Chapter 260: Mother, Are You Crazy?
But so what? At that time, they had already hated Yu Luo’s family to the core. Even if Lady Lan had been unwilling to go along with the scheme, her status had never allowed her to say no.
Old Madam Chen was even more despicable—not only did she want all three members of Yu Luo’s family dead, but she also wanted to take possession of everything they owned.
“Father, Xiaoxuan and I will go look for them.”
Yu Zhengqing said nothing. Instead, he turned toward the antelope Yu Xiaoran had brought back. Drawing his dagger, he ended the creature’s last breath.
Without hesitation, Yu Zhengqing began expertly butchering the animal, gutting and skinning it with practiced ease. After months of survival in exile, his hands had grown adept at the task.
Watching him, Chang Huilan sighed silently. She exchanged a glance with her two sons before pulling them aside and leading them further away.
“Father has been holding onto this anger for months now. Why is he still like this? Grandmother has been missing for an entire day, yet he’s staying so calm… Could it be that Father really doesn’t care whether she or Aunt Lan live or die?”
Hearing Yu Xiaoxuan’s murmurs, a sharp glint flashed in Chang Huilan’s eyes.
“Xiaoran, go back and grab some dry rations before you head out. Who knows where your grandmother has wandered off to? If you can’t find her quickly, at least you’ll have something to eat while searching. Your father is still angry, but he wouldn’t truly ignore your grandmother’s fate.”
Yu Xiaoran nodded in agreement—his mother’s words made sense. Though time was of the essence, preparing properly before setting out was still necessary.
“I’ll go back to the cave and fetch the supplies. Xiaoxuan, wait here for me.”
“Alright, big brother.”
Yu Xiaoran turned and left. As soon as she was certain that neither he nor Yu Zhengqing could hear them, Chang Huilan leaned closer to her younger son and whispered into his ear.
Yu Xiaoxuan, who had been genuinely worried just moments ago, widened his eyes in shock, disbelief written all over his face.
“Mother, you—you—”
Seeing her naïve son’s reaction, Chang Huilan was not surprised.
“Just listen to me. Haven’t you seen how much that old woman has tormented me for the past six months? Or are you actually feeling sorry for her?”
“But… but she’s still my grandmother. What if she’s really in danger? Are you telling me to let her die?”
“I’m not saying you should let her die. But if she does, she’ll be reunited with your grandfather in the afterlife—it might even be a blessing for her. At least she won’t have to suffer through exile any longer.”
Chang Huilan couldn’t help but let her true thoughts slip out, causing Yu Xiaoxuan’s eyes to widen in horror once again.
“Mother!”
“Enough! Just do as I say. That old woman has tormented me day and night and even came up with such a wicked scheme. Because of her, your father has been ignoring all of us. If anyone is to blame for our situation, it’s her!
I’m not telling you to let her die. I’m just saying she should suffer a little more to learn her lesson—so she won’t go too far next time.”
Just as she finished speaking, Yu Xiaoran returned from the cave with the dry rations.
Seeing him approach, Chang Huilan quickly winked at her younger son.
“Remember what I told you. If your grandmother suffers a little, maybe your father will pity her and finally let go of his anger. That way, our family can go back to being harmonious. But you must be smart about it—don’t let your brother notice anything.”
Yu Xiaoxuan hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, feeling that his mother’s words were not entirely unreasonable.
Looking up at Chang Huilan, he suddenly realized that his mother was not an ordinary woman.
“Mother, you should go help Father process the meat. The sun is about to set—we should finish up quickly and get back to the cave.”
“Alright.”
Chang Huilan patted the dust off Yu Xiaoran’s clothes, smiling warmly.
Watching his mother, Yu Xiaoxuan suddenly felt that she was far more complicated than he had ever realized.
*
“I’ll be leaving tomorrow. The exact date of my return is uncertain. If nothing goes wrong, I will come back safely. If something does happen… the boys will take care of you.”
Inside the cave, the freshly processed antelope meat sizzled over the fire. Without much seasoning, it had only been sprinkled with a little salt, but the rich aroma of roasted meat filled the air.
In the iron pot, a stew of antelope meat and freshly harvested white radish simmered, blending the flavors beautifully.
The cave was warm and filled with the comforting presence of home. But Yu Zhengqing’s words shattered the peace of the evening.
Leaning against the wall, Yu Yingying, who had been listening in silence, was the first to break it—before Chang Huilan could even react.
“Father, does this mean we’ll be returning to the capital soon?!”
See?
That was his daughter.
She completely ignored the part about him possibly never coming back, choosing only to hear what she wanted—the chance to return to a comfortable life in the capital.
Not a single thought was spared for her father’s safety.
“Husband! You—you… Fine. If it’s that dangerous, then don’t go! As long as we’re together and safe, I don’t mind staying in exile. Even if life is hard, I’d rather endure it than see you take such a risk!”
Chang Huilan, now completely disregarding Yu Yingying’s elated reaction, quickly processed the meaning behind her husband’s words.
Fear gripped her heart. She threw down the firewood in her hands, rushed past the fire, and knelt beside Yu Zhengqing, tears already welling in her eyes.
Her hands—worn rough from months of hardship—gripped his sleeves tightly, refusing to let go.
Hearing his wife’s words, Yu Zhengqing felt a brief moment of solace.
But before he could feel relief, a shrill voice pierced the cave, its echo bouncing off the stone walls.
“Mother, are you crazy?! What’s so good about this miserable place? I want to go back to the capital! I want to return to the marquis’ estate! I don’t want to stay in this wretched place for another day!
You’re not allowed to stop Father! If he returns to the capital, our whole family will finally have a chance to leave this hellhole! You’re insane! Stop ruining everything!”
Yu Yingying’s furious outburst drained what little energy Chang Huilan had left.
But at this moment, she had no strength left to argue with her ungrateful daughter.
All she cared about was stopping her husband from leaving—keeping him from taking such a dangerous risk.
