A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return

In the silent ancestral hall, shadows floated across the room.

Xia Yu already passed out and was unconscious. There was blood on her thin, light-colored shirt. Very soon, it was drenched in blood and blood started dripping on the concrete floor.

Would she die?

Xia Ling was somewhat deep in thought. Before the execution, the leader’s words determined her fate. Perhaps Xia Yu would be beaten up here.

She remembered that year when she was in the orphanage. She tried her best to keep Xia Yu alive. It took a lot of hard work, but she managed to ensure Xia Yu’s safety. Now, could she easily watch as Xia Yu was beaten to death? What was the pain and persistence of the past for?

Her thoughts were somewhat erratic.

Xia Moyan glanced at her and seemed as if he saw through her thoughts. He said, “Relax, she won’t die.” The speech about life and death was only routine. These executioners knew their boundaries. They knew how to kill someone and also how to beat someone up into a pulp but not damage their brain or bones.

When they dealt with Xia Yu, they used the latter.

Only then did Xia Ling slightly calm down.

Although she hated Xia Yu, she did not want to kill her. No matter how badly Xia Yu treated her, she never truly killed her son and did not have to pay with her life. She remembered how Xia Yu pulled on her sleeve when they were younger in the orphanage and called her sister… She looked so innocent and bright.

Was Xia Yu ever sincere towards her before?

Even for a second?

The sound of the plank was very deep before it gradually stopped.

The executioner bent down, checked if Xia Yu was breathing, and announced. “She’s still alive.”

Xia Ling couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief, not knowing why.

Xia Moyan instructed. “Take her away to heal. When her injuries are better, lock her in the monastery.”

The executioners acknowledged him, lifted the stretcher, and moved Xia Yu out of the room very skillfully. The few large men moved the weak girl effortlessly. In the process, Xia Yu’s bloodstained and torn clothes were scattered, revealing her brutally beaten flash. It was unbearable to watch.

“Wait.” Xia Ling stopped them.

She stepped forward and glanced at Xia Yu. Her “sister” on the stretcher had her eyes closed and her body was soft like a dead fish without a spine. She was also covered in blood and stank. It was as if she returned to her childhood when she was disheveled and ugly. Xia Ling took off her jacket and lightly covered Xia Yu’s injured body and torn clothes.

“Go.” She softly said.

The executioners gently bowed their heads and carried Xia Yu out.

The elders also dispersed.

As for Xia Shujuan? She was afraid of being implicated and already disappeared without a trace.

In the main hall, only Xia Ling’s family was left.

Xia Moyan looked at his delicate sister. “You have a kind heart.” He was referring to how Xia Ling gave Xia Yu her jacket which was really unexpected.

Xia Ling said, “We were sisters once.” However, their relationship as sisters had ended.

She turned around and left the main ancestral hall with her family.

This little episode did not affect the Xia Family much. The only troublesome thing was that the next day, as Xia Shujuan and her husband knew that Xia Yu was not dead, they pressured her to hand over her money.

“Xia Yu, you’re an unfilial daughter.” They said, “You’re making money but don’t know how to show filial piety! Quickly hand over some money to support the family or we won’t be finished with you!”

Xia Yu was on the verge of death on the bed. She smiled coldly and did not make a sound. She saw the true colors of her good-for-nothing parents. They never had any relationship but still tried to squeeze benefits from her. Not a chance!

Many people in the clan came to watch the conflict in the family.

Seeing that there were more people, Xia Shujuan became more energetic. She pointed and scolded Xia Yu. “You’re a piece of useless trash! You have money but don’t even think about bringing it home, and now you think you can come back and take advantage of us after you messed up outside?! You’re so dirty and smelly but I have to take care of you. Why didn’t those 30 lashes kill you? Seriously!”

She groaned, complained, and humiliated Xia Yu until she seemed worthless.

The onlookers gossiped. They did not have a shred of sympathy for the girl who plotted against the Phoenix and Xia Shujuan’s lazy family. They were only gloating over their misfortune.

Xia Yu continued to lie on the bed. Every single word of Xia Shujuan’s vulgar scolding stabbed Xia Yu’s heart. She was severely injured and had no strength to fight back. She straightened her body and widened her eyes as she stared at the plain ceiling.

Her rehabilitation days flew by.

Xia Shujuan treated her poorly. She never changed her medicine and even frequently forgot to give her food. Furthermore, she did not care to open the windows, turn her around, take her to the toilet, or clean her bedpan. Xia Yu’s wound quickly ulcerated and the abscesses were covered with flies and bugs. Finally, on one day, she felt that she would really die if things went on like this.

Silently like a bug that rotted to death on the bed.

Dead… She was about to die…

Besides, no one loved her.

With empty eyes, her gaze unknowingly fell on a corner of the bed. A magnolia flower on the lightly-colored silky shirt was blooming. Even in a room that was filled with a stench and blood, it looked beautiful.

That was… Xia Ling’s shirt.

She still remembered that on the day she faced her sentence, Xia Ling wore this shirt and denounced her crimes. However, how did this shirt end up on her in the end?

Xia Yu was not stupid.

She understood it at once. Xia Ling must have put it on her.

Oh, Xia Ling… Sister, you’re still innocent and stupid. We’re already enemies yet you still covered me with your shirt? Are you trying to show how kind you are? You’re always like this, using my piteous state to gain praise for yourself. Do you know that you’re the most scheming person in the world?!

Xia Ling!

I hate you!

I hate you!

Her tears flowed out and covered her unrecognizable cheeks.

She had to live on and live better than Xia Ling. She had to trample on all of those people who looked down on her and humiliated her! She viciously glared at the magnolia flower and swore.

“Xia Shujuan.” The next day, when Xia Shujuan carelessly gave her a rotting meat bun, she suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice. “Do you want money?”

Startled, Xia Shujuan smiled smugly. “Hahaha, I just knew that you wouldn’t be able to tolerate it, trash. If you knew about this, why did you have to act that way in the past? If you said it earlier, you wouldn’t have to suffer so much now!”

She deliberately abused Xia Yu to force Xia Yu to hand over her wealth. Sure enough, this strategy worked! Xia Shujuan was elated and fiercely interrogated Xia Yu. “Tell me! Where is the money?!”