This explanation eased Yun Changfeng’s temper, though his heart still ached.
A tear fell.
“Shu’er, you are too sensible!”
Yun Shu smiled, a smile that was exceptionally like that of a dutiful daughter.
A figure rushed over, followed by several people.
They arrived before them, raised their hands, and were about to strike Yun Shu.
The speed was so great that Yun Changfeng didn't have time to stop them.
Yun Shu caught the hand that was about to hit her.
Her eyes sharpened.
She swept her gaze towards the newcomer.
Old Madam Yun hadn’t expected her hand to be suddenly grabbed, and she tried to wrench it free with force.
Then, she attempted to slap Yun Shu again.
Upon seeing Yun Shu’s unfathomable eyes, she retreated, lowering her hand.
Angrily, she blustered, “You! You deserve a beating! How dare you do something so harmful! Do you want to ruin the reputation of our General’s manor? You, go now and beg them for forgiveness, and then give them the antidote!”
“Mother, don’t be angry, not yet.” Concubine Xiao feigned to hold back Old Madam Yun.
Old Madam Yun was truly enraged. “Yueyin will be back soon, even about to marry the Regent. How dare you cause trouble for our General’s manor at this time! How will Yueyin face people when she returns?”
The thought of her most cherished granddaughter being implicated upon her return to the capital was unbearable.
She had initially hesitated about whether to kick them out.
Now, it seemed, they must be driven out!
“How dare you poison people, Yun Shu, you’re too bold! And you dare to hold your grandmother’s hand now! If it were me, and grandmother wanted to discipline me, I wouldn’t dodge. I would kneel before grandmother and beg her not to be angry. Look at you, your father is still here, and you dare to be so disobedient!” Yun Ying stepped forward and lectured Yun Shu, then praised herself.
“Ying’er is right. If you were half as obedient as Ying’er, you wouldn’t be causing so much trouble for the General’s manor now!” Old Madam Yun gasped for breath, as if she might pass out and never wake.
Concubine Xiao supported Old Madam Yun, looking incredibly concerned. “Mother, please don’t be angry, your health is more important!”
Yun Changfeng shook his head in deep disappointment. “Mother, you have disappointed me too much! It seems Mother didn’t take to heart what I said yesterday and still treats Shu’er so poorly! Without even asking or thinking, you came directly to hit Shu’er today! You even assumed Shu’er was the culprit!”
“Yes, my heart has truly been broken into pieces by Grandmother. Does Grandmother have evidence that I poisoned people? Or is Grandmother going to allow others to frame me?” Yun Shu asked with a half-smile.
Old Madam Yun’s expression changed. Forgetting her pretense of weakness, she said, “How could it not be you?! They treated you that way before, and now that you’re not foolish, you must want revenge!”
Suddenly, silence fell.
Old Madam Yun realized she had spoken out of turn.
Concubine Xiao was speechless; the old lady was truly getting old.
Yun Changfeng’s face darkened with anger.
So Mother knew everything!
Yun Shu suppressed a laugh and asked in feigned surprise, “So Grandmother knew, but why did Grandmother always stand by and watch, and not save me? So Grandmother knew when they pushed me down and pushed me out to embarrass me.”
“Mother! How can you be so cold to Shu’er?! You have disappointed me greatly!” Yun Changfeng flicked his sleeve and left.
However, not far after walking out, Yun Changfeng turned back to look at Yun Shu. “Shu’er, come with Father.”
“Mm!” Yun Shu followed.
She carried herself as if she had her father’s backing and feared no one.
Old Madam Yun was first shocked and uneasy, that Changfeng actually knew!
How could she not control her mouth just now?
It was all Yun Shu’s fault, that accursed girl must have done it intentionally!
Then, she had an idea and made a decision. “Changfeng, since you are so cold and heartless towards your mother, and would rather protect that wretched girl Shu’er and go against me, then for the future of the General’s manor, Mother can only be resolute!”
Concubine Xiao felt a chill to her bones, her face turning pale. “What does Old Madam intend to do?”
“This has nothing to do with you,” Old Madam Yun said coldly.
She then had a wet nurse support her as she walked away.
Yun Ying was confused. “Mother, what did Grandmother mean just now? What do you mean by being resolute for the future of the General’s manor? Did she think of a way to drive Yun Shu out?”
She immediately laughed heartily. “Grandmother must have found a way. This time, we can definitely drive Yun Shu out! Also, Mother, look at the Li family and the others; they were intimidated by Father today and left, but they won’t let Yun Shu off so easily!”
Looking at Yun Ying, who knew nothing, Concubine Xiao was full of worry.
“Mother, why aren’t you speaking? Shouldn’t we be happy?” Yun Ying asked, puzzled.
“Your grandmother does not intend to drive Yun Shu away.” Concubine Xiao’s lips tightened. Seeing that no one else was around, she knew she could no longer hide it.
Yun Ying was furious upon hearing this. “Why? Grandmother was so angry with Yun Shu just now, why not drive her away?! Is it just because Father is protecting Yun Shu?”
“No, your grandmother intends to drive your father out of the General’s manor as well.” Concubine Xiao’s mind was in a mess, she had no idea how to face what was to come.
Yun Ying’s face turned ashen. “Mother, you, you, you mustn’t talk nonsense! Father is the Great General of Zhennan, and this is his manor. Even if Grandmother is angry with Father because of Yun Shu, she wouldn’t drive Father out!”
Concubine Xiao sighed softly. “Mother wishes more than you that Mother is overthinking.”
“Then, then, then what do we do? Mother, if Father is driven out, will we be driven out too? I don’t want to be driven out!” Yun Ying was completely panicked.
“We must make plans early,” Concubine Xiao said gravely.
Yun Ying paced anxiously. “Yun Yueyin will be back soon, and my status in the capital will rise again. If we are driven out of the General’s manor at this time, we will lose everything!”
Hearing Yun Ying’s worries, Concubine Xiao finally felt a little relieved. “Since you can think of this, it means you have grown up. Your grandmother cannot drive people away for a few days, and we still have time to pave the way for the future.”
“Okay, I’ll listen to Mother! Whatever Mother asks me to do, I will do!” Yun Ying was completely at a loss.
She did not want to lose her current high status!
She did not want to leave the General’s manor!
…
In a small town.
In an inn.
The Heavenly room.
A letter was delivered to a woman staying in the Heavenly room.
The woman opened the letter and, upon seeing its contents, a sinister glint of ruthlessness and disbelief flashed in her beautiful eyes.
“A fool fell off a cliff and didn’t die? Instead, she came back alive?”
The letter stated that she not only returned but also became clever, no longer foolish.