Yu Mingyue today wore another cloak, this one even more luxurious. The sable fur was already precious, let alone white sable fur.
With such fine quality, it blended seamlessly with the icy landscape. Few in the entire capital could boast such a garment, and Madam Cui was truly generous to make clothes for a child.
Su Wanqing clenched her fists tightly. The Duke had intended to marry her mother, and everything Madam Cui and her daughter possessed rightfully belonged to her and her mother.
"Sixth Sister!" Su Wanqing forced a smile.
Yu Mingyue saw Su Wanqing as well. She had heard that Su Wanqing had gone to Cining Hall to attend to the ailing elder early that morning and had even skipped her studies.
"Sister Wanqing, have you just come from Grandmother's?" Yu Mingyue asked, feigning ignorance.
However, there was little else for them to say to each other besides these pleasantries.
"Yes, my grand-aunt is ill. She will recover faster with her own people caring for her," Su Wanqing added, not forgetting to add insult to injury.
The old madam was ill, and as a daughter-in-law, she should have been attending to her. Yet, Madam Cui had only sent some medicinal herbs and had never visited once, showing no filial piety.
Yu Mingyue detested Su Wanqing's passive-aggressive remarks the most. It was one thing to elevate herself, but it was disgusting to constantly belittle others to highlight her own virtues.
If it were in the past, Yu Mingyue would have exploded.
"Indeed, I heard that Nanny Zhang is also ill. How could the maids at Cining Hall be as considerate and attentive as Sister Wanqing?"
Su Wanqing's smile almost vanished, her fingernails digging fiercely into her palm.
She was implying that Su Wanqing was no different from the servants who attended to others.
"If Sixth Sister has some free time, perhaps you could visit our grand-aunt. She misses you dearly," Su Wanqing said with a forced smile.
Yu Mingyue smiled in return and, as she walked past Su Wanqing, whispered, "What would I do there? I can't grovel and be subservient, nor can I pour tea and fetch water."
After speaking, she put on a show of courtesy and bowed to Su Wanqing: "Then I shall trouble Sister Wanqing."
Su Wanqing gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with malice.
Having learned from the previous incident, she naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to push Yu Mingyue.
But...
What if it were she who fell into the lake?
At that moment, Yu Mingyue grabbed Su Wanqing's arm: "Sister Wanqing, what are you planning? Are you trying to frame me for pushing you into the lake? You can try, but without my command, will anyone dare to rescue you?"
"You..." Su Wanqing's face turned pale.
Yu Mingyue scoffed, "Don't forget, I am the mistress of this Duke's mansion. It's just a matter of a negligible cousin who has passed away. If I wished, I could have ten or twenty cousins living in the Duke's mansion tomorrow. Who would care about one like you, Su Wanqing? Think carefully before you jump?"
After speaking, Yu Mingyue pretended to be affectionate and tidied Su Wanqing's collar.
Su Wanqing's gaze shifted from hatred to anger, and then to a smile: "Sixth Sister is right. Thank you for the reminder, Sixth Sister."
Yu Mingyue smiled and withdrew her hand: "It's best to know your own place."
With that, she led her entourage across the small bridge and departed.
Baoqin, seeing Su Wanqing's ashen face, quickly stepped forward: "Young lady, are you alright?"
Su Wanqing stared at Yu Mingyue's retreating back, gritting her teeth: "I'm fine!"
"Sixth Miss has always been favored, and she is the future Crown Princess. You should avoid her in the future to prevent further distress," Baoqin advised.
"Baoqin, I will not remain in this state of destitution forever," Su Wanqing said fiercely.
The plum blossoms Yu Mingyue had picked were for Madam Cui. As soon as she entered Mingyue Courtyard and saw the maids and servants standing outside, she naturally assumed her father had returned.
With a look of pleasant surprise, she ran inside: "Father!"