章 2: Changes in Prime Minister’s Residence

"Liuying."

Wei Liuying raised her head to look at her younger brother. The two of them were from the same mother and father. However, the difference in gender alone meant that they were treated differently from one to another.

"Yes, Brother?" Wei Liuying asked in a soft tone.

Wei Hong Zheng snorted and pointed at the main hall with his chin. "You're the one who'll speak about this matter today."

"I understand."

Even if it was Wei Hong Zheng's fault, their father would never blame him. In this world, men were placed at higher status compared to a woman. No matter how much she wanted to scream of indiscrimination, it was useless. Her status was simply too low for her to even protest.

Their father, Wei Hong, was the prime minister in the Han Shi Kingdom. He had five children with two of them being sons. Many people envied him because he had more than one son as everyone wished that they would be in the same situation.

After all, many children died when they were still young due to the fight in their residence.

Wei Hong Zheng turned around and beckoned for his servant to follow after him. "If Father asks anything about that, you know what to do."

"Yes, Second Brother," Wei Liuying replied respectfully, yet there was no change in her expression. Wei Hong Zheng might be her younger brother, but she was not allowed to call him directly with his name by their mother. As for the reason why she understood perfectly that it was simply because of the difference in treatment between men and women.

As she waited for her brother to leave, Wei Liuying sighed internally and slowly made her way to the main hall. When she was pouring tea, her brother struck her from behind, causing her hands to tremble. As a result, some of the tea leaked to Ji Shu's hand.

Yet, she would never be able to tell anyone about this. All they would know was that she couldn't hold the teapot properly and spill it to His Highness's hand. If not for the fact that the people here were all servants of Wei Family, Wei Liuying was sure that she would be known as a concubine daughter who was trying to seduce the Fourth Prince.

"Third Miss?" A servant asked when he saw Wei Liuying walking to the main hall. He was tasked to guard the door and informed the Master whenever there was someone who wanted to come.

"I need to see Father," Wei Liuying said in a low tone.

The servant nodded. "I'll inform Master."

"Please."

Wei Liuying waited patiently. The sun had started to set, and the temperature dropped. It was a chilling night, and many servants were trying to rub their hands together to warm themselves. However, Wei Liuying simply stood there without moving. Her eyes were tranquil as the darkness seemed to be endless.

Behind her, a young girl hurriedly stepped over. She was the young servant that Wei Liuying sent to call the doctor just now. The girl didn't look any older than Wei Liuying, but she was chubbier. Her cheek would show cute dimples if she was smiling, but this time, there were clearly traces of worry.

"Third Miss, shouldn't we check on First Miss?" The girl asked worriedly.

Wei Liuying shook her head. "If we come here after visiting First Miss, it'll be too late."

"But…"

"I'll be fine."

The servant girl could only look at her Miss helplessly. Her name is Xiao Qing, a servant who had been following Wei Liuying ever since she was a young girl. Xiao Qing clearly knew how bad Wei Liuying was treated ever since she was young, but she couldn't say anything. Her status was even lower than that of a concubine daughter.

At this time, the door opened. A middle-aged man stood in the middle with the previous servant standing behind him. He looked at Wei Liuying with an indifferent gaze as if he was looking at an unimportant person rather than his daughter.

Wei Liuying couldn't be bothered as she bowed down. "Third Daughter Wei Liuying greets Father."

"Tell me, what do you come here for?" Wei Hong didn't bother to respond with pleasantries as he directly asked the reason she came.

"There was a problem when the First Sister served His Highness the Fourth Prince. His Highness wished to leave, and when First Sister wanted to see him off, she tripped and fell down. I have called for a doctor, but it'll be better for Father to look at her."

Wei Hong's brows furrowed. "Again?"

Wei Liuying didn't respond. Every single time Ji Shu came to visit Wei Xiao Hua, there would be problems cropped up because of something. Usually, other siblings would come to greet His Highness and then, things happen.

Wei Hong did have two sons, but they were both from his concubines. Because of that, he had been thinking of replacing his main wife since his main wife had died a few years prior. However, his wife comes from a powerful family, and he had Wei Xiao Hua who wouldn't be willing to be downgraded to be a concubine daughter.

In addition, His Majesty conferred the Fourth Prince to be married to Wei Xiao Hua when the two of them reached the age for adult. Wei Hong couldn't do anything and kept the position of the main wife far from the others.

"Let's go there." Wei Hong didn't wait for Wei Liuying to answer as he waved his hand. The servants could only helplessly follow after him.

"This daughter will…"

"You come with us."

"This daughter understands."

Wei Liuying silently followed after her father. Behind her, Xiao Qing was looking at her Miss with a worried expression, but there was simply nothing that she could possibly do. They were not allowed to fight against Wei Hong's decision.

And they didn't have the power to do that.

The crowds headed to the Peaceful Pavilion, which is the quarter where Wei Xiao Hua stayed. The place was originally designed for Wei Xiao Hua's mother, but it was then transferred to Wei Xiao Hua after her death. Several other concubines had already gathered there.

They were quick to catch the news, and Wei Hong himself didn��t stop them. This always happened.

Inside the room, Wei Liuying could see Wei Xiao Hua standing on her bed with gauze on her head. Her brown eyes were bright and clear. At the same time, there were traces of sharpness within that couldn't be explained with words. The temperature of the room seemed cold, yet it was not suffocating.

"Xiao Hua," Wei Hong called out. "Are you alright?"

Wei Xiao Hua normally would wail and complain to her father, creating a spectacle. The concubines were all waiting for Wei Xiao Hua to make fun of herself. However, they didn't see it happened at all. Wei Xiao Hua was still sitting on her bed while looking at the crowd before her with a cold gaze.

It looked a bit intimidating.

"Father, I'm hurt," Wei Xiao Hua said after a while.

Wei Liuying's eyes narrowed when she heard Wei Xiao Hua's calm tone. It was as if the person before her was not the same Wei Xiao Hua as before, but instead, she was a completely different person.

Was it because she had always hidden herself, or was there another reason?