Seeking trouble
Yu Qiuping's marriage was indeed arranged before the New Year.
Yu Linlang had already informed her earlier, so when the official news arrived, Yu Qiuping remained calm.
With just over half a month left until the end of the year, the Yu family was busy preparing for their eldest daughter's wedding.
Seeing that Yu Qiuping was no longer causing trouble, the old lady felt a slight affection for her. She specifically instructed the servants to buy whatever was necessary and not to treat the eldest lady unfairly.
Although Qiuping was born into an illegitimate lineage, she was still the old lady's first granddaughter, and she felt a small measure of pity for her.
Huo and Yu Pianpian, however, were both surprised. They had expected Yu Qiuping to cry and make a fuss, yet she remained completely quiet.
She accepted her fate without resistance, almost as if she had lost her mind.
Yu Pianpian found this strange and deliberately went to the courtyard to see Yu Qiuping.
When she came out of the west wing, her face bore a hint of anger.
"Isn't this young lady crazy? How dare she be so rude to us girls? Not only did she refuse to offer me a sip of tea, but she even managed to silence us with just a few words!" Qingju stood in the courtyard, cursing. "She's truly lost it."
"My lady came to visit her out of kindness, and this is how she treats her? Who does she think she is? Just because she's about to marry out of the house, does she think she's suddenly above everyone else?"
Yu Pianpian couldn't shake off her unease.
Although Yu Qiuping was merely a pawn to be sacrificed at any time, she was now behaving unpredictably.
Something seemed to be slipping quietly out of Pianpian's control, and that gave her a very bad feeling.
She lifted her gaze toward the east wing, a dark look flashing in her eyes.
Qingju had been ranting in the small courtyard for quite some time, yet there was no response from inside. It was as if Yu Qiuping didn't care at all.
"Qingju." Yu Pianpian's voice was low and sharp. "Knock on the door."
Qingju glanced at the east wing hesitantly, then, with an indignant huff, stomped over and banged on the door.
"Miss Yu! Is Miss Yu in? Open up!"
The moment the door opened, a basin of water was dumped onto her.
Qingju stumbled backward but still took the full force of the water on her face. She slipped, nearly falling to the ground, her face turning blue with rage.
"Why are you still shouting like a lunatic in front of my door? Oh, turns out it's that shameless fake daughter, and she even brought her lapdog!" Jiujin leaned against the doorframe, a basin in hand, smirking as she looked around.
"What now? You want to fight? Go ahead, draw your weapon, and I'll gladly entertain you." She crouched slightly, her stance disrespectful and mocking.
Yu Pianpian's expression remained composed, but a deep anger burned within her. Even so, she forced a faint smile.
"Sister Linlang, what are you doing? I only came to borrow a few books. Since when did that become an act of aggression?"
Yu Linlang stepped forward. "What books are you looking for? Your father and mother aren't here, so there's no need to put on an act. You don't need to struggle for fame and fortune. There's no need to pretend in front of us."
Seeing Qingju drenched and disheveled, her anger flared. "How dare you insult us, the true ladies of this house?"
"My lady is merely stating facts. They may be unpleasant, but they are true nonetheless. What, can't handle the truth?" Baliang appeared from the side, rolling her eyes. "Why should we give anything to a fake daughter? Just leave already. This place is too small to house such an inflated ego."
Qingju was seething. These people kept calling her lady 'fake'—were they asking for death? How dare they treat her girl like this?
Yu Pianpian narrowed her eyes at Yu Linlang and her servants, who stood firmly blocking the door.
"I remember when you first returned, Mother specifically told you that I hadn't had time to move all the books from the east wing, and that you weren't allowed to touch them. Do you not understand Mother's words, or are you pretending not to?"
"You're using Huo to pressure me? Is she even worthy?" Yu Linlang chuckled, but her eyes were cold.
"Baliang, get a book for the daughter of the governor's office. In fact, grab a few more."
"Understood, my lady." Baliang quickly went inside and returned with a stack of books.
Yu Pianpian was irritated. "Sister Linlang, are you pretending not to understand what I said? I said I want to go in and choose my own books!"
"What choices do you have? My lady resides here, and no one can enter without permission. If you want books, I'll give you books—what more is there to say?" Baliang smirked and, without warning, hurled a book straight at Yu Pianpian's head.
"Ah!"
Yu Pianpian barely dodged the first book, only to be struck on the head by a second, much thicker one.
The decorative beads in her hair snapped and scattered across the floor with a crisp clang.
Yu Pianpian's head buzzed, and for a moment, she couldn't process what had happened.
Then, the third, fourth, and fifth books came flying toward her, hitting her shoulders, arms, and face.
Qingju panicked, rushing forward to shield her mistress. She screamed hysterically, "Help! Someone, help! Miss Yu has gone mad! Where is everyone? Come quickly! Save my lady!"
Thud!
A particularly heavy book struck Qingju square in the face, splitting her lip and leaving her dazed.
Yu Pianpian's eyes widened in horror.
She had never personally experienced Yu Linlang's viciousness before. Seeing others get beaten was one thing—but being on the receiving end was an entirely different matter.
Shaken, Yu Pianpian clung to Qingju as they staggered back toward the stone table in the courtyard. Her hair was in disarray, and she nearly collapsed in shock.
"Go report this!" Yu Linlang stared at her coldly. "Go ahead, tell Huo. The sooner she gets rid of me, the better."
Yu Pianpian shrank back at the iciness in her gaze. Trembling, she gripped Qingju's sleeve tightly.
The master and servant turned and fled in terror, only to be stopped by the ever-smirking Jiujin at the courtyard entrance.
"What's wrong? Weren't you here for books? Why leave in such a hurry?"
Yu Pianpian trembled like a leaf and shoved Qingju forward.
Qingju hastily bent down to gather the books, but Baliang sneered at her in disdain.
With great effort, Qingju managed to scoop up the entire stack. Her body shook with humiliation and anger.
As she finally stepped out of the courtyard with Yu Pianpian, her foot caught on something, and she tumbled forward—face-first into the dirt.
Yu Pianpian let out a pitiful wail. Her voice trembled as she clung to Qingju's arm. "Find her! Find Mother! I need to see Mother!"
"Second Miss, what happened?"
Madam Hu, who had been rushing over, gasped in shock at their disheveled state.
"Madam Hu, take me to Mother! Where is she?"
Madam Hu's heart clenched. She glanced uneasily toward Magnolia Yard.
"Madam went to the front hall. Some foolish old woman caused a scene at the estate, and she had to intervene."
"Second Miss, perhaps you should return to your room and freshen up first?"
Madam Hu swallowed nervously, sensing that a storm was brewing...