Chapter 581: A Sting in the Throat

Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

Seeing her grandmother leaning against the couch with a tired expression, Yu Youyao was a little worried, but she only thought that her grandmother was tired from the bumpy journey and nodded in agreement.

After Yu Youyao left, the room immediately fell silent.

Old Madam Yu rubbed her forehead and said tiredly, “Just now, Heir Song came over. He said that on the sixth day of the new year, on the way to the Precious Peace Temple, he happened to see the Third Prince enter the rice shop where Yao Yao was giving porridge. Do you think…”

As soon as she heard this news, she was indeed flustered. Then, she thought of Zhou Linghuai and planned to discuss it with him first.

Zhou Linghuai’s gaze darkened. “Heir Song, probably didn’t just say this!”

Song Mingshi was extremely scheming. The sudden prison sentence did not

extinguish the delusions in his heart. Instead, it made him brazen.

Good, very good

Old Madam Yu frowned. “IVs indeed not just about this…” Then, she recounted in detail how Yao Yao seemed to have saved Song Mingzhao six years ago in the Precious Peace Temple. She said, “After the broken jade pieces on the longevity knot were pieced together, it was indeed Yao Yao’s longevity lock back then. After it shattered, the other half was missing.”

Zhou Linghuai sneered. “Grandaunt, do you think Song Mingzhao likes Yao Yao?”

Old Madam Yu nodded. “In the past two years, he…”

Zhou Linghuai interrupted him. “Has he ever told Grandaunt that he likes Yao Yao?

But!

He hit the nail on the head!

Old Madam Yu’s expression also darkened. It was said that bystanders saw things clearly, but those involved were confused. In the past two years, Song Mingzhao had indeed wanted to please her. His actions revealed that he liked Yao Yao.

Song Mingzhao had indeed never said anything that he liked Yao Yao, let alone made it clear. All of this was only part of her inference.

The corners of Zhou Linghuai’s lips twitched slightly. “If Song Mingzhao really likes Yao Yao and can tell Matriarch his intentions, I still respect him as a man. However…” Of course, respect was one thing, but he still had to do what needed to be done. “He’s not sincere enough since he’s being so indirect.”

Her words made Old Madam Yu’s expression turn even uglier. Song Mingzhao swallowed his words, probably out of etiquette.

Zhou Linghuai sneered. “When people drown, they often subconsciously grab the nearest piece of driftwood. He knows very well that Grandaunt dotes on Yao Yao, so you’re naturally unwilling to let Yao Yao be involved in the struggle for the throne. You’re even more unwilling to let Yao Yao get married and be a concubine. He took advantage of Grandaunt’s loving motherly heart.” Old Madam Yu came to a realization.

What saving grace of the Precious Peace Temple? This was also a bait that Song Mingzhao had deliberately thrown at her.

When he mentioned the Third Prince, even if she was still a little uncertain about Song Mingzhao, in order to protect her granddaughter, she would still be tempted by this life-saving kindness.

It was just that due to etiquette, some things couldn’t be said clearly, but they could always be expressed. It was inevitable that people would feel uncomfortable plotting like this.

Old Madam Yu waved her hand. “Let’s not talk about him. Since Song Mingzhao mentioned the Third Prince, it’s probably not for no reason. I’m afraid the Third Prince is really keeping an eye on Yao Yao. What should we do about this?”

Indeed, it was easier to fool old people.

After being bewitched by Song Mingzhao for two years, she was already dizzy. She was not as insightful as the young man.

Song Mingzhao was a good person. Although he had many schemes, he only wanted to increase his chips and make himself more confident. For him to spend so much effort planning to marry Yao Yao, it was obvious that he really liked her.

However, the human heart was hidden too deeply. No one could guess it.

They did not happily interact with each other either. As time passed, it was inevitable that they would feel like a fishbone stuck in their throats.

Old Madam Yu couldn’t criticize anything. This was also a sore point for most aristocratic families.

Since they were young, their families had high hopes for them. Their words and actions were closely related to the interests of the family. They could not do anything they wanted or did not want.

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “In three months, the Imperial Court will reopen the examination. Even if there are any actions in the palace, they have to wait until after the examination. At that time, the Third Prince probably won’t be in the mood to think about these toads wanting to punch above their weight.”

Oh, calling them toads was really flattering.

They were more like worms.

These indifferent words made Old Madam Yu’s heart tremble. “What do you mean?

Zhou Linghuai only said, “There’s still Concubine Lu in the palace. Even if she’s sent to the cold palace, she used to be the imperial consort in charge of the phoenix seal and the harem.”

Old Madam Yu was in a daze. She had been with the emperor’s secondary concubine since she entered the residence and had always been respected. How could a woman who had become an imperial consort be defeated so easily?

After many years of managing the harem, it was not easy to eliminate her influence.

Concubine Lu had only been sent to the cold palace, but no matter how many crimes Ning Yuanbo had committed, it did not harm the emperor’s interests.

Once the fraud case was over, Concubine Lu might be able to leave the Cold Palace.

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “If Grandaunt is really worried, I’ll get Master Hui Ji to evaluate Cousin’s life later and say that she has a water life. It’s not appropriate for her to be engaged too early.”

Old Madam Yu immediately heaved a sigh of relief. “That’s more appropriate.”

The problem that had troubled her for two years was easily resolved by Zhou Linghuai.

In his early years, Grandmaster Hui Neng had enlightened him. He was one of the Six Wise Monks of the Precious Peace Temple. With him giving Yao Yao a life evaluation, she would have an excuse to stop the palace arrangements in the future.

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “Of course I’ll protect Yao Yao.”

Old Madam Yu did not know how heavy a promise this sentence was. She only knew that after Zhou Linghuai said this clearly, she felt much more at ease.

A few days after the Buddhist Festival, Yu Jianjia returned from the manor.

Yu Jianjia was already twelve years old and had been recuperating for more than two years. She still looked weak, but she no longer looked sickly. She had lived in the manor for a long time, but her bearing, etiquette, and rules had not fallen behind at all. Her every move revealed good family upbringing, and she was no longer as gentle as before.

Old Madam Yu looked at the secret location and asked, “I heard from the clan aunt that you’re back this time, but you don’t plan to return to the manor in the future?

Yu Jianjia smiled and nodded. “Imperial Physician Hu said that I’m recuperating well. It’s the same if I recuperate at home in the future. Now that I’m old, it’s not appropriate for me to stay in the manor all the time. This is not appropriate.”

Old Madam Yu nodded when she heard this.

Yu Jianjia changed the topic. “In the past two years, it’s been hard on

Grandmother and Eldest Sister to worry and manage everything for me. Now, it’s my turn as a granddaughter to be filial to Grandmother and share some of

Eldest Sister’s burden.”

Even her words were clear. Matriarch Lu also smiled. “We’re family. Your big sister and I will be happy if you recover..”

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