Nan Wenyue stood frozen, her face shifting through a spectrum of emotions.
She hadn’t yet recovered from the shock of Nan Sangning publicly kicking Nan Siya into the pond when she suddenly met Sangning’s clear, innocent gaze.
At this moment, Sangning looked genuinely guileless as she stared back at her.
Nan Wenyue felt an inexplicable thread of fear creeping into her heart—this lawless, reckless girl was truly terrifying.
But now, everyone was watching her. Nan Siya remained standing in the pond, drenched and disheveled, sobbing uncontrollably. "Auntie! Say something!"
Wen Meiling was also staring at her intently, waiting for this outsider’s response.
Nan Wenyue’s mind raced as she weighed her options, and in the end, she turned to Nan Siya.
"Siya, you really did fall in by accident just now. You can’t blame Sangning for it."
Over the years, she had navigated the Nan family’s politics without reaping much benefit, especially since her elder brother Nan Zhenming kept her at arm’s length. Deep down, she harbored resentment.
But she still relied on her family for support, so she dared not offend them and had always played the role of the agreeable relative.
Now that Nan Sangning held something she desired even more, of course she would side with Sangning!
As for Nan Siya—a mere impostor—offending her wouldn’t truly alienate Nan Zhenming and his wife.
Nan Siya’s face paled in shock. She could hardly believe that her aunt, whom she had known for over twenty years, would lie to defend Nan Sangning, that outsider!
"You’re lying!" Nan Siya shrieked. "Nan Sangning kicked me in!"
Wen Meiling’s eyes flickered with doubt as she glanced between Siya and Sangning.
Sangning’s tone remained calm. "Just yesterday, I accidentally pushed Siya down the stairs, and Mom and Dad were utterly disappointed in me. Even if I wanted to harm her, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to kick her into the pond while she’s still recovering from her injuries. If I really did this, wouldn’t they have thrown me out immediately?"
Nan Wenyue couldn’t help but glance at her—this girl could spout such shameless lies without batting an eye.
Yet Wen Meiling found some logic in her words. Even if Sangning were truly malicious, she wouldn’t be so stupid as to repeatedly harm her sister, knowing how much they despised such behavior.
If she were pretending, she’d at least feign obedience for a few days—how could she dare to act so brazenly again?
Besides, there was a witness.
Nan Wenyue had barely interacted with Sangning—as an elder, why would she risk her reputation to shield Sangning in a dispute between juniors?
Seeing Wen Meiling hesitate, Nan Siya clutched her hand tearfully. "Mom, don’t you believe me?"
She had heard this same question just yesterday.
Wen Meiling wiped Siya’s tears. "Enough, it must have been a misunderstanding. Your aunt saw it—you probably tripped and thought Sangning pushed you."
Nan Siya’s chest tightened with fury, her vision nearly blacking out from sheer indignation. She had never suffered such injustice in her life!
"No, it was her—"
"What’s all this noise now?" The old master pushed open the glass door, his expression dark.
The constant uproar in the house grated on his nerves—what kind of household was this?
Afraid of his temper, Wen Meiling quickly explained, "Siya accidentally fell into the pond. I was just taking her to change."
The old master frowned. "So careless—can’t even walk steadily?"
Nan Siya’s face cycled between green and white, tears welling furiously in her eyes, but she swallowed her grievances in silence.
The old master turned away. "Clean up this mess. What a disgrace."
Wen Meiling helped Nan Siya up. "Come, let’s get you changed before you catch a cold."
Nan Siya shot Nan Sangning a venomous glare, her lungs burning with suppressed rage, but she had no choice but to choke down her fury.
As Wen Meiling led Nan Siya away, the garden fell silent once more.
Sangning smiled faintly at Nan Wenyue. "Thank you for speaking up for me, Auntie."
Nan Wenyue chuckled. "Of course I’d stand by you—I know you’ve suffered too. But..."
She paused meaningfully. "Remember that I sided with you today."
Sangning nodded. "Naturally."
They returned to the living room, where a servant announced that dinner was ready.
Tonight was a rare family reunion dinner—everyone was present except for the youngest uncle, who was still pursuing his doctorate in Germany.
The old master took his seat at the head of the table, and the rest followed in order of seniority, filling the long dining table for once.
A servant poured wine as the old master raised his glass, his expression stern. "Our monthly family dinner is meant to bring us closer. But this past month has been nothing but chaos. I expect fewer disturbances from now on."
"Of course, Father," Nan Zhenxing chimed in.
Nan Zhenming, beaten to the response, could only nod and raise his glass. "Well said, Father."
Nan Wenyue smiled. "We’re family—no need for formalities. Father, don’t drink too much; mind your health."
Pleased by the flattery, the old master took a sip and set his glass down. "Enough. Let’s eat."
The table erupted into lively chatter as the meal began.
Then Nan Zhenming glanced around and noticed Nan Siya’s empty seat.
"Where’s Siya?" he asked Wen Meiling.
Wen Meiling lowered her voice. "She fell into the pond earlier and refused to come down in her mood."
Nan Zhenming’s expression darkened. "How did she end up in the pond again?"
Instinctively, his gaze snapped to Nan Sangning.
Sangning was wholly absorbed in cutting her steak—her first time using a knife and fork, and she wasn’t very skilled.
In fact, she had rarely even peeled fruit herself. With four personal maids attending to her, everything was prepped and served with tiny forks—why would she bother with such labor?
This barbaric way of eating was novel to her, though, so she focused intently, oblivious to Nan Zhenming’s glare.
Wen Meiling hesitated before speaking. "Siya insists Sangning pushed her."
"What?!"
Nan Zhenming’s temper flared as he glared at Sangning. "Sangning! Did you push Siya into the pond?!"
He couldn’t believe his own daughter could be so cruel—repeatedly harming her sister like this!
The table fell silent as all eyes turned to them.
Sangning continued cutting her steak.
"Nan Sangning!" Nan Zhenming barked, his anger mounting at being ignored. "Are you deaf when I speak to you?!"
The sheer audacity!
Sangning frowned slightly before setting down her utensils with deliberate slowness. She lifted her gaze to meet his furious glare and spoke evenly, "I heard you."
"Then why didn’t you answer?! Have you no manners at all?!" Nan Zhenming was livid—was his own daughter giving him the silent treatment?!
Sangning’s expression remained solemn. "As the ancients said, 'Speak not while eating, rest not while speaking.'"
Nan Zhenming: ???
Sangning's voice was calm yet pointed. "Given the Nan family's standing, I expected at least a basic adherence to decorum. After all, among noble households, none would tolerate such a disgraceful scene at the dining table."
She lifted her gaze to Nan Zhenming, her brow slightly furrowed. "Utterly improper."
Nan Zhenming's face stiffened.
The old patriarch immediately set down his utensils at her words. He glanced at Sangning, an inexplicable tension tightening his chest—thankful, at least, that he had remained silent earlier.
