Yuwen Jian's expression hardened, but he said nothing.
Yuwen Lin looked away, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
This wasn't Yueshuang they knew but Yueyao, nothing was going to compromise her situation any further, about their lives, she didn't give a damn!
Lady Yuwen opened her mouth to speak, but Yueshuang turned on her before she could.
"And you, my dear Mother," Yueshuang said, her voice shaking. "You allowed this. You forced me to strip in front of men who are not my husband. You humiliated me. For what? To soothe your paranoia?"
"Yueshuang, I...."
"No, Mother," Yueshuang's voice was final. "I will not hear excuses. These two," she gestured at her brothers, "will be punished for their disrespect. And you will apologize to me for forcing me to expose myself like a common woman."
Lady Yuwen's face flushed with a mix of shame and frustration. She glanced at her sons, then back at her daughter. The balance of power in the room had shifted, and she felt it keenly.
