She is a Disaster Star
"I'm back this time, but I don't really want to get along with them." Yu Linlang wiped Jiujin's tear-streaked face and said helplessly, "You know better than anyone else."
"I just want to find an opportunity to settle this bad relationship with them."
"I'm not very familiar with people, so why bother with them? Do the actions of strangers really deserve your tears?"
Jiujin wiped his eyes haphazardly. "Then do we still have to go out now?"
"Of course." Yu Linlang chuckled. "Yu Shoudao gave 500 taels of silver notes. How could we let it go to waste?"
"Let's go." She grabbed the little girl's hand and said, "Let's head out and buy you something delicious."
---
At noon, Yu Shoudao dragged his tired body back to the main courtyard. The moment he saw Huo, he was met with her complaints.
"Master, what's the meaning of this? You withdrew 500 taels of silver from the accounts for no reason? What's the use of spending so much money on a girl who just came back from the countryside?"
"I'm ashamed to even talk about it!" Yu Shoudao's expression was dark. "I have failed my daughter for so many years. Now that she's finally back, can't I at least treat her well?"
"Why didn't you even prepare the most basic boudoir items for her? She had to go out and buy them herself! How humiliating!"
"Do you know how much shame I felt in front of the prince and Lord Lu today?"
Huo angrily wrung her handkerchief. "That girl is really shameless—such a small matter, and she had to let outsiders know!"
Yu Shoudao waved his hand dismissively. "These are trivial matters. The real issue is the recent murders. Our mansion has been unsafe lately. I've already ordered additional guards to secure the house."
"It's because that disaster star came back." Huo fumed. "I told you, she and I are fundamentally incompatible. Giving birth to her nearly cost me my life! And now that she's back, the mansion is already in chaos."
"I really don't understand why the old madam insisted on bringing her back! She's brought nothing but turmoil to the entire household."
"Enough." Yu Shoudao's voice was sharp. "Stop calling her a disaster star. And stop speaking so carelessly! Do you want to ruin our reputation?"
"Don't you want to be in-laws with the Lu family in the capital? Lord Lu himself is here in Weizhou investigating the case. You must be mindful of your words. If others see how we treat our own daughter, what will they think of my governor's mansion?"
Huo glared at him. "Master, are you blaming me now?"
Yu Shoudao looked at her, her face as delicate as a blooming peony, and his heart softened. He reached out to take her hand. "Madam, I'm only thinking of your reputation. No matter what, Linlang is still our biological daughter. Even if she wasn't raised under your knee all these years, there's no need to treat her as an enemy."
"You put so much effort into loving Pianpian. Why can't you show even a little care for your own daughter?"
Huo flung his hand away and snapped furiously, "What nonsense are you saying? Why wouldn't Pianpian be my biological daughter? Do you want the whole city to hear such ridiculous words? For so many years, I've raised Pianpian myself. Everyone praises her for being talented and well-educated. She is my biological daughter, and no one can compare to her!"
"Alright, alright." Yu Shoudao sighed in resignation. "I understand. I know how much you cherish Pianpian. Haven't you always wanted her to marry into the Lu family?"
"Of course." At the mention of Pianpian, a proud smile spread across Huo's face. "Pianpian is the daughter of the governor's mansion, and her grandfather is from the prestigious Huo family in the capital. It's not as if she'd be marrying above her station."
"Yes, yes." Yu Shoudao nodded, trying to appease her. "That's exactly why I'm reminding you—Prince Lu is in Weizhou right now. We should avoid letting outsiders mock us over internal family affairs. Even if you dislike Linlang, at least don't make it obvious."
"Hmph." Huo turned away, still sulking. No matter what her husband said, she refused to listen.
"I just don't like that girl. Especially the way she looks at people—her eyes are dark and cold, lifeless, like she crawled out of a pile of corpses. She's like a ghost from the underworld."
"Oh!" Yu Shoudao quickly reached out to cover his wife's mouth. "Stop talking nonsense!"
Huo shoved his hand away and wiped her tears.
Yu Shoudao sighed, his voice softening. "Madam, fine, fine. If you don't like her, she simply won't appear in front of you."
Huo snorted and cast a sidelong glance at him.
---
The "disaster star" Yu Linlang took the 500 taels of silver notes given by Governor Yu and spent the afternoon strolling through East City with Jiujin.
The two bought some delicate beaded hairpins and trinkets. It wasn't until evening that they finally hired a carriage to return home.
By then, the lanterns along the streets were glowing, and the night market was bustling with noise.
"The inside and outside of this city are really two different worlds." Jiujin looked at the lively market and lowered the carriage curtain with a sigh.
Beyond the city walls, countless refugees huddled in makeshift wooden sheds, starving. But inside the city, everything was peaceful and prosperous.
Yu Linlang toyed with a jade bead. "Has the disaster relief food arrived?"
"Yes. Lord Governor issued a prefecture order this morning, posting a notice for refugees to line up and receive rice."
"It's said that in the future, land will be distributed to the refugees, and assistance will be provided for them to build houses. The situation outside has stabilized a lot."
"Anyone who tries to cause trouble will receive nothing, and those who deliberately stir unrest will be punished. So now, everyone is keeping quiet."
Yu Linlang nodded. Seeing Jiujin hesitate as if wanting to say something, she raised an eyebrow. "What else?"
"Didn't you say we shouldn't look into that person?" Jiujin scratched his head.
"So, you looked into him?"
"Yes. The five generals of the Xuanping Marquis's Mansion have commanded the strongest army in Great Qi since the Old Marquis's time."
Yu Linlang's fingers stilled over the jade beads. "The Black Flag Army?"
"Yes." Jiujin nodded. "The legendary Black Flag Army. The young prince of Xuanping Marquis's Mansion is a legendary figure. He gained fame at a young age, joined the army at eleven, and at thirteen, he defeated a famous general from Xichuan, leading his troops straight into the capital of Xichuan and forcing the king to surrender and pay tribute."
"Oh." Yu Linlang suddenly understood. "So it's him."
"But why has such a young war hero ended up like this?" She was curious.
"It's said that three years ago, while chasing the remnants of Nan Chu, he suffered severe internal injuries. Since then, the Marquis's household has been secretly searching for a 'Tianyin Master.'"
"The Tianyin Master?" Yu Linlang's gaze sharpened.
"Yes. They say this master can control all things through sound, heal unseen and untreatable wounds, and is especially effective for internal injuries."