Chapter 268: Chapter 268

"This wench is truly unruly."

"Since she remains incorrigibly stubborn, keeping her by Second Madam’s side would only spell trouble. It would be better to dismiss her and send her away."

Second Mrs. Yu’s eyes brightened, but she quickly reined herself in and said, "The authority to manage personnel lies with my sister-in-law. Whether she stays or goes is not up to me to decide." Her tone carried a bitter undertone.

Madam Yu, Wei Zhuhua, hailed from a prestigious family—a true lady of refinement. After marrying into the Yu family, she skillfully balanced mastering both household duties and the kitchen; she supported her husband, educated her daughter, and maintained stringent oversight over the estate, earning renown for her virtue. The Yu family’s current stature owed much to Madam Yu’s contributions.

As for the woman standing here, Second Mrs. Yu, she was merely Old Madam Yu’s niece from her maternal family—a woman with long hair but short wisdom, fond of harboring jealousy. From her recent actions, it was clear that Helian Yu held no regard for her.

Unfortunately, she had the backing of her formidable grandaunt.

Helian Yu’s lips curled into a faint smile. "This is easily resolved."

She leaned close to Mei Qingdai’s ear and murmured something, and Mei Qingdai’s eyes sparkled with delight.

"Don’t leave just yet; wait here for me. I’ll return shortly."

Mei Qingdai hastily departed.

Helian Yu quietly gazed at the tearful woman kneeling on the ground. "Stop the act; everyone’s gone."

The woman froze and looked up in disbelief.

Helian Yu plucked a piece of dendrobium leaf and fiddled with it between her fingers. "Second Mrs. Yu cannot tolerate you. Why subject yourself to humiliation by staying?"

Of course, she wanted to try—after all, the Yu family’s overwhelming power and wealth held the allure of potentially altering her fate entirely.

Helian Yu understood all too well the ambitions of such women. A mocking smile tugged at her lips.

She remembered the young female classmate of her son—the girl Xixi had invited out for a meal post-exams.

This time, Xixi didn’t even bother hiding his intentions; he was resolute about pursuing her.

That wretched commoner—what was she but another climber dreaming of soaring to the top?

Targeting Helian Yu’s son? She must have been courting death.

In this world, there were always those sparrows wishing to transform into Phoenixes overnight.

Foolishly ambitious, tragically mortal.

The kneeling woman noticed the distinguished lady toying with the dendrobium leaf in her fingertips. With a vindictive glint in her eyes, the intact leaf was effortlessly shredded into tiny bits by her delicate fingers, scattering onto the ground.

The woman’s frail body trembled uncontrollably.

When the noblewoman’s gaze swept over her, she felt an electric chill run down her spine.

"Do you believe this deep courtyard is easy to survive in? Know this—there will come a day when you won’t even know how you died. Everyone desires the grandeur of wealth, but only those fated to endure it can truly savor it."

The woman sensed that the last line carried extra weight, as though a warning.

Genuinely frightened now, she dropped to her knees and kowtowed fervently. "I beg Madam to spare me!"

Helian Yu smirked faintly. "At least you’re not entirely foolish."

"As you suggested, my sister-in-law handed over the dismissal rights to me, allowing me full autonomy. You’re quite resourceful."

With her primary annoyance resolved, Mei Qingdai’s smile grew visibly relaxed.

"It likely reflects Madam Yu’s empathy for your struggles. Harmony among the Yu sisters-in-law and peaceful family welfare is indeed a blessing."

Helian Yu’s well-chosen compliment deepened Mei Qingdai’s joy.

"You’re delightful company. At the banquet later, sit beside me."

"Thank you, Second Madam."

"You mentioned your husband’s surname is Liu—is it the Liu family I’m familiar with?"

Helian Yu’s eyes flickered momentarily. "Yes, my husband was transferred to Qingzhou as Governor five years ago. He hasn’t achieved much; please forgive us for any shortcomings."

Mei Qingdai sneered dismissively. "Qingzhou, huh? That place is rather far away."

Practically a backwater.

Helian Yu pressed her lips together, lowering her gaze with a docile expression.

Mei Qingdai glanced at her with a sideways look, her gaze seeming to drift past her. Suddenly, she declared, "We seem to have good chemistry. I’ll think of a way to help you."

Helian Yu’s face lit up with an optimally measured excitement. "You have my deepest gratitude, Second Madam."

Mei Qingdai smiled warmly at her.

Helian Yu reached up to her rounded coiffure and removed a decorative hairpin. "I only hope Madam won’t disdain it."

With those words, she placed the ornament into Mei Qingdai’s coiffure.

The hairpin was an intricately carved ivory Phoenix—a stunningly elegant piece.

Mei Qingdai, delighted, murmured, "No need for formalities." She couldn’t resist reaching up to touch it.

Helian Yu discreetly suppressed the smirk tugging at her lips and followed Mei Qingdai into the banquet hall.

Old Madam Yu, the matriarch celebrating her birthday, sat at the place of honor, while Madam Yu bustled about with grace and proficiency.

Just then, a young maiden entered and cheerfully threw herself into Old Madam Yu’s embrace.

"Grandmother, did you miss me today?"

Old Madam Yu’s wrinkled features blossomed into a cheerful smile as she pulled the girl close.

"Oh, my dear little treasure, let Grandmother take a good look at you!"

Helian Yu’s gaze fixed unwaveringly on the maiden. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs n0velfire.net

Mei Qingdai chuckled. "That’s the Yu family’s darling—the apple of Grandmother’s eye."

Helian Yu’s eyes burned with intensity as she replied with a smile, "Miss Yu is composed, sophisticated, and stunning—the leading debutante of Jingzhou, no doubt."

Mei Qingdai sneaked an eye-roll.

Throughout the feast, several noblewomen cracked jokes to entertain Old Madam Yu, discussing topics ranging from the stellar performance of the opera "Locking the Casket of Mythical Beasts" to the juicy scandals of the Leng family’s eldest young master and his new romantic entanglements that had become the talk of Jingzhou.

Old Madam Yu’s gaze cut sharply through the crowd, landing decisively on Helian Yu.

"Mrs. Liu, I greatly appreciate the Nine Dragon Cloud Sea Bottle you sent me."

The room suddenly fell silent.

Mei Qingdai blinked and reflexively glanced at the woman beside her.

Qingzhou—a place with so much wealth to siphon?

Madam Yu offered a soft, kind smile in Helian Yu’s direction.

Helian Yu beamed sweetly. "Old Madam, please call me Little Yu. I’m glad my gift has found favor with you."

The old hag’s comments were deliberate, weren’t they? But since that’s the case, I’ll take full advantage.

Helian Yu paused, her brows lifting playfully as she continued, "Speaking of which, there was another fascinating treasure at the auction that day..."

Mei Qingdai grew intrigued. "What treasure?"

Qingzhou, that insignificant corner of the world, had a treasure she hadn’t seen before?

Helian Yu’s gaze locked onto the old matriarch at the head table, peering into her murky eyes as she enunciated each word clearly. "A legend of love—a moving tale spanning three lifetimes. I dare say, no woman could resist its allure."

Mei Qingdai grew more curious. "What on earth is it?"

Old Madam Yu instinctively frowned.

"It is Qing Country’s Winged Jade Token—an artifact with over a thousand years of history."

"Thud." A pair of chopsticks fell onto the table.

Silence pervaded the room.

Yu Ruohuan glanced at her grandmother beside her; the elderly woman had become oddly still upon hearing those words.