Chapter 265: Don’t You Think It’s Strange?
“Aunt…”
Although Chang Huilan never mistreated Yu Xiaoyun, the concubine-born son, she had never really regarded him as her own. After all, her own children were accomplished, and she never feared that Yu Zhengqing would favor this child over them. Yet, Yu Xiaoyun had always been somewhat afraid of her.
His small eyes were filled with worry.
But after calling out “Aunt,” the rest of his words stuck in his throat, too afraid to voice them.
Chang Huilan cast a cold glance at the boy. To be honest, both Yu Xiaoyun and Yu Meiyao had always been eyesores to her. Back in the grand days of the marquis’ residence, extra children were useful for political marriages.
But now…
The marquisate was long gone. If they could wash away their criminal status and return to the Lan Yue Dynasty as commoners, that would already be a blessing. And in such circumstances, an eight-year-old Yu Xiaoyun was nothing but a burden…
Her gaze swept indifferently across Yu Xiaoyun’s face before she walked past him without another glance—utterly cold.
Seeing his mother’s change in attitude tonight, Yu Xiaoyun dared not press further. Instead, he looked up anxiously at Yu Xiaoxuan, who had gone out searching for their missing relatives.
“Second Brother, I… I…”
“They’re at Yu Luo’s place. I already went once—she has no intention of letting them go. But don’t worry, Concubine Lan and the others won’t be in mortal danger. I’ll go again first thing in the morning.”
With that, Yu Xiaoxuan entered the cave without another word.
Outside, Yu Xiaoyun stared into the dark distance, unable to hold back his tears anymore. They fell in large drops down his small face.
If Father were here, he would surely have gone to save them tonight.
But now, Father was gone too…
That night, young Yu Xiaoyun was unable to sleep. He had no idea when exhaustion finally claimed him in the midst of his worries.
Meanwhile, the three captives hanging from the city wall—bound by Yu Luo’s orders—shivered violently in the cold night wind. The gusts cut through them like knives, and their suspended bodies swayed unsteadily.
The rough ropes had chafed their skin raw, adding pain to their hunger and fear. Their suffering pushed them to the brink of despair.
“Mom… Are we going to die here? We’ve been missing for an entire day, but Father, Eldest Brother, and Second Brother still haven’t come looking for us. I don’t want to die—I really don’t want to die!”
The cruel punishment suffocated Yu Meiyao.
The thought of Yu Luo’s ruthlessness and the realization that an entire day and night had passed without rescue filled her with terror.
Her tears had barely fallen when the cold wind dried them on her face.
The three of them hung close together—something Yu Luo had deliberately arranged. She didn’t want them to die too quickly. Being able to talk to each other would help them endure longer, prolonging their suffering.
“No… No, they will come for us. Your father and brothers will definitely come looking for us.”
Lady Lan forced herself to speak, her voice weak from a full day without food or water.
She could endure hunger, but she feared that if her husband didn’t come for them soon, they would dry out into corpses right here on this wall.
Of course, she wouldn’t say that aloud—if their morale collapsed, they might not even last three days.
“This wretched Yu Luo! I regret not drowning her in the latrine the moment she was born! Even if we were complete strangers, no one would punish a petty theft this cruelly! And we are all Yus! How did I never realize before how heartless and ruthless she could be? She doesn’t care at all that we share the same family name!”
Old Madam Chen spat out her words through clenched teeth.
It was early autumn, but the nights in the wilderness were freezing.
She deeply regretted resisting Yu Luo earlier. If she had begged for mercy sooner, answered every question obediently, perhaps she wouldn’t be suffering like this now?
“Yes, Mother! When we were caught, so many people saw it happen. If Father and Eldest Brother found us missing, they should have been out searching by now! They should have asked around with the Zhangs, the Lius, or the Bai family! So why haven’t they come yet?”
From morning to noon, and from noon to night, Lady Lan had been waiting.
But as dawn neared and still no one came, an uneasy feeling settled in her chest.
Hearing this, Old Madam Chen’s expression changed.
Before she could voice her thoughts, Yu Meiyao suddenly burst into loud sobs.
“We’re doomed! Father must still be angry at Grandmother over the past events! That’s why he hasn’t come for us! Wuwuwu… Mom, Grandmother, we really are going to die at Yu Luo’s hands this time! What should we do? I don’t want to die—I don’t want to die!”
Yes.
Old Madam Chen, too, had just realized this.
The commotion during their capture had been big. The Bai and Zhang families had even stepped in, trying to persuade Yu Luo’s workers to let them go. But Yu Luo’s people refused.
With such a spectacle, how could her son not know by now?
Unless… unless he had truly abandoned them.
At this thought, all the energy drained from Old Madam Chen.
She no longer had the will to grit her teeth and endure.
Their cries of despair echoed outside the city walls for a long time.
Meanwhile, as Yu Luo enjoyed her breakfast, the steaming corn buns reminded her of the three hanging prisoners.
“Last night, the sky was quite generous. If it had rained, those three might have frozen to death already.”
Ye Jiamei, having learned of her daughter’s actions, didn’t feel even the slightest pity. In fact, she found it incredibly satisfying!
Seeing Yu Luo deep in thought while holding her corn, she laughed heartily, having correctly guessed what was on her daughter’s mind.
“Mother, since you’re so amused, why don’t we go to the city gates later and have a laugh at their expense?”
Ye Jiamei immediately nodded.
“Of course! Old Madam Chen’s misfortunes are something we must not miss! It’s been an entire night—those three women must be utterly miserable by now!”
“Then let’s give them a little more punishment today. Let’s see if we can get Old Madam Chen to spill the truth.”
Yu Luo’s suggestion made Ye Jiamei’s lips curl into a delighted grin.
Even though Yu Luo hadn’t specified what kind of punishment she had in mind, Ye Jiamei could already guess.
Watching the mother and daughter share such obvious delight, Yu Haojie sighed and shook his head.
“Don’t you think it’s strange? Those three have been missing for an entire day and night, yet Yu Zhengqing remains silent?”
