Since Yu Mingyue stopped attending the clan school, Yu Miaoyan gradually became the leader there, after all, she was the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion.
"She's been hiding in the mansion for several days without going out, her eyes are swollen from crying," Yu Miaoyan exaggerated.
"She's usually so arrogant. If she can't be the Seventh Prince's consort in the future, won't she be just like us?" another chimed in.
The second and third young ladies, having not received a response when they asked Yu Mingyue for help last time, were unwilling to speak up for her now.
Only the fifth young lady in the corner, biting her lip, said in a weak voice, "Sixth Sister has been reading every day. She hasn't been crying."
"What do you know? She won't cry in front of you," Yu Miaoyan glared fiercely at Yu Miaoling. "Don't think you can get away with anything by currying favor with Yu Mingyue. The Old Madam still has the final say in this mansion."
"I'm not lying. Sixth Sister has been reading. Sixth Sister is studying Mencius, and she even taught me," Yu Miaoling, seeing Yu Miaoyan's aggressive stance, couldn't help but raise her voice a little.
"Your third branch is of concubine birth. What right do you have to speak?" As soon as Yu Miaoyan finished speaking, the entire classroom burst into laughter.
"Look at your status. Overestimating yourself."
"Exactly. Currying favor with Yu Mingyue, are you hoping to become the Seventh Prince's concubine?"
...
Yu Miaoling, with her limited ability to argue, couldn't contend with so many people. After being ridiculed, the tutor, seeing the classroom in chaos and everyone accusing Yu Miaoling of instigating trouble, punished her by making her stand for an hour.
Yu Miaoling had always been timid and dared not tell the Third Madam when she returned. It was only at night during her bath that the maid serving her discovered bruises all over her body. She must have been bullied by the First Madam and the others again.
"Don't tell Mother. Mother is also having a difficult time," Yu Miaoling whispered.
Her father was not born to the Old Madam, and her mother's family background was not prominent. No one was there to support them.
"Let's ask the Duchess to preside over justice," Caidie cried.
Yu Miaoling shook her head. "Madam is pregnant. It's not good to disturb her. Caidie, bear with it, and things will get better."
Yu Mingyue's recent diligent studies were not just for show. These books felt like they had opened a new world for her, and the disturbances outside were irrelevant to her.
Immersed in her studies, she couldn't extricate herself.
Just as she was about to rest, the night watch girl outside the courtyard reported that Caidie, the maid from the Fifth Young Lady's courtyard, was seeking an audience.
"Quickly let her in. Coming so late must mean something urgent," Yu Mingyue said.
Caidie knelt as soon as she entered. Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly having cried.
"Sixth Young Lady, please help our young lady."
"What happened to Fifth Sister?"
"... Our young lady suffers various injuries every day. She hides it from Madam for fear of her worrying. But today was too much. The First Madam pierced a bloody hole in her arm with a hairpin... She told this servant not to tell Sixth Young Lady, but I came secretly while she was asleep. This servant, this servant truly cannot bear it..." Caidie's voice choked, and tears flowed incessantly.
Yu Mingyue felt a pang of guilt. She should have known that Yu Miaoyan was always one to bully the weak. Since Fifth Sister had offended her last time, how could she let her off easily?
"You are a loyal protector of your mistress. This is how it should be. Don't worry, from now on, I will have Fifth Sister study with me. She doesn't need to go to the clan school anymore, and I will protect her in the future," Yu Mingyue's voice was gentle yet full of power.
"Sumu, go with Caidie to Fifth Sister's place and tend to her injuries properly," Yu Mingyue instructed methodically.
Caidie was overjoyed and wept, kowtowing heavily. "This servant thanks Sixth Young Lady. This servant thanks Sixth Young Lady."