Chapter 238: Eldest Brother Has Wronged You
Faced with Yu Meiyao’s tearful accusations, Yu Luo slightly lifted her crossbow, glancing down at it as a smirk crept across her lips. Her eyes gleamed with amusement.
“Amazing. Lady Lan’s teachings really paid off—you’d make a brilliant palace schemer. Your ability to twist the truth is almost admirable. Even I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting that kind of rebuttal. Quick thinking. But tell me—what’s the point? Did you really think no one would notice? No stench of decay. It’s been raining for ten days straight, which should have sped up the decomposition. But here we are—not even a hint of a corpse. So next time, Yu Meiyao, if you plan to scheme against me, do better.”
She shook her head, her tone regretful.
“Actually, scratch that. There won’t be a next time for you.”
With that, Yu Luo raised her crossbow again, the bolt aimed squarely at Yu Meiyao’s chest.
Yu Meiyao, who had been burning with anger and arrogance, suddenly froze.
The confidence in her eyes dimmed—replaced by terror.
The moment Yu Luo’s finger tightened on the trigger, a shadow flashed past.
A sharp twang echoed.
The sound of a bolt sinking into flesh rang through the air.
And then, a man’s figure hunched forward, blocking Yu Meiyao’s body.
“Husband!”
“Father!”
Several voices shouted at once.
Yu Luo’s eyes widened slightly.
She hadn’t expected it.
Yu Meiyao certainly hadn’t either.
She was stunned—frozen, unable to process what just happened.
Yu Meiyao had spent her whole life maneuvering carefully.
She had always known her place—as a concubine’s daughter, her only way to survive was to play nice, to be useful, to be obedient.
She had never believed that her father—the proud Yu Zhengqing, the man who had never once shown her real warmth—would take a crossbow bolt for her.
Her mother would, sure.
But her father?
Why?
She stared, eyes glassy with shock, as Yu Zhengqing’s body trembled.
Blood soaked his robe.
A crossbow bolt jutted from his shoulder.
Lady Lan pushed past her.
Tears spilled down her cheeks as she grabbed Yu Zhengqing’s arm, her voice breaking.
“Husband—husband, you can’t die! We—we were wrong! Please—you can’t leave us!”
For the first time in her life, she wasn’t begging for herself—not for her own survival, her position, or her security.
She just didn’t want him to die.
Through labored breaths, Yu Zhengqing forced out a few words.
“I… I won’t die. Not yet.”
His hand clenched around his bleeding wound.
His eyes, filled with pain, slowly lifted toward Yu Luo.
And then, toward Yu Haojie.
“Xiaoran…” His voice was barely above a whisper, yet it cut through the silence.
“Don’t… trouble your second uncle… or Xiao Luo anymore.”
Yu Xiaoran’s body stiffened.
Everyone around them froze.
Yu Zhengqing knew the truth now.
He had seen enough.
Yu Meiyao’s expression drained of all color.
Her heart pounded as cold sweat dripped down her back.
“Father… what do you mean?”
Yu Zhengqing ignored her.
Instead, he turned back to Yu Haojie, his face lined with exhaustion.
“Second Brother, this time… I was wrong.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“If you blame me, I… I accept it.”
Then, without another word, he let Yu Xiaoran and Lady Lan help him turn away.
Staggering, he began to walk back toward the cave.
Yu Luo raised an eyebrow, watching them retreat.
Her smirk returned.
“Eldest Uncle” she called after him, her tone mocking.
“You should really keep a tighter leash on your women.”
Yu Zhengqing paused mid-step.
The words hit hard—because they were true.
“Today, I’ll let them off—just this once.”
Yu Luo’s voice darkened.
“But let me be clear. Next time, I won’t stop at just a warning.”
She turned toward Yu Meiyao, her gaze icy.
“If anyone in your household dares to scheme against my family again, I’ll bury you myself—and I won’t wait for a funeral to do it.”
Her hand tightened on her crossbow.
Yu Meiyao shrank back.
She believed her.
She absolutely believed her.
Yu Zhengqing sighed heavily.
He had no strength left to argue.
“This time,” he murmured, voice low, “…I’ll admit my mistake.”
He turned his back, letting Yu Xiaoran and Lady Lan support him as he staggered away.
The crowd slowly dispersed.
But Yu Luo’s smirk never faded.
She knew—once they returned to the cave, their real nightmare would begin.
And that was enough for her.
*
“Haojie, what’s going on?”
Once the dust settled, Yu Qiang turned to Yu Haojie, his brow furrowed.
“Old Madam Chen is dead, isn’t she? What’s all this talk about her body missing?”
Yu Haojie’s expression darkened.
“Third Uncle… if I had to guess—”
“—then Chen’s death was staged,” Yu Luo interrupted smoothly, arms crossed.
“Those women wanted to drive a wedge between Father and Yu Zhengqing. And let’s be honest—it almost worked.”
“But why?”
Yu Yongcai scratched his head.
“Wouldn’t it be better to stick together in a place like this?”
Yu Luo laughed softly.
“You really don’t understand?”
Yu Haojie sighed.
“Some people would rather burn everything to the ground than share power.”
Yu Yongcai’s jaw tightened.
“Those women…”
Yu Luo stretched, finally feeling satisfied.
“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore.” She glanced back toward the cave, her smirk wicked.
“Big Brother has bigger problems to deal with now.”
