Chapter 804: Chapter 337: Adopted Sister (Part 2)
Madam Ping thought Yueyao would be frightened and haggard due to the kidnapping, so she was stunned for a moment when she saw Yueyao looking rosy and in good spirits.
Yueyao performed a formal bow: "If it weren’t for the Marquis and Madam, I don’t know where I would be now. Yueyao will always remember the great kindness of the Marquis and Madam."
Madam Ping went to Yueyao’s side, took her hand, and sat down: "You child, the Marquis and I didn’t do much." Madam Ping really didn’t think they did much, Yueyao escaped on her own, they merely sent people to bring her back.
Madam Ping felt Yueyao was very unfortunate, her troubles were completely unexpected, and the person behind it was too audacious.
Madam Ping helped Yueyao up and asked gently: "Yueyao, think carefully, have you made enemies with anyone?" Luo Shao didn’t tell Madam Ping that Zhou Shu was behind it, not because he intended to hide it, but because he thought it unnecessary. So Madam Ping didn’t think anyone specifically targeted Yueyao; she believed someone wanted revenge on Yueyao.
Yueyao was somewhat surprised, but since Luo Shao hadn’t mentioned it, she didn’t say anything either; after all, predicting fortune through dreams is quite rare. Yueyao lowered her head and whispered: "I don’t know. I don’t even dare to tell my uncle about it."
Madam Ping sighed again: "Fortunately, the matter hasn’t spread, so you don’t need to be afraid."
Xiang Wei stood up after hearing this and said: "Madam, it’s already spreading rapidly outside, and who knows what deep hatred that person has with our girl."
Madam Ping’s face changed dramatically: "What should be done now?" After speaking, her gaze towards Yueyao became even more sympathetic.
Yueyao’s expression was extremely bitter: "It’s unbearable, maybe I should cut my hair and become a nun." Yueyao could act as if nothing was wrong in front of Xiang Wei, but if she showed despair in front of Madam Ping, it would be unwise rather than composed.
Madam Ping couldn’t help saying: "Don’t talk nonsense, life in the temple is hardly easy. Don’t worry, we won’t stand idly by."
Yueyao lowered her head: "The Marquis and Madam are so kind to me; Yueyao doesn’t know how to repay the Marquis and Madam in the future."
Madam Ping patted Yueyao’s hand: "What’s with the talk of repayment, you have helped me quite a bit too. If you indeed wish to repay me, just draw another Picture of Guanyin for Blessing with Children for me." If it weren’t for Yueyao, perhaps she would still be worrying about having children.
Yueyao immediately agreed: "Madam, my mind is not calm lately; I’ll draw for you once it is." An unsettled mind while drawing a Buddha image indicates insincerity and disrespect towards the Bodhisattva.
Madam Ping chuckled: "I was joking with you. You don’t have to draw for me." She already had two sons and a daughter and was content.
Yueyao intended to leave after thanking them, but Madam Ping kept her until noon when Marquis Jingning returned to the mansion.
Marquis Jingning looked at Yueyao’s reddened eyes, but her face lacked weariness; Luo Shao was not as surprised as Madam Ping: "Now the outside world is abuzz with rumors that you were kidnapped, and that you killed three people to escape; are you aware of this?"
Yueyao nodded slightly: "I know."
Luo Shao showed no expression; although young, he had long learned not to reveal his emotions: "How do you plan to respond to this matter?"
Yueyao’s face showed bitter anguish: "I don’t know. If worse comes to worst, I’ll cut my hair and become a nun." She had no power or influence, how could she respond?
Seeing Yueyao’s bitter expression, Luo Shao couldn’t help but smile. Yueyao might be able to hide from others, but not him. This incident didn’t seem to cast a shadow over her at all. Luo Shao was also somewhat surprised at Yueyao’s open-mindedness; she truly was Mr. Yu Shan’s disciple: "I have an idea, what do you think about it?"
Yueyao looked up at Luo Shao: "Marquis, please speak."
Luo Shao, contemplating how Zhou Shu did such audacious things for Yueyao, couldn’t resist scrutinizing Yueyao. Her features were delicate, oval face, slightly upturned nose, her skin whiter than snow, eyes like clear water, exuding a refined and noble aura that would make others feel ashamed and refrain from desecrating.
Madam Ping saw Luo Shao seriously examining Yueyao, her expression changed, but fortunately, she had excellent self-control and suppressed her inner panic.
Xiang Wei coughed twice.
Luo Shao wasn’t mesmerized but genuinely thought Yueyao had an extraordinary aura; even if she was outstanding, he was a family man, having no other thoughts: "I want to take you as my sworn sister, do you agree?"
Yueyao was stunned; she never expected Luo Shao would want to take her as his sworn sister.
Madam Ping was initially taken aback but then smiled in approval. If Yueyao became the Marquis’s sworn sister, it would be the best outcome as what she had worried about would definitely not happen. She liked Yueyao and believed Yueyao wouldn’t become a concubine, but accepting Yueyao as a sworn sister ensured there was no chance of it happening.
Xiang Wei went to Yueyao’s side and nudged her: "Miss, call them now." If Miss acknowledges the Marquis as her sworn brother, she believes Zhou Shu will certainly hold back a bit. Otherwise, Zhou Shu would be directly opposing the Marquis.
Yueyao wasn’t prideful to the point of being ignorant, blushing, she called: "Brother, sister-in-law." Rejecting a protective ally offered to her would be foolish.
Madam Ping smiled warmly in response, preparing to give the red jade bracelet entwined with gold thread from her wrist to Yueyao as a gift.
Upon hearing Yueyao call out, Luo Shao also showed a faint smile: "Madam, please invite a high monk to choose an auspicious date, and we’ll celebrate at the mansion." Luo Shao intended to publicly announce he had taken Yueyao as a sworn sister.
Madam Ping smiled in agreement.
Yueyao knelt on the ground, said to Luo Shao: "Brother, sister-in-law, please accept my bow." After speaking, she bowed her head.
Yueyao was truly grateful to Luo Shao, if prior assistance was merely a gesture, taking her as a sworn sister was a clear show of support, a kindness Yueyao knew she could never repay.
Luo Shao nodded slightly: "Stand up!" Over the years, Yueyao had constantly helped Mingzhu, aiding her to rid of bad habits. To prevent Mingzhu from falling into Duke Ning’s Mansion, she not only advised but also sought favors, owing others. Luo Shao cared for Mingzhu because she was his biological sister, it was his duty, but Yueyao was just an outsider, and it was truly commendable that she cared so much for Mingzhu. Mingzhu’s current well-being owed a large part to Yueyao’s efforts; since Yueyao was in a difficult situation now, he naturally had to help. Yet, as an outsider, his help might be seen as inappropriate without a legitimate reason; taking Yueyao as a sworn sister dispelled any external gossip.