Seeing her cry like this, Old Madam Yu’s heart ached. She wiped her tears away. “Aiyo, Yao Yao, don’t cry, or you’ll hurt your eyes…”

Yu Youyao was sobbing so hard that she was having the hiccups. Her small body was also trembling. “Grandmother, Father hit me. I’m afraid…”

“Grandmother is here. I won’t get anyone to hit you again. Don’t be afraid…” Old Madam Yu’s heart felt shattered. She pinched her handkerchief to wipe Yao Yao’s tears gently, afraid that it would hurt due to the swelling on her face.

After crying for a long time, Yu Zongzheng’s face darkened with impatience. “Mother, you’ve spoiled her too much. That’s why she’s become so disrespectful and arrogant now…”

Upon hearing this, Yu Youyao’s tears flowed even more aggressively.

Old Madam Yu’s heart ached again. She turned to look at Chun Xiao. “Help Yao Yao back into the house to apply some medicine.”

As the sky gradually darkened, Yang Shuwan glanced at the time and asked the maidservants to set the table. Plates of dishes were placed on it, filling the entire table.

Yang Shuwan then asked Mu Jin to call Yu Shansi over.

Not long after, Mu Jin returned alone. “Fourth Young Master was hit in the palm by the teacher during class, so he was throwing a tantrum. He broke a lot of things, and the Nanny is coaxing him, so he’ll come over later.”

Yang Shuwan was a little annoyed and said angrily, “What’s wrong with this teacher that Master hired? Yesterday, he punished Shansi to stand for the whole class, and today, he slapped him on the palm? Shansi’s still a child. How can he be so strict with him? Does he not want to work in the Yu Residence anymore?”

Mu Jin lowered her head, not daring to say anything else.

Yu Jianjia disagreed a little. “Mother, Fourth Brother is Father’s only legitimate son. How can a teacher specially hired for him not be good? Don’t say such things in front of Father. If he hears it, he will definitely think that Fourth Brother is as lazy and unruly as Eldest Sister. He will be unhappy.”

Fourth Brother had been spoiled rotten since he was young. He spent all his time chasing chickens and dogs. At such a young age, he had already learned how to behave like a good-for-nothing, and was disliked by everyone.

She had tried to persuade her mother on many occasions, but her mother doted on him and refused to listen.

When Yang Shuwan thought of Yu Zongzheng’s anger earlier, the corners of her lips curled up slightly. “I’m not that stupid. I spent money to let the nanny’s son, Mo Cai, go to school with your fourth brother, not because I really wanted him to help supervise your fourth brother’s studies. Every time your father came over, I would ask him to take a look at your brother’s assignments, which were actually all done beforehand by Mo Cai. Your father always has endless praises for your fourth brother.”

Yu Jianjia frowned. “He isn’t young anymore. Don’t pamper him too much. Your little tricks may be discovered by Father at any time. I don’t know how angry he will be…”

Yang Shuwan waved her hand dismissively. “I know, I know. Your fourth brother is still young, he’ll be sensible when he’s older. When the time comes, he’ll know how to work hard on his own. Besides, I know how to handle your father. If he finds out, we’ll just act oblivious and blame the nanny’s family. He’ll definitely believe it.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Jianjia lowered her head, not knowing what to say.

Yang Shuwan changed the topic and frowned. “Why isn’t your father back yet?”

Yu Jianjia was also a little worried. “Father was so angry. I wonder if he scolded Eldest Sister. If Grandmother is alerted about this, it’ll definitely upset her again. I should have persuaded Father to come back just now…”

At the mention of Old Madam, Yang Shuwan felt a little uneasy. “If Old Madam hears of this, wouldn’t that mean…”

Yu Jianjia bit her lip and comforted her. “Mother, even though things have come to this, you’re a kind mother to Eldest Sister, and Father knows that very well. Even if Grandmother wants to blame someone, Father will bear all the responsibility and won’t let you suffer. It’s just that… poor Eldest Sister.”

Yang Shuwan squeezed her handkerchief and smiled. “That’s true. The angrier Old Madam is, the more upset your father will be with her, and the more displeased he will be with Yu Youyao. That way, he will side with us more.”

Yu Jianjia looked at her mother and hung her head, feeling unsure.

The more Yang Shuwan spoke, the more smug she became, even getting a little carried away. “All these years, Old Madam’s health has been deteriorating year by year. How many more years can she protect Yu Youyao? Once she’s gone, the Yu Residence will be under our control, and Yu Youyao will be at our mercy. When this girl is married off, she’ll still need the family’s support to gain respect in her husband’s family. Sigh, Old Madam just doesn’t understand. If she really meant well for Yu Youyao, she shouldn’t have gone against us in every way.”

The word “married” had touched a certain nerve in Yu Jianjia. She couldn’t help thinking about the heir of the Marquis of Zhen whom she had seen at the Precious Peace Temple—Song Mingzhao!

In that instant, her heart felt like a little deer running amok, beating wildly and all over the place.

However, at the thought of Old Madam Song’s bare wrist and the suet jade bracelet that Yu Youyao was wearing clearly being a few sizes bigger, she felt a surge of indignation and worry.

On the other hand, Yang Shuwan chuckled smugly while thinking of the countless gifts that Old Madam Yu had prepared and the large sum of dowry that Madam Xie had left for Yu Youyao. “Master is unhappy with Old Madam as she always protects Yu Youyao. Sooner or later, she will push her own son away completely.”

After Chun Xiao left with Yu Youyao, only Old Madam Yu and Yu Zongzheng were left in the hall, with Nanny Liu standing guard outside.

Old Madam Yu wiped her tears with her handkerchief and said in a hoarse voice, “You came from the main courtyard, right?”

Yu Zongzheng felt as if he had just stepped on a dog’s tail, and he almost jumped up on the spot. “Mother, what are you saying? As a father, was I wrong to teach my own daughter a lesson? Madam Yang was being a caring mother and was just worried that Yao Yao would neglect her studies. If it weren’t for the fact that Yao Yao was too much of a disappointment, would I have to hit her?”

Old Madam Yu had lived for such a long time, so how could she not know about the tactics of the backyard?

Her eldest son had some ability of discernment when he was working in the official court, but it was a pity that he became a muddle-headed worm who was at the mercy of a woman when he was at home.

The more Yu Zongzheng spoke, the more self-righteous he sounded. “Mother, tell me, who among Jia Jia, Qingning, and Shuangbai from the second house is like Yao Yao, who doesn’t study hard and only neglects her studies? At such a young age, she’s so spoiled and domineering. All she knows is how to punish and sell her servants. She doesn’t even follow the rules in class or respect her teachers.”

Old Madam Yu furrowed her brows when she heard this. “You’ve been reading books of sages since you were young. There’s a saying of the sages that goes, ‘it is wrong for a father to only feed but not teach his child.’ Even if Yao Yao made a mistake, it’s your fault as her father for always being cold and indifferent towards her.”

Yu Zongzheng felt disgruntled and was about to retort…

Old Madam Yu suddenly raised her voice. “Search your conscience and tell me honestly, have you ever cared about Yao Yao since she was young? Have you ever taught her sincerely? Yet now, you’re beating and scolding her just because you’re her father. Don’t you feel ashamed at all?”

After being scolded so harshly, Yu Zongzheng was at a loss for words. “I was a little rash today, but I only did it for Yao Yao…”