Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 52: My Sister Has a Mother, and I Do Not

And so, Song Lianhe calmly began to pour out her grievances, one by one.

"The world knows me as the arrogant and domineering legitimate daughter of the General Mansion. They say I bully and beat the servants at home and oppress the common folk outside. Everyone wishes they could just break my legs."

She let out a soft laugh and looked up at Song Xingfeng. "But Father, how did I become this way? Was I born unruly and incorrigible? Ever since my mother passed away, Father, have you ever once truly looked at me? ’An untaught child is the father’s fault.’ Besides constantly blaming and scolding me, have you ever confronted your own failings? You believe whatever anyone tells you and pin all the blame on me. While you were denouncing me, did you ever listen to a single word of my explanation?"

Today, Song Lianhe wasn’t shouting or causing a scene. Her tone was gentle and serene. Even her gaze as she looked at Song Xingfeng was utterly placid. Not a trace of hope could be seen in her eyes anymore.

Song Xingfeng’s expression was complex. When he met those eyes, so much like his late wife’s, his gaze faltered for an instant.

But his powerful paternal pride wouldn’t allow him to lose face or show weakness before his daughter. His expression hardened as he said in a low voice, "What is the meaning of this? You’ve become this way, and now you’re going to blame me for it?" He raised a hand, pointing at Song Xilan. "Then what about your sister? She is my daughter too. How is it she isn’t as hopelessly unruly as you? Why has she become the very model for high-society ladies in Ling’an City? Hmph, this is utter nonsense!"

Mrs. Liu chimed in, "My husband, please don’t praise Lan’er so much. It’s precisely because she is so exceptional that she draws envy and is constantly being compared to."

Song Lianhe lowered her gaze and smiled. "Father, you should know the answer now. It’s because... my sister has a mother to raise and protect her. And I do not."

Zhou Junlin’s head snapped up to look at her.

A moment ago, Song Xingfeng had been furious and irritable, looking as though he would never let the matter drop.

But his daughter’s words made him freeze. He stared at her, stunned, a pang of heartache in his eyes.

After all, this was his and Shuniang’s daughter!

Song Xilan glanced at Zhou Junlin, only to find him staring intently at Song Lianhe. Her gaze then shifted stiffly to her father. Wracked with guilt and heartache, his expression was now grim.

The hand inside her wide sleeve slowly clenched into a fist. ’She knew it! Song Lianhe was deliberately playing the victim to win sympathy! And men always fall for this act. It’s as if she could commit the most heinous crime and still be forgiven!’

Mrs. Liu was also left dumbfounded.

This...

’What is going on?’

’Weren’t they going to punish her? Weren’t they going to lock her up? But with just a few words, that Song Lianhe had actually managed to shut Song Xingfeng up!’

"Master... My husband, my husband..." she called out to him anxiously. "She injured Nanny Tian. Are we just going to let the matter drop? Nanny Tian has been by my side for decades. To be treated so cruelly at her age..."

Standing to the side, Zhou Junlin’s brow furrowed tighter and tighter the more he listened.

Song Xilan’s attention had been fixed on him the whole time. Noticing his displeased expression, she wanted her mother to be quiet. But Mrs. Liu only grew more agitated as she spoke. Heedless of the guest present, she tugged on Song Xingfeng’s sleeve and whined in a low voice, "My husband, you have to stand up for us! Get justice for Nanny Tian!"

Hearing this, a sarcastic, half-smile played on Song Lianhe’s lips.

Song Xingfeng slowly turned his head. "Are you suggesting, my lady, that I should punish my own flesh and blood to appease a servant?"

Nanny Tian was terrified. "This servant wouldn’t dare! This servant wouldn’t dare!"

Mrs. Liu froze. "My husband, you’ve misunderstood. I had no such intention..."

"As the lady of the General Mansion, you spend all your time and energy on Lan’er. I have never said much about it, since Lianhe is not your own, after all."

Song Xingfeng’s voice was stern as he berated her, "But she lost her mother when she was young, and I am away at war for years on end, leaving her with no one to raise her. I never expected you to treat her the same as you treat Lan’er, but you can’t just completely neglect Lianhe! If you knew of her many misdeeds, why didn’t you discipline her and correct them?"

"I..."

At this moment, Mrs. Liu was at a complete loss for words.

An imperceptible smile touched the corners of Song Lianhe’s lips as she casually picked up the teapot on the table and poured herself a cup of tea.