A fleeting thought crossed Xi He's mind.
There were more pressing matters at hand.
Xi He looked at Zhen Lingrong, concealing the disgust and hatred in her eyes, and pleaded, "I beg the Hall Master to overlook Xi Yin's immaturity, seeing as he is still young. Xi Yin grew up under the Hall Master's care; you watched him grow over these past decades. Xi Yin is soft-hearted, and this time, he must have been poisoned by some wicked servant's words, which he repeated without thinking in his agitation. This is absolutely not his own thought!"
Xi He was also a consummate actress. Her speech, delivered with appropriate tone, expression, and gestures, was perfectly performed.
So convincing was she, that she almost believed it herself.
However, Zhen Lingrong smiled with a hint of amusement.
"Seeing how eloquently you speak, I presume you can guess who that wicked servant might be? Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to explain it so clearly, would you? If that's the case, then name that person, and I will spare Xi Yin this time. What do you say?"
Zhen Lingrong's tone was gentle, as if she were making idle chitchat. Yet, to Xi He's ears, it sounded like a thunderclap.
She was stunned for a long moment before speaking, "Why is the Hall Master so..."
Xi He didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.
She was accusing Zhen Lingrong of abusing her authority and creating trouble where there was none.
But despite her hesitant words, Zhen Lingrong didn't even glance at her.
Xi He truly began to panic.
What should she do?
The Execution Hall people arrived so quickly.
Looking at Zhen Lingrong's attitude, if she didn't find someone to punish today, it would be Xi Yin.
But how could she bear to see Xi Yin punished?
The Execution Hall – what kind of place was that? To go there meant shedding more than half your skin, even if you survived.
Furthermore, Zhen Lingrong clearly had a deliberate agenda. With just a hint or a casual word from her, Xi Yin could easily perish in the Execution Hall.
As Xi He was frantically pacing like an ant on a hot surface, the Execution Hall personnel arrived.
Shen Xiaoyan and the other two watched the group of people rapidly approaching from a distance, their eyes wide with surprise.
The entire group was clad in pure black attire, with black hats and masks covering their heads and faces.
Their somber appearance indeed lent them an air of authority.
Shen Xiaoyan's gaze intensified with interest as the group stopped.
She hadn't expected such a delicate beauty like Zhen Lingrong to wield such a strong hand in managing her sect.
Truly, one could not judge a book by its cover!
After the group had stopped, no one stepped forward to speak.
They simply stood there, not inquiring why Zhen Lingrong had summoned them.
It was as if they were obedient statues, waiting to respond only when Zhen Lingrong addressed them.
Their silence didn't mean no one would speak.
Shi Fei had already stepped forward a few paces and respectfully said to Zhen Lingrong, "Hall Master, the people have arrived."
Hearing Shi Fei's name, Xi He instantly thought of a solution to her predicament.
This shameless wretch had so easily abandoned her.
Then she would use her to resolve today's matter.
Xi He made up her mind, a smile flickering in her eyes.
She felt satisfied with her decision, believing herself to be incredibly clever, a testament to her ability to turn a desperate situation around.
"Hall Master, I originally didn't want to speak, but Xi Yin is my child. How can I bear to see him suffer, especially for someone else's misdeeds?
"Although I have known that person for many years and we were once close, if she has made a mistake, it would be irresponsible of me to continue to conceal it for her. Therefore, I have decided to speak out, to give her an opportunity to repent, and to prevent Xi Yin from suffering injustice."
Xi He's sudden pronouncement made Shi Fei's heart skip a beat.
Could it be that Xi He was planning something detrimental to her?
And as is often the case, what you fear most is what comes to pass.
As this thought flashed through Shi Fei's mind, she heard Xi He say with profound sorrow, "That person is Shi Fei."
Shi Fei's mind instantly exploded.
Xi He's words echoed in her ears, causing her to turn her head in disbelief.
Seeing Xi He's pained expression, Shi Fei's eyes ignited with anger.
She should have known.
What kind of person was Xi He?
She was someone who would resort to any means to achieve her goals, never stopping until she succeeded.
Her silence earlier must have already earned her Xi He's resentment.
Now that the Hall Master had asked her to identify the person who made Xi Yin speak those words, it was only natural that Xi He would think of herself.
The only thing that infuriated Shi Fei was that Xi He could state it so earnestly, as if it were the absolute truth.
But what was the truth?
If others didn't know, didn't she herself know?
Those words were clearly spoken by her to Xi Yin, and taught in front of all of them.
And now, they were all being pinned on her.
Shi Fei glared at Xi He in fury, but didn't know how to explain.
She was insignificant, and even if she tried to explain, whether Zhen Lingrong would believe her was one thing, but Xi He would probably accuse her of quibbling and tell Zhen Lingrong not to believe her.
Shi Fei gritted her teeth in resentment but remained silent.
She could only await Zhen Lingrong's judgment.
Zhen Lingrong was actually impatient with all this. With the same amount of time, she would rather cultivate her relationship with Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming.
Just as she was about to wave her hand, signaling the Execution Hall personnel to take Shi Fei away, Shen Xiaoyan leaned in and whispered a few words in her ear.
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan, Zhen Lingrong's expression changed immediately.
Not only did Shen Xiaoyan's suggestion intrigue her, but the fact that Shen Xiaoyan was willing to get so close and speak to her made Zhen Lingrong exceptionally excited.
After speaking, Shen Xiaoyan straightened up, awaiting Zhen Lingrong's decision.
This was merely a whim on her part.
Although Shi Fei wasn't exactly a good person, it had only been a short while. The person who had just met Xi He at the gate had now been pushed out by Xi He to take the blame. Wouldn't Shi Fei resent this?
While Shi Fei might have spoken ill of her and Shen Xiaoming to curry favor with Xi He, she didn't want her to die so quickly.
At the very least, she wanted to annoy Xi He.
What could be more enjoyable than watching dogs fight?
Therefore, Shen Xiaoyan had actually told Zhen Lingrong to find a plausible excuse to release Shi Fei.
It would be best to elevate Shi Fei's status, giving her the means to contend with Xi He.
This way, they could calmly watch the show.
Shi Fei had been despairingly awaiting Zhen Lingrong's decision.
In her opinion, with so many Execution Hall personnel already present, and now being the one they were here for, the only outcome was death.
But just as she was about to give up, the situation suddenly took a turn.
Zhen Lingrong waved her hand, dismissing the Execution Hall personnel.
Although the Execution Hall personnel found it strange that the Hall Master had summoned them only to dismiss them without a word, their duty was to obey the Hall Master's orders completely.
Thus, they departed with extraordinary speed.
In a moment, when Shi Fei looked again, the Execution Hall personnel had completely vanished.
Shi Fei first breathed a huge sigh of relief, then knelt before Zhen Lingrong.
"Thank you, Hall Master, for sparing my life."
Shi Fei's words were spoken with utmost sincerity, making it clear to anyone who heard them that she was genuinely grateful.
Xi He stared at the unfolding events in disbelief.
Moments ago, Zhen Lingrong had clearly intended to severely punish this person.
But now, the Execution Hall personnel had simply come and gone.
Was this all a deliberate attempt to pressure her, to put on a show for her?
Xi He couldn't comprehend it, but reacted instinctively.
"Shi Fei, you must repay the Hall Master well! See how kind the Hall Master is to you? You have been spared your life for your actions, shouldn't you kneel and kowtow to the Hall Master?"
Xi He's words were clearly tinged with a jealousy and hatred she hadn't even noticed herself.
Why was it that as soon as Shi Fei was mentioned, Zhen Lingrong decided not to pursue the matter?
Could it be that everything before had been aimed solely at her?
Thinking this, Xi He felt utterly dejected.
She now wanted nothing more than to leave this place and figure out why Zhen Lingrong's attitude towards her and Xi Jin and Xi Yin had changed so drastically.
She refused to believe it was entirely due to Shen Xiaoyan and Shen Xiaoming.
How long had it been?
All in all, not even an hour.
For someone like Zhen Lingrong to change so much in such a short period?
Therefore, Xi He smiled and said, "Since the matter is resolved, we will take our leave now. The Hall Master still needs to speak with her children and cultivate their relationship; we all understand that and won't stay to cause any more trouble."
As Xi He spoke, she actually prepared to pull Xi Yin away.
However, Xi Yin instinctively shook off Xi He's hand and looked nervously at Zhen Lingrong.
Seeing that Zhen Lingrong's expression remained calm, he couldn't help but feel relieved.
Xi He stared blankly at Xi Yin, completely unable to comprehend his reaction.
She had clearly acted for his own good.
Yet, he now seemed to regard her as a villain.
And his cautious glances at Zhen Lingrong, as if afraid of her misunderstanding, deeply pierced her eyes.
She felt a pang of regret, wondering why she had left her two children to Zhen Lingrong for so many years.
Previously, she had thought that keeping the two children close to Zhen Lingrong was a good thing.
But looking at the situation now, she truly regretted it.
Her children were close to another, their filial affection directed entirely towards Zhen Lingrong. What about her?
She was their biological mother. Weren't they afraid of hurting her by treating her this way?
As Xi He pondered this, her thoughts found voice.
"Xi Yin, what are you doing? Is this how you speak to your own mother after all these years of learning?" Xi He asked, feeling an unbearable pain.
Xi Yin pouted and replied, "Didn't you teach me this?"
Xi He was stunned, and then Xi Yin continued:
"Since I was a toddler, haven't you taught me to be good to the Hall Master? To revere the Hall Master as my own mother? But I can only revere one mother. Now that I have the Hall Master, how can you expect me to revere you too?"
"Didn't you say that since the Hall Master provided us with this life, we should treat her doubly well?"
"Do you think that now you have a little power, you can stand on equal footing with the Hall Master? And no longer need me and my sister to appease her?"
"Putting aside the fact that this is wishful thinking, do you think that the habits my sister and I have formed over the years can be changed just like that?"
Every word Xi Yin spoke was like a hammer blow, striking Xi He's heart.
It made her gasp for breath in pain and disbelief.
She had never imagined that her own children would think this way.
Although she had always said those things, it was all for show!
Suddenly, Xi He had an epiphany.
At that time, she was acting, but the children were still young!
Especially Xi Yin. From the moment he could understand speech, he had heard her say these things for so many years, he had long since accepted them as natural.
So, it was all her own doing?
Shen Xiaoyan watched the dramatic turn of events like a play and truly wanted to applaud.
Even the best actors might not be able to act like Xi He, who, as she spoke, started believing her own words.
And all the while, she had unconsciously brainwashed her own children.
Shen Xiaoyan felt like laughing, but didn't.
Because she suddenly noticed the glint in Xi Yin's eyes and the deep admiration in Xi Jin's eyes.
Could this be a scheme between the siblings?
Were those words spoken to Zhen Lingrong?
To show Zhen Lingrong that they, as siblings, had always revered her as their own mother.
But…
Shen Xiaoyan scoffed and took a step forward.
The moment Xi Yin saw the pallor on her face, he became somewhat fearful.
If Shen Xiaoyan hadn't been there, he felt that with his words just now, he would have moved Zhen Lingrong, and she would have treated him even better in the future.
Perhaps in no time, he and his sister would truly become Zhen Lingrong's children.
But this Shen Xiaoyan seemed to see through everything.
She made him feel as if all his inner secrets were laid bare before her, for her to observe.
"That was well done just now!"
Shen Xiaoyan said, clapping her hands in praise of Xi Yin.
But seeing Xi Yin's instinctive defensiveness, Shen Xiaoyan felt a sense of helplessness.
With such timidity, how could he dare to put on an act in front of them?
He didn't even dare to accept such a simple compliment; what else could he possibly want?