"I heard that it took dozens of the Flower Clan's top embroiderers a whole year to make this."

"Third Sister, what do you think of this golden-threaded robe on me?"

Xiao Jingqing pressed down on my hand, provoking me as she asked.

I pushed her hand away and met her gaze.

My hand gently brushed her face, then grabbed her chin.

As she looked at me in confusion, before she could react.

I forcefully twisted it.

"Ah—"

She let out a piercing scream and then clutched her chin, tears streaming down her face from the pain.

"Sister, you've reminded me.

"Isn't this the golden-threaded robe that the Flower Clan's envoy promised to weave for me in front of Grandmother?"

I boldly picked up the robe and examined it closely.

I must admit, it's truly beautiful.

"Second Sister, don't blame me for meddling.

"After all, Grandmother personally approved this robe to be made for me by the Flower Clan.

"Don't blame me for saying this, but you really are clueless.

"The gifts from the Emperor are clear, aren't they? Yet you still don't get it?

"You actually let the Emperor give you something that Grandmother had already bestowed upon me?

"There is only one of these robes. Tell me, who should it rightfully belong to?

"If it's given to me, it would be an affront to the Emperor.

"But if it's given to you, I'm afraid you and the Emperor would both be seen as ungrateful descendants. Living in this palace, even our ancestors would be ashamed of you."

Indeed, if I relinquish the golden-threaded robe.

It would be a slap in the face to our late Grandmother.

In the Qi Dynasty, filial piety is paramount. If our Xiao family ancestors do not scold these two,

the court officials' accusations alone would drown them.

"So, Second Sister, don't blame me for being heavy-handed.

"I'm doing this for your own good. Since you can't control your mouth, then don't speak.

"So you won't harm our family's reputation and cause our brother to be seen as unfilial."

Xiao Jingqing wanted to speak, but as soon as she moved her mouth, she remembered her dislocated jaw.

She inhaled sharply from the pain, drool almost dripping down.

Unable to speak, she could only glare at me venomously.

Xiao Jingqing's brainless arrogance had unfortunately crossed my bottom line.

While I could endure the torment from her and our brother,

she dared to use two of the people dearest to me, Grandmother and Litchi, to provoke me.

I knew Litchi hadn't resisted because of my precarious situation, afraid of causing me further trouble.

Xiao Jingqing had likely counted on this as well.