Time Travel: The Noble Family

Chapter 156: Chapter 65: Harsh Reality_3

Yuehuan’s eyes were about to pop out.

Maternal Aunt Su briefly described the Lady Mo family’s personality and disposition. Over the years, seven or eight people had died at the hands of Lady Mo, which showed her ruthlessness. Yuehuan became so frightened that her face turned pale.

Maternal Aunt Su, showing a mournful expression, said, “Let’s not talk about those who have passed away, but just look at Brother Chao. He has been utterly spoiled by Madam; the future of the Eldest Miss is also worrisome. Maternal Auntie doesn’t wish for you and your brother to be extremely rich and noble, only that you grow up safely and peacefully. In a few years, you should be able to marry into a good family; once Brother Lun gets married and moves out, I will be satisfied.”

Yuehuan was still in a daze, not yet recovered from the shock she had just experienced.

Maternal Aunt Su suddenly grasped Yuehuan’s hand and said, “Miss, you must absolutely not get close to the Third Young Lady again. Madam spared you this time because you were previously injured and lost your memory; if there is a next time, Madam will not spare us.”

Yuehuan muttered, “Do I have to be under his control for my entire life?” If this is the case, what kind of life am I leading? It’s like living in the dark without sunlight.

...

Maternal Aunt Su said urgently, “No, no, Miss, just endure a few more years. Once you are married, you will no longer suffer such grievances. Right now you can only bear it.”

Yuehuan fell silent. Imagining was one thing, but the cruel reality before her was another. She needed time to adapt.

Maternal Aunt Su looked at her daughter’s dispirited face, her heart aching as if cut by a knife. If she could, she really wouldn’t want to take this step.

The Personal Maid by Maternal Aunt Su’s side said, “Maternal Auntie, there’s no need to rush this matter,

once the Miss learns her lesson, she will surely listen to Maternal Auntie.” The Maid thought Maternal Aunt Su was acting too hastily, worried it might backfire.

Maternal Aunt Su looked at the flame on the table, the size of a bean, flickering left and right as if it could be extinguished at any moment. Her life was no different, a moment of carelessness and it could be over. She wasn’t afraid of trouble, but she had two children to consider. If she died, what would become of them? She didn’t believe that Lady Mo would treat her children kindly: “I have my limits.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t have time to wait, but that she dared not wait any longer. She knew Madam’s temperament all too well; Madam had to have what she wanted, regardless of the means, even if it meant being unscrupulous. Madam would definitely not give up on the wealth in the hands of the Third Young Lady. There would surely be an internal struggle when the time came.

If it were before the Third Young Lady changed, she was certain that Madam could get the money. But now, Maternal Aunt Su had no confidence. The various things the Third Young Lady did seemed trivial, but each was a precaution against Madam. Being on guard wasn’t terrifying, what was frightening was the young lady’s astuteness.

The residence had hired governesses, teachers, and embroideresses, yet the young lady only chose to learn manners, embroidery, and calligraphy, and didn’t study anything else. On the surface, she was observing mourning, but Maternal Aunt Su could see that the Third Young Lady chose only useful things to learn. Manners were basic, embroidery and calligraphy were just for show. As for Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, and Poetry and Songs, they were nice to look at but not practical, meaning the young lady had already learned to select what was beneficial and discard what was useless.

It’s normal to know how to choose, but for the Third Young Lady to choose like this was abnormal. A talented lady taking an interest in Guqin, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, and Poetry and Songs, was natural. Why would she spend so much effort learning embroidery? The actions of the Third Young Lady were enough to alarm her.

If the Fourth Miss were as before, she wouldn’t worry. But the Fourth Miss had become simpler after her fall. If she got too close to the Third Young Lady, given the latter’s astuteness, she would surely end up selling her daughter, and their lives would still be in Madam’s hands.

Maternal Aunt Su mused to herself, “If only the Third Young Lady hadn’t become clever. If so, Madam could easily get what she wants, and the household would be at peace.”

Maternal Aunt Chen received the news from Yueying and learned that Yueyao had refused. She was greatly disappointed; why couldn’t she just agree? That Mr. Zhu could even teach the pig-headed Lian Tingzheng, he surely could teach Tingchao as well.

On that day, Maternal Aunt Chen went down to the front courtyard to visit Tingchao. But not only did Tingchao ignore Maternal Aunt Chen, he even cursed at her.

The young servant following her secretly told Maternal Aunt Chen that the Third Young Master had gotten into a fight. The teacher was sure to inform the Old Master, and the Third Young Master would definitely be punished.

Maternal Aunt Chen panicked. If the Old Master found out, he was an extremely strict man, and there would undoubtedly be a family discipline waiting. The last time her son was disciplined, he laid in bed for half a month. Another round of family discipline would likely mean another half month in bed, and more importantly, this way her son would eventually be ruined. Maternal Aunt Chen had only her son’s interest in mind; at that moment, she cast aside all caution and went straight to find Yueyao.