Chapter 98: Acting Good
“When Master was recuperating, Eldest Miss’s tea, tonics, antiques, calligraphy, and toys were sent to the front courtyard every day. After receiving Eldest Miss’s filial piety, Master only cared about Eldest Miss’s well-being. How could he still remember that Fourth Miss was still suffering in the courtyard?”
“Isn’t it? I heard from the maidservant in the front courtyard yesterday that Master was exaggerating about Young Miss’s demeanor.”
“Fourth Miss has been learning the rules from a nanny in her courtyard. She has suffered immensely, but Eldest Miss has benefited instead. In the past, Master used to dote on Fourth Miss so much that Eldest Miss couldn’t even compare to her although she’s the eldest daughter of the first wife. Now, she has snatched away all of Fourth Miss’s former love.”
“Fourth Miss is really pitiful…”
The maidservants’ words made Yu Qingning’s heart burn with anger. She was so angry that she was about to explode.
It was Yu Youyao who had caused her to suffer so much. Not only had she suffered so much, but she was also despicable and shameless. She had even snatched away her father’s love for her when she was trapped in the courtyard to learn the rules.
Worried that her father wouldn’t dote on her anymore, Yu Qingning was anxious, angry, and flustered. Therefore, in a moment of desperation this morning, she had quarreled with Nanny Qian and hit her.
All of this was caused by Yu Youyao.
Yu Youyao frowned. “Fourth Sister, have you lost your mind? You’re shouting at me, but have you forgotten that this is father’s courtyard. You can’t be so undisciplined. I originally thought that although the nanny in the Education Department was a little strict, you could learn from her. That way, you would be able to curb your habit of shouting at the drop of a hat. I didn’t expect that you would learn nothing.”
Yu Qingning screamed, “Yu Youyao, what do you mean? I’m in this state now because of you. It’s all your fault…”
Yu Youyao’s face darkened. She slowly stood up and casually adjusted her clothes. Then, she raised her head and looked at her coldly. “Did I teach you to be undisciplined and ill-mannered? Fourth Sister, shut up. I can’t bear this crime. If Father finds out, he’ll think that you have no rspect for seniority.”
Chun Xiao held her breath.
However, Eldest Miss did not know that her nonchalant and cold appearance was very similar to that of the young master of the Green House. Not only was she extremely imposing, but she also made people panic.
“You…” Yu Qingning couldn’t help but feel suffocated. Her blood-stained face was exposed. Although it was only a small wound, it was still a shocking sight.
Yu Youyao looked at Yu Qingning with a hint of sincerity in her eyes. “Fourth Sister, although the nanny from the Education Department is a little strict, she still has some tricks up her sleeve. It’s good for you to watch carefully from the side and learn. Back then, it was very difficult for me to learn the rules from Nanny Xu. I had to walk for two hours with a book on my head. It’s common for me to fall or trip. When I first learned how to walk, my body was covered in bruises, but after a few days, I felt better.”
It was true that the nannies in the Education Department tortured people, but it was also true that they taught rules. If Yu Qingning was really willing to learn, she would benefit greatly in the future.
Therefore, her words were indeed meant to give her advice.
However, Yu Qingning refused to listen to this. She said angrily, “Stop making sarcastic remarks. Nanny Xu is the nanny in charge that Grandmother gave you. Even if she’s teaching you the rules, she’ll still know her limits. She won’t torture you…”
Seeing that she wasn’t listening, Yu Youyao didn’t want to say anything else. She glanced at the wound on her face. “Fourth Sister, your face is injured. You should hurry back and let the doctor take a look. Be careful not to leave a scar. The appearance of a woman is very important.”
At this moment, Yu Qingning, who was so angry that she was in a daze, finally remembered the wound on her face. She couldn’t help but cover her face and cry.
Yu Youyao seemed to be unable to bear it. She turned to Xia Tao and said, “Go back first. Take a box of top-grade Jade Face Ointment from my box and send it to the Hanlu Courtyard.”
Jade Face Ointment was also divided into different grades, but top-grade Jade Face Ointment was very rare. Yu Qingning definitely did not have it.
Yu Qingning was so angry that she wanted to rush up and fight. “Yu Youyao, stop pretending to be a good person. You…”
“Shut up.” With a furious roar, Yu Zongzheng strode out of the cloud-patterned screen and looked at Yu Qingning with a dark expression. “You called your eldest sister by her name. Have you fed all your manners to a dog? Your eldest sister thinks about you all the time, and she’s never forgotten about you. Your face is injured, but she’s still thinking about you by giving you her medicine. How did you repay her?”
Just now, in the inner room, he had felt that he had lost his temper and scared Yu Qingning. Hence, he had wanted to ask Wen Zhu to go to the Hanlu Courtyard later to teach Nanny Qian a lesson so that she would know her limits and not be too harsh on Fourth Miss.
However, he had been standing behind the screen just now, listening to Yao Yao’s earnest advice to Qingning. She had said that learning the rules was a little tough, but it was beneficial. She had even mentioned the hardships she had suffered from learning the rules in the past. Then, he had looked at Yu Qingning, who was shouting like a crazy woman, and felt that Nanny Qian had gone too easy on her.
Otherwise, why would Fourth Miss still have the energy to cause trouble in front of Yao Yao?
At this moment, Yu Qingning did not dare to argue with her father anymore. She lowered her head and did not speak.
Yu Zongzheng stared at Yu Qingning coldly. “You’d better learn the rules obediently. If you cause trouble with the nanny again, I’ll send you to the clan and let the elders discipline you.”
When Yu Qingning heard this, her body went limp and she almost fell to the ground.
Send her to the clan?
This was the outcome that only clansmen who had broken the clan rules would face. The clan rules were few, but the clan rules were more powerful than the heavens. If she were to break the clan rules and be sent to the clan, her life would be over.
Yu Youyao turned to look at Jin Ju, who was following behind Yu Qingning. “Help Fourth Miss back to rest!”
Jin Ju heaved a sigh of relief and quickly helped Yu Qingning out.
Yu Youyao said to Chun Xiao, who was beside her, “Go to the Hanlu Courtyard and pass on a message. Tell them that Fourth Miss isn’t feeling well. She’ll rest for today and continue learning the rules tomorrow. Fourth Miss used to be pampered and spoiled, but she has never suffered. Tell Nanny Qian to be gentler with the rules first. When Fourth Miss gets used to it, she can be stricter.”
She had a grandmother and a mother. It was a little overboard for her to ignore her elders and let Chun Xiao pass on the message. However, as the eldest daughter of the first wife, she also had the responsibility of caring for and disciplining her sisters in the family. This was understandable.
Chun Xiao felt that it was all her fault that Fourth Miss was like this. Young Miss was too soft-hearted. However, since Young Miss had instructed it, she could only follow the instructions.
She bowed to Yu Zongzheng and left.
It wasn’t that Yu Youyao was soft-hearted. Although she and Yu Qingning disliked each other, it was just a small fight between sisters. At the very least, it wouldn’t affect her in any way.