Chapter 712: Fourth Sister

Chapter 712: The Fourth Miss

Though Jiao Shi was extremely reluctant, she still arranged a decent guest courtyard for Sun Qiyi in front of Dowager Duchess of Xin, finding no fault in her actions.

Jiao Shi’s smile looked forced: "...Miss Sun, please stay here for now. If there’s anything lacking, feel free to inform the maid attending to you."

Sun Qiyi rose and bowed gracefully, replying calmly, "I came today only to pay my respects to the Dowager Duchess and the Mistress of the House. The Sun family still has an old residence in the capital where I can stay."

Sun Qiyi’s poised demeanor made Jiao Shi glance at her again.

The Dowager Duchess nodded and asked with concern, "Where is your old residence? Do you have any relatives there?"

Sun Qiyi answered slowly, "Thank you for your concern, Dowager Duchess. I’m the last of my line, with no other relatives left. However, before coming to the capital, I had already arranged for the old residence to be cleaned. I originally planned to settle there after meeting you and the Madam today."

Hearing that Sun Qiyi was the last of her line, the Dowager Duchess’s eyes showed pity.

Jiao Shi grew even more displeased.

With such a background and no influential relatives, she was as good as penniless. In Jiao Shi’s eyes, Sun Qiyi was only fit to be a concubine—how could she possibly become the principal wife of her Chongting!

Jiao Shi truly couldn’t understand what her son saw in Sun Qiyi. She wasn’t even particularly beautiful.

Was it because Sun Qiyi knew medicine?

Jiao Shi couldn’t help but twitch her lips. There were plenty of healer women—why hadn’t Chongting shown any interest in them?

But no matter how dissatisfied Jiao Shi felt, the Dowager Duchess had taken quite a liking to Sun Qiyi.

The Dowager Duchess even took off a jade bangle from her wrist and gave it to Sun Qiyi as a token of welcome.

Sun Qiyi accepted it with grace, while Jiao Shi inwardly grumbled—the nerve of her to accept! Though the jade bangle her mother-in-law wore was rather plain, any jewelry that adorned her was easily worth a fortune!

And this pauper dared to accept it!

Jiao Shi’s expression turned cold, her dislike for Sun Qiyi deepening.

The Dowager Duchess seemed to sense Jiao Shi’s thoughts and shot her a warning glance. Jiao Shi pressed her lips together, not daring to say anything unpleasant, and reluctantly took off an intricate silver filigree bracelet from her own wrist, handing it to Sun Qiyi as a gift.

Sun Qiyi accepted it just as gracefully. Then, she took out two embroidered silk boxes from her sleeve. "These are restorative pills passed down from my ancestors, once reserved for the imperial court for nourishing the body. After several refinements by my forebears, they’ve become gentle in potency and particularly suited for replenishing one’s essence."

She presented one box to the Dowager Duchess and the other to Jiao Shi.

Yu Mingzhu smiled faintly, jesting lightly, "Sister Sun, is there none for me? Is it because I didn’t give you a gift?"

Jiao Shi, protective of her daughter, placed her own box into Yu Mingzhu’s hands and chided, "Here, take mine."

Yu Chongting frowned slightly, as if about to speak, but Sun Qiyi was quicker. With a smile, she said, "It’s not that I didn’t prepare a gift for you, Miss Yu. It’s just that your Third Brother, Chongting, and I traveled with minimal baggage to the capital first, and all our luggage is still with the caravan behind us. Your gift is among them... As for these pills—"

Sun Qiyi paused briefly, "It’s not that I’m unwilling to give them to you, but the herbs used in them are extremely rare. Chongting and I searched for over half a month just to gather enough for these two doses. Moreover, for someone as young as you, the effects would be hardly noticeable. They’re far more beneficial for the Dowager Duchess and the Madam."

Yu Mingzhu smiled awkwardly. "I see. I was only joking, but Sister Sun took such pains to explain..." She returned the small box to Jiao Shi. "Mother, since these pills are so precious and required so much effort from Sister Sun and Third Brother, their effects must be extraordinary. I won’t take them."

Jiao Shi’s dislike for Sun Qiyi intensified!

But Yu Mingzhu was firm, so Jiao Shi had no choice but to take back the box. "I understand. Our Pearl is ever so dutiful."

Sun Qiyi watched the mother and daughter with quiet amusement.

She found the whole exchange absurd.

Didn't she and Chongting gather the medicinal ingredients together to make these pills?

How did it suddenly become "Zhu Zhu's act of filial piety"?

However, though Sun Qiyi saw through it clearly, she was by nature easygoing and wouldn’t stoop to arguing with Jiao Shi over such matters.

Yu Chongting, on the other hand, seemed lost in thought.

The Dowager Duchess of Xin cast a heavy glance at Yu Mingzhu but said nothing. Instead, she spoke kindly to Sun Qiyi: "...Qiyi, you’ve been most thoughtful. I haven’t yet asked—where is your family residence currently? If you have no relatives to look after you, do you have private guards? A young woman living alone is somewhat unsafe, by any measure."

Sun Qiyi then gave an address and smiled, "I expect to stay in the capital for some time, so there’s no need for you to worry, Dowager Duchess. I do plan to hire some security personnel."

Upon hearing the address, however, the Dowager Duchess hesitated briefly.

Similarly, a slight change crossed Yu Mingzhu’s face.

The thing was, the address Sun Qiyi gave happened to be right next to the residence where the Zou family lived!

The Dowager Duchess gave Yu Mingzhu a subtle look.

She knew Yu Mingzhu was aware of it too.

But what Yu Mingzhu didn’t know was that the Zou family’s residence was merely one of the many unremarkable properties that she owned.

Now that Sun Qiyi was living right next to that residence, the Dowager Duchess couldn't help seeing it as fate.

Feigning complete ignorance, the Dowager Duchess nodded and said, "Good. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

Sun Qiyi replied with a warm smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Dowager Duchess."

Despite her many misgivings, Lady Jiao could only watch helplessly as her third son sent Sun Qiyi away.

The moment Chongting and Sun Qiyi left, Lady Jiao could not wait to say to the old madam of Xinguo Duke, “Mother, can you just stand by and watch Chongting act so recklessly?”

The old madam of Xinguo Duke remained unperturbed, countering, “How is Chongting being reckless? I think Miss Sun is quite fine, and she matches well with Chongting. They both make a pleasant sight together.”

Lady Jiao was nearly frantic, retorting, “But Mother, you heard it yourself—Sun Qiyi has no family background. How will she manage social interactions with other wives on Chongting’s behalf in the future? This would be cutting off all support from Chongting’s wife’s family!”

The old madam of Xinguo Duke did not get angry with Lady Jiao; instead, she calmly asked, “Fuchu came from the prestigious Mao family but lost two pregnancies and eventually divorced Chongjie; Weishuangyan, born into the noble Jiping County Prince’s family, is also of the highest rank, yet she and Chongen were fated never to be together, and she is now in prison… They may have noble origins, but what has been the outcome? Eldest daughter-in-law, haven’t you seen through this yet? Our Xinguo Duke’s residence is already flourishing like brocade and boiling like oil. It’s a good thing for Chongting to marry someone he loves and who is also a decent person. It’s better than having all three of your sons’ marriages causing you headaches in the future.”

Lady Jiao was speechless.

Yu Mingzhu spoke up at the right moment, gently saying, “Mother, I really think Sister Sun is quite nice. Why don’t you let her spend more time with Third Brother? If they are truly meant to be, wouldn’t it be better to bless them?”

Lady Jiao sighed, “Zhu, it’s not that simple.”

Unwilling to say more, she bowed to the old madam of Xinguo Duke and left with a long sigh.

Yu Mingzhu bent her knee to the old madam of Xinguo Duke, “Grandmother, rest assured, I will try my best to persuade Mother.”

The old madam of Xinguo Duke smiled faintly, “Good.”

...

After much persuasion, Yu Mingzhu finally returned to her own courtyard.

She sat by the table, her face heavy.

She had just punished a woman who coveted her eldest brother, and now there was Sun Qiyi, whom her third brother doted on!

Even Sun Qiyi lives right next to that bitch!

No wonder they say trash sticks together!

Yu Mingzhu's face contorted briefly.

Qi Huang poured a cup of tea for Yu Mingzhu.

Yu Mingzhu looked up at Qi Huang and suddenly said, "...Those desperados are about to make their move, aren’t they?"

Qi Huang replied, "I checked on their progress today. They’ve prepared plenty of accelerant, so it should happen within the next couple of days."

Yu Mingzhu said gently, "That’s good. But I’ll trouble you to go once more and tell them—since they’re setting a fire anyway, have them burn down the newly moved-in household next door too... As for the payment, don’t worry, I’ll add another thirty percent."

Qi Huang had been out today and hadn’t accompanied Yu Mingzhu to the old madam’s place, so she didn’t know what had happened there. But seeing Yu Mingzhu suddenly ordering the arsonists to burn down the house next to the Zou family, she merely nodded expressionlessly and agreed, "Understood."

Only then did Yu Mingzhu leisurely pick up the tea Qi Huang had poured and take a sip.

Don't they all love seducing my brothers?

Then they can die together!

Yu Mingzhu’s ease didn’t last long. Soon, a servant came to report that a girl claiming to be Zou Pingping wished to enter the residence to see Miss Yu.

Yu Mingzhu's eye twitched violently.

Zou Pingping!

Yu Mingzhu initially didn’t want to see someone who was about to die, but though she didn't know why, she still called for the servants and had them bring Zou Pingping in.

Before long, Zou Pingping arrived.

Yu Mingzhu keenly noticed that Zou Pingping seemed... changed.

Zou Pingping stared coldly at Yu Mingzhu, then suddenly smirked and, to Yu Mingzhu’s surprise, addressed the maids serving tea in the room: "All of you, leave. I have something to say to your Miss Yu."

The maids froze, instinctively looking to Yu Mingzhu for direction.

Seeing Zou Pingping’s completely changed demeanor, Yu Mingzhu’s heart lurched, but she maintained her smile and said, "It’s fine. All of you may leave."

"Yes, Miss Yu," the maids filed out one after another.

The moment the door closed, Zou Pingping casually took a seat in the host’s seat of honor.

A vein pulsed at Yu Mingzhu's temple.

She said nothing, only staring darkly at Zou Pingping.

Zou Pingping then picked up a pastry from the table, toying with it without eating it. Instead, she smirked at Yu Mingzhu and said, "...Fourth Sister, you really live like royalty, don’t you?"

The words "Fourth Sister" hit Yu Mingzhu like a thunderbolt!

Had those idiots actually told Zou Pingping about this?!

Did Zou Pingping know?!

Zou Pingping played with the pastry for a moment before suddenly slamming it to the ground. She stood up, her eyes burning with hatred. "What, are you angry? My dear Fourth Sister, look at your life—then look at the life your elder sister has endured! You’re surrounded by servants, clothed in silk and fed delicacies, while I had to worry about when our parents would marry me off to some disgusting man for money to squander... And now, I even have to fear for my life!"

Zou Pingping grew more agitated as she spoke. "We share the same blood! So why—why must I be a beggar girl fighting to survive, while you’re a pampered heiress swaddled in luxury?!"

Yu Mingzhu's heart stirred slightly.

It seemed that Zou Pingping only knew about her background and was unaware of the men who had defiled her, whom Yu Mingzhu had brought in.

Yu Mingzhu put on an indifferent look: "This wasn't my choice! There's no need for you to blame me!"

Zou Pingping, with her arms outstretched, laughed maniacally: "Ha! Not your choice?... Just tell me, did you enjoy it or not?"

A hint of apprehension arose in Yu Mingzhu's heart.

Zou Pingping, suddenly faced with such a calamity and this life-threatening secret, could explode like fireworks at any moment, scattering for all to see...

Yu Mingzhu's heart sank slightly, and she stopped provoking Zou Pingping, changing her tone: "So, what do you want?"

Zou Pingping stared at Yu Mingzhu, noting her casual attire but the clothes and accessories she wore, which could probably buy several lives free from being sold by their parents to unsavory old men.

Zou Pingping's eyes were filled with jealousy and pain: "What do I want?! I want to try being a young lady too!"

Hearing Zou Pingping's words, Yu Mingzhu felt a strange sense of relief.

The fact that Zou Pingping was still concerned about being a young lady or not indicated that she hadn't decided to go down in flames.

After all, they shared the same surname.

Zou Pingping stared at Yu Mingzhu for a while before suddenly saying, "I want to marry your eldest brother."

She then coldly emphasized, "As his official wife!"

Yu Mingzhu was almost amused by the audacity!

Has Zou Pingping gone mad?!

Even when Zou Pingping was still a virtuous maiden, it was impossible for her to marry my eldest brother as his principal wife. Now that she's become a fallen woman, where does she get the nerve to think she can be my eldest brother's principal wife?!

How dare she dream!

Yu Mingzhu couldn't help but say, "You know very well that this is impossible!"

But Zou Pingping sneered, "Back then, I thought it was equally impossible for a lady like you, who I considered my fourth sister, to be involved in such a matter. But what happened?"

Zou Pingping's smile grew wider, "Ha, who would have thought that Yu Miss, who seemed like a celestial fairy, turned out to be an imposter! Someone just like me, with the lowly blood of a merchant in her veins!"

These words hit Yu Mingzhu right in the heart.

Her face darkened.

"You—"

But Zou Pingping smiled at Yu Mingzhu again, "Fourth Sister, don't be angry. We are, after all, sisters and family."

Yu Mingzhu felt increasingly agitated.

Does this despicable woman really think she is eager to be part of the Zou family?!

But now, the crucial information is in the hands of a madwoman, and there's no telling when she might lose her mind and drag her down with her!

"Let's talk properly," Yu Mingzhu's tone softened slightly, "But marrying my eldest brother as his principal wife is truly impossible."