Chapter 205: Madam Yu

Chapter 205: Madam Yu of the Yu Clan

The afternoon sun blazed down, and Ren Suyin stood on the bustling street, clad in a simple, narrow-sleeved tunic. Two children dressed in tattered clothes, their faces pale and gaunt, followed her.

The two children were a brother and sister, judging by their appearance—one around twelve or thirteen years old, the other about eight or nine. Their expressions and postures were defensive, tinged with fear, like two scrawny, frightened strays.

Ren Suyin shielded them partially, taking on a protective stance, frowning as she faced off against a group across from her.

The group was led by a noblewoman seated in an ornate carriage, accompanied by a dozen or so maids and attendants, making Ren Suyin's side seem even more outnumbered.

Yet, Ren Suyin stood her ground, unyielding.

"Harassing commoners in broad daylight, snatching children by force—do you think the capital has no laws?"

A servant from the other side retorted, "Where did this common woman come from, daring to meddle in our business? Do you even know who our master is?"

Ren Suyin, dressed plainly for practicality, chuckled and lifted her chin defiantly.

"Your master? Isn't it the Yu Clan of Liaozhou, who was involved in a major treason case, had their family property confiscated, and their patriarch executed?"

The group was speechless that the plainly dressed Ren Suyin could so easily expose their identity. For a moment, they were at a loss for words. The Yu Clan's century-old wealth had been completely seized, leaving only the ancestral hall and sacrificial fields, barely enough to put on a show of wealth. Their confidence had long since crumbled.

The noblewoman in the carriage glared at Ren Suyin with anger, her expression suddenly changing.

"You're from the Min family..." The noblewoman paused, biting back her harsh words. "I'm disciplining my own servants. Why is Madam Min butting in?"

"Servants?" Ren Suyin glanced at the two children behind her, unconvinced.

The older boy clenched his teeth and mustered the courage to say, "We were once servants of the Yu Clan, but we were freed from our servitude and released!"

The little girl quickly added, "You can verify it with the authorities!"

Ren Suyin nodded, comforting them before turning back to the other side. "Then let's take this to the authorities, straight to the Dali Temple, and deal with the lawbreakers according to the law."

The noblewoman's face changed. She didn't want to admit defeat but knew that no one would side with the Yu Clan now. Many would even take the opportunity to kick them while they were down. If they went to the Dali Temple, they would surely suffer.

The Yu Clan's servants hadn't fully adjusted to their changed status. A few strong young men stepped forward, surrounding Ren Suyin and the two children. Ren Suyin's hand subtly moved toward her waist, and the atmosphere grew tense.

Just then, about a dozen steps away from the conflict, the main gate of a grand mansion suddenly opened. A tall, robust figure emerged, striding quickly toward them.

"Young General!" The Wu family's steward followed behind, wiping sweat and forcing a bitter smile.

Wu Shen swept in like a gust of wind, stopping briefly before clearing his throat and bowing to Ren Suyin.

"I've long admired Madam Min. It's our first meeting, and I look forward to your guidance in the future."

Ren Suyin was momentarily stunned, first realizing who the man before her was, then recalling the letter her father-in-law had sent that morning. Putting two and two together, her expression became complicated.

Wu Shen chuckled, rubbing his nose before turning to the other side with a changed expression.

"Isn't this the wife of Yu Wen, the criminal who was executed and displayed as a warning?"

Wu Shen scratched his ear. "I heard that your maternal family, the Xie Clan, was reduced to servitude. When your brothers and aunts came to you for help, you didn't even meet them—just sent them away?"

"You—you!" Madam Yu of the Yu Clan, exposed to the deepest ugliness in her heart, was momentarily speechless, trembling with rage.

She was no longer a noblewoman from a prestigious family. Her husband was an executed criminal, and her parents and siblings were lowly government slaves!

Wu Shen casually laid bare the facts Madam Yu of the Yu Clan had desperately tried to ignore, and she had no strength left to fight back.

If she were to list the people she least wanted to encounter in the capital, Wu Shen, with whom she had a falling out during the Lantern Festival and who was currently at the height of his fame, would definitely be among the top.

This mansion was recently bestowed upon Wu Shen by Emperor Zhaoxin. Lady Yu, now isolated and uninformed, had no idea that the neighboring residence was the Wu Mansion. Otherwise, she would never have come here to cause trouble!

Wu Shen didn't waste time on the disgraced Lady Yu, quickly dismantling her facade with a few words, and then turned to Ren Suyin.

"Madam Ren, what seems to be the trouble? Do you need my assistance?"

Ren Suyin glanced at Wu Shen, who was beaming, "...I'm investigating the tail end of those human trafficking cases. No need to trouble the young general, Wu Shen."

After the Chi Clan of Jiangnan was raided and executed, decades of crimes were finally exposed to the light. The Ministry of Punishments and the Supreme Court received dozens of carts of evidence and leads. These days, the officials involved have been working tirelessly to process them all.

Ren Suyin, skilled in investigations, wanted to contribute. As an official's family member, she volunteered to follow up on the various human trafficking cases related to the capital found in the evidence, hoping to rescue as many abducted children as possible.

Wu Shen, undeterred by Ren Suyin's refusal, continued to smile, "Madam Ren, your noble intentions are admirable. Would you like to come in and rest for a while? We have some lychees from Lingnan, a tribute from the Emperor this morning. You might enjoy them."

Ren Suyin's expression grew increasingly peculiar. She stared at Wu Shen for a moment, then snorted, "No need, thank you for the help, General Wu. I have matters to attend to and must be on my way."

Wu Shen nodded eagerly, "Then I'll have the lychees sent to your residence. I heard your family enjoys them. I hope they like them."

"..." Ren Suyin thought to herself that this young general's audacity was indeed remarkable.

The only one in her family who liked lychees was Min Leyi! So that's what he was after.

A few steps away, watching the interaction between the two, a sudden realization dawned on Lady Yu, and she grasped an idea.

"You... you?" She widened her eyes, incredulous and gnashing her teeth, "You want to marry Min Leyi?!"

Both Ren Suyin and Wu Shen's expressions changed instantly. Ren Suyin was filled with anger, while Wu Shen's face turned as cold as if he were looking at a dead person.

The imposing aura honed from countless battles was fully unleashed, crushing Lady Yu, who instantly turned pale.

"What are you talking about?" Wu Shen stared at her.

Lady Yu suddenly snapped back to reality, as if greatly stimulated, half-crazed and half-hysterical, "Impossible! Why, why? What is he? How could the Wu family agree? How could your parents agree?"

Ren Suyin grabbed the side of the carriage and punched it hard, "Lady Yu, if you dare slander my brother again, don't think I'll tolerate you!"

She twirled a razor-sharp butterfly knife in her hand, its blade gleaming with a dazzling silver light, as if it might fly out and pierce someone at any moment.

Lady Yu instinctively backed away, only to freeze in place upon hearing Wu Shen's voice behind her.

Wu Shen chuckled from the other side of the carriage, his voice devoid of warmth.

"Young Master Min is innocent and pure-hearted, much loved by my parents. The Emperor will soon bestow a marriage. No need for someone like you to concern yourself."

"Lady Yu, you should focus on calculating how much ancestral land you need to sell next to maintain your expenses."

Wu Shen waved his hand, and the guards from his mansion surrounded Lady Yu's carriage, forcibly escorting them away.

Wu Shen's gaze turned to the street corner, where he casually crossed his arms.

At the corner, a scholar in white who had overheard the entire dispute swayed slightly, his expression dazed as he disappeared into the crowd.