Chapter 4: Never Let a Grievance Wait Overnight

Yu Yuanzheng seemed like a completely different person today. Back at the Yu estate, she would never have dared to cause such a scene. Had she grown a spine of steel overnight? Did she really think that becoming the Heir’s wife granted her the right to be so arrogant? Hmph, in ten days' time, she would see how she managed to salvage her pride.

Shangguan Zishu patted her hand in comfort.

"Eldest sister, I must make myself clear. If any of our elders take a liking to your embroidery and ask for your help, and you accept the task only to come running to me later, will the elders be grateful to you, or to me?"

Yu Yuanzheng felt it was absolutely necessary to clarify this; she had no intention of being enslaved by her further. Everyone present looked at the two sisters with strange expressions.

"That is enough. You may all leave," the Prince commanded. He had no patience for such trivial matters and was the first to stand and walk out.

Before leaving, the Second Dowager glared fiercely at Yu Yuanzheng. "Princess, you really ought to discipline your daughter-in-law properly."

Only the Princess, Yu Yuanzheng, and the attending servants remained in the hall.

"Mother, I have something I must tell you." Yu Yuanzheng looked at Qin Yuyan with a firm gaze. She had thought this through clearly: this woman was her true mother-in-law. If she wanted to live a good life, building a strong relationship with the Princess was her best strategy. She needed the Princess's recognition. If the Heir truly passed away in half a year, life in this deep, labyrinthine manor would be incredibly difficult for both of them. Only by supporting each other could they withstand the bullying of others. Yu Chaoyang had entered the same household, and she would undoubtedly bully her in the future. Things would be different if she had the Princess's backing. Even if she were no longer the Heir’s wife later, she would still be the eldest young mistress of the Prince’s manor, the Princess's own daughter-in-law. Therefore, she needed the Princess’s protection now more than ever.

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Qin Yuyan waved her hand, dismissing the servants. Ziyu and Jianghua cast worried glances at their mistress before retreating as well. Once everyone had cleared out, Yu Yuanzheng moved softly to Qin Yuyan’s side.

"Mother, the bride was not sent to the wrong room last night," Yu Yuanzheng whispered, lowering her voice.

"What did you say?" Qin Yuyan’s volume spiked in shock.

"Shh!" Yu Yuanzheng immediately made a silencing gesture. There were still people outside.

"Follow me to the inner chamber." Qin Yuyan rose from her chair and strode through the side door. Yu Yuanzheng followed closely.

"Speak. What exactly happened?" Qin Yuyan asked urgently.

"Mother, please look at the back of my neck." Yu Yuanzheng lowered her head and pulled down her collar, revealing the nape of her neck. Qin Yuyan stepped forward. "Good heavens, who did this?" She saw a large, ugly bruise. How vicious must the person have been to strike with such force!

Yu Yuanzheng recounted her experience from the previous night without holding back a single detail. To elicit sympathy, she punctuated her words with quiet sobs. She had to speak up so the Princess would know the truth, allowing them to cooperate effectively in the future. In the short time she had been in the Prince’s manor, Yu Yuanzheng already sensed that things were far from simple. In her past life, she had read enough novels to know that noble clans were never straightforward. Now, she was in the thick of it. She needed an ally.

Qin Yuyan was stunned into silence. Very well, the Yu family was doing very well indeed. That illegitimate son usually kept a low profile, but the moment the Heir fell ill, his ambition had been laid bare. It took a long time for Qin Yuyan to digest the news. She was a gentle, virtuous, and broad-minded woman, but this betrayal truly wounded her. She had never suppressed that illegitimate son; he was merely the product of a drunken night of the Prince’s, and she had been forced to accept him as a secondary consort.

"Did their conversation mention anyone else involved?" Qin Yuyan asked after composing herself.

"No, it was just the two of them conspiring. But my eldest aunt must have been involved. Otherwise, there would have been no need for such a rush to have me marry into the family in her place. Their goal was to swap the marriages."

"My poor child, you have been wronged." Looking at Yu Yuanzheng now, Qin Yuyan’s attitude had shifted completely. A woman who didn't want to marry her son was not someone she cared to keep anyway. "Since things have reached this point, just settle into the manor. Take good care of the Heir, and I will look after you."

Yu Yuanzheng felt a surge of joy. She would take it one step at a time; she would ensure the Princess could not bear to see her leave.

"Mother, I told you this privately only so you would know the truth. But I hope you will not tell anyone else. Not even the Prince."

"Why?"

"I have just arrived, and I don't know the people in this manor well, but I could glean a thing or two from this morning's tea ceremony. The Second Young Master is also the Prince’s son. Regardless of whom my eldest sister marries, she will be his daughter-in-law, so the Prince will not necessarily favor anyone. But the Heir is your own flesh and blood. The Second Dowager is not a woman to be trifled with, and she is very satisfied with my eldest sister marrying the Second Young Master. I dare to guess that she no longer cares about the Heir and has pinned her hopes on the Second Young Master. To her, as the legitimate daughter of a Count’s estate, my sister is a better match for the healthy Second Young Master who might inherit the title. I don't know how she treated you before, but I can see she does not respect you. She is merely a concubine of the old Prince, while you are the Princess, the true mistress of this house. It is clear your life here has not been easy, so I dare to ask you to keep this to yourself for now."

Yu Yuanzheng counseled. What was done was done; it would be useless for the Princess to make a scene unless she planned to divorce her and remarry. Yu Yuanzheng suspected that Yu Chaoyang was a reincarnated soul, meaning she likely knew how events would unfold. By observing her words and actions, she could deduce what was coming or spot subtle clues, allowing her to prepare countermeasures.

Listening to Yu Yuanzheng’s analysis, the Princess’s perception of her continued to change. "You were very different when we first met. Were you putting on an act?" the Princess asked, for she was a sharp woman herself.

"Mother, I am the daughter of a secondary branch of the Count’s estate. I was bullied by my eldest sister for years. My mother always told me to endure, saying that once I married, I would no longer live under the same roof and could finally live for myself." Yu Yuanzheng spoke the truth, yet it was also a lie—a clever way to poison the Princess’s mind against Yu Chaoyang.

"My poor child, it has been hard on you." The Princess looked at her with new respect; this was a clever girl.

Yu Yuanzheng took her leave and walked out of Honghao Courtyard, where her two maids had been waiting, visibly anxious. "Let's go, back to the Heir’s courtyard." Yu Yuanzheng let out a long sigh of relief. From last night until now, she had been keeping her nerves tightly coiled. She was a newcomer, and while she possessed the original owner's memories, they were of little help—a spineless girl who couldn't stand her ground. She was sheltered, suppressed by the main branch, lacked status, and rarely socialized, knowing only how to embroider all day. It was a miracle she hadn't been bullied to death.

But she would not be like the original owner; she would live her own life. So what if Yu Chaoyang was reincarnated? Was it not just a desire to be the Heir’s wife rather than a widow? She little realized how she would feel when her husband found himself in another woman’s bed.

The three returned to the Heir’s courtyard, and Yu Yuanzheng finally saw the name: Qiya Courtyard. But why was there such a commotion coming from inside?