269 What a Scourge
No matter what, she had to try her best to smooth over this matter first and save the face of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence. She had to shut the Yu Residence up so that the Yu Residence wouldn’t make a big fuss out of it. She couldn’t implicate the previous Emperor, the current Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
If he was not careful, he would probably not be able to escape the crime of great disrespect. Even if the Marquis of Changxing won a battle in Youzhou, he would still be punished.
However, she was unwilling to admit it.
Yu Youyao’s lips curled up slightly. She turned to look at Nanny Xu and Chun Xiao, who were following behind her, and a secret coldness flashed across her eyes.
Madam Yao had no choice. With a dark expression, she and Yu Youyao called for the servants of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence to escort them to the reception pavilion.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife perked up and quickly stood up to welcome her. “Second Madam Yu, come and sit down. We’re just waiting for you.”
She was just short of saying that Madam Yao had a lot of face.
Madam Yao’s face darkened and she did not say anything. The Marquis of Changxing’s wife looked awkward for a moment before reaching out to hold Yu Youyao’s hand. “When I usually go to other houses, I often hear people mention that Old Madam Yu is talented and outstanding. She’s the model of a woman. Only a capable person like Old Madam Yu can raise a young miss with an outstanding personality like Eldest Miss Yu.”
However, she put down her pride and wanted to express her goodwill. Since it involved the elders in the family, no matter if it was Madam Yao or Yu Youyao, it was not appropriate for them to throw a tantrum.
Yu Youyao lowered her head and said in a low voice, “Madam, you flatter me. I’m ashamed to be the eldest daughter of a bereaved wife. It’s also because of Grandmother’s talent that I have the guts to go outside. Even so, I have to be careful. I’m afraid that if I make a mistake, I’ll be criticized and implicate my grandmother’s reputation. Grandmother will be embarrassed and humiliated.”
These words that were neither soft nor hard made her seem even more unreasonable.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife’s smile faded a little. “It’s Yingxue’s fault for what happened today. I’ll get Yingxue to apologize to you.” As she spoke, she turned to look at Cao Yingxue and said sternly, “Why are you sitting there? Hurry up and come over to apologize to Eldest Miss Yu. You spoke without thinking and accidentally said something wrong. If Eldest Miss Yu suffers and even if Eldest Miss Yu forgives you, I won’t let you off easily.”
With just a few words, she had made it sound like she had spoken without thinking. She had accidentally said something wrong and planned to reduce the matter to a small one.
Cao Yingxue lowered her head and sobbed as she stepped forward. She looked miserable and pitiful. “Eldest Miss Yu, it’s my fault today…”
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife frowned. As long as Yingxue apologized, this matter would be over. The Yu Residence had no reason to continue making a fuss.
However, before Cao Yingxue could finish apologizing, a maidservant rushed in. “Madam, bad news. Second Master Yu and Eldest Master Yu left the residence without even eating. They even sent someone beside them to send a message to Second Madam Yu and First Madam Yu to bring Eldest Miss Yu back to the residence. I, I…” She couldn’t stop them and didn’t dare to.
Yu Youyao’s eyebrows curved slightly.
As soon as the Madams arrived at the corner of the pavilion, the servants in front of the young misses also arrived and waited outside. Nanny Xu and Chun Xiao were also there, but Xia Tao was missing.
If this matter reached the front courtyard, what was the use of Cao Yingxue apologizing?
Since things had already blown up, how could she still fool them?
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife’s face stiffened.
Madam Yao did not even put on an act. She stood up from her chair. “At this point, as a woman of the inner residence, I can’t make the decision on my own.”
With that, she left with Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai.
“Second Madam Yu, this…” The Marquis of Changxing’s wife reached out to stop her, but this matter had already reached the front courtyard. How could she dare to stop her?
For a moment, she couldn’t help but freeze there. She even forgot to retract her outstretched hand.
However, she had lost all her face.
After Madam Yao left, Yang Shuwan couldn’t sit still anymore. She pulled Yu Jianjia up and walked to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife. “I’m afraid Jia Jia and I won’t be able to continue admiring the flowers. Please don’t blame us.”
With that, she was in a hurry to leave.
Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Changxing’s wife stretched her hand and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. “Eldest Madam Yu, you don’t know this, but the residence has been preparing for this flower festival since the beginning of the month. I originally wanted to take advantage of the time before the palace examination to join in the fun with all the madams. Who knew that a good flower festival would become a joke? The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence is ashamed. Seventh Miss has even lost her reputation and implicated Eldest Miss Yu. I can only suffer in silence.”
Those who did not know the truth would think that the Marquis of Changxing was the victim.
Thinking of what had happened at the flower festival just now, Yang Shuwan also felt sad.
Yu Youyao was really a scourge. The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was a noble family, but they were actually embarrassed by her. Seventh Miss Cao was such a polite person, but she had actually lost all her reputation. How pitiful.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife was originally pretending to cry, but as soon as she spoke, she really cried. “Why is my Seventh Sister deliberately making things difficult for her family? She made a fuss over her flowers and caused our family to lose face? I’m used to pampering her. She didn’t mean it…”
Cao Yingxue sat on the small stool in a sorry state. Her eyes were swollen from crying while holding her handkerchief. She was still wearing her previous yellow clothes, which could not hide the dirty tea stains on her body. She looked extremely sorry.
Now that the matter had blown up, she was truly afraid.
When Yang Shuwan saw this, she quickly said, “You can’t blame Seventh Miss Cao for this. If the sisters play together, it’s inevitable that they’ll start talking…”
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife had been waiting for her to say this. “I’ve known First Madam for a long time, so we’re just acquaintances. You’ve seen my Seventh Sister’s personality in the past. She didn’t mean it, but she definitely didn’t insult the Yu Residence and criticize Old Madam Yu’s upbringing. We have to explain it to Eldest Master Yu…”
If it was just a small matter between the women in the backyard. There would be an apology and some good compensation. That way, the matter could be resolved.
However, which big family did not value upbringing?
In particular, a scholarly family like the Yu Residence was especially particular. Once words like “education” were involved, it would not be good if it reached the Master.
The Marquis of Changxing’s wife was speechless. She hated Yu Youyao, but there was nothing she could do. She could only let Eldest Madam Yu put in some effort for her.
She had heard that Eldest Master Yu respected this second wife very much.
She also doted on her second daughter, Yu Jianjia.
Yang Shuwan quickly said, “Madam, don’t say that. I know that Madam is the gentlest person. Seventh Miss Cao is also very polite. What happened today was also a misunderstanding. I’ll tell Master in detail later.”