Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Yu Youyao glared at her. âWho said that I really wanted to learn? Iâm just learning to make a sachet for Cousin. Didnât Nanny Xu say that only something embroidered personally shows sincerity?â
Dong Mei couldnât stop laughing.
Yu Youyao puffed up her cheeks. âAlso, who in the residence doesnât know that Iâm learning embroidery from Nanny Xu? Yet Yu Qingning deliberately embroidered a head scarf herself and went to give it to Grandmother. Why didnât she do that in the past? Why did she have to do it at this time? Itâs not even time for any celebration, like the new year, or her birthday. What was she trying to do?â
Dong Mei had laughed until her face felt tired.
Ever since she was young, Fourth Miss had been learning needlework from Concubine He. Therefore, her needlework was also the best among her sisters. Master often praised her, and she often showed off in front of Eldest Miss.
Yu Youyao felt embarrassed and added, âBesides, Nanny Xu insisted on teaching me. How could I reject her good intentions?â
Over the past few days, Nanny Xu had been nagging her every day, saying that girls had to establish themselves, establish a family, and establish their own worlds. Having the right etiquette and knowing the rules were means and skills to interact with outsiders, but mastering these abilities was for the sake of establishing a family. One could only make something of themselves and their lives if they had abilities.
Adult Yao Yaoâs fate in her dream often reminded her that although her grandmother could protect her in the meantime, she still had to learn some real skills to protect herself.
Therefore, when Nanny Xu had tricked her into learning a bunch of things, she still tried her best to change herself and learn seriously, although she often complained that she was exhausted.
Dong Mei looked enlightened. No wonder Old Madam liked Eldest Miss so much, and even Nanny Xu, who had just arrived, treated her differently. Young Mistress was pure and kind, and she always remembered the good of those around her.
Yu Youyao suddenly wailed, âNow that Iâve started learning needlework, itâs endless. After I embroider a sachet for Cousin, I also have to make one for Grandmother. Since I have to show my filial piety to my elders, Iâll also have to sew something for Father and Madam Yang, plus Second Uncle and Second Aunt too, since they also treat me very well. Itâs too much for me. Itâs really too difficult. If I had known earlier, I wouldnât have started learning in the first place.â
Dong Mei had just finally stopped laughing, but now she wanted to chuckle again, so she quickly changed the topic. âYoung Mistress, since the sachet is ready, Iâll send it to Young Master now.â
Yu Youyao shook her head. âIâll pass it to Cousin myself later. Iâve been busy learning from Nanny Xu recently, so I havenât seen him in a long time.â
Dong Mei nodded and left the room.
At this moment, Chun Xiao rushed in. âYoung Mistress, Master is hereâ¦â
âFather is here?â Yu Youyao was stunned for a moment, but she quickly brightened up. She had been in the Jade Courtyard for so long, but this was the first time her father had come over.
Her father must have known that she was learning from Nanny Xu, so he had specially come to visit her.
Seeing the happy expression on Young Mistressâs face, Chun Xiao hesitated for a moment, feeling a little sorry. âYoung Mistress, Master looks⦠he looksâ¦â
âWhereâs Father? Is he in the hall? Letâs hurry over. Father is busy with work. We canât make him wait too long.â Yu Youyao was too excited, so before Chun Xiao could finish speaking, she interrupted her, lifted the curtain, and ran out quickly.
âYoung Mistress!â Chun Xiao hurriedly chased after her.
Yu Youyao rushed to the reception pavilion and saw Yu Zongzheng standing in the hall with his hands behind his back. She called out excitedly, âFatherââ But before she could say the word âdear,â a tight slap landed on her face.
With a crisp, clear sound, Yu Youyaoâs head was now tilted to the side. She instinctively placed her hand over her slapped cheek and stood there dumbfounded.
The living room was so quiet that even a pin drop could be heard. Chun Xiao, who had rushed over after Yu Youyao, covered her mouth in horror.
After this slap, Yu Zongzheng was still unappeased. He questioned angrily, âLet me ask you, why didnât you go to class today? Previously, your grandmother went easy on you for having just recovered from a serious illness, so I didnât say anything. But after so long, you still havenât taken the initiative to start attending your classes at home again?â
âIâ¦â Yu Youyao stood dazed and rooted to the ground. Her cheek was numb from the slap; she didnât feel anything. In fact, she had yet to even fully realize that she had been slapped.
âKneel!â Yu Zongzheng shouted angrily.
His roar terrified Yu Youyao. Finally, she felt as if her cheeks had been splashed with spicy chili oil. It was stinging and painful. She held back the tears in her eyes and the bitterness at the tip of her nose as she slowly raised her head.
Looking at the shockingly red mark on her face, Yu Zongzheng suddenly realized how hard he had slapped her in his anger. A tinge of guilt flashed across his heart, but it was quickly replaced by righteous indignation.
âYou awful creature, just because your grandmother indulges you, youâre arrogant and willful at home. At such a young age, youâre already so vicious, beating and selling the servants. Youâve even skipped your classes, showed disrespect to your teachers and disobeyed their rules. Youâre simply an absolute disgrace. Kneel down right now.â
Yu Youyaoâs head hung low, and she said nothing.
In the past, she did not understand why her father treated her third and fourth sisters so dearly, but was always so harsh on her. Every time she was scolded by her father, she would always feel very sad.
Todayâs slap had taught her that her father just didnât like her. There was no reason for it.
In her dream, she had been locked up in a side courtyard by Song Mingzhao and had become Yu Jianjiaâs medicine-human, suffering all kinds of torture. Her father must have known about it and even approved of it, which was why he hadnât checked on her and instead allowed Song Mingzhao to torture her to death. Otherwise, no matter how bold the Marquis of Zhenâs Residence was, they wouldnât have done that.
âIt seems that my slap was too light. It didnât wake you up.â Seeing that Yu Youyao was standing there like a wooden block with no intention of kneeling down, Yu Zongzheng was even more incensed. He raised his arm and was about to swing it down againâ¦
Just as the slap was about to land on Yu Youyaoâs faceâ¦
Old Madam Yu walked in hurriedly with Nanny Liuâs help. When she saw this scene, she was so angry that her heart hurt. âStop!â
Yu Zongzhengâs raised arm immediately froze in midair.
The shocking red handprint on Yu Youyaoâs face made Old Madam Yuâs heart ache terribly. She couldnât care less about scolding Yu Zongzheng, but instead quickly pulled her granddaughter into her arms.
âWhat a sin. How can a father be so heartless? How can he hit his children so mercilessly? Those who donât know better would think that my Yao Yao has done something heinous. Poor Yao Yao, your face is swollen. Does it hurt?â
Fortunately, Chun Xiao was smart. Seeing that the Master had come to the Jade Courtyard in a rage, she had sent a young maidservant to look for Old Madam Yu. Otherwise, Yao Yao would have suffered a lot more until the news traveled to her.
These words made Yu Zongzhengâs face turn as black as charcoal. Just as he was about to speakâ
Yu Youyao seemed to have suddenly regained her senses. She threw herself into her grandmotherâs arms and wailed, âGrandmother, Grandmother, why did Father hit me? Yao Yao has been very obedient recentlyâ¦â
Ps: Little Cousin was already changing herself due to the influence of her nightmare, but in her heart, it was still just a dream. However, after this chapter, her thinking would transform and mature completely.