How could Yu Ange not long for a mother to guide and nurture her? Unfortunately, her mother had passed away early, leaving behind a lifelong regret. Wei Shuimei’s words were like daggers stabbing straight into her heart—how could she possibly help her?
Seeing that Yu Ange remained unmoved, Wei Shuimei crawled forward on her knees, trying to clutch at the hem of Yu Ange’s robe and plead through tears.
Only if Yu Ange acknowledged those foolish words of hers could she remove the accusation of disrespect toward the Empress.
But before she could even touch Yu Ange, Shang Qingyan, standing nearby, kicked her to the ground.
Wei Shuimei’s hair was now disheveled, her appearance utterly wretched, and a shoe print marked her shoulder—where was even a trace of her former arrogance?
Shang Qingyan looked at Wei Shuimei with disgust. It was fortunate she hadn’t touched Yu Anhe—how filthy that would have been.
Yu Ange was somewhat surprised. “Your Highness…”
Shang Qingyan said to Pan De, “You are from the palace. Handle this according to palace rules.”
Pan De hesitated for a moment before understanding. After all, Wei Shuimei was the wife of an official; she couldn’t be sentenced to hanging over an ambiguous statement. But since it involved the Empress, she had to be severely punished.
Pan De acknowledged the order and then said to Wei Shuimei, “Third Madam Yu, I must offend.”
Wei Shuimei instinctively tried to flee, but the young eunuch behind Pan De swiftly seized her. She had just cried out “Spare me!” when the eunuch stuffed a handkerchief into her mouth, leaving her only able to emit muffled sobs.
Pan De said expressionlessly, “Zhangzui!”
The eunuch’s slap landed immediately, leaving five distinct finger marks on Wei Shuimei’s left cheek. Before she could react, another slap followed.
Her body twisted and struggled incessantly, and terrifying whimpers escaped her mouth, but the eunuch held her firmly in place, ensuring each slap landed precisely.
Shang Qingyan had ordered it handled according to palace rules but hadn’t specified a number, so Pan De did not call for a stop. Slap after slap rained down, causing Xiang Yi and Yu Wanyun, standing nearby, to tremble in fear.
Yu Ange remained a cold observer throughout. As Wei Shuimei’s once-charming face gradually swelled and reddened, becoming truly unsightly, Yu Ange finally said to Shang Qingyan, “Your Highness, my grandmother’s courtyard is this way. Please.”
Shang Qingyan had been ordered to escort Yu Anhe back to the capital to attend to an illness. Now that the person had been delivered, it was only proper to pay a visit to Old Madame Yu to fulfill etiquette. Thus, he followed Yu Ange away from the scene.
Xiang Yi thought for a moment, then tugged at Yu Wanyun and hurried after them.
Shang Qingyan, still injured, walked slowly. As they passed by a courtyard, he suddenly paused. “This courtyard is rather elegant.”
Yu Ange followed his gaze and was momentarily stunned. That was the courtyard she had lived in as a child, its walls covered in vines. Through the wall, she could see lush greenery inside.
Seeing the two fall silent, Xiang Yi mustered her courage and said, “This is the courtyard where the Second Young Miss lived as a child. It’s called Canwei Yuan. She loved eating citrus fruits, and Anhe even planted a citrus tree inside for her.”
Shang Qingyan nodded slightly, looking at the branches extending over the wall, bearing bright yellow citrus fruits.
A faint smile appeared on Yu Ange’s face. Her icy heart was touched by childhood memories, and she even remarked with interest, “The citrus tree in my sister’s courtyard was brought from Huainan. Its fruits are exceptionally sweet. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, I could have a servant pick a few for you to taste?”
Yu Ange was merely being polite. After all, Shang Qingyan was fastidious about cleanliness. Having traveled back to the capital with him, she knew how excessively meticulous he was about food. Unexpectedly, Shang Qingyan replied, “Then let’s have a taste.”
The servants quickly fetched a ladder to pick the fruits, then brought them before Shang Qingyan.
Knowing his peculiarities, Yu Ange washed her hands and carefully peeled the orange for Shang Qingyan, taking great care not to touch the flesh inside.
Shang Qingyan also washed his hands, picked up a segment, and placed it in his mouth. The sweet and sour taste instantly stimulated his taste buds, evoking some distant memories.
After swallowing, Shang Qingyan glanced at the courtyard and remarked casually, “The swing in the yard hasn’t been taken down, has it?”
Xiang Yi found this strange but replied, “No, it hasn’t.”
Yu Ange was surprised. “How does Your Highness know there’s a swing in my sister’s courtyard?”
There was indeed a swing in her courtyard, one she had built with her brother.
Shang Qingyan placed the last segment of orange in his mouth and leisurely walked forward. “Isn’t it normal for a young lady’s courtyard to have a swing?”
This might be true for others, but when Yu Ange built the swing back then, it wasn’t for play.
She vaguely remembered that the swing was built to swing high enough to see someone outside the wall, but she couldn’t recall exactly who that someone was.
After lingering outside Canwei Yuan for a while, Shang Qingyan and Yu Ange finally arrived. Old Madame Yu had already learned of the commotion in the front courtyard. Pounding the edge of her bed in anger, she cursed, “I always said that those two siblings were born to bring misfortune! They caused their mother’s death, and now, barely back home, they’ve already brought harm to Shuimei! Am I next?”
Wei Shuimei was Old Madame Yu’s niece from her maternal family. Old Madame Yu had always doted on her, even allowing her to manage the household affairs over Xiang Yi.
Now that Wei Shuimei was in trouble, Old Madame Yu was both anxious and furious. However, she dared not direct her resentment toward Shang Qingyan, so she vented her anger on the Yu siblings instead.
Nanny Qi, standing nearby, said, “Madame, when His Highness arrives, you must plead for Third Madam. The palace punishment of Zhangzui can be fatal.”
Old Madame Yu, who had been cursing vehemently moments before, fell silent at the mention of pleading.
Her background was humble, and she had never seen much of the world, let alone interacted with members of the royal family. Though she was distressed about Wei Shuimei, she dared not speak up rashly for fear of bringing trouble upon herself.
Nanny Qi grew anxious. “Madame, as a woman, it may not be appropriate for you to plead. Why not summon Third Master quickly? He serves in the court and has some standing.”
Old Madame Yu said, “Then go quickly!”
Nanny Qi hurriedly sent someone to fetch Third Master Yu home.
At this moment, Shang Qingyan and Yu Ange arrived at Shouchuntang, where Old Madame Yu was assisted out by her maidservants.
Old Madame Yu had originally been General Yu’s concubine. After the primary wife passed away, she was elevated to the position of principal wife by virtue of bearing two sons. However, the Gaoming title of the Yu family did not belong to her but to Yu Ting’s deceased mother, Yu Ange’s biological grandmother.
Thus, despite her advanced age and being “ill,” Old Madame Yu still had to come out to pay her respects when Nanchuanwang, a member of the royal family, arrived.
Shang Qingyan sat in the seat of honor and waited until Old Madame Yu half-kneeled before speaking slowly, “Please rise, Old Madame Yu.”
Old Madame Yu trembled as she stood up but dared not take a seat.
Shang Qingyan inquired politely, “How has Old Madame Yu’s health been lately?”
Old Madame Yu replied, “This old body is plagued with illness in my old age. I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s and Your Highness’s consideration in bringing Anhe back to attend to me. I am truly moved by such heavenly grace.”
As she spoke, Old Madame Yu glanced at Yu Ange, who was seated beside Shang Qingyan, and couldn’t help but curse her inwardly for her lack of manners. Here she was, the grandmother, still standing, while Yu Ange sat there openly.
But her face was full of kindness and affection as she said to Yu Ange, “Your father is truly heartless, taking you to the border at such a young age. All these years, he hasn’t returned, and he hasn’t even let you come back to see your grandmother. I’ve missed you and your brother so much that I couldn’t sleep at night, and my health has grown weaker and weaker.”
Halfway through her words, Old Madame Yu even dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.