Chapter 266: Unable to Live, Unable to Die!
Yu Haojie’s reminder made both mother and daughter freeze mid-laughter. They suddenly realized—
“That’s right! Isn’t Yu Zhengqing supposed to be the dutiful son? Shouldn’t he have been searching all over the wilderness by now? Why has an entire day and night passed without him coming to look for them?”
“Yes! The brothers who brought them back yesterday said it caused quite a scene. Many families witnessed Old Madam Chen and the others being caught red-handed. There’s no way those families wouldn’t have told Yu Zhengqing about it when they returned home. Father, Mother, this is indeed unusual.”
Ye Jiamei’s words made Yu Luo recall what the men had reported yesterday. Everything suddenly became clear.
Thinking back to Yu Zhengqing’s past outbursts about avenging Old Madam Chen, they found it even more peculiar.
“Forget about Yu Zhengqing for now. Let’s go see how that old witch Old Madam Chen is doing! After enduring last night, she should be at her weakest. Maybe we can finally get her to talk about Father’s biological mother.”
“Good idea. Let’s go together. Honestly, since we have them in our hands, we can torment them first and ask questions later. There’s no rush.”
Yu Haojie’s eyes flashed coldly as he recalled the torment Old Madam Chen had inflicted on the original three members of the Yu family.
As a man, he shouldn’t hold grudges against an old woman. But Old Madam Chen wasn’t just any old woman—she had poisoned him since childhood, tortured the original trio, and plotted against them repeatedly. Such a vicious woman deserved to taste the depths of human suffering before her end.
By the time the three of them reached the city gate, the three women were barely alive, hanging motionless.
The ropes that suspended them swayed gently, making them look like three lifeless corpses. The scene was utterly pitiful.
“Oh my! Just one night, and they’re already on the brink? What’s this? Used to a life of luxury, and now they can’t even endure a little hardship? Tsk, how disappointing!”
Ye Jiamei crossed her arms, her sharp voice laced with mockery.
The outskirts of the city were eerily silent. The three captives had finally lost consciousness at dawn, but their fitful sleep was soon shattered by a familiar voice.
Groggily opening their eyes, they looked down to see Yu Haojie, Ye Jiamei, and Yu Luo standing below, watching them leisurely.
Ye Jiamei’s mocking smile made Old Madam Chen’s heart surge with hatred, instantly banishing her drowsiness.
“Luo’er, do you think they’re dead? Did you bring a crossbow? Why don’t we shoot an arrow at that old witch Chen and see if she reacts? If she’s not dead, the pain should wake her right up. If she is, well, we can shoot Lady Lan and Yu Meiyao next! Especially that Yu Meiyao—make sure to hit her with a few extra arrows. That little brat used to bully you endlessly in the marquis’ residence. Today, we settle our old scores. No need to hold back!”
Ye Jiamei’s voice was loud and sharp, piercing the morning air.
Even in their weakened state, the three women instantly snapped awake, their bodies trembling with fear.
Instinctively, they began to struggle, desperately trying to move.
But their panicked movements, combined with the wind, only made their suspended bodies sway even more violently, like helpless puppets dangling from a string.
“NO! Don’t shoot! W-We’re alive! We’re still alive!”
Before Yu Meiyao could even beg, Old Madam Chen’s hoarse, desperate voice rang out. There was an urgent, pleading tone in it—an unmistakable fear of death.
“Yes! We’re alive! We were just asleep! Yu Luo, I was wrong—I was truly wrong! Please, have mercy! Just let us go! I swear, I will never appear before you to disgust you again! Please, I beg you!”
Old Madam Chen had barely finished speaking before Yu Meiyao, on the verge of tears, started pleading as well.
Lady Lan weakly murmured her agreement, too exhausted to say much.
“I did bring one. I always carry it with me.”
Yu Luo, entirely unmoved by their pleas, casually pulled a crossbow from behind her and handed it to Ye Jiamei.
“Mother, back at the marquis’ residence, Old Madam Chen used her status to torment you. She often made you kneel in the front courtyard all day, beating and scolding you as she pleased. Today is your chance for revenge. Don’t hold back—start with Old Madam Chen.”
The moment Yu Luo finished speaking, the color drained from Old Madam Chen’s face.
Then, suddenly—
A wet stream of liquid trickled down her legs, dripping from her dangling body.
The disgusting sight made Yu Luo’s family collectively grimace in revulsion.
“Ugh! You old hag, weren’t you supposed to be tough? Now you’re peeing yourself like a toddler? HAHAHA! Old Madam Chen, you never imagined you’d end up like this, did you?”
“No! Ye Jiamei, you can’t kill me! Please! Don’t you want to know where Yu Haojie’s birth mother is? I’ll tell you everything!”
“I’m not interested. Right now, all I want is to use you for target practice. Let me shoot a few arrows first, and we can talk later.”
Without hesitation, Ye Jiamei raised her crossbow and aimed at Old Madam Chen’s legs.
“NO!”
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ye Jiamei’s pale, delicate hands were even fairer now after months of luxury.
With practiced ease, she pulled the trigger three times.
Each short arrow found its mark—piercing into Old Madam Chen’s thighs with deadly precision.
In an instant, the frail old woman shrieked like a slaughtered pig, her screams echoing across the city walls.
The more she howled, the more terrified Lady Lan and Yu Meiyao became.
Terrified they’d be next, the mother and daughter desperately swung their suspended bodies, hoping to avoid Ye Jiamei’s aim.
But their frantic movements only drained their remaining strength further.
“Darling, your aim is impressive! Not a single miss! Come on, try again—this time, aim for her shoulders. One shot in each! I believe you can do it!”
Before Ye Jiamei could even praise herself, Yu Haojie beamed at her, showering her with affectionate encouragement.
Ye Jiamei, delighted by the compliment, lifted her crossbow again, ready to fire.
But just as she took aim, Old Madam Chen suddenly fell silent, shaking her head furiously as she prepared to plead again.
