Chapter 803: 337 Stepsister
Yueyao returned to Ma’s Mansion and glanced at the scattered sunlight with a touch of regret. The view in the Inner Courtyard was too narrow; if she were outdoors now, the scenery under the setting sun would be exceedingly beautiful.
Yueyao rested for a while, took up a book, and continued to recite poetry under the apricot tree. The only solace for Yueyao now was her good memory. Although not to the extent of photographic memory, she could memorize a poem after two or three readings.
The dinner was sumptuous, consisting of Steamed Perch, spicy lion’s head meatballs, eight-treasure diced rabbit, stir-fried baby bok choy, and Sour Vegetable Pork Rib and Bitter Bamboo Shoots Pot soup.
Seeing Yueyao looking at the dishes on the table, Xi Yu explained, "Sister Xiang Wei said Miss has been overworking recently and needs to nourish herself well."
Yueyao smiled faintly without saying much. After dinner, just as she was about to take a walk in the courtyard to aid digestion, she saw Ding Xiang, the maid from Ma Chengteng’s study, hurriedly coming over, "Miss, the Old Master asks for you in the study, he says it’s urgent."
Upon her arrival in the study, Yueyao, seeing Ma Chengteng’s grim expression, asked, "Uncle, what has happened?" A bad premonition welled up in Yueyao’s heart.
Ma Chengteng, looking at Yueyao’s rosy cheeks, slightly relaxed his mood, "Yueyao, are you hiding something from your uncle?"
Yueyao appeared surprised, "Uncle, why would you ask that?"
Ma Chengteng, reminded of the rumors outside and his anger rising, elaborated, "Yueyao, it’s being said everywhere that you were kidnapped, and those villains killed all your guards." Observing Yueyao’s healthy demeanor, he was convinced that these were definitely slanders against Yueyao.
Yueyao’s face turned pale immediately, "Uncle, I have been properly at the manor all the while, why would such rumors spread?"
Ma Chengteng, looking at Yueyao’s expression, his face filled with annoyance, reassured, "Yueyao, rest assured, your uncle will definitely catch whoever is behind this." Ma Chengteng had already sent people to investigate; he intended to see what the mastermind was truly up to.
Yueyao, with a grim face, returned to the Begonia Garden, dismissed everyone, and relayed the matter to Xiang Wei, "It seems Zhou Shu wants to make it impossible for me to make a stand in the Capital City." By ruining her reputation and making it impossible for her to stay in the Capital City, it would naturally be easier to make a move against her.
Xiang Wei gasped, "Despicable, utterly killable."
Yueyao too clenched her teeth, "Now is not the time to talk about this. Xiang Wei, go out now and spread this matter even more exaggeratedly." Yueyao meant to also include the part where she was kidnapped and then killed someone in her escape process.
Xiang Wei somewhat confused, "Miss, this isn’t appropriate. Even if we need to remove Zhou Shu, we shouldn’t use such methods." This approach was akin to harming oneself greatly while trying to harm the enemy.
Yueyao showed a harsh expression, "No. You and I know it’s true, but others will not believe it." Sometimes, the truth could ironically breed doubt. Because no one would believe that she could kill, let alone do it so cleanly.
Xiang Wei felt it was quite risky.
Yueyao smiled, "Xiang Wei, Zhou Shu is a madman. If we dwell too much on our concerns, he will undoubtedly manipulate us. Xiang Wei, you must understand, if I had actually been kidnapped and killed someone, how could I remain so composed?" Even her uncle believed it to be a rumor given her calm demeanor.
Yueyao wasn’t deliberately hiding it from Ma Chengteng, rather, this was a situation where Ma Chengteng couldn’t help. On the contrary, keeping Ma Chengteng in the dark provided him the confidence to investigate, further convincing people that these were mere slanders.
Xiang Wei nodded briskly, "Alright."
Early the next morning, Ah San heard the rumors circulating outside and immediately reported to Zhou Shu, "Master, it’s unclear who concocted this thing." The rumors that spread yesterday had fresh content today, and it was entirely plausible. Ah San had a feeling that this matter was highly likely linked to the Third Miss of the Lian Family.
Zhou Shu, with a solemn face, said, "Unexpectedly, she got wind of it so quickly and reacted so promptly, I truly underestimated her." Zhou Shu felt the Yueyao he had seen seemed not to be the same as the one in reality. The Yueyao he had observed seemed pure as ice and jade, seemingly untouched by worldly dust, yet the real Yueyao was not only ruthless but also shrewd and resolute. A very contradictory person, but so vividly real.
Ah San whispered, "Master, let’s drop it, please!" Ah San was somewhat scared of such a ruthless person.
Zhou Shu intoned, "No matter, let’s watch and wait."
Meanwhile, Yueyao was already on her way to Marquis Jingning’s Residence. She was supposed to go there yesterday but had postponed it by a day due to visiting Mingzhu.