"What's the matter, so urgent?" The head maid beside Yu Mingyue was carefully selected and trained by Cui Shi, rarely showing such panic.
"The Old Madam is ill."
"Isn't she always ill?" This was her usual trick, often used to torment her father.
Chi Hua shook her head, "This time is different. The Old Madam has been ill for a long time, so she invited a Daoist priest. That priest said the young master in Madam's belly is incompatible with the Old Madam..."
Yu Mingyue laughed upon hearing this. The Old Madam was determined to brand her father and mother as unfilial.
Her own son couldn't return to the capital, so she intended to torment her mother's child. Was the child in her mother's belly not a descendant of the Yu family? Had the Old Madam truly lost her mind, not fearing that her grandfather would get angry and take her away?
Chi Hua was bewildered. Why was the young lady still laughing? Had she been angered to the point of foolishness?
"Young lady..."
"Just as I was about to sleep, someone delivered a pillow. Isn't that a coincidence?" Yu Mingyue sneered.
After giving a few instructions to Zhu Yu, she went with Chi Hua to the Old Madam's courtyard. She wanted to see what kind of damned Daoist priest uttered such nonsensical words, and that anyone would believe it.
When Yu Mingyue arrived at the courtyard, she heard her father scolding the Daoist priest, "Spreading heresy! If you dare to spout nonsense again, Yu will immediately send you to the authorities for punishment."
The Daoist priest looked righteous, "The Duke is using his power to oppress me. I can't do anything about it. However, this divination also indicates that a child will disrupt the family. The child's birth will bring disaster to the Yu family..."
Yu Zeyan was so angry he wanted to hit someone, but was fortunately restrained by his reason.
He knew his mother could be troublesome, but he never expected her to resort to such tactics just to get his fourth brother back to the capital.
"This is utter nonsense! Guards, throw this wild Daoist out..."
"Let's see who dares!" The Old Madam emerged from inside, supported by her maids.
The Old Madam's face was likely covered with thick powder, making her look unnaturally pale, but her voice was not that of someone gravely ill, it was quite loud.
"Mother, if you are unwell, your son will invite the best imperial physicians for you. If you wish to invite someone to perform rituals, your son will invite the best sorcerers for you. You cannot believe the words of this demonic Daoist. The one in Shuanghua's womb is your own grandson." Yu Zeyan suppressed his anger, trying to move his mother.
"In your heart, your own mother who gave birth to and raised you is not as important as that unborn bastard. Very good, very good. I knew long ago you wished for my death. Now, I will grant your wish. Let me die, Duke..." The old lady beat her chest and cried.
"Old Madam, please do not be angry. The imperial physician said you cannot get agitated..." Su Wanqing tried to persuade her from the side.
Perhaps it was due to the Old Madam's constant troublemaking, but Su Wanqing had genuinely lost a lot of weight and grown taller. Now she looked so frail that a gust of wind could blow her over.
"Yes, Grandmother, please don't get angry. After all, even the best imperial physician cannot bring the dead back to life." Yu Mingyue smiled innocently, appearing as a child speaking without regard for consequences.
The Old Madam glared at Yu Mingyue, wishing she could strangle her. None of Cui Shi's offspring were good.
Yu Mingyue was not afraid at all. If glaring could achieve anything, she could kill several people in a day, especially since her eyes were large enough.
Yu Zeyan knew his mother disliked his daughter, so he walked to her side, "Why are you here?"
"My daughter heard that Grandmother was gravely ill and had invited a Daoist priest to perform rituals, so I was a little worried and came to see." Yu Mingyue's voice was soft, which calmed Yu Zeyan considerably.
"You go back first. Father will handle this." Yu Zeyan patted his daughter's shoulder.
He did not want his daughter to witness such ugliness in human nature. Even close relatives could descend to such a low level.
"Father, Yue'er can!" Yu Mingyue smiled with childish innocence, yet inexplicably inspired trust.