The information revealed by the other party was so astonishing that Xiao Jingcheng's heart was in turmoil. His soul was then kicked out of his body by a powerful force and drifted back into the yellow dog's body.
He immediately fainted. The yellow light ball was so anxious that it bounced up and down, trying to wake him up but to no avail.
At this moment, Ye Wanmian, who was in a deep sleep, was also having a hard time. Perhaps it was because Xiao Jingcheng had been mentioned today, which had stirred up bad memories. She was now deeply trapped in a nightmare and couldn't break free no matter what.
...
Two years ago.
The capital city was a riot of colors just after the Flower - Worshiping Festival. Every household was in high spirits to welcome the spring. However, inside the mansion of Ye Changqing, the Censor - in - Chief, there was utter chaos.
With a crisp "pop", Ye Wanmian received a slap and fell heavily to the ground. A clear palm print immediately appeared on her fair face.
"You unfilial daughter! I, Ye Changqing, have fed and clothed you well for sixteen years, allowing you to enjoy all the glory and wealth. But you've repaid my kindness with enmity. You're extremely detestable!"
Ignoring the pain on her face and body, Ye Wanmian got up and kowtowed heavily to Ye Changqing. Choking with sobs, she cried, "Father, please discern the truth. I really didn't write that love letter. I've never intended to curry favor with the Crown Prince!"
Ye Changqing was so angry that his vision went black. He roared, "How dare you still argue! The letter paper was bought by your maid on your order, the ink was from your room, and the handwriting was identified as yours. The evidence is conclusive. How could the Crown Prince have wronged you?!"
Ye Wanmian reached out her hand, trying to grab the hem of Ye Changqing's clothes. Her face was filled with tears as she pleaded, "Father, please discern the truth. I really didn't do it. Father, please believe me!"
Ye Changqing waved her hand away. The look in his eyes when he looked at her was no longer full of kindness but only endless disappointment.
"Although you're not my亲生 daughter, since you call me father, I have the responsibility to discipline you! Guards, drag her outside and make her kneel there. Let her watch. No food and no sleep. She can only get up when she realizes her mistake!"
Ye Wanmian stared at him in disbelief with wide - open eyes, shouting, "Father, Father!"
The man angrily flicked his sleeves and strode away. Ye Wanmian got up to chase after him but was grabbed by her hands and feet. She was forcibly dragged outside and pressed down on her shoulders to make her kneel.
A sharp pain shot through her knees. Ye Wanmian gasped in pain. Looking down, she found that she was kneeling on a muddy ground with gravel.
As soon as she moved slightly, her shoulders were held down.
"Miss, the master has ordered you to kneel here and reflect. You're not allowed to go anywhere."
The gravel penetrated her clothes and pierced into her skin. Ye Wanmian's face instantly turned pale. She clenched her fists tightly, her fingernails digging deeply into the flesh of her palms. The pain went straight to her heart.
It was only early April at this time. The temperature dropped sharply at night. A cold wind blew, and Ye Wanmian couldn't help shivering. But as long as her body swayed slightly, the servant keeping watch would put pressure on her.
It started to rain drizzle in the sky. The rain was as fine as cow's hair. Ye Wanmian's clothes were soon soaked through, and her hair stuck to her face. She looked extremely embarrassed.
Several figures walked over in the distance. Hearing the footsteps, Ye Wanmian raised her head. She tried to open her eyes blurred by the rain and looked forward. A glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes. "Eldest brother, second brother..."
As soon as she opened her mouth, she saw the young girl surrounded by Ye Huan and Ye Huai -
Ye Wanxing, the real daughter of the Ye Mansion.
Ye Wanxing looked seven - tenths similar to Ye Changqing. It was obvious that she was of the Ye family's bloodline.
However, due to years of sun exposure in the countryside, her skin was rather dark. Unlike Ye Wanmian, who was fair, delicate, and charming, looking like a well - educated young lady from a noble family.
In contrast to Ye Wanmian's embarrassment, Ye Wanxing was being carefully protected in the middle by the two young masters of the Ye Mansion, not allowing her to get wet in the rain, as if she were a precious treasure.
Seemingly noticing the commotion here, Ye Wanxing looked in her direction and was shocked. "Sister, why are you kneeling here? You're all wet in the rain. Get up quickly!"
Saying that, she was about to rush out to help Ye Wanmian but was immediately stopped by Ye Huan, the eldest young master of the Ye family. "She has committed a serious mistake and has shamed the Ye Mansion. Father has punished her to reflect here. Don't meddle."
"What? Father is being too unreasonable!" Ye Wanxing stamped her foot and ran away. "I'll go and talk to Father. Even if sister has made a mistake, she shouldn't be punished like this. She has been pampered since childhood. How can she endure such hardships!"
"Xing'er!"
Ye Huan chased after Ye Wanxing. Ye Huai glanced at the soaking - wet Ye Wanmian. Frowning slightly, he kindly advised, "Wan'er, it's never too late to mend one's ways. If you admit your mistake sincerely, Father will forgive you."
Admit one's mistake and mend one's ways?
Ye Wanmian gave a faint smile and asked hoarsely, "So, second brother, you don't believe me either?"
Ye Huai said "stubborn" and left with a shake of his head.
In the empty courtyard, there was only a thin figure kneeling in the rain curtain. Ye Wanmian's heart gradually turned cold.
Why didn't anyone in this world believe her?
Her eyes felt hot. Tears mixed with the rain, and it was impossible to tell them apart.
That night, no one came to visit Ye Wanmian. The sun rose and the moon set. After a night, the rain still showed no sign of stopping. Finally, Ye Wanmian couldn't hold on anymore and fainted.
When she woke up again, Ye Wanmian found herself lying in a room. But the furnishings around were very strange. Moreover, her body was burning hot, and her throat felt as if it had been cut by a knife. The pain made her body tremble uncontrollably.
"Miss, you're finally awake. You scared this servant to death!"
Ye Wanmian turned her head to look at the side. Her personal maid, Qiuyi, threw herself on her and cried. Ye Wanmian moved her fingers, trying to speak. The pain in her throat made her frown in discomfort.
"Miss, wait. Qiuyi will go and get you some water!"
Qiuyi fetched some water, helped Ye Wanmian up, and fed her the water. After the warm water moistened her throat, Ye Wanmian finally felt a little better and was able to speak.
"Qiuyi, what time is it now?"
Qiuyi replied with a sob, "It's almost the end of the Mao hour. Miss has been in a coma since she fainted in the rain. You've slept for a full day and a half."
Ye Wanmian looked around and found that she was lying in a strange room. But the furnishings here were simple. It was definitely not her boudoir.
"Where is this?" she asked.
Qiuyi looked a bit unnatural but still told the truth. "This is an empty wing - room in the Hongyun Courtyard. After Miss fainted, the master... the master ordered someone to move Miss here."
"And the yard where Miss used to live has been vacated for Miss Xing'er. The master said... Miss Xing'er is originally the daughter of the Ye Mansion. It's only natural for Miss to give it up now."