Chapter 543 If You Make a Mistake, You’ll Be Punished the Same

Chapter 543: The Same Punishment for Mistakes

Jiao Shi twisted her handkerchief tightly, fighting back tears.

She thought Zhu Zhu must have realized she might not be their biological daughter, causing her to act out of character—something that was understandable!

Besides, Zhu Zhu had just said the wrong thing. Wasn’t it enough that her father-in-law had already punished her by making her kneel in the ancestral hall overnight?

Did she really have to kneel for three full days?

Wouldn’t that wreck her knees?

Lowering her head and enduring the mixed glances from her sisters-in-law, Jiao Shi pleaded for Yu Mingzhu: "Mother, Zhu Zhu truly knows she was wrong. She’s never suffered like this since childhood. If Father punishes her with three days in the ancestral hall, how could she bear it…"

Her words only made things worse. The Dowager Duchess of Xin’s expression darkened immediately.

She had always been a kind and gentle elder, rarely showing displeasure.

So when her face turned stern, all the daughters-in-law present—whether from the main or branch families—went quiet, afraid to speak.

Jiao Shi held her breath but couldn’t escape, leaving her with no choice but to wait for the Dowager Duchess’s response.

The Dowager Duchess was indeed angry.

She was furious at how dense Jiao Shi was. Knowing full well that Yu Mingzhu wasn’t her biological daughter and that Xingxing looked so much like her younger self, why hadn’t Jiao Shi put two and two together?

She was even angrier at Jiao Shi’s favoritism. Yu Mingzhu wasn’t her real daughter, yet Jiao Shi had spoiled her rotten for over a decade. The Dowager Duchess had seen exactly how much Jiao Shi had pampered Yu Mingzhu all these years.

At times, the Dowager Duchess had felt that Jiao Shi, her husband, and their sons all pampered Yu Mingzhu way too much. But since the main branch only had this one treasured daughter, she had let it slide.

—So, after doting on Yu Mingzhu for so many years, had Jiao Shi ever considered what her real daughter might have gone through?

What if she had gone hungry or been left in rags?

Thankfully, Xingxing had been found by the kind-hearted family of the General of the Western Garrison.

But now, even after learning the truth, Jiao Shi kept coddling Yu Mingzhu. Meanwhile, Xingxing couldn’t even be acknowledged and had to put up with the wrongs caused by an imposter. The more the Dowager Duchess thought about it, the more furious she became!

She felt deeply furious on Xingxing’s behalf.

The Dowager Duchess said coolly, "Are you questioning the Duke’s judgment in punishment?"

Jiao Shi wouldn’t dare admit to that. Her face paled as she bowed her head and murmured that she didn’t dare.

The Dowager Duchess looked at her coolly. "From childhood to adulthood, every boy who acted up, slacked off, or stepped out of line in this household has been punished by the Duke with kneeling in the ancestral hall. Even Chongjie, the most successful of them all, knelt for three days more than once in his youth. Did you ever plead for him like this back then?"

Jiao Shi didn’t even dare to lift her head, mumbling, "Mother, how can it be the same? Zhu Zhu is a girl—she can’t be raised the same way as boys!"

The Dowager Duchess almost laughed bitterly.

Meaningfully, she said, "Indeed, it’s not the same. But when mistakes are made, the punishment is the same. What’s wrong with that?"

Jiao Shi panicked. She suspected her mother-in-law already knew Zhu Zhu wasn’t the blood of the Duke of Xinguo’s family.

She had nothing left to say.

An unusual silence fell over the room.

Fortunately, the other daughters-in-law were quick-witted. The second wife, in particular, tentatively praised the Lady of Blessed Peace, coaxing the Dowager Duchess into smiles and nods, keeping the awkwardness from lingering.

It finally dawned on everyone that the key lay with the Lady of Blessed Peace!

The wives from each branch began praising the Lady of Blessed Peace in their own ways, one saying she was beautiful and kind-hearted, another claiming she was blessed with boundless good fortune.

Until Third Madam exclaimed in surprise: "The Lady of Blessed Peace is so wonderful—is she betrothed yet? She seems about the same age as our fifth son..."

The Dowager Duchess's face clouded over as she shot Third Madam a stern glance: "The Lady of Blessed Peace is still young. Put those ideas out of your mind—they are far too presumptuous!"

Third Madam stiffened, thinking to herself that her fifth son was handsome, clever, and diligent in his studies. Could it be that in her mother-in-law's eyes, he wasn't even worthy of the Lady of Blessed Peace?

Though displeased, Third Madam dared not show it, managing a tight smile as she added, "I was too hasty. The Lady of Blessed Peace is indeed still young."

The Dowager Duchess slightly furrowed her brow but said nothing more.

Nanny Qingluan intervened apologetically, explaining the Dowager Duchess needed rest and requesting the ladies to take their leave.

Only then did the wives from each branch rise, bow to the Dowager Duchess, and withdraw.

Jiao Shi had no choice but to leave, resentment simmering.

After the midday respite, the young masters and misses from each household came one after another to visit the Dowager Duchess.

Xingxing came to chat with the Dowager Duchess, sitting on a nearby couch and sharing childhood anecdotes.

The Dowager Duchess listened intently, hungry for every word.

Yet she could also discern that there must have been times when the Yu family had struggled. When Xingxing spoke of how her grandmother would save eggs for her instead of eating them herself, swearing to repay her kindness when she grew up, the Dowager Duchess's heart grew heavy.

Her own granddaughter, considering a single egg a treasure in her childhood...

And then there was Yu Mingzhu, who'd been coddled from birth—Jiao Shi using milk to wash her hands and face, feeding her daily bird's nest tonic. Eggs? Yu Mingzhu wouldn't even glance at them!

The more Dowager Duchess thought about it, the more distressed she became. She beckoned Xingxing closer and couldn't help but embrace her: "Poor child, you suffered so much in your youth."

Xingxing shook her head. "No, Dowager Duchess, I was very happy as a child. It wasn't hard at all."

But the Dowager Duchess didn't believe her, assuming Xingxing was just being mature beyond her years. Her heart grew heavier, and tears welled in the corners of her eyes.

It was then that Yu Chongjie entered.

Unwilling for her grandson to see her tears, the Dowager Duchess turned her face away and wiped them.

Yu Chongjie bowed to her, sincerely happy: "Grandmother, you look much more spirited."

Dowager Duchess nodded. "I have the Township Lady to thank for that."

Yu Chongjie dismissed this as polite talk. He nodded at Xingxing in greeting.

Xingxing, who had just been held by the Dowager Duchess, couldn't very well leave now. She remained seated on the small couch to the Dowager Duchess's left, staying close by her side.

However, Yu Chongjie hadn't come solely to visit—within a few words, he began making excuses for Yu Mingzhu again.

This time, Dowager Duchess was furious!

Xingxing is your own sister!

How dare you plead for the one who wronged her, right in front of your own sister?!

Even if you don't know Xingxing is your sister yet, this won't do!

No matter what, you, as her own brother, should never let others get away with hurting her!