Hua Manman dropped her feigned, ferocious act and spoke with genuine feeling.
"What right do you have to speak ill of my mother? Even if she has a thousand faults, at least she's better than a father who would sell his own daughter for glory."
The moment the words left her mouth, she was struck by Hua Dingzong's cane.
"Shut your mouth!"
The rattan cane struck Hua Manman's arm, and she immediately hissed in pain.
Outside the ancestral hall, Madam He saw this and, like an enraged lioness with bloodshot eyes, tried to charge inside.
"Don't hit Manman! If you have to hit someone, hit me! I failed to raise her well, it's all my fault. Direct all your anger at me!"
The Old Madam hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
She quickly had people restrain Madam He to prevent her from fighting with Hua Dingzong.
The Old Madam frowned at Hua Dingzong and chided him with displeasure.
"Why did you hit Manman?
