Kneel and apologize

For a moment, Helian Weiwei felt as though she had been exposed and seen through. But upon reflection, even if she were discovered, she realized it wouldn't be beneficial for her future prospects as a concubine if she left the third prince with a negative impression. So, she patted the divine beast on her shoulder and spoke in a voice audible only to the two of them, "Xiaobai, well done."

"The main purpose was to let her express her true feelings through her sister's slap, without any intervention from the main temple." The white cat disdainfully looked at the two humans in front of him and arrogantly brushed his whiskers.

Helian Weiwei believed that this plan would serve two purposes, but little did she know that when Baili Jia Jue heard those words, amusement flickered in his eyes, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face...

This left Sun Gonggong wondering if his eyes were deceiving him. How could His Royal Highness be interested in a woman who was so "unrefined"?

Surely, it must be an illusion! It had to be!

Meanwhile, Helian Jiao'er, who had always portrayed innocence and simplicity, found herself being grabbed by Helian Mei's hair. The pain in her scalp made her want to curse uncontrollably. She glared angrily at Helian Mei, realizing that continuing to argue was futile. She decided to unleash her martial energy, forcefully shaking Helian Mei and sending her flying a meter away.

Murong Changfeng's face turned livid. He couldn't comprehend what was happening. How could Helian Mei, who always obeyed Helian Jiao'er, act out of character like this? He vividly remembered that when he entered the Protector Mansion, the sisters were not like this at all. Their current behavior was entirely different. Was this their true nature?

Murong Changfeng's body tensed. Helian Jiao'er appeared relatively composed, but she seemed stronger than usual. Helian Mei, on the other hand, resembled a mad dog, and there was a possibility she would stir up trouble again. He had a gloomy expression on his face as he contemplated protecting them.

Boom!

Helian Mei was thrown heavily to the ground, and the surrounding crowd's discussions filled her ears. She shook her head, gradually regaining her senses, and remembered what she had just said. Her face suddenly changed, and she collapsed onto the ground.

Why? Why did this happen?

She felt as though she had spoken things she shouldn't have, as if under a spell.

"No!" Helian Mei held her head and screamed, "Who is behind this? Who framed me! I didn't want to say those things at all! It's over, it's all over."

Despair filled Helian Mei's face, and bitterness choked her throat. She didn't dare to look at the people surrounding her. Moreover, famous young masters from various families were present, witnessing her disgraceful behavior. She feared she would never be able to marry again in the future!

Observing this, Helian Jiao'er's eyes filled with tears. When had they ever been this humiliated? She didn't believe that this matter had nothing to do with Helian Weiwei. She also knew that she couldn't appear strong at this moment; she had to soften her approach to elicit sympathy from others.

Therefore, regardless of her previous suspicions, Helian Jiao'er reached out to embrace Helian Mei, looked back at Murong Changfeng, and weakly pleaded, "Shizi, my sister must have fallen victim to an evil curse, causing her to utter those unbearable words against her will. I beseech the young master to allow us sisters to retire and rest."

With Helian Mei's current state, Helian Jiao'er didn't wish to witness her sister's ruin.

But by doing so, she would create an opportunity for herself to retreat. Otherwise, the third prince might drag her down along with Jing Wu Hope!

Now, she could capitalize on the chaos and muddle the situation.

However, Helian Weiwei never accepted being taken advantage of. She gazed at Helian Jiao'er and spoke lightly, "Second sister, are you willing to sacrifice yourself and leave?" Helian Jiao'er's grip tightened, her beautiful eyes reddened, and tears welled up as she looked at Helian Weiwei.

To an outsider, it would seem as though she had been wronged.

But everyone knew that wasn't the case!

Thus, her attempt to feign helplessness and gain sympathy failed miserably.

Even Murong Changfeng no longer came to her aid.

Helian Jiao'er understood that she had to yield this time. Her eyes flashed with malice as she lowered her head slightly and respectfully saluted Helian Weiwei, her voice strained, "Big sister, it was my sister's mistake. Without proper investigation, she wronged you unjustly."

"It's good that you acknowledge your mistake," Helian Weiwei chuckled. "What I'm concerned about is whether you truly submit in your heart. Otherwise, I'd be unwilling to accept your salute."

Helian Jiao'er clenched her fists, her waist bent once again, and even her knees touched the ground. Though her face displayed a forced smile, her jaw tightened. "Is my sister satisfied now?"

"It doesn't matter whether I'm satisfied or not. The most important thing is whether you submit," Helian Weiwei said, hooking her thin lips and emphasizing each word, "Obey. Do you understand?"

Her intention was deliberate, accentuating the last three words!

Helian Jiao'er's delicate face contorted, but she had to yield even further, her trembling voice uttering, "I obey."

As she spoke these two words, the cloth in Helian Jiao'er's hand was stained with layers of blood.

Being forced to please Helian Weiwei in such a manner was more agonizing than death.

She would rather slap herself than be subjected to this humiliation—groveling before Helian Weiwei, who seized all the grace.

And it didn't end there.

This time, Helian Weiwei even took advantage of her sister's reputation and a lifeline the Su family had bribed the academy for years.

If her grandfather found out, he would surely be furious.

And as for the Third Prince... She couldn't allow that man to witness her in such a humiliated state.

All of this was because of Helian Weiwei, that vixen!

Helian Jiao'er wanted to kill her at this very moment, but she knew she couldn't do that. Instead, she could only bite her thin lip and instruct the guards to crush Master Pure Hopeless.

She vowed to give that wretched vixen a taste of her own medicine—by any means necessary!

Helian Jiao'er's eyes gleamed with venomous intent.

However, Helian Weiwei remained unfazed.

As a divine beast capable of discerning human thoughts, especially Xiaobai being a prince, he detected the resentment emanating from Helian Jiao'er's being. His voice, filled with coldness, reminded Helian Weiwei, "If I were you, I would have simply killed her, made her apologize, kneel down, and save time!"

"You don't understand that the most excruciating pain for humans isn't death but stripping them of what they rely on most for survival—such as power and prestige..."

She believed that Helian Jiao'er must be feeling more anguish than if she were dead.

For years, Helian Weiwei had endured such humiliation, and living had become worse than dying.

She didn't seek a one-size-fits-all approach!

Everything that rightfully belonged to the Helian family—those who had taken it away from her would witness her reclaim it, dot by dot, point by point!