USWHC -Chapter 234 Off to Die, That Fool (Part 4)

“Brother, sister-in-law, you have to forgive me!”

When Zhu Jie saw Ji Mei again, she almost didn’t recognize her. In just one night, her face was swollen and red; her delicate, oval face had puffed up like a bun, stuffed entirely with meat.

What… what kind of beating did she get? Just looking at her made Zhu Jie’s heart ache. Surely she hadn’t been slapped all night, right?

“Erhan! Go beg that… that Princess! We… we won’t dare again!” Old Madam Ji pleaded desperately.

By the faint light in the room, Zhu Jie finally noticed Old Madam Ji slumped on the floor in the deepest corner. Her face was even more swollen than a risen bun. Not only that, her hands and legs seemed to be bloody; her rough cloth clothes were torn to shreds, her hair disheveled, leaning against the wall, looking utterly unable to get up.

Seeing them in such a pitiful state, Zhu Jie felt a twinge of pity. Was it really necessary to beat them like this just for trying to reach for a higher branch? Princess Pingning had really gone too far.

“Mother, did you really steal something?” Ji Yi asked calmly.

Hearing this, Ji Mei immediately burst into tears. “I… I was just greedy for a moment! I… I only wanted to take a look, I didn’t mean to steal!”

Sobbing, Ji Mei recounted the events of the previous night. It was actually very simple—so simple that nothing surprised Zhu Jie.

At first, Ji Mei had enjoyed a very pleasant conversation with Princess Pingning. She even felt it was a case of “better late than never.” The Princess called her “little sister,” and treated her like a future close friend. Everything had been so beautiful.

Later, as night fell, Ji Mei and Old Madam Ji had no way to return home, so the Princess arranged a room for them to stay at the Sun residence for the night. Of course, this was the very room they were now locked in.

As Ji Mei was preparing to sleep, a maid called her, saying that the Princess Pingning couldn’t sleep and wanted her company for a heart-to-heart conversation.

At the time, Ji Mei thought maybe the Princess had quarreled with Sun Shaoyan and couldn’t sleep alone. She naturally was willing to get closer to this future “big sister.”

But when Ji Mei followed the maid, she didn’t see the Princess. The maid said the Princess had gone to prepare a late-night snack and told her to wait in the room.

Ji Mei didn’t think much of it and waited alone in the Princess’s room. The room was truly luxurious—luxurious enough to leave her speechless with envy.

With no one else around, she couldn’t resist looking around. Admittedly, her hands were a bit too eager. With so many beautiful things, she couldn’t help picking up a bright gold necklace from the dressing table to examine.

She still remembered the necklace vividly. It was as thick as a thumb, and at the top hung a bright red gem, about the size of a goose egg.

“That necklace was just too tempting… I only… only wanted to get a closer look!” Ji Mei said embarrassedly. “It was like… like some force compelled me. I didn’t even realize it until it was already around my neck.”

“And then?” Ji Yi asked calmly, though his brows involuntarily furrowed at her words.

“And then? Then Princess Pingning came in!” Ji Mei cried. “I tried to explain, but she wouldn’t listen. She was furious, scolding me for being ungrateful. She treated me sincerely, and yet I… I tried to steal from her!”

As she spoke, Ji Mei’s face twitched in pain—her tears touched the wounds on her face, making her grit her teeth.

“Brother, please help me explain properly! I really didn’t mean to steal—I only… only wanted to take a look!” Ji Mei begged through tears.

Hearing this, Zhu Jie couldn’t help but snicker coldly in her heart. Hmph… little sister, do you even understand how baiting works? You fell right into their trap. Explaining now won’t help—someone outside probably saw every move you made, waiting for the moment you put on the necklace. How could you possibly explain it then?