"Junior Minister Pei, Little Lin, Second Master Su's concubine from the Duke of Su's Estate, kept our family torn apart for over ten years. I hope you will punish her severely," Ning Xiaotian said to Pei Xingjian in a grave voice.
Pei Xingjian had already learned of Little Lin's crimes from the guards who had brought her to the Dali Temple. He said, "Rest assured, Duke Ning. I will never show leniency to evildoers."
Pei Xingjian was an upright man, and Ning Xiaotian had every confidence in him. Hearing his assurance, Ning Xiaotian said no more.
Just then, a guard led two middle-aged men inside. The man in front carried himself with imposing dignity, while the man behind him wore splendid brocade robes and had refined, handsome features and a dashing air. They were Duke Su and Second Master Su.
After learning from Little Lin that Ning Xiaotian had ordered her sent to the Dali Temple, Second Master Su had not even bothered to ask why before angrily preparing to go there and get her out.
He happened to run into his elder brother, Duke Su, on his way out. To ensure he could get Little Lin released without trouble, he brought his brother along to the Dali Temple.
Seeing Ning Xiaotian there, Duke Su's brows creased almost imperceptibly, and he cursed inwardly, What rotten luck.
Ning Xiaotian's brows also creased almost imperceptibly when he saw Duke Su enter.
The two had been rivals in love in their youth. Duke Su's wife had once been fond of Ning Xiaotian, and Duke Su resented him for it. Over the years, neither man had been able to stand the sight of the other.
"Junior Minister Pei." Duke Su led Second Master Su forward to exchange greetings with Pei Xingjian.
Pei Xingjian responded with a "Mm."
Duke Su opened his mouth, about to ask Pei Xingjian what crime Little Lin had committed, when a clear, bright voice rang out:
[So this is Su Dingshan, the great fool who treats someone else's daughter like a treasure and his own flesh and blood like weeds.]
[Oh, no. To be precise, his whole family are fools.]
Duke Su's expression instantly darkened. His piercing gaze fell on Ning Sang-sang, the only woman in the hall. Before he could react, that clear, bright voice rang out again:
[The more I look at Su Dingshan, the more brainless he seems. His own daughter was switched at birth, and he failed to discover it for over ten years. When she was finally found, he didn't fulfill even the slightest duty as a father. Instead, he scorned her for being vulgar and ignorant of etiquette, looking down on her at every turn.]
[He pampers his adopted daughter like a treasure and treats his biological daughter like weeds. Not only does he warn his biological daughter to treat the adopted girl as her own younger sister, he even demands that she give in to her in everything and forbids her from bullying her. What a scumbag of a father.]
[My father is much better. He doesn't treat someone else's daughter like a treasure and his own daughter like weeds.]
Ning Sang-sang grumbled inwardly. This Su Dingshan was the adoptive father of Su Miaoling, the female supporting character who had stolen the heroine's halo in the novel.
Hearing this, Duke Su suddenly stiffened. Astonishment flashed across his face, and he looked at Ning Sang-sang with a complicated gaze as towering waves of shock surged through his heart. She had not opened her mouth, yet he could hear her voice. Was he hearing her thoughts?
Bewildered, he glanced around. Everyone else looked perfectly normal, with no change in their expressions. Only his younger brother wore a stunned look, as though he, too, had heard her thoughts.
By now, Pei Xingjian was certain that what he heard was Ning Sang-sang's inner voice, and he also knew he was not the only one who could hear it.
Seeing the astonishment on both Duke Su's and Second Master Su's faces, Ning Xiaotian immediately realized that they could hear his daughter's thoughts as well. He mused inwardly, So many people can hear my daughter's thoughts, and she seems able to foresee things before they happen, too. The capital is going to be very lively from now on.
"Brother, you..." Second Master Su was dumbstruck by Ning Sang-sang's thoughts. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask Duke Su whether he had heard them, but a mysterious force prevented him from saying it, leaving him unable to speak. He was inwardly aghast.
Just then, the guards escorted Little Lin inside. At the sight of her, Second Master Su immediately stopped thinking about hearing Ning Sang-sang's thoughts. His heart and eyes were filled with Little Lin alone. He hurried over and barked at the guards to release her.
"Second Master, save me!" Seeing Second Master Su there, Little Lin hastily cried out for help. Her tear-streaked face was like pear blossoms drenched in rain, so pitiful that anyone would ache for her.
Seeing Little Lin's fragile, pitiable appearance, Second Master Su said with a face full of heartache, "A-Wei, don't cry. I'll get you out."
No sooner had he spoken than a teasing voice rang in his ears.
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