On Liu Yanran’s side, she held a handkerchief over her face and cried, her tears so abundant that the cloth was soaked through.
Yu Yuan watched his Biao Mei cry so pitifully. Unconsciously, a spark of anger rose in his heart, convinced that Yu Luo was deliberately bullying Liu Yanran.
Liu Yanran choked out the story, and her maid, Cai Die, supported her words: “Even about this matter, Eldest Young Master can see how miserable our miss has lived in the residence. Normally, she cannot even eat a simple vegetable dish. Yesterday, she merely ate one extra dish, and today the Eldest Miss humiliated her in front of the Madam.”
At that moment, Yu Che also returned from outside, just in time to hear Cai Die’s words.
Yu Che frowned and comforted Liu Yanran in a gentle voice: “Alright, Yan’er, don’t cry anymore. If you keep crying, your eyes will swell. You are also a lady of the residence. Whatever is hers here belongs to you as well. Don’t be upset over such a trivial matter.”
Liu Yanran sobbed, “I’m going to pack my things and go home today. I refuse to live this life of depending on others any longer.”
Seeing her so heartbroken, Yu Che quickly sent someone to fetch Yu Luo, asking her to apologize to Liu Yanran.
Liu Yanran, with the handkerchief covering her face, unconsciously curled her lips into a slight smile.
She knew how much Eldest Miss Yu admired the two brothers.
In Eldest Miss Yu’s heart, these two brothers, capable in both literature and martial skills, were her most revered figures.
Even if it was just to leave a good impression on them and clear up all misunderstandings, she would come.
As long as Yu Luo came, regardless of whose fault it was, Yu Yuan and Yu Che would scold her thoroughly.
After a short while, the servant sent by Yu Yuan to summon Yu Luo returned.
The servant reported, “Eldest Miss said she’s feeling unwell and doesn’t want to go out today. She will come to Eldest Young Master another time when she has time.”
Liu Yanran was stunned.
It was her first time seeing Eldest Miss Yu refuse an invitation from Yu Yuan.
In the past, whenever Yu Yuan invited Eldest Miss Yu, even if she were deathly ill, she would happily dress up and come over to Yu Yuan’s side to join in.
Yu Yuan did not believe it: “Are you sure the message reached Eldest Miss’s ears?”
The servant nodded: “I did convey the message. Eldest Miss personally said she does not want to come.”
Yu Yuan did not understand why Yu Luo would refuse even his invitation.
He waved his hand for the servant to leave: “I will personally go see Luo’er later.”
Liu Yanran’s scheme had completely failed. No matter how much she cried, Yu Luo would not come.
After sobbing for a while, she had no choice but to return with Yu Che.
Later that evening, Yu Luo suddenly realized something very important.
She had arranged for the male lead to stay in Wenhua Pavilion. It was said that Wenhua Pavilion was haunted. Whether this was true or not, the purpose of sending the male lead there was to ease the tension between them and lessen his hatred toward her.
Even if there really were ghosts, with the male lead’s strong aura, there was no need to worry about him being harmed.
But what if he misunderstood?
Wouldn’t she be making things worse, adding fuel to the fire?
Thinking of this, Yu Luo felt a rising sense of urgency.
She tilted on the couch, thinking for a moment: “Is there a lamp that’s not being used? Bring one here for me.”
Soon, Ziming brought a glass palace lamp.
Yu Luo pointed to the table beside her: “Place it here for now. I have something to instruct Li Zhao about. Call him here.”
Ziming immediately went to carry out the order.
News of the kitchen personnel changes quickly spread throughout the residence. Originally, Madam Zheng had been in charge of many things, but now the obedient and honest Madam Bai took over.
All the other staff lost their positions and were expelled from the Yu Family Residence.
These women had once been quite prestigious in the Yu Family Residence, being able to speak in front of their masters. Now, as they were kicked out, they were utterly humiliated; their former dignity had vanished completely.
Those who had been bullied by them in the past came to watch the spectacle.
After the kitchen change, the other servants in the Yu Family Residence became alert.
Previously, they had thought Eldest Miss Yu would eventually marry out, and Biao Xiaojie Liu Yanran might marry one of their masters, becoming a future Noble Madam. So, they flattered Liu Yanran and only half-heartedly dealt with Eldest Miss Yu.
Now it seemed that the current mistress held more power than the future one.
After the kitchen change, Madam Bai quickly prepared a crab roe cake and eagerly sent it to Yu Luo.
Yu Yuan waited all evening but did not receive Yu Luo’s explanation. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he went to Jishui Courtyard where Yu Luo stayed.
As soon as he arrived at the gate, Yu Yuan had a little maid who did outdoor labor report in.
The little maid first informed Bitong, who then relayed the message to Yu Luo.
Yu Luo knew Yu Yuan had come to confront her.
He had made their beloved “green tea little treasure” cry; she could not let him scold her directly.
Yu Luo said, “Just tell him I am resting. I am not feeling well and am not seeing anyone at this time.”
Hearing this, Bitong was somewhat pleased.
Eldest Miss had finally regained clarity.
Previously, Bitong had watched Eldest Miss act like a clown, following behind the two young masters. Their little servants secretly mocked Eldest Miss, saying she licked their masters like a dog, while also ridiculing Bitong and Ziming. This had made Bitong very unhappy.
After going out, Bitong repeated Yu Luo’s words.
Yu Yuan could not believe he would be refused by Yu Luo: “Luo’er refuses to see me?”
“It’s not refusal; Eldest Miss is unwell and cannot see anyone right now. Eldest Young Master may come another day,” Bitong explained.
Yu Yuan said, “I want to clarify. Let me in.”
“Even siblings have times when they should avoid awkwardness,” Bitong said. “Eldest Miss is not dressed right now.”
Yu Yuan was ignored by Yu Luo for the first time. He felt inexplicably annoyed.
But since Bitong had spoken this far, he had no choice but to leave.
Not far from there, Yu Yuan saw a guard with Ziming heading toward Jishui Courtyard.
He casually asked, and Ziming replied: “Eldest Miss has something for Guard Li to handle, and specifically had me summon him.”
Yu Yuan was taken aback and unconsciously grew angry.
Yu Luo would not see him, yet she would meet a lowly guard?
If it was a matter of avoiding awkwardness, the one who should avoid it was this guard, wasn’t it?
Yu Yuan sneered: “If she has something to do, why won’t she ask her brother for help, and instead sends a lowly servant?”
Li Xiao glanced at him coldly.
Ziming said, “In the past, when Eldest Miss asked Eldest Young Master to do something, Eldest Young Master was always impatient, saying he had to care for Biao Xiaojie and could not attend to our miss. Today, since Biao Xiaojie is in a bad mood, Eldest Young Master only needs to accompany her properly. Eldest Miss has her own matters, so she did not dare trouble you.”
Ziming was indeed speaking the truth.
In the past, when Eldest Miss Yu requested help from Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master, they had always prioritized Liu Yanran and rarely paid attention to their own sister.