"What makes you think you're in a position to show off today at the Marquis of Cheng'en's estate?" Yu Miaoyan said fiercely.
Yu Miaoling finally understood why she was being hit and explained cautiously, "I didn't mean to show off, but they were slandering our sixth sister, and as her elder sister, I naturally had to protect her."
"Sister, what kind of sister are you? Stop flattering yourself." The fourth branch was born of a concubine, and the fourth master was not born of the old madam. They would be driven out and live separately sooner or later.
"Eldest Sister is right... but my surname is also Yu, and we are all family..."
"Hmph, who is family with you!" Yu Miaoyan retorted disdainfully.
"What are you all arguing about at the door!" Nanny Qin approached, supporting Cui Shi.
When Cui Shi returned, she had specifically spoken with Madam Lin, leaving the fifth young lady alone to be reprimanded by Yu Miaoyan.
Yu Miaoling lowered her head, not daring to speak. Yu Miaoyan, however, tearfully complained, "Aunt, Fifth Sister offending Madam Yao means offending the Yao family. What if the Imperial Consort blames us?"
Cui Shi smiled, but her gaze was sharp. "When did our Duke of Dingguo's estate ever need to live at the mercy of the Yao family? Imperial Consort Yao presides over the harem and handles matters impartially. Surely she wouldn't favor the Yao family?"
"Sister-in-law, Yan'er is also thinking for the good of our Yu family. It's better to resolve things peacefully than to cause a bigger misunderstanding," Madam Zhao quickly defended her daughter.
"The Duke's estate is the Duke's estate, and the Marquis's estate is the Marquis's estate. Our Duke of Dingguo's estate has not fallen to the point where we dare not retort when bullied by a mere young girl. Second Sister-in-law, focus more on your eldest daughter recently. She is not to leave the estate for now." m..oΓg
After speaking, Cui Shi left, too lazy to glance at the mother and daughter again.
Yu Miaoyan, confined to her quarters by Cui Shi, was furious and rushed to Mingyue Courtyard.
As soon as they returned to the estate, Yu Mingyue had learned the news and had already instructed that if Yu Miaoyan came, she was not to be stopped.
Yu Miaoyan stormed directly into Yu Mingyue's room. "It's all because of you! If it weren't for you, why would all this trouble have happened?"
"I warned you long ago, but you wouldn't listen, eager to curry favor. When that Yao Sanniang insulted me, I didn't see Eldest Sister so indignant!"
Yu Mingyue was painting earlier and had paint on her hands. She slowly wiped her fair, tender hands with a damp cloth, her disdainful gaze and movements mirroring Cui Shi's.
Yu Miaoyan hated this about her. Despite being younger, she always acted superior and lectured others.
"It's true, you hid away and didn't dare to go. What Yao Sanniang said was correct," Yu Miaoyan blurted out.
"I had the right to choose not to go, and Eldest Sister could have also refused. When Yao Sanniang stirred up trouble for no reason, it was the Yao family who lost face. It was the Yao family that people mocked. But when Eldest Sister secretly went to appease Yao Sanniang afterwards and was then mocked and ridiculed, who can you blame!"
Yu Mingyue's voice turned cold at the last sentence.
"You..." Yu Miaoyan was shocked that Yu Mingyue knew she had gone to find Yao Sanniang.
"How do I know? If you don't want anyone to know, don't do it. Eldest Sister should spend this time reflecting. Zhu Yu, escort Eldest Young Lady back." Yu Mingyue's face was childish, but she possessed great dignity.
"My lady, please don't be angry. It's not worth it," Chi Dan advised.
"I warned her that the Yao sisters are not good people, yet she insisted on eagerly approaching them. After being humiliated, she takes her anger out on her own family. She doesn't learn her second uncle's prudence and subtlety, but instead learns her mother's sharp tongue and the old madam's malicious scheming."
A single tree cannot make a forest. If the Yu family members themselves were to scheme against each other, how could they not decline.
As Yu Mingyue was still angry, Nanny Rong hurried in. "My lady, there is an imperial decree from the palace."