I kneel?"

"You stayed out all night... and you dare say you did nothing wrong?!"

"Hah. Stayed out all night? And why do you think that was?" Her sharp gaze fixed on Mrs. Liu as she spoke, enunciating every word. "Father, are you really going to believe a few words from others without even investigating the matter?"

Afraid of what else she might say, Mrs. Liu quickly interjected, "My lord, please don’t blame Lianhe. If there is any fault, punish me instead. It’s my failure to fulfill my duties as a mother. Any resentment the Second Miss feels toward me is what I deserve."

She rose timidly to her feet. Whenever Song Xingfeng was present, she always put on this meek and cautious act, which only served to make Song Lianhe look like a tyrant in her own home!

CRASH—

Song Xingfeng smashed his teacup and barked, "Bring out the instruments of family discipline!"

"My lord..."

"No one is to plead on her behalf!"

Mrs. Liu had no choice but to meekly acquiesce.

Nanny Tian, who was at her side, immediately went to summon the house servants. Moments later, a servant entered carrying a Tiger Tail Whip on a tray.

This was the Song Family’s ancestral whip. It had tiger-stripe markings, short segments, and barbs, and was used specifically to punish wayward descendants. The hard, cold whip seemed to radiate an icy chill, and the mere sight of it was enough to make one’s teeth chatter.

Seeing the Tiger Tail Whip, Song Lianhe’s body reacted before her mind could, and she took an involuntary step back.

’A blow from that thing would tear off a layer of skin!’

’The Song Family is too cruel. Is this for punishing descendants or exterminating them?!’

But when she caught a glimpse of Mrs. Liu’s gloating expression, Song Lianhe gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand her ground.

Song Xingfeng stepped forward, seized the Tiger Tail Whip, and pointed it at her. "Will you admit you were wrong?!"

Song Lianhe’s jaw tensed. She stared straight ahead. "It is Father who is in the wrong."

’Someone who could make it on her own in a big city wasn’t about to admit defeat! And no matter how spoiled and unreasonable the original owner of this body was, she still had the blood of General Li Hua in her veins. She was no coward!’

"Fine... Fine!"

Song Xingfeng hadn’t actually intended to strike her. A blow from the whip would be excruciating, and she was, after all, a young woman with delicate skin. She wouldn’t be able to bear it.

He had only meant to scare her, but now he was in an impossible position. He couldn’t bring himself to strike her, but he couldn’t back down either.

Mrs. Liu knew his temperament well, but how could she possibly let such a perfect opportunity pass her by?

So, she said softly, "My lord, I know you love your daughter dearly. A blow to her body is a pain in your heart. In my opinion, perhaps we should just let this go. After all, not many people know about it. As for my Lan’er..." She gave a miserable smile. "It’s just my fault for being a useless mother, unlike her late mother who was able to secure the title of County Princess for her daughter, allowing her to act without fear." As she spoke, tears welled up once more.

Song Xingfeng’s brow furrowed. He hated it when his late wife was brought up. Personal feelings aside, whether at court or among the common folk, General Li Hua’s fame far surpassed his own. Many of his colleagues even believed that he owed his current success entirely to the prestige of Lin Shuniang and the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion.

This had always been a bitter pill for Song Xingfeng to swallow.

Because he had married up into the Xuan Chang Marquis Mansion, married up to Lin Shuniang, all of his own achievements had been utterly erased! In the eyes of the world, he wasn’t the National Guardian General; he was merely Lin Shuniang’s husband!