Chapter 71: Old Madam Chen Being Praised
“We’re looking for her.”
Before Yu Haojie could speak, Yu Luo directly raised her chin, looking at Old Madam Chen, who was surrounded by people.
The crowd, seeing Yu Luo’s attitude, immediately sensed the intense tension and provocation in the air.
But most of them were just curious—curious about how Yu Luo’s family, being of concubine descent, could have such confidence to confront the head matriarch.
Of course, no one was foolish enough to stick their necks out for Old Madam Chen. They all quieted down, watching Yu Luo, seemingly eager to witness a good show.
“What kind of attitude is that? You disaster star, watch your place! In front of Grandmother, do you even remember how a younger generation should behave?”
To everyone’s surprise, none of the bystanders spoke up, but Yu Yingying’s spoiled young lady temper flared up again. She raised her eyes in disdain at Yu Luo’s family and scolded them harshly.
“Yingying, don’t do that!”
Seeing her daughter’s attitude, Chang Huilan was exasperated. She hurriedly spoke, trying to stop her.
After all, her husband was trying to mend relations with Yu Haojie’s family, but her daughter just wouldn’t listen.
However, before Chang Huilan could finish, Old Madam Chen’s face turned cold, and she shot a glare at Chang Huilan.
“Oh, Chang, I didn’t realize when you started siding with outsiders! Did Yingying say anything wrong? Isn’t Yu Luo a disaster star? Have you forgotten that on the day she was born, your husband was ambushed after court, and your father-in-law was attacked on his way back to the city, even getting his arm slashed? And not just them—have you forgotten that Yingying, who was only two months old, suddenly turned red and cried nonstop?
In any case, Yu Luo is a disaster star for our family! Since the day she was born, our family hasn’t had peace for a day. There’s nothing wrong with Yingying calling her a disaster star! For all we know, it might have been this disaster star who cursed our family to fall. She better stay away from us—who knows, whoever gets near her might end up unlucky!”
Watching Old Madam Chen’s relentless ranting, Yu Luo suddenly realized that Old Madam Chen’s memory was shockingly good. However, these incidents did seem too coincidental!
Sometimes, when things are too coincidental, it’s hard not to be suspicious.
“Heh, Old Madam Chen, you remember all this so clearly. Someone who doesn’t know might think you, the legitimate wife, couldn’t tolerate the children of concubines and deliberately caused all those incidents on my birthday to make everyone resent me.”
Yu Luo’s red lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes never leaving Old Madam Chen’s face, determined to catch any flicker of emotion.
Sure enough, a trace of panic flashed through Old Madam Chen’s eyes, as if Yu Luo’s words had hit a nerve.
“What nonsense are you spouting? Those are just the facts! Hmph, what are you three doing here? If you have something to say, say it quickly. Oh, right! When I was shot in the leg and your father had a stroke, Ye Jiamei, you, as a daughter-in-law, didn’t even bother to help. Now, let me make this clear—if you think you can come begging me, you can forget it! You three were heartless first, so don’t blame me for being merciless as an elder!”
Old Madam Chen hurriedly shifted the topic, her eyes fixed on Ye Jiamei, as if trying to turn the tables.
Hearing this, Ye Jiamei chuckled.
She crossed her arms nonchalantly, twirling a strand of hair playfully.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. Even if we died again, we wouldn’t beg you for anything. Back at the marquis’s mansion, when my husband came begging for the family doctor to prescribe medicine for our wind chill, you refused outright. You just wanted us to die slowly, didn’t you? Just for that, my so-called ruthlessness and heartlessness were all learned from you. Anyway, let’s get to the point. Last night, you mentioned something about my mother-in-law. Care to share now?”
Ye Jiamei’s words were like a slap to Old Madam Chen’s face, especially with so many people around.
Moments ago, she was still being flattered as the mother of Yu Zhengqing.
Now, with Ye Jiamei airing the dirty laundry, how could these people not start thinking she was just a bitter old matriarch who couldn’t tolerate concubine-born children?
For all these years, she hadn’t killed that illegitimate child Yu Haojie outright because she cared about the family’s reputation.
But now, seeing how Ye Jiamei’s family didn’t hold back at all, saying whatever they wanted, she was furious!
“What matter? I didn’t say anything last night!”
Old Madam Chen’s fingers subconsciously dug into her palms. She could feel the shift in the way people looked at her.
Last night, she had only said those things out of desperation. How could she possibly confess now?
Watching Old Madam Chen’s act of feigned ignorance, Ye Jiamei and Yu Luo exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“See, Dad, Mom? I knew this old hag would put on an act! She may have come from a humble background—a countrywoman who was once illiterate and turned into a marquis’s wife. She may not have learned how to be a proper matriarch, but she sure learned all the backstabbing and scheming that comes with a deep household! Forget it. She won’t spill anything now, but when the time comes and she needs our help, won’t she have to talk then?”
After getting her revenge, Yu Luo raised her voice on purpose and left with Ye Jiamei and Yu Haojie, leaving behind a seething Old Madam Chen.
“Yu Luo! Ye Jiamai! You just wait! Once Zhengqing clears his name and returns to the capital, let’s see if you have the face to beg to return to the marquis’s estate!”
“Oh, please! Look at your marquis—he’s half-paralyzed from a stroke! Do you really think the marquis estate will still exist? And even if your son becomes a prince or a high-ranking official, I wouldn’t give a damn!”
After provoking Old Madam Chen, the family of three swaggered off, leaving Old Madam Chen gnashing her teeth in rage.
“Um, it seems like they’re ready to set off. We shouldn’t just stand around. Let’s get our things and move on.”
Seeing Old Madam Chen’s face dark as coal, Bai You’s wife, Xiang Shi, forced a smile, breaking the awkward tension and urging the others to leave.
As the crowd dispersed, Chang Huilan could feel a chilling glare fixate on her.
Turning back, sure enough, her mother-in-law was glaring at her with a look that could kill!
Lady Lan, who was massaging Old Madam Chen’s legs, didn’t dare breathe loudly, fearing the fire might turn on her next.
