All Hail Cousin Brother

292 Future Ruined

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife heaved a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat off her forehead.

When she heard this, her mother-in-law, Old Madam Cao, pondered for a moment and frowned. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll personally make a trip to the Yu Residence. The two of you, come with me and apologize properly. Old Madam Yu, you have to at least give me some face. At the very least, you have to smooth over this matter. In the future…” As she spoke, she looked at Cao Yingxue sharply. “Yingxue’s reputation is ruined. She’ll be a joke if she stays in the capital. Send her into the clan to lie low.”

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife’s eyes immediately widened in shock. She crawled to Old Madam’s feet and cried, begging for mercy…

Even Cao Yingxue’s breathing became heavier.

At first, she did not understand what it meant to be sent into the clan to lie low. She even thought that her grandmother was really looking out for her.

Later, she watched as her mother knelt on the ground and cried her heart out.

Only then did she suddenly understand that hiding from the limelight was only on the surface. As long as she returned to the clan, she probably wouldn’t have a chance to return to the capital in this lifetime.

When she was a little older, they would choose a family with a son of about the same age and with an ordinary family background among the in-laws she was familiar with. With a few gifts of dowry, she would be married out quietly.

From now on, she would not be able to raise her head high in her husband’s house, and her future would be completely ruined.

To her, such a punishment was considered merciful.

No matter how powerful a family was, if their reputation was ruined, they had to be sent to a nunnery to worship Buddha or cut their hair and become a nun.

Even worse, they would be forced to drink a bowl of arsenic and lose their lives.

Cao Yingxue thought in a daze. If it had been Yu Youyao who had ruined her reputation yesterday, what would have happened to her?

It was probably not far from her!

Old Madam Cao told Old Madam Yu about the past and finally managed to get things straight. She was more or less glad that the Yu Residence was a scholarly family that valued relationships and etiquette.

Old Madam Cao changed the topic and said with a smile, “Call the few young masters in your family out for me to take a look. At the flower festival yesterday, they should have brought them to my house to let me take a look and recognize them. However, my body had turned cold a few days ago and I’m taking medicine. It’s not convenient for me to see them, and I don’t want to pass my sickness to them.”

She did not know for the time being if she was really sick, but as soon as she said this, she also expressed her goodwill, indicating that she had just recovered from a serious illness today and was showing her sincerity.

Old Madam Yu naturally pointed at the screen and said, “Don’t hide either. Come out and greet Old Madam Cao.”

Yu Youyao was the first to walk out, followed by Yu Shuangbai. Yu Jianjia asked Ai Ye to help her out alone.

As soon as the three sisters walked out, Old Madam Cao’s turbid eyes lit up. “All of them are as tender as flower buds. They’re really very cute.” With that, she glanced at Old Madam Yu with envy. “You old thing, no one’s luck is as good as yours.”

Of her two sons, one was going to be the Grand Secretary in the future, and the other was also capable in the Imperial Court.

Her granddaughters also seemed to be learning from each other. Their every move was generous and not ostentatious at all. Just by looking at them, one could tell that they were well-mannered. She wondered what kind of bright future they would have in the future.

Yu Youyao brought Yu Shuangbai and Yu Jianjia to greet Old Madam Cao. “Old Madam, how are you?”

Old Madam Cao immediately saw Yu Jianjia. She glanced at her legs and quickly asked with concern, “It’s Third Miss, right? What’s wrong?”

Yu Jianjia lowered her head and said gently, “Old Madam, I accidentally sprained my ankle yesterday. Please forgive me if I’ve been rude.”

Although she was being supported, her personality, manners, and etiquette were all top-notch.

However!

Old Madam Cao glanced at her pale and weak face, but her expression did not show it at all. “You sprained your ankle at my house yesterday, right?” As she spoke, she glanced at the Marquis of Changxing’s wife beside her and rebuked, “What a sin. You can’t even take care of a young lady well and she suffered like this.”

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife quickly looked at Yu Jianjia with an apologetic expression. “It’s my fault. Third Miss is a guest, so she should be treated well. I didn’t expect Third Miss to sprain her ankle at my house.” After saying that, she asked with concern, “How’s your ankle? Did you invite the imperial physician to take a look?”

Yu Jianjia’s pale lips curled up slightly, revealing a shy smile. “Thank you for your concern, Old Madam and Madam.” Then, she said gently, “The family has hired Imperial Physician Li, who’s good at tendons and bones, to take a look at it. It’s just a sprained tendon. It’ll be fine after recuperating for a while. Madam, don’t worry.”

“It’s good that you’re fine. It’s good that you’re fine.” The Marquis of Changxing’s wife was relieved and smiled again. “I have some good supplements and medicine at home. I’ll get someone to send them over later. You have to recuperate well during this period.”

Old Madam Cao smiled. She took out a green jade pendant from her waist and stuffed it into Yu Jianjia’s hand.

Yu Jianjia only felt that it was smooth to the touch, but it was a high-grade green jadeite. She quickly declined. “Old Madam, how can this be…”

Old Madam Cao smiled and said, “It’s just a small thing. It’s not worth much. Take it!”

Yu Jianjia looked troubled as she looked up at her grandmother.

Old Madam Yu waved her hand. “It’s a gift from an elder. Take it!”

Only then did Yu Jianjia thank Old Madam Cao.

Old Madam Cao patted her hand. “You sprained your ankle. Sit down quickly. Don’t stand and talk.”

Yu Jianjia thanked her again and asked Ai Ye to help her sit down on a small stool at the side. Her feet immediately felt lighter, and the piercing pain eased a little.

Old Madam Cao looked at Yu Shuangbai again. Seeing that Yu Shuangbai was generous, lively, and stood obediently, her bearing and etiquette were excellent. Even her smile became a little gentler. “This must be Second Sister. She looks really good.” With that, she glanced at Madam Yao. “Second Madam Yu is really well-mannered.”

Yu Shuangbai’s appearance was beautiful and generous, and she was the favorite of her old family. Any elder who saw her would like her and praise her.

Madam Yao pursed her lips and chuckled. “You’re like a mischievous monkey. How can you receive such praise from Old Madam?”

Yu Shuangbai immediately stomped her feet and said with a delicate expression, “Mother, the guests are still here. Please save me some face!”

The room immediately burst into laughter.

“Good girl.” As Old Madam Cao smiled, she pulled out a jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Yu Shuangbai’s wrist without any explanation.

Even this jade bracelet, which was half red and half white, was valuable.

After Yu Jianjia accepted her gift, Yu Shuangbai also accepted hers generously and thanked her sweetly, “Thank you, Old Madam.”