Although the Old Madam was very dissatisfied with Lin Shi, she usually didn't really mind her. Previously, if she hadn't personally come to the main courtyard, the Old Madam wouldn't have reprimanded her using such harsh words.
After Lin Shi went back, she reflected upon herself for several days and developed an inexplicable fear of the Old Madam. Then, she realized that the military pledge[1] she made the other day would most likely be something used against her. If she made a mistake, the Old Madam would never be as tolerant as she had been in the past. She would take out a written complaint and letter of repudiation, and kick her out of the manor.
Where could she go if she left the Marquis manor? Her younger brother isn't reliable, she is on bad terms with her shu elder brother, and she would only be eaten alive by someone with ill intentions as she was a woman with a large dowry.
However, she did not dare to confide in her daughter. She only urged her daughter not to make any mistakes and to curry favour with the Old Madam and Yu Pin Yan.
At first, Yu Miao Qi was able to patiently agree with her, but when she had to be reminded everyday, she began to feel irritated. In addition, the person she had sent to investigate Shen Yuan Qi wrote back stating that he was from Lingnan. He was recognized by the Xue family as their adopted son because of the death of his parents. Although the experience of selling himself into slavery could not be traced, he looked like the man she remembered, a vivid portrait of him was also attached.
Yu Miao Qi opened the portrait to take a look, her face went pale with fear. She recognized this face even if it was burned to ashes. Isn't this the di son of the Shen family, Shen Yuan Qi?! In spite of everything, he became so lucky!
That's right. The family's surname he was sold into slavery was Xue, a well-known noble family in the south of Lingnan. Not only were they the richest in the capital, but they were also influential in the imperial court. As long as he was not a pedantic and inflexible person, he would be able to become successful in the future with the help of such a background. After all, he was extremely smart and talented.
Yu Miao Qi burned the portrait. She felt as if her heart was being licked by the flames and the burning pain was indescribable. The Heavens were so unfair, they gave the Shen siblings their outstanding looks and such great luck. In addition, they were always able to turn danger into safety. As for her, the Heavens were so stingy that there was a hidden misfortune behind every twist of fate, causing her to become so weary.
Night fell. She chugged a jug of old wine and got herself so drunk that she could barely sleep. Upon the next day, she went to the Old Madam with a painful headache to pay her respects.
The Old Madam could not tolerate this pair of mother and daughter. After giving a slight nod, she was about to bid the two of them to leave. However, unexpectedly, Lin Shi suddenly spoke, "Mother, Si Yu is already sixteen. She should be getting married, right? Which household is she engaged to? I can help with the management of that."
Yu Si Yu had been anxiously waiting as if she was set on fire[2]. When she saw that she had taken the initiative to ask this question, she even shot a grateful glance over to her and then looked at the Old Madam longingly.
Only then did the Old Madam remembered this matter and laughed coldly, "It wasn't me who helped her decide, but she picked it herself. Yangzhou Salt transport Envoy, Si Yun Tong, Lord Fang's di son, the present third-place candidate[3], Fang Zhi Chen."
Yu Si Yu lowered her head shyly.
For some reason, over the years as Yu Pin Yan achieved higher government status with more and more authority in his hands, the number of aristocratic families that had dealings with the Marquis manor had become lesser and lesser. In the past few years, Yu Si Yu would still receive a few invitations and would still interact with her close friends of similar family backgrounds. However, in recent years, she had not received a single invitation and people would distance themselves from her when she took the initiative to look for them. On top of that, because of Yu Xiang's legs that weren't convenient and she was not fond of entertaining guests, the manor's door was always tightly shut. The Old Madam had even cut off all contact with other families in order to accommodate her. As time went by, Yu Si Yu was unable to do anything and she could only play the Qin at home, embroider and feel sorry for herself. Also, due to her being dull-witted and ignorant, she knew nothing about the outside world.
The matter of the Emperor exterminating Yangzhou officialdom had long been known to everyone, but she was still here daydreaming about marrying gloriously with her ten-mile red dowry[4].
Lin Shi took a quick glance at her daughter and raised her voice, "Deputy Salt Controller from the Salt Distribution Commission? Who is also this year's third-place candidate? Isn't this a good marriage? Have you exchanged Gengtie[5] and marriage letters?" Because she was a person who wouldn't ask about other affairs like Yu Si Yu, it did not arouse suspicion from others when she spoke these words.
"There is neither a Gengtie or marriage letter, I am about to send someone to Yangzhou to discuss marriage." The Old Madam had already given up all hope on these two idiots. She used her cane to tap on the ground and reiterated, "Yu Si Yu, let me ask you once more. Are you sure you wouldn't regret it? Do you really want to marry into the Fang family?"
"How can I joke around with such a big matter concerning my life? Replying to Grandmother, this granddaughter has no regrets." Yu Si Yu spoke these words with emphasis.
"Very well. Before sending someone to discuss marriage, let me tell you one thing so that you can be mentally prepared." The Old Madam poured a cup of hot tea and slowly said, "That Lord Fang has been beheaded more than a month ago for malpractice, greed, favouritism and other crimes. Fang Zhi Chen has not been accused of any crime, but his achievements and titles were stripped to ransom his mother. The Fang family's wealth was confiscated. The mother and son are now miserable, homeless and starving. They are waiting for your dowry to save their lives. Since you are so fond of him, that's fine. I'll fulfill your wish."
As the Old Madam spoke to this point, she didn't care how shocked and distraught Yu Si Yu had become, she beckoned to Ma Momo, "Let Fu Shun bring people to Yangzhou and make sure to bring back the Fang family's mother and son in one piece. That's the future son-in-law's family of my Yongle Marquis manor. Don't slight them."
Ma Momo responded softly, and strode out. However, Yu Si Yu, who had recovered her senses, abruptly pulled Ma Momo's sleeve and shouted frantically "You can't go! You can't go!"
After shouting several times, she looked suspiciously at Old Madam and asked, "Grandmother, you must be deceiving your granddaughter, right? Mister Fang was appointed by the Emperor to be the third-place candidate and was awarded the title of Magistrate of Yangzhou. The Emperor has look fondly on him that is equivalent towards the first-place candidate[6]. If there is really something wrong with his family, how can the Emperor show such generosity? You must be lying to me. You're so biased. You can't stand seeing your granddaughter having a good life. You're really getting senile..."
In the end, her expression progressively turned deranged, laughing and crying; cursing and screaming, looking completely horrifying. Within a blink of an eye, the long-awaited matchless riches and honour had turned to dust, and the husband turned from an elegant noble son to a criminal. Her psychological shock was so overwhelming that she became agitated. Many people looked at her like some kind of joke. She even had the intention to die.
The Old Madam didn't order someone to drag her out, let alone talk to her. She just waved her hand beckoning Ma Momo, then ordered her to find the Marquis. That elmwood head of hers requires to be hammered hard, or she'll never understand in her whole life!
When Yu Pin Yan came over with Yu Xiang in his arms, Yu Si Yu was still screaming out things like 'impossible' as she refused to face reality. When she saw her elder brother arrive, she seemed to be grasping at the last straw that could save her life and asked in a rush, "Elder brother, Grandmother is trying to frighten me, right? How could anything happen to the Fang family? Mister Fang has just been appointed as the third-place candidate. The Emperor, himself, has praised him!"
Yu Pin Yan placed his younger sister gently on the soft couch. He took a seat next to her, rearranged his younger sister's dress, poured a cup of hot tea and placed it into her hands. Then he said leisurely, "Fang Lian Sheng's head was personally removed by me, on the very day Yu Miao Qi returned home."
With that short sentence, it was as if Yu Si Yu was struck by lightning and couldn't get up from the floor. After a long time, she cried out, "Elder brother, how can you be so cruel? You know I am engaged to Mister Fang, why don't you show mercy and spare his family? You're causing harm to me! How can you be so self-centered to such an extent?"
Yu Xiang, who was nibbling on a pastry and sipping honey tea, was unhappy to hear this and then she threw the pastry at her and scolded her, "Do you know what you are talking about?! The Emperor wanted to kill someone and you asked Elder Brother to save them. The Fang family has already been charged, but instead you would rather Elder brother carry the crime of favouritism. Are you afraid that the Emperor is not being suspicious enough towards our Elder brother? Elder brother has made countless enemies in the imperial court, and the slightest mistake will lead to impeachment by the imperial censor. He has always been someone who abides by the law, but you let him bend the law for personal gain. Do you know the charges for which Fang Lian Sheng was beheaded? It's the crime of dereliction of duty and favouritism! What do you mean when you say these words? You want Elder brother to sacrifice his future and life for your marriage? Yu Si Yu, do you know what your surname is and who your family members are? You treacherous wretch! I'll smash you to death!"
She threw three or four pastries in a row before she stopped shouting and scolding and her cheeks puffed up as she panted with her mouth opened as she gasped for air.
Yu Pin Yan was originally a little unnerved. When he saw that little look of righteous indignation, his heart became filled with joy as he pursed his lips to stifle a smile as he took a teacup and gently fed her water.
Amongst her two biological granddaughters, one of them intended to plot against her own family and the other intended to side with an outsider. She didn't know what kind of sin the Yu family had committed to raise these two things. Though Xiang'er was not blood-related, she was even better than her biological grandchildren. This predestined affinity was not in vain.
The Old Madam's bad mood only slightly became better. She looked askance at the wretchedly dressed Yu Si Yu and said, "It's said that a grown daughter cannot be kept unmarried for long, and they would turn into enemies if they were kept in their families[1]. You have indeed formed a deep grudge against your elder brother. Just as well, I will marry you off to the Fang family tomorrow, so go back and get ready."
Yu Si Yu, not taking any chances, wiped the crumbs off her forehead and shouted, "Grandmother, don't! Granddaughter knows she is wrong. Please spare me this time. The Fang family is already in ruins, you can't marry me off!"
"Isn't that what you begged for? How many times have I persuaded you? You can count them by yourself." The Old Madam sneered.
Yu Xiang secretly pulled out a dossier in her palm and looked through it. In it, there were indeed profiles of unmarried men that weren't as high-ranked but had good character in the capital, and each page was accompanied by a small portrait. It looked exactly like a matchmaking booklet.
The Old Madam was really frightening Yu Si Yu. However, in fact, she already had an eye on the right person for her. She was just waiting for her to make the choice herself. If Yu Si Yu was not so high-minded and not so shallow-eyed, she probably would have a very comfortable life in the future. Let's not mention the distant ones for the time being, at least it would be more comfortable than the more high-minded Yu Miao Qi.
She is the female lead. She is going to marry the Emperor in the future. It's just that Yu Xiang didn't know which prince she is going to marry? It would be fine if it were the Crown Prince, but if it were the others... the Marquis manor would be in danger.
Thinking about this, Yu Xiang's heart turned cold. She contemplated on how to ruin Yu Miao Qi's marriage. Regardless of the plot, the most important thing was to protect her elder brother. Elder brother was close to the Crown Prince and he possessed immense power in his hand. If the next prince intended to seize the throne, her elder brother would be the first to be dealt with.
The more Yu Xiang thought about it, the worse her mood became. She couldn't help but look towards Yu Miao Qi with cold and gloomy eyes.
Yu Miao Qi happened to also look up and met her gaze. Her face turned pale and she quickly lowered her head. Although she was the real di daughter, she somehow always felt like she couldn't hold her head up in front of Yu Xiang. And as a result, the resentment and reluctance that had been pent up in her heart grew stronger everyday.
How could Yu Si Yu even have the mood to observe the hidden motives between the two of them, she only continued to kneel on the ground and 'thumping' her head in kowtowed. Her mouth kept seeking forgiveness. It was only then that she suddenly understood why Grandmother and Yu Xiang had asked her repeatedly if she would regret it. It turned out that everything they said was true, they didn't deliberately hinder and lie to her because they couldn't see her live well.
Does she have regrets? Of course! She was so regretful that she wished she could go back in time and beat Pei Shi to death on the spot. She who harped incessantly in her ear about their family's immense wealth and great son.
[1] 女大不中留，留来留去留成仇(nǚdàbùzhōngliú liú lái liú qùliú chéng chóu)-a grown daughter cannot be kept unmarried for long, and they would turn into enemies if they were kept in their families. This would mean that when a girl is of age, she must be married off. If she was pampered and kept by her parent's side, the child will take her anger out on her parents.