"You bastard, on your knees!" A sharp, commanding voice tore through the expansive halls of the Qu's Mansion.
Duguyan's voice sliced through the air as she struck Lifie hard across the face. "Why haven't you washed my clothes?"
"Madam, this is unnecessary. Being a concubine doesn't give you the right to boss me around," Lifie replied, her tone calm despite the sting burning her cheek.
"Who the hell do you think you are to question me?" Duguyan snarled, snapping her fingers. Instantly, five maids appeared, their faces blank as they awaited orders.
"Make her kneel," Duguyan commanded coldly. The maids seized Lifie's arms and forced her to the ground.
"You bastards, let go of my momma!" Xiotan's voice rang out as she charged toward them, eyes blazing with fury.
"What is this lunatic doing here? Didn't I tell you to lock her in her room?" Duguyan barked at the maid beside Lifie.
"Yes, ma'am, we did, just as you instructed," the maid stammered.
"Then why is she here?" Duguyan growled, her anger mounting.
"You animal in human skin! How many times have I warned you to keep your hands off my mother?" Xiotan screamed, grabbing Duguyan's hair and yanking with brutal force.
"You crazy girl—let go of me!" Duguyan shrieked, clawing at Xiotan's hands. The maids let go of Lifie and scrambled to restrain the wild girl, but Xiotan was unrelenting, striking at anyone who dared come close.
"Xiotan, stop this!" Lifie cried, reaching for her daughter.
"Momma, don't! I'm fighting for you! This woman needs to be put in her place!" Xiotan shouted, slapping Duguyan hard across the face.
"Xiotan, how dare you!" Paner's voice cut through the chaos as she ran into the hall, her face twisted with rage. "You slapped my mother? Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a concubine's daughter!"
"And who asked the rat to squeak?" Xiotan snapped, making the maids gasp in disbelief.
"Xiotan, you're going too far," Paner hissed, fists clenched.
"Too far? I should be telling you that. I'm older than you!" Xiotan retorted, her voice sharp.
"So what if you're older? You're still just a concubine's child," Paner sneered.
"Shut that filthy mouth and stay in your lane before I spill your life's history," Xiotan shot back.
"Xiotan, that's enough!" Lifie pleaded, but her daughter wouldn't stop.
"Momma, I can't sit back while you let this witch trample all over you. It's pathetic," Xiotan spat, her anger reaching a boil.
"Lifie, you've clearly failed to raise your daughter with manners," Duguyan sneered, straightening up from the slap.
"I'm sorry... this is all my fault," Lifie murmured, voice trembling.
"Momma, how can you say that? Why keep bowing to this brat?" Xiotan snapped, then turned to Duguyan. "And you—you've got the nerve to speak? Do you even teach your child manners? Look at yourself before judging others—"
A sharp slap from Mr. Fie silenced her. Xiotan touched her cheek, staring at him, stunned.
"Why did you slap me? What did I do wrong?" she asked, her voice thick with hurt, as Paner smirked quietly.
"You need to know your place in this house and stop stirring trouble," Fie said coldly.
"So I'm the problem now? Why am I not surprised? You never see the real wrongdoers. You just dump all the blame on me. I regret ever calling you my father. A real father would never treat his child like this."
"Xiotan, mind your tongue—" Duguyan started.
"Shut up. This is between me and my father. A stranger's opinion isn't needed," Xiotan snapped.
"Oh, so now I'm a stranger? Because you're a concubine's child?"
"If you didn't want a concubine's child, then why did you sleep with her? Tell me! And don't forget—she was meant to be your wife. I hope you still remember why she ended up a concubine."
"Xiotan, enough!" Fie roared, his face dark with fury.
"No, you shut up!" she shouted back. "Only a cowardly man behaves like you. If you want peace in this house, give my mother and me our rightful place. Otherwise, I swear—I'll make this mansion a living hell."
"Mother, let's go. They're all bitches," she said, grabbing Lifie's hand and storming off.
"Xiotan, did you just walk out on me?" Fie shouted after her, seething.
"My Lord, calm yourself. You know the kind of girl she is. Let her go for now—you can deal with her later," Duguyan whispered, trying to ease his fury.