Chu Zhaoyun's breath hitched, her bun-like little face immediately becoming stern.
"Older Sister, you mustn't speak nonsense. My Chu family is loyal and righteous to the death. Did you sleep unclearly yesterday? While Eldest Brother may be confused about matters of men and women, he would never act recklessly in family affairs. I will pretend I did not hear today's words, and Older Sister must not tell anyone else."
In Chu Zhaoyun's heart, Chu Zhaojin was a hero who planned meticulously and achieved victory from a thousand miles away. With such a person leading, the Chu family was prospering, how could they end up in such a state?
"That woman holds far more weight in his heart than the Chu family. Chu Zhaojin was never a clear-headed person. The Chu family's decline was all because of him. Has Older Sister ever lied to you?"
Seeing Jun Jiuli's serious expression, Chu Zhaoyun was equally firm.
"Older Sister has never lied to me, but what is the proof? Older Sister is still young and merely deluded by nightmares. Eldest Brother is a true gentleman, a dragon among men. Older Sister should see and know how Eldest Brother has acted all these years."
Shui Wa: "This child is so stubborn, you can't bully a child. ✧(◍˃̶ᗜ˂̶◍)✩"
"Why are you acting like an old scholar? I won't argue with you about Chu Zhaojin's faults. I only ask you, if one day he cannot bear the great responsibility of our Chu family, would you dare to step forward? Could you fulfill it?"
The little brat puffed out his chest and said resolutely, "As a son of the Chu family, I am naturally fearless."
"Good, I've been waiting for you to say that. From now on, come to my courtyard every day at midnight, and I will teach you to practice martial arts."
The little brat's face was full of excitement, then a hint of disappointment.
"What about my daily studies then?"
"Hmm, then you can come after class."
"Okay, it's a deal."
The little brat completely forgot what Jun Jiuli had said to him earlier, his face filled with contentment at being able to practice martial arts.
Shui Wa: "This is what a child should be like, pure and lovely. Why is the host so concerned about him, and even teaching him martial arts?"
Jun Jiuli: "To ensure a family does not decline for a hundred years, one must first cultivate a qualified successor. Secondly, survival skills are essential. No matter the situation, one cannot place their hopes on others."
"Makes sense, where are we going now?"
"The Prime Minister's Estate."
Because of Zhao Haitang's rebirth, Zhao Youlan was now confined by her father and her face was covered in red bumps due to an allergic reaction.
"Bitch, how dare you deliberately frame me."
As she spoke, she forcefully smashed the teacup to the ground. The little maid knelt fearfully, not daring to look up.
"Get out! You make me annoyed just seeing you. If it weren't for your carelessness, how could she have tampered with that rouge?"
"This servant deserves to die, please forgive me, Second Miss."
"Liu'er, why did she suddenly become so smart? Was she guided by someone high up? Or is there a problem in our courtyard?"
"This servant dares not speculate."
"Useless thing."
Just then, a white slip of paper fell onto the table. Zhao Youlan was startled. She quickly regained her composure and ordered all the maids in the room to leave.
Only then did she open it and a smile could not be suppressed at the corners of her mouth. She immediately summoned the wet nurse her aunt had given her, and within moments, the message reached Consort Song.
Consort Song, with her maids and servants, carried a pile of excellent tonics and headed towards Zhao Haitang's courtyard in a grand procession, making Zhao Haitang's personal maid, Xiao Cui, stomp her feet anxiously.
"Consort Song, you cannot enter. My young lady is still resting and has instructed that no one be seen."
"It's not even the hour of You yet, and Eldest Miss is unwell. Let me in to see her, otherwise, I will be uneasy. If she is sick, we must call a doctor quickly, there should be no delay."
Seeing that Consort Song was about to force her way in, Xiao Cui spread her arms to block the entrance.
"Consort, you must not be rude, Eldest Miss has given instructions."
Consort Song didn't waste any more words with her. Two wet nurses efficiently held her back. The other young maids dared not move. Although the young lady was the legitimate daughter, the household affairs were temporarily managed by Consort Song.
"Someone, quickly report to the Master that Eldest Miss is missing!" Consort Song clutched her chest, feigning great anxiety.
As soon as Prime Minister Zhao entered, she rushed over, feigning weakness as she leaned into his embrace. Prime Minister Zhao caught her.
"Is there any news?"
"This concubine dares not make a fuss, my subordinates have searched the entire estate. Eldest Miss, Eldest Miss, she is probably no longer in the estate."
"Wuwuwu, it's all this concubine's fault. I didn't notice sooner. If Eldest Miss were to have an accident, this concubine would have no excuse, even ten thousand deaths would not atone for it."
"Stop crying, this matter has nothing to do with you. This disobedient daughter increasingly disrespects me as her father. When she returns, I will break her legs."
"Master, now is not the time to talk about this. I fear Eldest Miss did not go out on her own. I am simply frantic."
She said, hurriedly wiping away her tears with a handkerchief, "To speak out of turn, this concubine has always loved Eldest Miss as her own daughter. My heart feels as if it's being twisted with knives, a dull pain. My Eldest Miss, who knows where she is suffering now. Wuwuwu~"
"Drag the maids in the courtyard for questioning."
The maids in Zhao Haitang's courtyard knelt in a row, all with red eyes, not daring to breathe.
"Where exactly did your young lady go?"
"This servant does not know."
After speaking, the young maids all kowtowed together. One of them pointed at Xiao Cui.
"Master, usually Eldest Miss only confides in Sister Xiao Cui."
Under Prime Minister Zhao's oppressive presence, Xiao Cui trembled, her body soaked in sweat that dampened layer after layer of her clothes. She kept kowtowing and begging for mercy, not saying a single word.
The atmosphere instantly became eerie. Consort Song then spoke.
"Xiao Cui, do you know something? Do you think this is for Eldest Miss's own good? If Eldest Miss were to have any mishap, regretting it would be too late."
"No, nothing will happen. Master, Aunt, please believe me. Miss said she would be back soon, she wasn't kidnapped."
Consort Song feigned shock and leaned back, raising her hand to cover her mouth, which was stretching almost to her ears. Her personal wet nurse quickly supported her, acting dramatically.
"Aunt, Aunt, are you alright?"
"I am fine, finding Eldest Miss is the priority. Xiao Cui, do you truly not know where your young lady has gone?"
She stepped forward a few paces and asked aggressively. Xiao Cui's composure was clearly failing, and her true words were spoken with great lack of confidence. Prime Minister Zhao frowned in displeasure.
"Drag this lowly servant out and beat her until she speaks."
"Master, spare me, Master, spare me! This servant is telling the truth, this servant truly doesn't know!"
Soon, the sound of paddles striking echoed from outside. Xiao Cui's mouth was gagged, and she could only whimper.
She kept thinking about when her young lady would come to save her. Time dragged on, and her eyelids grew heavier.
A lot of hatred began to sprout in her heart. Why should she pay for her young lady's mistakes?
Didn't her young lady say that from now on, she would treat her as her own sister? Her backside ached terribly. Was she going to die?