"Don't worry! By then, this little slut will be unnecessary, and you can do whatever you want with her!"
As Wang Shi transmitted her thoughts to Zi Jinling, a murderous glint flashed in her eyes.
After placating Zi Jinling, Wang Shi beckoned Cui Hua over to grab Zi Linling.
At the same time, Wang Shi also shouted at Zi Linling, "Lin'er! Wait..."
"Slap!"
Before Wang Shi could utter the word "a," a crisp slap echoed through the courtyard.
The courtyard fell silent instantly. Everyone, except Zi Linling, stood there dumbfounded.
Cui Hua was also stunned. Covering her face, she stood there for a long time, so shocked she even forgot to cry out in pain.
"Who gave you the courage to ambush me?"
Zi Linling stared coldly at Cui Hua and berated her.
Cui Hua finally reacted, crying out, "Ouch!"
Wang Shi also came to her senses, exclaiming in surprise, "Lin'er, why did you hit Cui Hua?"
Zi Linling said indignantly, "Second Aunt, this dog slave actually ambushed me!"
Ambush? What happened?
Wang Shi looked at Cui Hua in confusion.
Cui Hua said aggrievedly, "Your servant did not! Your servant just wanted to hold Third Young Lady back."
Wang Shi nodded and said, "Lin'er, I asked her to hold you back."
Zi Linling sneered inwardly. Since she had developed her Spirit Palace, it was as if she had eyes in the back of her head. How could she not have noticed Wang Shi's little maneuver?
However, she couldn't let Xue Ying's slap go unanswered. So, when Cui Hua came to pull her, she seized the opportunity to slap Cui Hua, avenging Xue Ying.
Moreover, this was just the beginning of her revenge. As for the remaining nine slaps, she wanted Xue Ying to do it herself, to help Xue Ying regain her confidence and courage.
"How was I supposed to know Second Aunt sent her? Besides, it's not my fault."
Zi Linling maintained an innocent expression and continued, "Not long ago, I was bitten by a vicious dog, and it left me with a psychological shadow. So, whenever anything approaches me within a foot, I instinctively lash out."
As she spoke, she glared at Cui Hua and added, "Who told her to sneak up on me like a ghost, silently?"
Although Wang Shi felt that this excuse was flimsy, seeing Zi Linling's serious demeanor, she couldn't help but feel suspicious.
Zi Jinling clenched her fists, her fingernails digging deeply into her flesh without her noticing.
There was no vicious dog. Zi Linling was clearly insulting her.
Cui Hua naturally could not accept such an explanation. She stamped her foot in anger and said, "Third Young Lady, how can you do this? You hit someone and then make up such a ridiculous excuse."
She believed that Zi Linling was still the same Zi Linling who used to let servants like them bully her, so she didn't take Zi Linling seriously at all.
Zi Linling's eyes turned cold. She berated, "Who gave you the guts to speak to me like that? Xue Ying, slap her ten times and teach her a lesson!"
Wang Shi was startled, then frowned and said, "Lin'er, what are you doing?"
Zi Linling looked at Wang Shi with a wronged expression and said, "What, Second Aunt feels sorry for her? You just said you felt sorry for me, and now that this servant has insulted me, you want to protect her?"
Wang Shi was so choked by Zi Linling's words that she couldn't speak.
She cursed Cui Hua inwardly as a fool for causing trouble for her at this time.
Seeing that Wang Shi was silent, Zi Linling coldly said again, "Xue Ying, did you hear me?"
Xue Ying was startled. She clearly hadn't expected Zi Linling to suddenly order her to do this.
She said timidly, "Miss..."
Zi Linling shouted, "Still not doing it!"
The somewhat timid Xue Ying, feeling the coldness in Zi Linling's voice, slowly walked up to Cui Hua.
She glanced at Zi Linling, then at Cui Hua in front of her, but her raised hand could not bring itself to fall.
Zi Linling's brows furrowed. She said coldly, "Don't forget what I told you!"
Xue Ying then remembered what Zi Linling had said before: "I'll give you two choices. One, you continue to be weak, but I don't need weak people by my side. Two, become strong, and whoever bullies you, you bully them back!"
The timidity and hesitation in her eyes quickly faded. She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth, and slapped Cui Hua hard across the face.
"Slap!"
A crisp sound rang out.
"Ah!"
Cui Hua cried out in pain. Covering her face, she said incredulously, "Bitch, you actually dared to hit me!"
Before Xue Ying could speak, Zi Linling raised her hand and slapped her, saying coldly, "Xue Ying was acting on my behalf. Who are you calling a bitch?"
Cui Hua, covering her swollen face, cast a venomous glance at Zi Linling but dared not retort.
Now, even Wang Shi couldn't protect her. If she dared to say anything more, Zi Linling would definitely deal with her severely.
Seeing that Cui Hua had shut up, Zi Linling then ordered Xue Ying, "Continue!"
As for the venom in Cui Hua's eyes, Zi Linling simply ignored it.
If Cui Hua dared to provoke her again, she would undoubtedly be courting death.
Xue Ying no longer hesitated or showed timidity. She raised her hand and fiercely slapped Cui Hua again.
This time, Xue Ying didn't stop. "Slap! Slap! Slap..."
She delivered nine consecutive slaps before covering her aching palm and announcing loudly, "Miss, I'm done."
She felt a sense of exhilarating excitement. At the same time, a flame was slowly burning in her heart, growing stronger and stronger.
At this moment, let alone slapping someone at Zi Linling's command, she wouldn't hesitate even if she were asked to kill someone.
Zi Linling looked at the determined light in her eyes and nodded with satisfaction, saying, "That's more like it!"
Then, with a smile, she turned to Wang Shi and said, "By the way, Second Aunt, what did you call me for?"
Wang Shi's face was extremely ugly.
Cui Hua was her subordinate after all. One must consider the owner before hitting the dog.
Zi Linling had beaten Cui Hua so thoroughly, without showing her any respect, and yet acted as if nothing had happened.
Wang Shi was now somewhat unsure if she could truly control such an unpredictable Zi Linling.
However, for the sake of the Family Head Token, she was willing to take the gamble.
After all, Zi Linling was just a twelve-year-old girl. If she couldn't even handle Zi Linling, how could she secure her position as the mistress of the household?
Thinking of this, a smile reappeared on her face, but it looked chilling.
"Lin'er, don't you like your second sister's Purple Heart Pavilion? I'll grant it to you now."
Zi Linling's eyes lit up and she asked, "Second Aunt? Is this true?"
Wang Shi nodded and said, "Of course it's true!" However, she feared that you might have the life to want it, but not the fortune to enjoy it!
A sinister glint flashed in her eyes.
Zi Linling said excitedly, "That's great! But isn't that my second sister's courtyard? If I move in, what will happen to my second sister?"