Chapter 671 Smashing Yu Mingzhu’s Courtyard!

Chapter 671: Trashing Yu Mingzhu's Courtyard!

Yu Mingzhu’s face turned pale.

Soon, yamen runners arrived to take away the distraught young woman.

The body of the little maid named "Qingqing" was also taken by the bailiffs as evidence.

Dou Chengsong looked utterly devastated, as if struck by something profound. Without another glance at Yu Mingzhu, he staggered away, offering to serve as a witness and following the bailiffs.

Soon, others arrived to fetch Yu Mingzhu, wrapping her tightly in a cloak and escorting her into a carriage.

Lou Ruhui and Xingxing exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.

The incident caused little stir in the capital. With the New Year approaching and official seals soon to be closed, the case was swiftly processed and concluded.

It was determined that the disheveled girl was a refugee from out of town who, in a deranged state, had accidentally killed the maid Qingqing.

The murderous girl was sentenced to summary execution.

And so, the matter was brushed aside.

Lou Ruhui quickly bounced back.

Rumors spread that the Marchioness of Mingguang had resumed searching for a match for Lou Ruhui, who this time cooperated fully and was already in contact with the young lord from a certain noble house.

Knowing her daughter’s lively and sociable nature, the Marchioness sought families that were big but close-knit, with straightforward relationships.

Preferably not the eldest son’s wife—rather, the youngest daughter-in-law, so her beloved child could marry into a cherished position. She planned to provide such a lavish dowry it would last two lifetimes, ensuring her daughter and son-in-law could spend their days in leisure.

The Marchioness had envisioned the perfect future for her daughter.

Yet, to her shock, scandalous gossip soon spread through the capital, claiming that the beloved daughter of the Marquis of Mingguang had grown overly familiar with a scholar who failed the exams, often spotted together in bookshops and taverns.

When these rumors reached the Marchioness’ ears, she was beside herself with rage!

Though gender propriety was observed, it was not overly strict—so long as they were not alone together in private, such interactions were generally acceptable.

The sudden surge of gossip made the Marchioness certain that someone was behind it!

She firmly believed in her daughter’s virtue—her upbringing would never allow her to cross forbidden lines!

Still, recalling her daughter’s recent odd behavior, the Marchioness felt a twinge of unease.

Could it be that their innocent Hui Jieer had been deceived?

After cautiously questioning her daughter and confirming nothing was amiss, the Marchioness finally relaxed—only to seethe with hatred toward the gossips.

She wished she could curse them with hex dolls!

Especially when the marquis’ family she had been quite satisfied with suddenly backed out, pushing the Marchioness’ rage to its peak!

This was an attempt to ruin her daughter’s life!

Never underestimate a mother’s wrath!

As the beloved daughter of the Dowager Duchess of Xin, the Marchioness’ dowry had been so extravagant at her wedding that few in the capital could rival it!

Without a second thought, she spent a fortune hiring the secretive information network, Chao Yang Gate, to uncover the truth!

After all this back-and-forth, the trail actually led back to the residence of the Duke of Xinguo!

The Marchioness of Mingguang was fuming with rage!

She marched straight back to the Duke of Xinguo’s estate with a squad of hulking maidservants in tow!

When Jiao Shi heard that the Marchioness of Mingguang had arrived, she didn’t give it a second thought and said calmly, “Perhaps Mother misses her niece. I heard her mention it just the other day.”

The servant reporting the news trembled in fear. “N-no, Madam, the Marchioness charged straight to Miss Cen’s courtyard with her people—and she looks furious!”

Jiao Shi’s eyes widened in shock. “She went to Ming Zhu’s courtyard? What’s going on?”

The servant shook his head frantically. “I don’t know, but the Marchioness… she’s clearly out for blood!”

……

Yu Mingzhu had been feeling uneasy all day, her eyelid wouldn’t stop twitching.

She had originally planned to go out, but before she could finish dressing, she heard a commotion outside—her servants seemed to be trying to stop someone. “...You can’t go in! Marchioness—”

Yu Mingzhu’s heart sank. She hurried out and saw her aunt, the Marchioness of Mingguang, storming into her courtyard with several burly maidservants.

Pasting on a smile, Yu Mingzhu stepped forward. “Aunt, what’s—”

But the Marchioness’s gaze was icy cold.

Without another word, she raised her hand and commanded, “Trash the place!”

Yu Mingzhu was stunned, her forced smile still frozen on her face.

The maidservants the Marchioness had brought went at it like a pack of wolves, wreaking havoc!

Yu Mingzhu was truly frightened now, her blood running cold.

Her maids and servants rushed to stop the maidservants. “What are you doing? Stop! Stop this at once!”

Regaining her composure, Yu Mingzhu cursed inwardly but played the clueless innocent, as if she had no idea why her aunt was acting this way.

“Aunt, Aunt, what—” She paled, putting on a show of terror. “Has Ming Zhu done something to upset you?”

The Marchioness only sneered coldly.

“Miss Cen! What—what should we do? These are all the treasures Her Ladyship gifted you!” Yu Mingzhu’s maid wailed in panic.

Yu Mingzhu’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Aunt is my elder. Who am I to refuse her? If it pleases her…”

The Marchioness watched Yu Mingzhu’s seemingly clueless distress, as if she truly didn’t understand the reason for this outburst.

But the Marchioness had paid a hefty sum to the informants at Chaoyang Gate—they had presented her with hard proof. There was no denying it.

For the first time, the Marchioness stared Yu Mingzhu down, as if seeing her true face.

“Stop! All of you, stop!”

Jiao Shi came running in a panic. She saw her sister-in-law, the Marchioness of Mingguang, standing coldly in the courtyard while the doors of her daughter’s residence were thrown wide open. Several stout maidservants were tossing belongings out, smashing everything in sight!

And her daughter, Yu Mingzhu, stood before the Marchioness, looking utterly helpless and aggrieved—the very image of vulnerability.

Jiao Shi couldn't spare a thought for the damaged items and hurried to check on her daughter: "Zhu Zhu, are you alright?"

Yu Mingzhu's eyes brimmed with tears, yet she put on a brave face and shook her head: "Mother, I'm fine... it's just that Aunt..."

Her voice choked with apparent grievance, "I don't know how I offended Aunt to make her barge into my quarters and smash my belongings. These trifles matter not to me, and though I won’t hold it against her, Aunt’s actions... doesn’t this insult us both?"

The more Yu Mingzhu acted wronged, the more furious Jiao Shi grew toward the Marchioness of Mingguang.

The Marchioness merely jeered from the side.

Jiao Shi was seething.

She glared at the Marchioness. "After all these years of marriage, you’ve certainly grown quite the temper!... Come with me to see Mother! Let her settle this!"

The Marchioness scoffed. "Fine, I was just about to seek Mother out myself!"

Yu Mingzhu’s heart sank, and she clutched Jiao Shi’s arm. "...Mother, perhaps we should drop the matter. Grandmother has only just recovered her health. If there’s a misunderstanding, I can explain it to Aunt myself."

Jiao Shi was touched by her daughter’s thoughtfulness—it only made her sister-in-law’s outburst seem all the more unreasonable!

"No!" Jiao Shi declared firmly. "I must seek redress for our Zhu Zhu!"

The Marchioness sneered. "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go."

Jiao Shi strode ahead in a fury, while Yu Mingzhu hesitated slightly before following.

The Marchioness, however, hung back.

Fuming, Jiao Shi marched straight to the Dowager Duchess of Xin’s main courtyard.

Coincidentally, Xingxing happened to be there to take the Dowager Duchess’s pulse. Seeing Jiao Shi dragging Yu Mingzhu in with such fury, her heart sank.

This couldn’t be good... What had happened?

The thought had barely settled in Xingxing’s mind when she spotted the Marchioness of Mingguang.

Xingxing’s eyes widened slightly.

The Marchioness, however, smiled at her first and nodded in greeting.

The Dowager Duchess frowned in confusion. "What’s the meaning of arriving in such a state?... Has something happened?"

Jiao Shi paused, composing herself, as if reluctant to speak in front of Xingxing. "...Mother, perhaps Lady Xingxing could wait in the side room for some tea?"

Xingxing was about to excuse herself when the Dowager Duchess cut in impatiently, grasping her hand. "...Xingxing is here to check on this old woman’s health." The Dowager Duchess emphasized, "She’s family!"

Jiao Shi trembled slightly and murmured, "Yes."

Yu Mingzhu lowered her eyes, hiding her smoldering envy.

Taking a deep breath, Jiao Shi recounted how the Marchioness had stormed into Yu Mingzhu’s courtyard and wrecked it. "...Mother, I don’t know how I’ve wronged our dear sister-in-law to make her bully my Zhu Zhu like this!"

Yu Mingzhu kept her gaze downcast, the very image of docility. "Mother, don’t be upset. It must be my fault for angering Aunt. I’m fine—please, you and Grandmother mustn’t upset yourselves over this."

The more Jiao Shi was touched by Yu Mingzhu’s gentleness, the more enraged she became at the Marchioness’s disgraceful behavior!

The Dowager Duchess, however, frowned at the Marchioness. "Rouzhi, what’s going on?... You’re a grown woman, how can you still lose your temper like this?"

Hearing her mother’s concerned tone, the Marchioness’s own grievances spilled out: "Mother..."

"She called out 'Mother,' and whined pitifully, 'Sister-in-law asks where she has offended me. But I want to ask, where have I and my Hui Jieer offended her and Mingzhu? To bully us like this?'"

Dowager Duchess of Xin drew a sharp breath and pressed urgently, "Hui Jieer? How is this related to Hui Jieer?"

Yu Mingzhu's face paled slightly. Her heart sank, but she put on a brave face, "...Grandmother, there must be some misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding?" Marchioness of Mingguang suddenly, as if triggered, her voice shot up, "What misunderstanding could there be?! The rumors are spreading like wildfire outside!"

The Dowager Duchess rarely left her residence, and even if the household staff heard anything, they dared not mention it to her. Thus, she was completely unaware and pressed on, "What rumors?"

The Marchioness grew even more aggrieved. She stepped forward, sat beside the Dowager Duchess, and leaned her head against her mother's chest as she had done before marriage, her voice choked with tears, "Mother, don’t you know? The rumors are everywhere—they say our Hui Jieer behaved improperly with a failed scholar, and even worse, that she’s... pregnant! Mother, these rumors are driving Hui Jieer to her death! She was in the midst of marriage negotiations, and both families were thrilled with the match. But the other party heard the rumors and recently returned the betrothal gifts, politely called off the match—"

Her voice grew more anguished, "Mother, you know Hui Jieer is the sweetest girl. Though a bit wild, she knows her manners and would never do such things!"

The Dowager Duchess's heart ached as she embraced her daughter, "Poor Hui Jieer..."

Jiao Shi was so furious she nearly passed out, "So, sister-in-law, you think I did this, and that’s why you took it out on Zhu Zhu?!"

Her hands went cold with rage, "Am I mad to do such a thing?!"

The Marchioness sat up straight from her mother’s embrace, her gaze icy, "Sister-in-law, calm down. I never said it was you."

Jiao Shi paused, then realized the implication, trembling with fury, "You mean to say such a vile thing was done by our Zhu Zhu?!"

Yu Mingzhu burst into tears, "Mother, I didn’t! Grandmother, I didn’t!... I don’t know why Aunt would say such things... I truly didn’t!"

The Marchioness's eyes turned colder, "You won’t confess until confronted! Since I dared to come barging in today, I have evidence!"

Yu Mingzhu's sobs halted abruptly.

The Dowager Duchess slowly turned her gaze to Yu Mingzhu.

Jiao Shi, still disbelieving, cried out, "Fine! Show us this evidence then!"

The Marchioness looked at the Dowager Duchess, "Mother."

The Dowager Duchess nodded gravely, "A young lady’s reputation is no small matter. Present the evidence. If Mingzhu is wronged, she deserves an apology. But if..."

She fell silent for a moment.

Yu Mingzhu's heart leapt to her throat.

But the Dowager Duchess chose not to elaborate, shifting the topic instead, "...Just show us the evidence first."

The Marchioness nodded and clapped her hands.

Soon, several matrons shoved a group of people inside.

Among them was a sixth-rank civil official’s daughter, Cheng Yuying, who was close to Yu Mingzhu.

Cheng Yuying was pale with fear, stumbling forward. At the sight of Yu Mingzhu, she burst into tears, "Mingzhu..."

Yu Mingzhu's heart hammered wildly, but she put on a show of shock and confusion, "Aunt, she’s a friend of mine! Why did you drag her here?!"