Chapter 533 - 532: Heartless

Chapter 533: Chapter 532: Heartless

Du Yunluo walked hastily, a thin layer of sweat forming on her forehead.

Madam Wu motioned for her to sit down and recounted what Lian Family had said: "What do you have to say for yourself?"

Du Yunluo glanced at Lian Family in surprise. She thought it would be a few more days before this matter reached Madam Wu, not expecting Lian Family to act so urgently.

However, she wasn’t flustered at all.

"Grandmother, Second Aunt," Du Yunlo smiled faintly and said, "Just to tame the servants, I used Fourth Uncle’s matters to embarrass the second branch?

That’s not true at all.

I am the legitimate eldest daughter-in-law of the legitimate eldest branch, taking charge of the family’s affairs as is right and proper, and it was at Grandmother’s instruction, with Nanny Shan and Nanny Su accompanying me in managing matters. Even if the servants don’t respect me, they must at least show some face to Nanny Shan and Nanny Su.

Moreover, the steward mothers in our mansion are all clear-headed.

At the time mother’s health was unwell, Grandmother asked Second Aunt to manage the household affairs temporarily. How could I, upon joining the family, be lazy and throw all the domestic affairs onto Second Aunt?

This was originally my responsibility, and the servants understand it too."

Lian Family’s lips were pressed tightly as she looked coldly at Du Yunlo and said, "Lian Xiao’s wife, let’s not talk about the other things. Did you know about Lian Yu and Yuan Jing’s matter beforehand?"

Du Yunlo sighed, looking directly at Lian Family and said, "If Second Aunt insists on saying that I knew, then whatever I say is useless. Consider that I always knew."

"You..." Lian Family gasped, "Old Madam, look..."

"Enough," Madam Wu’s face was extended, and her tone was unhappy, "Whether Yuan Jing or Lian Yu, they are no longer here, let’s not bring up past matters. If Lian Xiao’s wife truly did something wrong, I will punish her myself."

Lian Family clenched her fists silently.

Before coming, she had thought about it, even without hard evidence, even if there was, Madam Wu would at most scold Du Yunlo a few times.

Harming the enemy a thousand times, hurting oneself eight hundred times.

Even so, Lian Family wanted to complain to Madam Wu; it was suffocating inside her. Not speaking up made it hard to breathe.

"Lian Xiao’s wife, whatever the case, you shouldn’t have brought these matters to light. No matter Yuan Jing and Lian Yu’s wrongdoings, there were many ways to handle it. Causing such a commotion, where is the dignity of the mansion? If not for that, how could Lian Yu not return to the capital for years in the Northern Border? How could he die there..." Lian Family’s tears fell, thinking of her son tore her heart apart.

Du Yunlo’s face was expressionless, filled with mockery.

Burying everything, maintaining a facade of harmony while everything underneath is rotten!

The second branch was like this in her past life.

When this Marquis Mansion fell into the hands of the second branch, its dignity was theirs, and Du Yunlo had nothing left, except for that Chastity Arch, what else?

She even bore such an infamy!

In this life, many things cannot be openly accounted with the second branch, but the one thing that could smear mud on the second branch’s face, why should she let it go?

Moreover, if she hadn’t done so back then, how could she strike at Lian Family and the second branch?

Du Yunlo said calmly, "Second Aunt’s words blame Grandmother for punishing too harshly? Blaming Grandmother for not allowing Fourth Uncle to return to the capital?"

Lian Family’s body stiffened, shook her head, about to say something when Banqiao’s voice came from outside, saying Mu Yuanmou had arrived.

Mu Yuanmou walked in, a heavy gaze sweeping over Lian Family, not angry nor anxious, yet Lian Family felt as if a thorn was in her back, involuntarily shivering.

"Mother, I have come to take Lian Family back." Mu Yuanmou said.

Madam Wu nodded and said, "Go, don’t discuss these matters anymore."

Lian Family, unable to argue with Mu Yuanmou, went back with him.

Madam Wu turned to Du Yunlo and said, "Tell me the truth, did you know about Yuan Jing and Lian Yu beforehand?"

This time, Du Yunlo did not seek any pretext, stating directly, "I knew about Fourth Uncle and Lady An, and I guessed about him and Aunt."

"Then why..." Madam Wu let out a long sigh, "I told you to take over the household affair smoothly, child; this family will be yours eventually. Why did you unveil the ugly matters?"

Du Yunlo’s eyelashes trembled, closing her eyes, remaining silent for a long time before opening them and saying, "To make Second Aunt lose power. Grandmother, she’s been plotting against me since the day I married into the family.

Do you remember? After I entered, Marquis accompanied me back to Tong City.

Imperial Doctor Xing examined me, saying I had used some substance harmful to offspring; because the amount was small, it wasn’t obvious. Unless he were supported by the Zhen Family, he wouldn’t have mentioned it.

At the time, I wondered what I could have come into contact with that I shouldn’t, and if I couldn’t bear a son, who would benefit?

Grandmother, the answer is the second branch.

I also guessed what the substance was, something added to the chicken soup.

Even after managing the household affairs later, I wasn’t confident about safely delivering a child in the mansion. So I insisted on convincing Marquis to take me to Lindong.

Grandmother, you may say I am narrow-minded, but looking at it now, wasn’t it right to be cautious?

If I remained in the mansion and couldn’t conceive, who could give me an answer?

When Imperial Doctor Xing previously examined Mother, her vomiting blood wasn’t due to severe illness but poisoning.

The doctor diagnosing Mother at the time, was he not skilled enough, or did he just not want to get involved in the turbulent waters?"

Madam Wu leaned against the pillow looking weary.

Du Yunlo’s answer was anticipated.

But Madam Wu hadn’t expected that Du Yunlo had detected some clues so early and even Mrs. Zhou was victimized in the past.

"I don’t blame you; they were unkind first," Madam Wu said hoarsely, "Go back first, let me rest for a while."

Du Yunlo hesitated while looking at Madam Wu, then shifted her gaze to Nanny Shan.

Nanny Shan gently nodded.

Only then did Du Yunlo rise to take her leave.

Once only Nanny Shan was left in the room, Madam Wu’s eyes were slightly moist, "Ah Dan, I only have one son left.

He has acted against the legitimate eldest branch and the third branch; they all know it well. How will life be peaceful in the future?

I thought that once Lian Xiao inherited the title, they might calm down, but Yuanmou doesn’t look like he’s planning to do so.

The only way to live on is splitting the family."

Nanny Shan’s lips twitched, words caught in her throat, ultimately unsaid.

As long as the Old Madam is present, the family cannot be split; the laws of the court are there.

With the mother still alive, dividing the branches below means forfeiting the Dingyuan Marquis title.

Madam Wu laughed ironically, "And here I am, the old one who refuses to die; I haven’t died yet."

After the laughter, Madam Wu wiped her face with her palm, wet in parts: "I’ve lived to this age, with four generations under one roof, yet I’m not as insightful as Yuan Jing was."

Nanny Shan’s heart was heavy as she helped Madam Wu wipe her hand, saying, "They are all your children; you couldn’t bear to think ill of them."

"I couldn’t bear to think," Madam Wu choked out, "but they could bear to do it."