Chapter 153: Have You Forgotten Your Own Surname?

A sharp slap echoed through the night, piercing the silence.

Ji Yucheng was thrown backward as if struck by a fierce wind, collapsing onto the ground. Her small face instantly bloomed with redness and swelling, pain and sorrow overwhelming her until tears spilled freely. Lying there, she stared up at Ji Huaili, sobbing, “Father, what did I do wrong for you to hit me?”

Since childhood, Ji Yucheng had always been the most cherished second young lady of the General’s residence. Her father had never struck her before.

Her elder brother was often away from home, and her mother treated her like a precious gem.

She could not believe that her father would suddenly come into her courtyard and slap her so harshly.

Her mind was still reeling—why? Why was this happening?

“What wrong have you done? Don’t you know yourself?” Ji Huaili’s voice was sharp with anger.

Though he looked at Ji Yucheng with some reluctance, mistakes must be punished!

Moreover, this matter concerned the entire General’s household, the very survival of the Ji family.

At last, Ji Yucheng understood—her father was no longer the man he used to be.

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Now, every member of the Ji family had been swayed by that illegitimate child.

Clenching her fists tightly, she retorted coldly and stubbornly, “I don’t know what mistake I’ve made!”

Ji Huaili looked down on her. “Still dare to deny it! Answer me—did you secretly inform your mother’s family, the Chens, and spread rumors?”

His voice thundered like a bell, the barrage of accusations causing Ji Yucheng’s body to tremble.

The Chen family...

How could Father know?

A flicker of guilt flashed in her eyes.

It must have been her useless brother! He must have reported her!

Ji Yucheng glared at Ji Huaili. “Yes, I told the Chen family. I only revealed the truth! You all concealed it—the truth that Mother was killed by that bastard! But you hid it from everyone! I was only upholding justice! As long as that wretched woman is dead, the General’s residence will return to what it once was.

“Father, she’s not your daughter at all! I am! She’s a demon, an illegitimate child—you mustn’t be fooled by her!”

“Filthy brat!” Ji Huaili cursed, pointing at her. “Listen to the nonsense you’re spouting!”

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If not for the pity he felt for Ji Yucheng’s loss of her mother, Ji Huaili would have struck her again.

“Do you know what trouble your actions will bring upon the General’s household? Do you want the Ji family to be wiped out?” His frustration was like a blaze, a fury born of disappointment.

Hearing this, Ji Yucheng’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly frightened.

“That won’t happen. If the Chen family comes, they’ll only deal with that wretched woman, the murderer. What does that have to do with us? Mother was one of the Chens, so I am too. Why would they harm the General’s residence?”

Ji Huaili was nearly driven to madness, his anger boiling over. “Have you forgotten your own surname? The Chen family? Do you think your mother was truly one of them? Foolish child!”

Ji Yucheng sneered. “Father needn’t worry. The one who killed Mother is Ji Tianxin. You can’t handle her, but the Chen family surely can. As long as you listen to the Chens, the General’s residence will only lose one illegitimate child.”

Her words ignited Ji Huaili’s rage like tinder to a flame.

What sin had he committed to have such a daughter?