Lin Siqiong was pulled by the hand, her expression hesitant. "But sister…"
"Your sister knows nothing and can't manage such a large Marquis Manor at all. Only you can share my burdens. Surely you don't mean to throw everything on me and let me suffer from overwork?"
"Of course not!" Lin Siqiong hurriedly explained. "I certainly can't bear to see Mother toil. In that case, I'll continue managing things for now. Once sister becomes familiar with the Marquis Manor, I'll gradually return the household authority to her."
Only then did the Marchioness smile with satisfaction. "That's my good daughter."
As she spoke, the Marchioness looked at Yu Youniang. "Youniang, what is your surname? What kind of man is your father? Why isn't he with you?"
"Grandmother, I share the same surname as Mother—Yu! Father has his own matters to attend to and isn't at home!"
The Marchioness frowned, casting a somewhat reproachful look at Yu Tingwan. "Tingwan, marrying outside is one thing, but how could you marry such a man? Even the children take your surname, and he's never home year after year. What use is such a man? When he returns, you must divorce him!"
Hearing the Marchioness speak ill of her father, Yu Youniang became displeased, her little face stern. "Grandmother is biased! Youniang's father is very good! He treats Mother and me wonderfully!
Li'er also follows her aunt's surname. Why doesn't Grandmother say Li'er's father is bad? Why must you say Youniang's father is bad?"
"Li'er's situation is special. She is the future Crown Princess, so naturally she must bear the Lin surname. As for your father… when he returns, I'll meet him first. If he isn't worthy of the Marquis Manor, you must still divorce him. Grandmother will arrange a good marriage for your mother then and find you a good father!"
"I don't want one!" Yu Youniang puffed out her cheeks. "My father is the best father in the world!"
Yu Tingwan also looked resolute. "Mother, I have no intention of divorcing. Youniang's father treats me very well."
The Marchioness grew increasingly dissatisfied.
Yu Youniang was just a child—it was understandable if she couldn't distinguish good from bad—but how could Yu Tingwan be so unreasonable? Who was she doing all this for!
The Marchioness took a deep breath, forcing herself to be patient. "Alright, you've just returned and must be tired. Let Siqiong take you to your courtyard to rest. There's no need to come over at noon. When Yu'er returns in the evening, our family will have a reunion dinner together."
Lin Siqiong had been standing quietly nearby without speaking. Only then did she smile and say, "Mother, just leave sister and Youniang to me. You should rest well!"
Lin Siqiong was inwardly overjoyed. She truly hadn't expected this mother and daughter to be so self-destructive, daring to openly defy the Marchioness's wishes. She only hoped they would continue like this and be driven out of the Marquis Manor sooner!
Thinking this, Lin Siqiong smiled at Yu Tingwan and Yu Youniang. "Sister, Youniang, come. I'll take you to your courtyard."
Yu Tingwan glanced at the Marchioness and saw her looking at Lin Siqiong with approval.
From every angle, the two of them seemed more like mother and daughter, while she was the superfluous one…
Sensing Yu Tingwan's dejection, Yu Youniang squeezed her hand a little tighter. "Mother, Auntie is just as capable as the housekeeper! Don't you think so?"
Yu Tingwan was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but laugh out loud, though she quickly composed herself. "Youniang, don't talk nonsense! How can you compare Auntie to a housekeeper? Let's go see what kind of courtyard Auntie has prepared for us."
"Okay! Auntie is so capable, the courtyard she prepared for us must be the most beautiful! Right, Auntie?"
Lin Siqiong was still upset that Yu Youniang had compared her to a housekeeper, but upon hearing this, she had no choice but to smile and nod. "Yes…"
"Are the flowers inside made of gemstones? Are the trees made of gold? Is the bed carved from white jade?"
As Yu Youniang asked these questions, her eyes sparkled like the brightest stars in the sky.
Lin Siqiong laughed, this time genuinely amused.
Truly a country bumpkin who had never seen the world!
Her mind was filled with nothing but vulgar things!
Did she really think gold, silver, and jade were treasures?
"Youniang, you really know how to joke. Who would use white jade to make a bed? It would be so hard to sleep on! Auntie has prepared fine silk quilts for you…"
As she spoke, Lin Siqiong glanced helplessly at the Marchioness.
The Marchioness kept her expression neutral, but her eyes were filled with disappointment.
Indeed, she grew up in a small place, lacking proper upbringing. At such a young age, her mind was preoccupied with such vulgar things.
Fortunately, she had been brought back now. Hopefully, with time, she could be corrected!
The Marchioness waved her hand weakly. "Siqiong, take them there first."
"Mother, rest well. Once I settle Sister and Youniang, I'll come back to take care of you."
"Siqiong is always the most thoughtful!"
Seeing that neither of them took her words seriously, Yu Youniang let out a long sigh. "I thought the Marquis Manor was very wealthy! Now it seems it's nothing special, not even having these things…"
Lin Siqiong found it increasingly amusing. "Could it be that Youniang has seen these things before?"
"Of course! I have many of them! The Marquis Manor doesn't even have them. Not even a fox fur cloak. The Marquis Manor is so pitiful."
The Marquis Manor pitiful?
Did she even know what she was saying?
And she claimed to have many? In her dreams?
Not only was she materialistic, but she also boasted shamelessly.
Such a country bumpkin wasn't even fit to polish Li'er's shoes!
Even if they were the legitimate bloodline of the Lin Family, so what?
They posed no threat to her and Li'er's status!
The more Lin Siqiong thought about it, the more satisfied she felt. After savoring the Marchioness's disappointed expression one last time, she led Yu Tingwan and Yu Youniang away from the main courtyard.
The vast Marquis Manor was exquisitely built, with carved beams and painted rafters. It featured not only artificial hills and flowing water but also a lotus pond.
Along the way, they encountered many maids and servants.
Whenever these people saw Lin Siqiong, they stopped and bowed respectfully, addressing her as "Miss."
Lin Siqiong maintained a calm expression, but each time a servant bowed, her gaze subtly swept across Yu Tingwan's face.
Seeing that Yu Tingwan kept her head lowered, she concluded that she was disappointed and heartbroken, her eyes growing even more triumphant.
After walking for half an hour, they finally entered a courtyard.
The courtyard was planted with many rare and precious flowers and trees, and the furniture and decorations inside the rooms were also very valuable, with vibrant colors.
Though the items were expensive, they lacked taste, cluttering the entire room haphazardly without any sense of arrangement.
At a glance, it was chaotic and disorganized, clearly a place only a nouveau riche would live in.
Yet everything was undeniably luxurious, leaving no room for criticism.
Lin Siqiong stood in the room, surveying her surroundings with growing satisfaction before saying, "Sister and Youniang, take a look—is there anything you’re not satisfied with? Or anything else you’d like? Just name it, and I’ll make sure it’s arranged for you!"
Only then did she notice that Yu Tingwan and Yu Youniang had already seated themselves at the table.
The two of them were sitting, while she remained standing.
Their faces were full of scrutiny, while hers was all smiles.
After glancing around, Yu Youniang turned to Lin Siqiong with a cheerful grin, "Aunt, Youniang is a little hungry and would like something to eat."
Lin Siqiong had already felt something was off earlier, but now, hearing Yu Youniang’s words, the sense of strangeness grew even stronger.
Why did she suddenly feel like a housekeeper?