I knelt for half a joss stick's time under the gaze of everyone before my father slowly spoke.

"Repeat what you just said."

I was pressed so hard that I couldn't breathe, so I took a few deep breaths before repeating what I had said earlier.

"Reason." Father's voice still couldn't reveal his emotions.

I paused, slowly raised my head, and then recounted everything I had seen and heard that day.

"Father, the eldest son of the Wang family is not a suitable match. Although Second Sister is not born to Mother, she is still a daughter of the Liu family and has been raised by Mother since childhood. I can't just stand by and watch Second Sister fall into danger!"

I wanted to move him with emotions and convince him with reason. Although Father was strict with his children, I believed he wouldn't let us fall into a pit of fire.

Father remained silent.

Mother secretly glanced at Father's expression and cautiously spoke, "Master, perhaps it's best to let Ying'er get up first."

Father nodded slightly, and Second Sister immediately came forward to help me up.

"I have my own considerations regarding this matter."

Father held the teacup in his hand again.

"First, send Miss Second and Miss Third back to their rooms. If a single word of today's events leaks out, be careful of your lives."

With one sentence, Father determined the outcome of today.

I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that there was still room for maneuvering in this matter.

I exchanged a glance with Second Sister and we both returned to our rooms.

No one would dare to act as boldly as I did in this matter. It was all because of my maternal grandfather, who was a general in the mansion.

When Mother was young, she fell in love with Father at first sight and insisted on marrying him, even if it meant severing ties with her own family.

After I was born, my relationship with my maternal grandfather's family was excellent, and it shaped my personality to be completely different from Second Sister's.

The air in the courtyard was still stuffy. The attendant added some ice cubes for me, allowing me to escape from the oppressive heat.

There weren't many servants in my courtyard, and at this moment, there was no sound at all, so quiet that even the sound of the hourglass in the room was clearly audible.

"Something's not right." I suddenly sat up.

The attendant heard my voice and immediately came in.

"Attendant, stay here. I'm going to see Second Sister." As I spoke, I was about to leave.

A dark figure appeared in front of me.

"Miss Third, please return. Master said to let Miss Third rest in her room and not interfere with other matters."

As expected...

My heart sank instantly.

I was under house arrest, and it was probably the same for Second Sister.