Chapter 128.1

Yu Xiang sat down with her elder brother to have a small chat, only to learn that Lin Shi had helped the third branch of the (Yu) family to discredit Yu Pin Yan. She was so angry that her teeth almost broke as she gnashed them.

“As of now, the third branch of the (Yu) family has been in the capital for almost a month. They live in the courtyard opposite Marquis Yongle manor and they are running about everyday for vindication. In order to overthrow the Prime Minister and completely purge the Crown Prince’s power in the imperial court, the Fifth Prince and the Sixth Prince’s supporters are making every effort to make this happen. There are rumours that not only will Yu Jun Wei be reinstated, but he will also inherit the title of Marquis Yongle and his eldest son’s title will be restored. The third branch of the (Yu) family will be the most prominent line of the Yu family in the future. And all those who were dealt with by Yu Pin Yan are now flocking to Yu Jun Wei’s side. There is a high chance for him to become the patriarch of the clan. He is not as ruthless as Yu Pin Yan. Following his return, he has brought Lin Shi and Yu Miao Qi under his care. Moreover, he also visits the Old Madam every day, saying that he wants to provide for her.” Shen Yuan Qi slowly explained the Yu family’s current situation.

Yu Xiang’s fingertips were shaking as she listened. She said vehemently, “That good third branch of the family! This is a deliberate attempt to anger the Old Madam. They haven’t yet gained power, but they are being so rampant. The time will come when they will be the ones crying. I always thought that Lin Shi would have at least some affections for Elder Brother, but I didn’t expect that she would slander his honour just after learning of his death. Even a vicious tiger will not eat its cub,[1] she is worse than a beast!”

Shen Yuan Qi was extremely repulsed by Lin Shi’s actions, yet he also felt that his younger sister’s bias was unfair. He teased, “Yu Pin Yan has a mother who is worse than a beast, and a younger sister who is heartless and ungrateful. I, Shen Yuan Qi, am the most pitiful of them all. I have only one family member left who always sides with the outsiders instead of her own and leaves without saying a word, causing me to be worried and having difficulty sleeping.”

Yu Xiang was very embarrassed by his comment that she hugged him and acted coquettishly. As the pair of siblings spent more time together, their personality complemented one another and their initial reservation and estrangement had long since been replaced by a tight-knitted kinship.　　

After coaxing her brother, Yu Xiang immediately prepared a gift and went to visit the Old Madam on the outskirts of the capital.

Meanwhile, Yu Miao Qi was getting dressed. Behind her stood two beautiful-looking maidservants, both of whom had been given to her by Zhuo Shi, Yu Jun Wei’s wife.

“Young Miss, which of these sets of hair ornaments do you like?” The two maidservants were each holding two boxes containing luxurious head accessories embellished with precious stones and pearls.

Although the third branch of the (Yu) family had just returned to the capital, there was an endless stream of dignitaries who came to visit and sent many valuable possessions. This was on account of Yu Jun Wei’s anticipated reinstatement and regaining his title due to the painstaking efforts of the two imperial princes.

They suffered for several years in Shu, and returned with only baoguo,[2] appearing to be in dire straits. However, in just one month’s time, everything came under their possession, and they were only waiting for the imperial edict to vindicate the injustice. So that they could open the sealed-up Marquis Yongle manor across the street and live there gloriously.

Therefore, although these sets of hair ornaments were expensive, they were nothing to the third branch of the (Yu) family

Yu Miao Qi pointed to the Luan[3]-Phoenix head ornament made of jadeite with exquisite workmanship. She said leisurely, “I shall wear this set. It matches my dress.”

The maidservant took out the hair ornaments and pinned each of them in her hair. At that moment, Lin Shi lifted the curtain and entered. She walked over to the dressing table and wanted to say something. In just a few months, she had lost a lot of weight. Her originally fair skin was now coarse and as yellow as a candle. Many tiny wrinkles formed on her forehead. She looked like she had aged over ten years.

When Yu Miao Qi saw her, the mood in her eyes dropped. She dismissed the maids with a wave of her hand and asked impatiently, “What’s wrong with you again?”

“Nothing. I just feel unsettled when I’m alone, so I came to see you.” With a confused and helpless expression on her face, Lin Shi sat on the embroidered Chinese drum-shaped stool[4] and let out a long sigh.

“Then you should take a good look. Your daughter, I, will soon be a soaring phoenix.” Yu Miao Qi touched the jade-and-gold Luan-Phoenix hairpins loop on her head with her fingertips. She said with a voice full of pride, “When the dust is settled, that person will take me into the palace. With my merits, I will at least be crowned as a consort. I’ll let that old thing welcome you back gloriously when I’ve made it to the top.”

“Don’t. You mustn’t anger the Old Madam. She is at least my mother-in-law and your grandmother.” Lin Shi waved her hand frantically. She said worriedly, “Not long after Yan’er passed on, I helped the third branch of the (Yu) family slander his reputation. Wouldn’t your father in heaven know of this and blame me?”

“Didn’t I tell you that my status is too low now and the only way to compete with other noble women is to form an alliance with my Third Uncle? You helped Third Uncle take back his title and he will send me to the palace, we are merely using one another. In the future, once I give birth to a son and assume the position of Empress, I will definitely clear my brother’s name. I still remember what Third Uncle did to my elder brother, and I will not spare him. Since my elder brother has no offspring, I will certainly give you a child with good qualifications from our clan to raise. This is so that he can inherit my brother’s title. You do not need to care about outsiders’ slanderous words, and you do not need to worry about Third Uncle’s family. As your daughter, I will take care of all of it.” Yu Miao Qi patiently explained.

Lin Shi listened in silence. She only kneaded her handkerchief and wiped her tears.

[1] 虎毒尚不食子(hǔ shàng bù shí zǐ)- ‘Even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs’ means that regardless of how vicious a person is, he will not hurt his own children.

[2] 包裹(bāoguǒ)- wrapped up into a bag. It refers to a package wrapped in cloth. The cloth used for wrapping the package is a four-sided piece of cloth in which something is placed in the middle. It is wrapped up and knotted at the opposite corner, and then the other two opposite corners are wrapped and knotted again.

[3] 鸾(luán)- Luan is a mythical bird related to phoenix. The name is sometimes reserved for males, while female luan are called Jīnjī (金鶏; lit. golden chicken). Credits: Wikipedia