Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Why did she have to mention this when he was shocked and injured?
In the past, he used to think that Madam Yang was a good person, but now, she was becoming more and more unrestrained.
Hearing Yu Zongzhengâs words, Yang Shuwan panicked and hurriedly said, âUh, thatâs right. Fourth Sister is only two months younger than Jia Jia. When Jia Jia was her age last year, she had already moved into a courtyard, soâ¦â
Her words were true, but her flustered and evasive attitude made Yu Zongzheng suspicious. His expression darkened. âWhat exactly is going on? Why are you beating around the bush? Did the butler make another mistake?â
When Yang Shuwan heard this, she panicked and quickly explained, âNo, no. Iâve been establishing rules in Old Madamâs house these past few days and only returned to the main courtyard at nine every day. Nanny Liu has been helping to handle the matters at home. Itâs Fourth Miss. Today, she almost got Ms. Ye to kick her out of schoolâ¦â
âWhat? What mistake did Fourth Miss make that she was almost kicked out of the family school?â Hearing Yang Shuwanâs words, Yu Zongzheng was stunned.
He could not be blamed for being too surprised. Although Fourth Miss was not as obedient and sensible as Jia Jia, she was still smart and pleasant. In the past, she had never made any mistakes in school.
Yang Shuwan hesitated for a moment before telling herhimeverything that had happened in the school today without embellishing anything.
Yu Zongzheng was furious, and his face flushed red with anger. âThis evil creature actually doesnât have any respect for her elders or her teachers! As her mother, how do you usually discipline the sisters?â
Yang Shuwan was stunned by Yu Zongzhengâs shout. Then, her eyes turned red with grievance. âMaster blamed me for not teaching Fourth Sister well, and I have nothing to say. However, Master has always doted on Fourth Sister, and has taught her many times in the past. The kindness of a wise master is indeed more important than the heaven and earth, and more important than parents. She should have respect for a master regardless if sheâs rich or poor. This is the principle of respecting a master.â
Yu Zongzheng let out a breath, which affected the injuries on his face, causing him to grimace in pain. Indeed, he often said these words to the children.
Instantly, the anger in his heart surged.
He had originally thought that Yu Qingning was a smart and quick-witted person. In the past, he had doted on her a little more. But now, Yu Qingning did not even care about his teachings, which made him both disappointed and angry.
Yang Shuwan was so aggrieved that she started crying. For a moment, tears streamed down her face. âFourth Sister doesnât even listen to you as a father, so why would she listen to me, her stepmother? Fourth Sister wasnât raised by me since she was young. She was raised by Concubine He herself. However, Fourth Sister has always been smart since she was young. I think she knows it too. Her food, clothes, and allowance are all better than Jia Jiaâs. I confess that Iâve never mistreated Fourth Sister, no less disciplined her.â
Yu Zongzheng thought about it carefully. Madam Yang had a soft personality and treated Fourth Miss very well. She had never treated her harshly. âItâs not that I want to blame you. Itâs not easy for you to manage such a big family, and recently, youâve been setting rules in Old Madamâs house. Itâs inevitable that you havenât taken it into consideration. I was anxious just now and said something wrong. Donât take it to heart.â
At the side, Nanny Li couldnât help but interrupt, âMaster, you donât know the grievance in Madamâs heart. Fourth Miss made a mistake today, and even Madam was implicated. Today, she was copying Buddhist scriptures in the temple hall and only returned to the main courtyard at nine oâclock. Madamâ¦â
âStop talking.â Yang Shuwan did not expect Nanny Li to suddenly interrupt. She was shocked and quickly stopped her. âMaster has been busy with court matters all day and is already too busy to do anything else. How can you bother him with such a small matter? Iâm Fourth Sisterâs mother. Although I wasnât the one who raised Fourth Sister, it was still my oversight. Old Madam only punished me to copy Buddhist scriptures for two more hours. Thatâs already exceptionally kind of her.â
Nanny Li lowered her head, not daring to say anything else.
One of them had a dark expression, while the other had a pale face. This made Yu Zongzheng feel even more guilty. âYouâve suffered.â
Yang Shuwan shook her head and said, âMasterâs heart aches for me. Iâm happy, so why would I feel aggrieved? Itâs just that Old Madam is already so old, and you still have to worry about the matters of the residence. Itâs my fault as a daughter-in-law. Iâm also very ashamed.â
Yu Zongzheng felt that Madam Yang was becoming more and more generous and proper after setting the rules with his mother for the past few days. His slight dissatisfaction with her also dissipated.
Yang Shuwan said with a face full of shame, âOld Madam was so angry today that she taught Fourth Sister a lesson. She even asked a nanny from the Education Department to teach Fourth Sister and Concubine He some manners tomorrow.â
Yu Zongzheng was also shocked. He had also heard of the prowess of the nanny in the Education Department. Thinking of Concubine Heâs tender skin and Fourth Missâs pampered upbringing, how could they bear such hardship?
Of course, Yang Shuwan could tell what he was thinking. She suppressed the jealousy in her heart and said, âMaster suffered today, and I feel terrible too. I didnât plan to say anything about this at first, so that Master wouldnât blame me for not knowing my limits. However, Fourth Sisterâs upbringing has become problematic, and Iâm also burning with anxiety. I thought that Fourth Sister shouldnât continue to live with Concubine He, so I want to discuss with Master to move her to another courtyard.â
These words were generous and appropriate, showing her virtuous and magnanimous nature and motherly kindness.
Even though Yu Zongzhengâs heart ached for Concubine He, he couldnât help but think about many things.
Fourth Sister had always been taught by Concubine He herself. Now that Fourth Sister was so unruly, it was obvious that Concubine He had spoiled her.
As a concubine, he liked Concubine He very much.
However, it was still necessary for the matriarch and elders of the family to raise the children. Otherwise, if the child learned to act like a concubine, he would become a laughing stock.
In the capital, which young mistress from a concubineâs family did not have rules? Everyone would say, âIn the end, she was raised by a concubine. Sheâs not presentable.â
Now that Concubine He had led Fourth Sister astray, it was also acceptable for the nanny from the Education Department to teach her some manners.
Just as Madam Yang had said, Fourth Miss did not even take her fatherâs words to heart. She would probably have to suffer a little.
After understanding all of this, Yu Zongzheng held Yang Shuwanâs hand. âItâs been hard on you to make plans for Fourth Sister. Weâll do as you say and find a day for Fourth Sister to move to Hanlu Residence.â
Yang Shuwanâs gaze flickered. âThere was a problem with Fourth Missâs upbringing. As for Concubine He, Iâ¦â She hesitated for a moment before saying carefully, âI deducted half a yearâs worth of salary and reduced her allowance. Master, what do you thinkâ¦â
Yu Zongzheng frowned. âI originally thought that although she was the daughter of a criminal, she was also well-mannered and sensible. Thatâs why I kept Fourth Sister by her side to be educated. I didnât expect her to be so unruly and ill-mannered. This is her fault, so itâs only right that you punish her.â
Yang Shuwan heaved a sigh of relief and finally smiled.