Although Yu Ze'en was merely a Palace Attendant Censor, he had the opportunity to see the Emperor's face. Furthermore, among the entire Yu family, besides Yu Mingyue, he was the first to know that the Supervising Censor had impeached Yu Zeyou, the Vice Prefect of Yuzhou, for dereliction of duty.
He knew he was a son born of a concubine and had always been law-abiding, never provoking his stepmother’s displeasure.
His elder brother had always been very protective of them, and he did not want any trouble to arise within the family. He had always endured when possible, even often advising his wife to do the same.
After all, even the legitimate daughter of the esteemed Cui family was not favored by the Old Madam, who often found excuses to make things difficult for her, even nearly causing her death along with her child.
Therefore, Yu Ze'en did not suppress the memorial but presented it directly to the Emperor.
No matter how much the Old Madam berated and cursed Yu Ze'en, he simply replied that his official position was low and the Emperor's command could not be defied.
Seeing that she could not persuade Yu Ze'en, the Old Madam turned to beg Lin Shi. Lin Shi had been bullied by the Old Madam for years and had never seen her in such a sorry state, so she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
Did she ever consider today, when she was begging her, when she used to bully her? Not only could she not do it, but even if she could, she wouldn't help.
She felt sorry for her son, but had she ever thought about other people's children? Where was her conscience when she indulged the eldest daughter-in-law in bullying her daughter?
Where was her conscience when she spread rumors that the Duke had rebelled, nearly causing the death of Cui Shi and her child, and almost the entire Yu family?
The Duke was in trouble now and likely powerless. To put it bluntly, the eldest branch would not intervene, and the third branch had even less reason to.
"Help the Old Madam back. This daughter-in-law cannot manage this matter," Lin Shi said softly.
She spoke in her usual gentle tone, but her eyes were different from before.
The gate of the third branch's courtyard slammed shut with a bang, completely extinguishing the Old Madam's last hope.
The Emperor had only given Yu Zeyou three days to prepare. Cui Shi was still recovering and in her confinement period, and all matters of the Duke's mansion needed to be managed.
The second branch's Zhao Shi was shirking her responsibilities, and the third branch's Lin Shi was too weak. Only Yu Mingyue was left.
"Mother, I can do it," Yu Mingyue held her mother's hand, reassuring her. "You taught me how to manage the household before, and I can use it now. I've also made a list of things prepared for Father. I'll read it to you." Yu Mingyue had everything arranged perfectly.
Cui Shi was very pleased and nodded, "Very good. You've thought of everything, even more thoroughly than I did."
"Mother, don't worry. I'll borrow the Duke's mansion for a few days and show off my authority," Yu Mingyue deliberately blurred the somber atmosphere of departure.
Because no one knew when Father would return from his trip to Jizhou.
Cui Shi smiled and agreed. She used to wish for Yue'er to grow up quickly, to be less naive. But now, seeing her so sensible made her heart ache.
On the twelfth day of the ninth month in the twenty-first year of Yong'an, the Emperor's final deadline, Yu Zeyou was to leave the capital.
The Old Madam only found out the night before his departure that she would be returning to the ancestral home with her son.
She immediately smashed a teacup and hit Yu Zexiang on the head, "Rebellious son! If I had known this would happen, I would have rather strangled you."
"Mother, it's not that I don't want to accommodate you. I am a son, a husband, and a father. Why have you repeatedly tried to harm Cui Shi? This time, you nearly caused her death. If Cui Shi refuses to let it go, and the Cui family reports this to the Emperor, I won't be able to protect you."
"The old home may not be as prosperous as the capital, but it lacks nothing. There are servants to attend to you and relatives to care for you. You will still be the Old Madam, living a life of comfort. I know you have never favored me, but returning to our hometown is for your own good. Please understand."
Yu Zexiang knelt and kowtowed to the Old Madam, thus fulfilling his filial duty as a son.
The Old Madam, having doted on her youngest son, had been upset for two days and was now exhausted. Even if she were angry, she could no longer cause a scene.