Chapter 444: Reunion in the Capital
“Father, why do you still care about them? They’re living comfortably in Luo City, much better off than they were back home as mere peasants. When we were struggling in Stone Mountain, none of them lifted a finger to help us. Why are you still thinking about them?”
Yu Xiaoxuan glared at his father, his frustration burning like wildfire.
“That’s right! My grandson speaks the truth!” Chen Shi’s voice was sharp with resentment. “Those ingrates sided with that bastard Yu Haojie and his family. When I was hung on the city wall, not a single one of them came to my aid. Now that we’re returning to the capital, we should be grateful we’re not dragging them down with us! You still want to worry about them?”
Chen Shi could never forget the suffering she endured in Luo City. She hated Yu Haojie and his family, but since she couldn’t touch them, she redirected her resentment toward the rest of the Yu clan.
“You… cough, cough, cough…”
Yu Zhengqing was about to argue, but his emotions got the better of him. A violent fit of coughing seized him, aggravating his chest wound.
“Doctor! Doctor!”
Chang Huilan, overwhelmed with worry, called for the physician.
The doctor, who had been traveling with them, quickly boarded the carriage, administering another round of acupuncture and medicine. Only then did Yu Zhengqing’s complexion improve slightly.
“My lord, please don’t get worked up. We’re almost in the capital. Once we arrive, the Crown Prince will summon the imperial physicians for you. You nearly lost your life this time—you must take care of yourself, for the sake of our family.”
Chang Huilan held his hand, tears streaming down her face.
Yu Zhengqing looked into the concerned eyes of his family, then slowly closed his own.
There was nothing he could do now.
For now, he needed to recover. Only once his strength returned could he think about bringing the rest of the Yu family back.
After all, he knew Chen Shi’s nature all too well.
She must have taken advantage of his unconsciousness to make the decision to leave the others behind. The younger generation, raised to obey her, would never dare to go against her wishes.
Three Days Later
The carriages rolled into the capital at last.
But the once-grand Guoan Marquis Manor was no more.
Instead, they were greeted by a much smaller estate.
Chen Shi’s face twisted with dissatisfaction.
“What is the meaning of this? We’ve returned—so why hasn’t His Majesty restored Zhengqing’s title? This pitiful little courtyard isn’t even as spacious as the servants’ quarters in our old manor! What are Qiu Yun and the Crown Prince playing at?”
She scowled at the sight of the modest residence, despite having just endured an arduous journey home.
“Mother, even though this place is smaller and older, it’s still better than being exiled to the wilderness. The Crown Prince worked hard to clear our family’s name and bring us back—how can we ask for more?”
Chang Huilan, worried about her daughter’s standing, quickly intervened. The last thing she wanted was for Chen Shi to say something reckless and make things worse.
“Enough,” Yu Zhengqing finally spoke. “With my abilities, I’ll earn His Majesty’s favor again soon enough. We’ll make do with this place for now.”
Before Chen Shi could argue further, a voice called out from the entrance.
“Mother! Father! Grandmother!”
Yu Qiu Yun arrived in a flurry of silks and jewels, her personal maids and attendants trailing behind her.
It had been over a year since she last saw her family. The moment she laid eyes on them, her eyes turned red with emotion.
“Qiu Yun!”
“Eldest sister!”
The family rushed to embrace her, shedding tears of relief.
The one who cried the hardest, however, was Yu Yingying.
As Yu Qiu Yun took in her sister’s frail figure and the cane by her side, her expression shifted to shock.
“How… how did this happen?”
Between sobs, Yu Yingying clung to her sister, wailing, “Eldest sister, you must avenge me! My leg—it’s all because of that wretched Ye Jiamei!”
Hearing this, Yu Qiu Yun’s gaze snapped toward Yu Zhengqing, seeking an explanation.
Yu Zhengqing sighed heavily, preparing to clarify.
But before he could, Chen Shi interjected, her voice thick with anger.
“Yes! It was that vile woman! If not for her, Yingying wouldn’t have lost her leg! Qiu Yun, you’re the Crown Prince’s concubine now—you must seek justice for your grandmother and sister!”
“Mother, Sister-in-law did not harm Yingying. Her leg was beyond saving from the start.”
Despite his exhaustion, Yu Zhengqing could no longer hold his tongue.
“Oh, Zhengqing, must you always be so naive?” Chen Shi snapped. “You still defend that wretched woman?!”
Now that they were back in the capital, she felt emboldened. With Qiu Yun as their strongest connection, she had no reason to fear Yu Zhengqing’s disapproval.
“Grandmother, Yingying, let’s discuss this inside. Don’t worry—if Ye Jiamei truly wronged you, I won’t let her get away with it.”
Yu Qiu Yun’s eyes darkened. She still harbored hatred for Ye Jiamei and Yu Luo.
Initially, she had planned to bring her younger sister to the Crown Prince’s residence. Having a close blood relative by her side would only strengthen her position.
But now…
Yu Yingying, crippled as she was, no longer served her purpose.
Yu Qiu Yun’s gaze flickered toward Yu Mei Yao, who had remained silent throughout.
It had been a year since they last met, and Yu Mei Yao had grown even thinner. Yet her delicate features and fragile beauty made her look all the more pitiful.
She wasn’t of noble birth like Yu Yingying, but under Lan Yiniang’s training, she had become demure and obedient—perhaps even more appealing to men than her own sister.
Yu Qiu Yun sighed inwardly.
What a pity that Yu Mei Yao’s status was so low.
Still, she had no other options.
With Yu Yingying out of the picture, she needed someone else.
Perhaps Yu Mei Yao would do.
“Where is Lan Yiniang? And where is Third Brother?”
Yu Qiu Yun glanced around the room, realizing two people were missing.
As for her grandfather… she had already heard the news from Yu Zhengqing the last time they met.
(End of Chapter 444)
