Mrs Shen rose abruptly, glaring at him defensively, "Elder Li, Li'er is sick. She just attempted suicide this morning. Does it please you to upset her further?! How can you blame her for their mischievousness?"
Old Madam Li scoffed quietly, stepping closer to the bed and eyeing Shen Li's pale face without sympathy, "Suicide?" she said coldly, "How dramatic, no wonder you are the best actress! And for what? Because two children cried over her cruelty?"
"Mother…" Shen Li's voice trembled pathetically as she forced her eyes open, tears shimmering, "I didn't mean to… I didn't… I only wanted them to understand discipline… to respect me… they misunderstood everything…"
Old Madam Li's eyes narrowed sharply, "Discipline? Is that what you call it?" Her voice was frigid, dripping with contempt, "You have always been skilled at playing the victim, Shen Li. Even now, lying in this bed, I see nothing has changed."
