The beloved is reborn as a substitute, and the tyrant begs for forgiveness every night.

Jiang Xiuxiu looked at her father with a hint of fear in her eyes.

She knew that Jiang's father was different from Jiang's mother and was not so easily fooled.

Not to mention that Jiang's mother took her away from the banquet today, and didn't say anything nice to her in private.

This made Jiang Xiuxiu even more terrified.

She knelt on the ground, her eyes lowered.

Seeing her like this, Jiang's father became furious.

If it weren't for Xu Leyao's last words today, which salvaged some of the Jiang family's reputation, they would probably be the laughingstock of the entire capital by now.

Although it's not like that now, it's not far off.

If the news of Xu Leyao and Jiang Xiuxiu's discord were to spread, who wouldn't question their upbringing? This would then affect the marriage prospects of other members of the Jiang family.

Jiang's father was already focused on Jiang Da's marriage.

He was not unaware that Jiang's mother was secretly looking for a husband for Jiang Xiuxiu, but in Jiang's father's view, if Jiang Xiuxiu could play a role in this matter, then his efforts in raising her would not have been in vain.

But now that something like this has happened, what decent family would want her?

At this moment, Jiang Xiuxiu's value to her father plummeted.

"Jiang Xiuxiu, what should I say to you? You used to be a smart, well-mannered young lady from a wealthy family. But look at yourself now, do you still have any trace of good upbringing?"

Jiang's father spoke coldly, his tone revealing undisguised disappointment.

Hearing this, Jiang Xiuxiu felt a mix of emotions.

If Xu Leyao hadn't appeared and destroyed her happy family, how could she have ended up like this?

If she hadn't been fighting for herself, she probably would have been sent to a country estate in the suburbs by her father long ago, just like Xu Leyao before her.

Jiang Xiuxiu was naturally unconvinced by her father's words.

However, Jiang Xiuxiu did not dare to act presumptuously in front of him.

She lowered her head, as if she already knew she was wrong.

“Father, I was bewitched today and spoke inappropriately. However, I never intended to bring shame upon the Jiang family, so please forgive me. Xiuxiu is willing to kneel in the ancestral hall as punishment to express her remorse towards her sister.”

Jiang Xiuxiu's words were a strategic retreat, aimed at getting Jiang's father to give up on her as a pawn.

Moreover, it was just a punishment of kneeling in the ancestral hall.

She's knelt in the ancestral hall so many times that she's become immune to it now.

Such punishment was unnecessary for her.

Upon hearing that Jiang Xiuxiu had volunteered to be punished, Jiang's father's eyes darkened.

Based on Jiang Xiuxiu's behavior these days, her father is utterly disappointed in her.

The Jiang family doesn't need a daughter who can't distinguish right from wrong and is unclear about what's inside and outside the family.

If all members of the Jiang family were like Jiang Xiuxiu, they would have been impeached countless times long ago.

However, the Jiang family also spent a lot of time and resources raising Jiang Xiuxiu.

If Jiang's father were to give up Jiang Xiuxiu now, he would indeed be somewhat reluctant.

But compared to the future of the Jiang family, he's just a pawn.

After making up his mind, the last bit of pity for Jiang Xiuxiu disappeared from Jiang's father's eyes.

"No need."

Jiang's father's words stunned everyone present.

Jiang Xiuxiu made such a big mistake, almost ruining the Jiang family's reputation, and her father just let it go like that?

Before Jiang Xiuxiu could even feel happy, her father's words plunged her into despair.

"The Emperor himself said when he came to the Jiang family that you are not the rightful daughter of the Jiang family. In the past, I couldn't bear to throw you out because of our past relationship. But now it seems that I was too lenient with you."

Mr. Jiang spoke in a calm voice, his face expressionless.

But his words made it impossible for those present to remain calm.

Even Xu Leyao looked at him with a hint of surprise.

In Xu Leyao's opinion, given what Jiang Xiuxiu had done, it was only a matter of time before her father chose to give up on her.

But even she didn't expect that Mr. Jiang would make a decision so quickly.

His words clearly implied that he was going to give up on Jiang Xiuxiu.

Jiang's mother frowned and remained silent.

Although she did not plead for Jiang Xiuxiu, judging from Jiang's mother's expression, she clearly did not agree with Jiang's father's actions.

Jiang Da, however, wore an expression of disbelief.

"Father, Xiuxiu is my sister, the daughter our Jiang family raised since she was a child. How can you just abandon her like this?"

Despite his usual dull and simple-minded demeanor, even Jiang Da understood his father's meaning at this moment.

From this perspective, it can be said that Jiang's father was truly determined.

Ignoring what Jiang Da said, Jiang's father praised Xu Leyao.

"Weiwei, you did a great job today. Although you suffered some grievances, your father will definitely not let you suffer any losses."

Upon hearing Jiang's father's words, the female lead raised an eyebrow, not understanding what he meant for a moment.

Did Jiang's father want to compensate her?

But what can he offer?

Jiang's father did not explain to Xu Leyao's questioning gaze.

Although he had made up his mind about some things, with his mother and father Jiang dragging him down, and the ungrateful Jiang Xiuxiu, he didn't dare to reveal his plans.

Seeing that Jiang's father was no longer talking to her, Xu Leyao didn't press the matter.

What is rightfully hers will be hers sooner or later.

As for Jiang Xiuxiu, who was kneeling on the ground, she finally realized what was happening.

When Jiang Xiuxiu first heard her father say that he wanted to give up on her, she couldn't believe it.

She thought that she must still have some value to her.

If all else fails, Jiang's mother and Jiang Da will definitely protect her.

However, Jiang Xiuxiu did not expect her father to be so resolute.

“Father, I was blinded by jealousy of my sister. But I really didn’t mean it. Father, you and Mother raised me from childhood, and you have a deep bond with me. How can you abandon me?”

As she spoke, Jiang Xiuxiu knelt down and crawled toward her father's seat.

She was in such a disheveled state that she had never been before.

Xu Leyao watched coldly, and a thought suddenly came to her mind.

She glanced at Jiang's father, her expression remaining unchanged.

Looking at Jiang Xiuxiu kneeling at his feet, weeping bitterly, Jiang's father felt quite conflicted.

Logically speaking, giving up on Jiang Xiuxiu now is definitely the best option for him.

Father Jiang could not and would not allow himself to disregard the rest of the Jiang family for the sake of Jiang Xiuxiu alone.

However, although his feelings for Jiang Xiuxiu were somewhat shallow, she was still a child he had doted on since childhood.

With things escalating to this point, Mr. Jiang himself was also feeling bad.

But how can he concede on this matter?

He had seen Xu Leyao and Jiang Xiuxiu's performance today.

Compared to Jiang Xiuxiu, who was carefully raised from a young age, Xu Leyao clearly understands the bigger picture better.

Father Jiang also knew that the two were only superficially friendly, and sometimes Xu Leyao was too lazy to give Jiang Xiuxiu any face.

If I had to choose between these two people

Aside from Xu Leyao, Jiang's father had no other option.

Not to mention, Xu Leyao is standing behind Zheng Zhihe right now.