Xiao Qianhan looked at Xiao Baihao perplexedly. He was her father, a father who had suffered great humiliation and pain, but all he could think about was his daughter.
Somewhere deep inside her heart, flows a sense of warmth, a warmth that filled up her entire heart. But at the same time, she felt angry. How could a genius who was once admired and praised became a target for bullies and insults overnight? What kind of humiliation was he enduring!
For a moment, Xiao Baihao didn’t know what to do because he was shocked. He wanted to open his mouth to assure them but he didn’t have the strength to stand up. However, his daughter had already seen the servants humiliating him in front of her. If he didn’t say anything, he was afraid that his daughter would be worried.
Xu Yuman couldn’t take it anymore. Tears flowed like water from the springs and her cry was heartbreaking.
No word was exchanged between the three of them. Just the sound of crying could be heard.
It was Xiao Baihao who opened his mouth first. “Xiaoman, I am alright. I will recover after a few days of rest. Let our daughter eat the Appearance Flourishing Elixir first.”
Xu Xiaoman nodded her head in a fluster, picked up the porcelain bottle from the floor and walked to the bed. Even though tears were still stained on her face, she spoke to Xiao Qianhan gently, “Qianhan, here’s the Appearance Flourishing Elixir”.
Xiao Qianhan cast her gaze on Xu Yuman’s hand which was holding the white and alluringly-scented elixir. Her gaze was dim and hollow. She shook her head lightly and said, “Father, Mother, I will not use the Appearance Flourishing Elixir.”
“Why?”
Both of them echoed in unison and stared at Xiao Qianhan in consternation.
How many women were there in the world who did not care about their looks? In order to preserve their youths, people would spare no amount they could afford to buy the most expensive elixir. So why did she shake her head and refuse?
Xiao Qianhan looked up and answered in a low voice, “I am indeed in need of the Appearance Flourishing Elixir to restore my appearance, but not now. I will try to get it in the future. As for this elixir, we all know what it represents. If I accept the elixir now, it will all go as the Seventh Prince and Xiao Yuluo’s wishes. I can’t let Father and Mother be mocked because of me.”
That Appearance Flourishing Elixir looked so attractive, but it was an insult and it represented shame, how could she take it!
Xiao Baihao was silent. As a genius who fell from grace, no one could understand how he truly felt all these years. However, the determination in the eyes of his only daughter today, seemed to rekindle his desire, which he had once buried, to be strong and to retaliate.
“However, if you wait any longer before you take the Appearance Flourishing Elixir, it will be quite hard to restore your looks to its original state. Qianhan, don’t be emotional. Wait till both of you are healed and we will leave the Purple Moon Kingdom, or we can leave the capital. Listen to Mother and use the Appearance Flourishing Elixir.” Xu Yuman persuaded earnestly.
She was well-aware of what kind of circumstances her family was currently in. She couldn’t afford to let Qianhan live with a face like that in the future. It would only invite more mockings.
The wind blew, and the rattling sound of the bamboo sticks outside the window could be heard. The breeze that blew into the room was so cold that it penetrated into their very bones.
Xiao Qianhan was very calm, she knew what she was doing. She raised the corners of her lips and tried to smile. Although she pulled her wounds, she still smiled as much as possible. Even though she looked a little bit scary, it could not stop her from feeling confident. “Mother, if you trust me, you don’t have to persuade me anymore. All women in the world love to be beautiful and I am no exception.”
“You… ” Looking at Xiao Qianhan who seemed to have gone through an emotional upheaval overnight, Xu Yuman froze in her place. Words of persuasion came to her lips but she swallowed them. Incredibly, she believed her daughter’s words.
Outside, they could hear a servant’s shout with no trace of respect. “Second Master, Second Lady, and Young Lady Qianhan, the Clan Elder has asked all of you to go and meet him. The Seventh Prince has come! He is here to break off the engagement! Hurry up, don’t let the Seventh Prince wait!”
