Chapter 269: So Young, Yet So Scheming
Thinking this, Yu Xiaoyun quickly lit the stove fire, then rushed out of the cave, carrying a large pile of dirty clothes to wash at the well.
But just as he reached the well, the conversations of the early-rising women doing their laundry froze him in his tracks.
“I didn’t see Old Madam Chen or Lady Lan come back last night. Did their family not go looking for them?”
“Hah, what would be the point? In Yu Luo’s hands, those three won’t have a good time!”
“Exactly! That old hag Chen is just too evil. During exile, she didn’t cause trouble, but wasn’t that only because we had to stick together? As soon as life settled down, she started scheming against Yu Luo’s family. In the end, she failed and dragged her whole family into disaster, spending months recovering in that cave. Honestly, she deserved it. And now, she dares to provoke Yu Luo again? If Yu Luo lets her off, I’d be the one feeling wronged!”
“Eh? Young Master Yu, why are you up so early? What are you doing? Why are you washing clothes today? Where are your aunt and sister?”
The women were chattering away when they turned and saw Yu Xiaoyun standing there, frozen, clutching a pile of dirty laundry. Clearly, he had overheard everything.
The Bai family’s woman wasn’t the least bit embarrassed about being overheard. After all, they were just stating facts, and to them, Yu Xiaoyun was just a child—what did they have to fear?
“Oh my, your mother didn’t come back? Didn’t I already tell your mother yesterday that they got caught? Why are you the one doing the laundry today?”
Stretching as she stepped out of her cave, Liu Lan spotted the boy standing there, his lips pressed together, eyes burning with anger, clutching a pile of dirty clothes.
And the fact that such a young child was out doing laundry—now that was surprising! Her eyes immediately lit up with curiosity, burning with the flames of gossip.
Hearing Liu Lan’s words, the anger in Yu Xiaoyun’s eyes slowly faded, replaced by his usual calm. Without saying a word, he carried the clothes to the well and ignored her entirely.
“Oh, come on, kid, don’t ignore me. I’m talking to you!”
Liu Lan, frustrated at being deprived of juicy gossip, rushed over, calling after him.
But Yu Xiaoyun didn’t even glance at her.
He tightened his grip on the rope, trying to haul up a full bucket of water.
However, he had overestimated his strength. The rough rope burned his palms, veins bulging on his forehead from the effort, yet the bucket barely budged.
Just as he was about to give up and settle for half a bucket, a pair of rough, calloused hands grabbed the rope ahead of him.
Yu Xiaoyun turned in surprise, but the smile on his face froze instantly.
“Mother!”
It was clear from his expression—filled with fear—that he was terrified of Chang Huilan.
Without a word, Chang Huilan coldly pulled up the bucket, setting it aside with a heavy thud.
“Go back.”
Her voice was as cold as ice.
Yu Xiaoyun trembled. He knew this tone—it meant she was angry.
But what had he done wrong?
He was just too young, too weak… Was that enough to make his mother angry?
Yet, he didn’t dare disobey her.
He quickly lowered his head, murmured an obedient “Oh,” and turned to leave.
Behind him, the women resumed their gossip, but Yu Xiaoyun didn’t dare eavesdrop any longer.
He hurried back to the cave.
“Second Brother, you’re back from training?”
Seeing Yu Xiaoxuan sitting down and eating breakfast, Yu Xiaoyun’s spirits lifted, and he quickly ran over.
But as soon as he spoke, he realized his voice was too loud.
Glancing nervously toward Yu Yingying’s bed, he saw that the blankets hadn’t moved.
Only then did he relax and step closer.
“Second Brother, are you going to find Grandmother after breakfast? Mother and my sister are with Yu Luo. Please be careful. Yu Luo can be really cruel… Don’t provoke her. If you do, you might not be able to bring them back—and worse, you could get hurt. With Father and Big Brother gone, we can’t afford to fight Yu Luo right now.”
Yu Xiaoxuan frowned as he listened to the boy’s rambling.
Annoyance flickered in his eyes.
“You sure have a lot to say today. Nothing better to do?”
“No, no! I’m just worried about you, Second Brother.”
Seeing how the little one was suddenly so considerate, Yu Xiaoxuan smirked mockingly.
“Ah, so you’re just being smart. Figured out that with Father and your aunt gone, you’ve got no one to protect you, huh? So now you’re trying to curry favor with me?”
“What? No! You’re my brother—I should be good to you!”
“Tch, such a sweet talker for someone so young. Learned that from your concubine mother, huh? But don’t worry, even though you’re a bastard, the Yu family is short on men now. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of.”
Hearing this, Yu Xiaoyun forced a bigger smile, his young face filled with exaggerated gratitude.
“Thank you, Second Brother! My mother and I are also grateful! Once she returns, we’ll work hard for the family!”
“Enough. Focus on your training. If your fists are strong, you won’t have to suck up to me all the time. Now clean up these dishes. I’m heading to Yu Luo’s place—who knows if she’ll let them go today? Just stay here and help Mother.”
“Okay!”
Yu Xiaoyun watched as Yu Xiaoxuan slung his sword over his shoulder and strode out of the cave.
He quickly followed him to the entrance, watching until his brother disappeared from view.
Then, the smile on his face vanished.
Worry clouded his young features.
If his mother and sister were gone…
And with his father and eldest brother absent…
How would he survive in this family?
No.
If Second Brother couldn’t get them back today, then he would go himself!
When Yu Xiaoxuan arrived at the city, he barely had time to take in the towering walls and pristine streets.
Because the moment he reached the gates, he saw his grandmother hanging there, riddled with arrows.
His face turned ghostly pale.
“Yu Luo, you actually dare?!”
