Chapter 710: Mourning
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Now that her mother-in-law had pa.s.sed away, what was Madam Yao waiting
Although Seventh Aunt was dissatisfied, as a clan aunt, she couldn’t treat her cousin-in-law badly. She hurriedly went forward to help Yu Youyao up. Yu Youyao, who had collapsed to the ground from crying, turned around and called out to Madam Yao, “Second daughter-in-law, come over quickly to your mother-in-law’s bed…
Only then did Madam Yao realize that Old Madam Yu had pa.s.sed away.
If it were in the past, she would definitely be sad and carefully manage the funeral to send her mother-in-law away. However, ever since she found out that her marriage with Yu Zongshen had been planned by Old Madam Yu from the beginning to the end, there was only sarcasm in her heart.
Yu Youyao cried until she had no strength left in her body. It took her a while to recover. With a hoa.r.s.e voice, she began to instruct the servants to spread the funeral and report it.
The red lanterns under the eaves had been changed to white lanterns with the words “Funeral Ritual” written on them. The entire Yu Residence wore plain clothes. The servants carried the white lanterns and walked through the streets to report the funeral.
Dong dong dong—
Knock, knock— Dong—
When the doorman guarding the door of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence heard the heavy knock on the door, he yawned and looked at the drip beside him. He shouted, “Who is it? It’s already midnight…”
“I’m from the Yu Residence in Yu e er Alley!”
When the doorman heard that it was the Yu Residence, he quickly pulled the bolt and opened the door. He saw the servant at the door wearing white linen clothes and carrying a white lantern. He was 70% awake from his sleep.
The servant was wearing white linen clothes and looked like he was here to share bad news. He held the white lamp as he went into the house. “Our
Matriarch is having her funeral tonight. Our family is here to report it…”
It wasn’t until the Yu Residence’s carriage had moved far away that the doorman shuddered. He picked up the lantern and ran in…
Old people were usually light sleepers. As soon as footsteps sounded in the room, Old Madam Song woke up.
Yao Huang rushed into the house. As soon as he opened his mouth, he said in a hoa.r.s.e voice, “Matriarch, Old Madam Yu just left. The Yu Residence just sent someone over to report the funeral.”
Old Madam Song was stunned. “Why did she leave ahead of me?”
In the past two years, Old Madam Yu had been recuperating better than her.
Yao Huangs eyes also turned red. “It’s said that she suffered a huge loss in her early years. She’s old and can’t recuperate no matter what. Earlier, she had an illness and after recuperating for a few years, her condition deteriorated.”
Although their Matriarch was seriously ill, she had enjoyed good fortune in her early years. After taking good care of her body, she had become strong.
Poor Old Madam Yu. She had been ruined by the Duke Rongs Residence.
Only then did Old Madam Song react. She cried at the top of her lungs, “What a sin. My poor old sister hasn’t had a good day ever since she married someone. Her mother-in-law was a powerful person. She kept forcing her daughter-in-law to take in concubines for her son. Their good relationship as husband and wife was ruined by the concubines and the daughters of the concubines. She was angry, but at least she had a short life. Who knew that she wouldn’t live a blessed life? Her mother-in-law pa.s.sed away, and her husband also followed suit. She was a widow who was bullied by the clan and asked outsiders to guide her through life. She only raised her son well because of her anger. Now that her son is a high-ranking official, it’s her turn to enjoy a blessed life. The anger she held in is vented just like that. How can my poor old sister bear to let go of such a good eldest granddaughter? She has served Bodhisattva for half her life. Why doesn’t Bodhisattva open his eyes…”
When Old Madam Song thought of all the things that had happened in the past, she cried uncontrollably. She had been with Old Madam Yu for decades, so she understood her pain the best.
Yao Huang also wiped his tears. “Old Madam Yu has worked hard for most of her life. She can finally rest…”
The news quickly reached Song Mingzhao’s ears.
Song Mingzhao suddenly recalled his conversation with Old Madam Yu at the Precious Peace Temple on the day of the Buddhist Festival.
If he could do it again, he would definitely have brushed his clothes and knelt down, begging Matriarch Yu to marry Yu Youyao to him instead of beating
around the bush.
Those who were afraid of losing were destined to lose.
Those who couldn’t afford to lose wouldn’t win in the end.
In front of Old Madam Yu, he had schemed so much, but in the end, he had let down his intelligence.
Life was filled of chance encounters and permanence was hard to come by. One had many fears in life. From love comes sorrow, from love comes fear. Yu Yaoyao’s att.i.tude of avoiding others because of fear, made him even more fearful.
His parents’ orders and matchmaking became his only chance.
He did not dare to lose in front of Old Madam Yu, nor could he afford to lose.
During this period of time, he had been working hard to amaze the world with a single brilliant feat in the imperial examination. He wanted to gather enough accomplishments again and go to the Yu Residence to make a proposal to Old Madam Yu. However, with the water disaster in Zhejiang and the pirates in the southeast coast, the imperial examination had been delayed repeatedly. He felt a sense of panic that was out of reach.
Yu Youyao did not stop crying. It wasn’t until Old Madam Yu was in the coffin that she truly realized that her grandmother had pa.s.sed away.
She stood in a daze in her grandmother’s house.
Behind a screen, Yu Zongzheng and Yu Zongshen sat facing each other. The atmosphere was very heavy.
After an unknown period of time, Yu Zongzheng said bitterly, “Second
Brother, back then, you and Madam Xie…”
The smile on Yu Zongshen’s lips disappeared. “Why implicate her in the evildoings of the three of us? She’s already lost her life. Why don’t you let her off?”
Yu Zongzheng was furious. “What evildoings? Mother has just left. What nonsense are you talking about?”
The peony-patterned teacup in Yu Zongshen’s hand gently loosened and fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. “Back then, I overestimated myself and tried to climb up the social ladder. It was Mother who was greedy and benefited from the marriage with the Xie family. It was you who was heartless
and harmed Xie Roujia’s life. We were all in the wrong. Only Xie Roujia was innocent. In the end, our family gained benefits and she even lost her life. If you still have any shame, you shouldn’t have mentioned her name.”
A surge of blood rushed to Yu Zongzhengs face. It was unknown if he was exasperated or angry.
After pretending to be a filial son, a good father, and a good husband for more than ten years, Yu Zongshen finally tore off his calm mask. “The Yu Clan has been in dire straits for hundreds of years. Our family’s a.s.sets have also fallen with Father’s pa.s.sing.”
“How much money did I spend to become the Cabinet Grand Secretary?
“You’re the third-grade a.s.sistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs and the Imperial Censor of the 13 Courts. You even emptied most of Madam Xie’s dowry a.s.sets to obtain it.”
“There are many talents in the Yu Clan, and there’s hope for them to rise. They were nurtured by 30% of Xie Roujia’s dowry.”
“Our entire Yu Clan is like blood-sucking maggots. We’re ugly and dirty. We sucked her money dry and took her life. We still have to continue sucking her daughter dry.”
“What right do you have to underestimate Xie Roujia? Is she not filial, virtuous, or sensible enough? Do you know what this is called?”
“To drink the ocean and then call it salty!’
“You’re a sinister person who repays kindness with revenge..”