Chapter 15: A Good Sister

But at this moment, no matter how much Oshin Ya tried to explain, it was all in vain—for facts spoke louder than words. If she were not responsible, why would she bear the marks left by Ochen Feng on her body? Among the younger generation of the Ou family, Oshin Lai was of a similar age to the rest; one could say they all grew up looking up to Ochen Feng.

Thus, the young ones knew their patriarch well enough. At the very least, they had never seen him harm anyone without cause.

This commotion drew a large crowd. At first, only a few of the younger generation witnessed Oshin Ya in her half-dressed state, but as the uproar grew, many elders also saw her exposed, alluring appearance.

Oshin Ya was so furious she nearly fainted. Never in her life had she been so humiliated. The glances from all those men made her feel like a lamb awaiting slaughter. Whatever their titles—uncle, elder—they all shed their respectable facades at that moment and became simply men.

To those lustful men, Oshin Ya was like a glistening, freshly caught fish, dripping with allure—utterly irresistible.

Looking down at the sea of onlookers below, Oshin Ya felt panic rise within her. If this continued, her reputation would be utterly ruined. Anyone could defeat her, but for Oshin Lai—the ugly, good-for-nothing—to do so was intolerable! “Father!” Oshin Ya spotted Ochen Dong’s silhouette and cried out.

Upon seeing his beloved daughter stripped and displayed before the crowd, Ochen Dong’s wrath erupted. He rushed to lower Oshin Ya, took off his own coat to cover her, then turned to the crowd and roared, “Who did this?”

“I did!” In the face of Ochen Dong’s fury, all the younger ones shrank back—except Oshin Lai, who stood her ground unmoving. Compared to those who retreated, Oshin Lai might as well have taken a step forward.

“Oshin Lai, do you have a death wish?” Ochen Dong was enraged seeing his proudest daughter so cruelly bullied by Oshin Lai and was ready to take her life then and there.

“Ochen Dong, perhaps it’s you who courts death?” Oshin Lai looked at him with disdain, thinking that he was not even as clever as Oshin Ya. “I am the patriarch’s daughter; only he can decide my fate. If you wish to interfere, it must be because I’ve committed a grave wrong and seriously harmed the interests of the Ou family. Only then would you, as an elder, have the right to judge me. But as things stand, I have done nothing to affect the family. On the contrary, it’s your own daughter who destroyed the family’s Five Elements geomantic array, causing losses to the Ou family. If anyone is to blame, it is not me.”

“Or are you saying that your family’s interests now stand for those of the entire Ou clan? That your family’s honor and disgrace have become matters of utmost importance to all?” Oshin Lai smiled faintly at Ochen Dong.

“You—!” Ochen Dong was about to scold Oshin Lai for her slick tongue and disrespect, but Oshin Ya tugged at his sleeve. Now was not the time for arguments. The marks on her body had already been seen by all; the one who ruined the Five Elements array was plain to everyone. What mattered most now was escaping the current predicament.

“Sister Lai, please forgive me, won’t you? I truly didn’t mean it.” Oshin Ya looked at Oshin Lai, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Sister Lai, you once told me you didn’t want to cultivate abilities. Three days ago, I heard others say the patriarch might take you to the Five Elements array. I was afraid you might get hurt, so I brought mercury with me.”

At this, Oshin Ya quickly lifted her delicate face. “But don’t worry—I was careful and only brought a tiny bit. I thought if the array was damaged, the elders wouldn’t be able to activate it. That way, you wouldn’t be in any danger. I truly didn’t mean any harm. I just didn’t want anything to happen to you. I know I was wrong to damage the array, and I’m willing to accept the patriarch’s punishment.”

Ochen Dong looked at Oshin Ya and immediately understood why his proud daughter would speak in Oshin Lai’s defense at such a moment.

“Oshin Lai, Ya’er’s heart is always with you, her sister. She always thinks of you—how could you possibly harm her?” Ochen Dong looked at Oshin Lai with a show of deep grief.

Originally, Oshin Ya’s actions damaged the family’s interests, so despite her popularity, even the younger ones shunned her. But her speech now transformed her into a selfless sister making sacrifices for her sibling—never mind that said sibling was the family’s most despised, ugly outcast.

The Ou family had its share of talentless members, but none so lacking and so hideous as Oshin Lai.

The family’s genes were excellent; none of their children were unattractive, their features all well-proportioned—except for Oshin Lai, a solitary exception.

In the Ou family, there were hardly any among the younger generation willing to play or associate with Oshin Lai.

“Oh? If you truly saw me as your sister, why would you put me in such an ungrateful and unjust position?” Oshin Lai looked at Oshin Ya with contempt.

Though Oshin Ya seethed inside, not a trace of it showed on her face. Let her be smug—she was eager to see how long Oshin Lai’s triumph would last.