Chapter 494: I’ll Just Tolerate Her a Few Times

Chapter 494: I'll Just Tolerate Her a Few Times

Ju Geer felt his friend was acting like a total doofus.

Once the thank-you gifts from the Jiping Commandery Prince’s place were handed over, Ju Geer quickly shooed Wei Zihang away.

Wei Zihang wasn’t the least bit annoyed. With a cheeky grin, he turned to Xingxing and said, "Wait up, sis," before hastily leaving with his second brother just before Ju Geer blew his top.

While Wei Zihang was walking on air, things were not going well at the Duke of Xinguo's residence.

Yu Chongen had been stewing in his courtyard ever since returning from the Jiping Commandery Prince's residence.

Yu Mingzhu sent a maid to invite him over, but Yu Chongen only muttered, "I’m not feeling up to it" and wouldn’t go.

Unable to take it anymore, Yu Mingzhu brought a pair of brand-new boots to find Yu Chongen, making sure to wear the jade pendant he had previously gifted her at her waist.

"Second Brother, I made these boots for you. Try them on and see if they fit," Yu Mingzhu said cheerfully, not bringing up Yu Chongen’s earlier promise to confront Yu Xingxing at the Jiping Commandery Prince's residence to avenge her. She simply urged him to try the boots.

In the past, Yu Chongen would’ve been over the moon. But now, he seemed completely out of it, even while trying on the boots.

A flash of irritation crossed Yu Mingzhu’s brow, but she bit back the frustration caused by Yu Chongen’s unusual behavior and put on her sweetest, most understanding face.

"...Second Brother, what’s wrong? Did something happen at the Jiping Commandery Prince's residence?" she probed. "...Did you and the Second Miss have an argument?"

Yu Chongen pressed his fingers to his temples and muttered, "No."

Yu Mingzhu was puzzled. "Then..."

Her heart sank, but she softened her tone. "Second Brother, don’t tell me you were upset by the Lady of Blessed Peace?"

Yu Chongen stood up irritably and paced around the room. "...Not that either."

After another lap, he suddenly turned to Yu Mingzhu in frustration. "Pearl, I originally said I’d put that Yu Xingxing in her place to avenge you. But... maybe let’s just forget it."

At these words, Yu Mingzhu’s expression shifted slightly.

A flash of anger crossed her eyes, but her face remained gentle and understanding as she replied softly, "Second Brother, what are you saying? I never agreed with you confronting the Lady of Blessed Peace in the first place. My matter is trivial, but she holds the title of Township Lady..."

Her tone carried a hint of playing the victim. In the past, such words would have made the Duke of Xinguo’s brothers fall over themselves to spoil her.

But this time, though Yu Chongen did deny her words with concern, his reaction wasn’t what Yu Mingzhu had expected.

"Pearl’s matters are never trivial! But..." Yu Chongen struggled, tugging at his hair before finally heaving a long sigh. "...Pearl, you don’t understand. The Lady of Blessed Peace... is actually quite pitiful."

Yu Mingzhu barely held it together.

Seriously?

The Lady of Blessed Peace—pitiful?

Was this the same girl who got a fancy Township Lady title from His Majesty while still a kid, with a title that drips with prestige?

She forced her voice to stay light, asking, "Really? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Yu Chongen sighed again. "Right? I used to think the Lady of Blessed Peace was just a spoiled brat. But I just found out... she’s not even a real Yu. She was picked up as a baby."

Yu Mingzhu paused, letting out a noncommittal "Oh": "So she has such a background... That really is rather tragic."

"Right?" Yu Chongen couldn’t place the ache in his chest. "She doesn’t even know who her parents are. Probably her family couldn’t make ends meet, so they abandoned her."

The mere thought of that sweet-faced little girl being discarded made his heart clench with helpless sorrow.

This sorrow left him agitated, as if he wanted to destroy something to vent his frustration!

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes gleamed with something unreadable. She suppressed a smile: "...Second Brother, hearing you say this, I now understand how difficult Lady of Blessed Peace’s life has been. If she throws tantrums or acts up sometimes, I’ll just tolerate it... It’s all trivial."

Yu Chongen felt both that his sister was understanding and that she was being too accommodating.

He hesitated: "...You don’t have to. You’re the cherished jewel of our Duke of Xinguo’s household. Eldest Brother and I have never let you suffer since childhood. If Lady of Blessed Peace bullies you, then..."

He paused, speaking earnestly, "Then you must tell me, and I’ll have words with her! How can she bully people like this?"

Yu Mingzhu suppressed a smile: "Second Brother truly dotes on me."

Yu Chongen felt slightly better.

Just then, the servant announced that Second Miss from Jiping Commandery Prince’s residence had arrived, saying she had something to discuss with the Second Young Master.

Yu Mingzhu, having just learned an astonishing piece of news, was in high spirits. Hearing Wei Shuangyan had come, she ribbed him with a grin: "Second Brother, didn’t you just see her today? It seems Second Miss can’t get enough of you."

Yu Chongen scowled briefly and had Wei Shuangyan invited in.

Though the Jiping Commandery Prince’s residence and the Duke of Xinguo’s household had not made any formal arrangements or exchanged tokens, both families had a silent understanding—once Wei Shuangyan turned twenty, they would marry.

Thus, the young couple’s meetings were tacitly permitted by both households.

Wei Shuangyan arrived unimpeded at Yu Chongen’s quarters. Seeing Yu Mingzhu lounging there with tea, she immediately felt displeased.

When she visited Yu Chongen, the servants always announced her in advance—why didn’t Yu Mingzhu know to excuse herself?

"Second Brother Yu," Wei Shuangyan mustered a smile as she greeted him.

Yu Chongen asked, "Did you need something?"

Wei Shuangyan was about to speak when she suddenly noticed the jade pendant at Yu Mingzhu’s waist looked familiar.

Upon closer inspection, wasn’t this the birthday gift she had given Yu Chongen?

Wei Shuangyan’s eyes widened. She stepped forward, snatched the pendant from Yu Mingzhu’s waist, and examined it—it was indeed the one she had given!

Yu Mingzhu let out a startled cry.

Yu Chongen immediately shielded her, his face thunderous: "Second Miss Wei! What’s the meaning of this?!"

Seeing Yu Chongen actually scolding her instead, Wei Shuangyan was mortally offended. She threw the pendant into Yu Chongen’s arms, her red-rimmed eyes brimming with tears, then flounced out.

"What nonsense!" Yu Chongen found Wei Shuangyan’s behavior baffling, but seeing her red-rimmed eyes, he hesitated, then chased after her.

Before leaving, he still remembered to reassure Yu Mingzhu: "Mingzhu, don’t mind her."

Yu Mingzhu stood there, watching Yu Chongen’s retreating figure, her face clouding over.