Yu Tingwan followed the Marchioness back to the main courtyard.
The Marchioness sat upright in the main seat, with Lin Siqiong standing intimately by her side. Both wore smiles as they looked at Yu Tingwan.
"Tingwan! Among the things I mentioned earlier, is there anything you particularly like? At your age, you certainly can't be as well-rounded and proficient in everything as Siqiong. Just pick one or two to learn!"
Yu Tingwan frowned slightly. "Mother, must I learn?"
Before the Marchioness could finish, Lin Siqiong spoke up with a smile, "Sister, do you not want to learn? But these are essential skills for a woman to establish herself. If you don't know any… you'll be laughed at. It might have been fine when you were outside, but now that you've returned to the Marquis Manor, you represent its dignity. Perhaps you should still learn!"
"Siqiong is right!" the Marchioness nodded. "What kind of impression would it give if you learn nothing? Even if you don't consider the Marquis Manor, you should think of Youning—she's your own daughter. Don't you want to set a good example for her? Or do you want her to end up like you in the future?"
"What do you mean by that, Mother? Like me in what way? Do you also think I'm an embarrassment? Then why did you bring me back?"
Yu Tingwan's voice was soft and gentle, but her tone carried a hint of accusation, which grated on the Marchioness's ears.
"You! Are you blaming me? Blaming me for losing you? Or blaming me for bringing you back?"
As she spoke, the Marchioness clutched her chest, as if she might faint at any moment, her eyes brimming with tears.
"As soon as I found you, I brought you back immediately. Was that wrong? This isn't like finding a long-lost daughter—it's more like bringing back an enemy!"
Lin Siqiong hurriedly patted the Marchioness's back to soothe her, not forgetting to speak to Yu Tingwan, "Sister, look how you've upset Mother. Stop talking now and apologize to her quickly!"
Don't apologize! Keep going! It would be best if you could make the Marchioness faint from anger and get kicked out of the manor directly!
Seeing the Marchioness like this, Yu Tingwan sighed inwardly and finally softened her tone. "Mother, I spoke too harshly just now. Since you want me to learn, I'll start by learning Household Management."
Lin Siqiong's face, which had been smiling, lost a third of its brightness upon hearing Yu Tingwan's words. "Sister wants to learn Household Management?"
"What?" Yu Tingwan's tone rose slightly. "Is that not allowed? Didn't Mother just say I could learn whatever I wanted? This is what I want to learn."
The Marchioness sighed. "Yes, I said you could learn whatever you want. Then start with Household Management. It just so happens that the servants in the manor need summer clothes. Leave this matter to your sister."
No matter how unwilling Lin Siqiong felt, she could only comply at this moment. "Alright, then I'll listen to Mother. I'll find the Roster of the manor's servants and the Precedent from previous years and send them to Sister later."
Yu Tingwan stood up. "In that case, Mother, I'll return to my courtyard and wait."
"Go ahead, go ahead!" The Marchioness felt she needed some time to recover.
Just yesterday, she thought this newly found biological daughter was delicate and fragile, like a little white flower. Who would have thought she could be so infuriating and sharp-tongued when speaking—she certainly has a temper.
Lin Siqiong watched Yu Tingwan's retreating figure, her eyes dark with hidden currents.
To think she would try to seize her household management authority as soon as she returned—simply courting death!
Upon returning to her courtyard, Yu Tingwan had just sat down at the table when a black figure flipped in through the window, landing silently before her.
"Young Miss."
Hearing Xuanwu's deep, resonant voice, Yu Tingwan smiled faintly. "You're quite fast. What have you found?"
"Others don't know the inside story, but the midwife who attended the Marchioness's delivery back then disappeared after leaving the Marquis Manor. Her whereabouts remain unknown to this day. I am currently working hard to trace her."
"Then investigate thoroughly. This Lin Siqiong doesn't seem unaware of her true origins. I want to know what exactly happened back then."
"Yes!"
A gentle breeze swept through, and Xuanwu vanished from the spot, leaving Yu Tingwan sitting there alone, quiet and still, like a little white flower blooming silently.
"I wonder how Youning is doing at the Imperial Academy, whether she's caused any trouble…"
As soon as the carriage stopped outside the Imperial Academy, Lin Ruoli immediately stood up, walked past Yu Youniang without a sideways glance, and gracefully alighted from the carriage.
"Li'er, have we arrived? Wait for me!"
As she spoke, Yu Youniang hurriedly followed her out of the carriage.
Yu Youniang had just steadied herself on the ground when she heard someone ask in a haughty and disdainful tone, "Li'er, who is this? How did she come down from your carriage?"
Yu Youniang looked toward the voice and saw a richly dressed boy speaking.
The boy appeared to be only six or seven years old, with fair skin and delicate features, but his expression was extremely arrogant.
Lin Ruoli cast an indifferent glance at Yu Youniang before replying in an emotionless tone, "Young Master, her name is Yu Youniang. She is the daughter of the eldest daughter of Yong'an Marquis Manor."
"What?" Zhai Heming looked utterly confused. "Li'er, what are you saying? Isn't the eldest daughter of Yong'an Marquis Manor your mother? Doesn't your mother only have you as her daughter?"
"My mother was switched at birth. Yesterday, my grandmother had someone find her biological daughter and brought her back to Yong'an Marquis Manor."
Zhai Heming immediately looked at Lin Ruoli with concern. "Li'er, what about you and your mother? Have you been mistreated?"
"Of course not." Though Lin Ruoli's face showed no expression, her eyes were haughty and triumphant. "Even if my mother isn't the biological eldest daughter of Yong'an Marquis Manor, so what?"
"Exactly! Li'er, you are the chosen one, the destined Crown Princess. Right now, it's Yong'an Marquis Manor trying to curry favor with you, not the other way around. They wouldn't dare treat you poorly."
"Young Master, you shouldn't say that. My grandfather, grandmother, and uncle have all been very kind to me." Lin Ruoli corrected him earnestly.
Zhai Heming smiled sheepishly and scratched his head. "Li'er, I misspoke! With Li'er being so likable, of course they treat you well!"
With that, Zhai Heming turned to Yu Youniang again. "Hey! I'm talking to you! What's your name?"
"My name is Yu Youniang," Yu Youniang replied seriously.
My master said that if someone asks for my name, I must answer properly.
"Yu Youniang?" Zhai Heming repeated, looking thoughtful. "There are no Yu families in the capital, so I suppose your father isn't someone of any importance. Don't tell me he's some foul-smelling, down-and-out nobody? I'm warning you, don't think you're special just because you have the blood of Yong'an Marquis Manor. If you dare bully Li'er, I'll be the first to make you pay!"