164 A Storm Is Coming

But now that he thought about it, his mother was right.

In the past, with his mother helping to manage the family matters, he did not think much of it. In the past few years, as his mother grew older, he could no longer take on any more work, so all the family matters were handed over to Yang Shuwan.

After that, the house was not as peaceful as before.

Seeing Yang Shuwan in such a bad state, Yu Zongzheng also had a headache. He called Wen Zhu over and sent a message to the main courtyard.

Then, she looked for Zhao Da. “Go to the Jade Courtyard and talk to Eldest Miss. I’m going to discuss it with my advisor today. Ask her to prepare a few suitable dishes and send them to the main study. In the future, she’ll be in charge of everything in the main study.”

Recently, the Imperial Court had been tense. With Yang Shuwan’s incompetence, he did not dare to let Yang Shuwan interfere in the matters in the study anymore. He had no room for mistakes to happen and couldn’t cause a disaster.

Previously, when Yao Yao was in charge of the household, everything in the main study had been arranged well. Even the dishes that she brought every day were more meticulously eaten.

After sending Zhao Da off, Yu Youyao fell into deep thought.

After the imperial examination, her father became busier and busier. Even though he had injured his leg previously and was recuperating at home, he still had to deal with many official matters every day and discuss matters with his aides.

These days, her father’s time in the office was getting longer and longer.

After returning home, she he did not even have time to eat dinner. Instead, he called for his aides to discuss matters. Most of the time, the food was sent to the main study.

It wasn’t just her father.

Even Second Uncle left early and returned late.

Yu Youyao was already familiar with the situation of the various families in the capital. Gradually, she began to pay attention to the outside world. The more she knew, the more she felt that a storm was brewing.

Yu Youyao suddenly thought of that nightmare.

There was no beginning or end to that dream, and there were also some fragmented scenes. One thing was certain, in the nightmare, the splendor of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence was far from what it was now.

In her nightmare, she married into the Zhenguo Marquis Residence at the age of fourteen.

Only three or four years had passed since then.

Now, in the capital, the Weining Marquis Residence was like oil on fire. It was the most illustrious and noble place. With the Weining Marquis Residence around, how could the Zhenguo Marquis Residence still have glory?

Yu Youyao’s heart skipped a beat. She suddenly clutched her chest, not daring to think too deeply.

It was just been a nightmare. There had been warning signs, but no foreknowledge. Nothing in the nightmare had happened. She couldn’t rely on a dream to deduce the future.

Chun Xiao was a little worried when she saw Young Miss’s expression change. “Young Miss, what’s wrong?”

Yu Youyao calmed down and shook her head. “Let’s go and take a look in the small kitchen.”

Spring was fickle and easily warmed the heart and lungs. It was not good to be greasy.

Yu Youyao instructed the kitchen maid to make yam and kelp pork ribs soup, stir-fried pork with fungus, lotus seed soup, stir-fried asparagus, and a few other snacks and fruits.

This way, there was soup, broth, vegetables, and so on. It was light and nourishing.

At this moment, Xia Tao ran into the kitchen. “Young Miss, Master asked Wen Zhu to send a message to the main courtyard…”

Yu Youyao glanced at her, not knowing what to say.

Liu’er had stood up for Old Madam Ma, so she probably wouldn’t hear any news from the main courtyard. Where had she heard this news from? It was really amazing.

“Recently, the court has been tense, and Eldest Master has been leaving early and returning late. He wants First Madam to handle the family matters carefully and stop causing trouble at home because Eldest Master will worry.”

When Yang Shuwan heard Wen Zhu’s words, the smile on her face completely disappeared.

“… Old Madam is old, so how can she withstand such torture? It’s just that you’re unfilial as her daughter-in-law…”

The words “unfilial” made Yang Shuwan stagger. Her vision darkened, and she suddenly felt a wave of resentment. However, Wen Zhu was still speaking, so she couldn’t interrupt.

“… Eldest Miss is a little young, but she has grown up in front of Old Madam since she was young. She has managed the family for a while and has never made a mistake. However, she has some of Old Madam’s demeanor. If Eldest Madam has any issues, she can discuss it with Eldest Miss so that the family can be more stable.”

These words were said by Wen Zhu.

First Master’s original words were to let Eldest Madam Yang and Eldest Miss manage the household together.

Yang Shuwan was so angry that she felt dizzy and breathless, but she had no choice but to squeeze out a smile. “Yes, Master is right. There are many things to do at home. I’ve also told Yao Yao to help me more in the future.”

Wen Zhu lowered his head and did not say anything. He only said, “Master also said that in the future, all the matters in the study will be handled by Eldest Miss. Eldest Madam has just recovered, so it’s not good for her to work too hard and tire herself out.”

Master’s words were much stricter, but no matter what, Wen Zhu was just a maidservant. She couldn’t really say everything.

Yang Shuwan suddenly tightened her grip on her handkerchief, and her expression stiffened.

Wen Zhu lowered her head. “I will return to Eldest Master.”

Only then did Yang Shuwan react and quickly asked Mu Jin to send Wen Zhu off.

At this moment, Yu Jianjia had just come back from school. From afar, she saw Wen Zhu coming out of the main courtyard. She frowned slightly and quickened her pace to the main courtyard.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was different from usual. Yu Jianjia entered the house and dismissed the servants before lifting the curtain and entering the inner room herself.

As expected!

Yang Shuwan sat at the table and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

Yu Jianjia hurriedly stepped forward. “Mother, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her daughter, Yang Shuwan cried as she recounted everything that had happened in the residence today—

“…Those dog slaves let Yu Youyao manage the house for more than half a month, and they no longer care about me, the mistress of the household. Not only did they cause a ruckus in front of me, but even Old Madam allowed them to bully their master one by one, not giving me any face. In front of all the servants in the residence, she reprimanded me.”

As she spoke, she gritted her teeth and said hatefully, “The most hateful person is still Yu Youyao. She pretended to be innocent, making me look like a vicious stepmother. Didn’t you see how the servants looked at me differently…”

When Yu Jianjia heard this, she immediately understood the key point. She pursed her lips tightly and held back the cough that was about to come out.

Even a fool should know that it wasn’t easy to change the seal of the residence. Her mother didn’t say that she wanted to abolish the rules of the residence. She just wanted to set up her own rules so that she wouldn’t be restricted and have Yu Youyao lead her by the nose. This was human nature.

However, this plan was ruined by Old Madam Ma.

The more Yang Shuwan thought about it, the sadder she felt. “Your father actually specially asked Wen Zhu to come and pass on a message to me. He’s saying that my household management is inferior to Yu Youyao’s, and he won’t let me interfere in the matters in the study in the future…”

Yu Jianjia sighed softly and took a handkerchief to wipe Yang Shuwan’s tears. “Mother, Eldest Sister is currently in the limelight in the residence. As her stepmother, you have to avoid the limelight more carefully. After taking the household manager’s key and taking over the family again, they will stop while they’re ahead. You’ve been in charge of the family for many years in the past, so you’ve long had the dignity of a mistress. It won’t be long before you can establish your authority again. It’ll take a day or two.”

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