Volume One, Chapter 20: The Rumor Takes Effect

"Your father was furious last night because of what happened to you. How should we handle breakfast? Never mind, let me, your mother, teach you how to act."

Madam Yu felt she had imparted all her cunning to her daughter. It remained to be seen whether Shang Runyu could grasp these nuances.

"Tinghe, come in and dress your mistress. Try to make her makeup look weary and pitiful."

With that, Madam Yu left Songya Cottage. She had to go and pacify the Duke.

She hurried back, but when she arrived at the main hall, the Duke was not in his official robes. He sat alone at the head of the table with a grim expression, while his servants stood behind him with their heads bowed.

"My Lord, what is the matter?" Madam Yu asked, feigning ignorance as she approached him affectionately.

After all, the Duke had returned from the palace very late last night, storming straight into his study in a foul mood without saying a word. She had spent a considerable amount of silver to learn from his personal attendant about the rumors circulating in the palace. It was true that Shang Runyu had been careless and had been caught in the act. Once tongues started wagging, even the truth became hard to defend—let alone when there was no defense at all. The rumors outside were growing increasingly vivid.

The Duke snorted coldly and shook off Madam Yu’s hand from his sleeve. "It is all because of the daughter you raised. Listen to what is being said out there, and yet she still has the nerve to sit in her courtyard embroidering."

He had never imagined things would escalate to this extent. Had he known, he would have suppressed the matter entirely.

Madam Yu’s eyes darted around, and she instantly had an idea. She pulled out her handkerchief and began to weep. "My Lord, your words wound me. You know how things were. Yu'er was raised by you personally. You know her character better than anyone, don't you?"

Madam Yu spoke with such refinement that her words alone could soothe one’s agitation. As expected, the Duke’s expression softened, though he remained reluctant to speak. Madam Yu smiled inwardly, feeling more confident.

"My Lord, Yu'er has been exhausted from worrying about Qiong'er these past few days. She even developed a high fever. The physician has prescribed so many doses of medicine. Furthermore, Yu'er told me she felt so guilty toward Qiong'er that she couldn't sleep; she would gladly give her own life to make amends."

Madam Yu spoke with such conviction, her tears flowing freely as she slowly knelt at the Duke's feet. The surrounding servants dared not look up, knowing that overhearing the private affairs of their masters could cost them their lives.

The Duke had always been susceptible to soft words, and his attitude softened further. He helped Madam Yu up, his tone shifting from blame to helpless resignation. "Why are you doing this? If the child made a mistake, she should be the one to make amends. You always spoil them too much."

"My Lord, they are both pieces of my own flesh. I cannot bear to see them suffer. When I saw Yu'er delirious with fever, I wished I could take her place."

Madam Yu was adept at putting on a show, and she had always maintained a reputation for virtue. The Duke used his chopsticks to place food on her plate. "I know you care for the children. Alas, do not blame me; I have been too lax in restraining them."

Shang Yinqiong quietly arrived at the entrance but did not step inside. Her gaze, fixed on Madam Yu, was deep and sharp, as if she could see through everything. She had assumed that given the Duke’s immense fury last night, it would not be easily extinguished today. She hadn't expected Madam Yu’s few words to douse his anger so effectively.

Such cunning indeed. No wonder Shang Runyu was so difficult to deal with; she had inherited her mother’s true craft.

"Father."

Shang Yinqiong would not let Madam Yu have her way so easily. She walked in with a proper, polite smile. As she entered, she curtsied gracefully to both of them.

The Duke’s rare moment of calm vanished, and his expression turned solemn again. He looked at this daughter with a faint, underlying sense of unease, though his paternal pride prevented him from ever acknowledging such feelings.

"Sit."

The Duke spoke, not sparing another glance for Shang Yinqiong. She was used to this and sat in her place naturally, steering the conversation. "Father, I heard the maids and servants gossiping in the residence today, saying..."

She paused deliberately, baiting their interest.

"Saying what?" the Duke prompted.

"Alas, Father, they say that His Majesty scolded you last night for failing to educate your children, and that he has ordered you to stay in the residence to reflect and refrain from attending court for the time being. But I think, given your talent, how could His Majesty be so harsh?"

Shang Yinqiong’s words instantly reignited the Duke’s rage.

His Majesty had indeed ordered him to stay home and skip the morning court sessions. If not for that, he would not have been so furious last night. The Duke slammed his chopsticks onto the table. "I told you to summon the Second Miss. Why has she not arrived yet?"

Madam Yu cast a cold, fleeting glance at Shang Yinqiong. She had truly underestimated her; she was a formidable opponent who could stir the Duke’s anger with just a few words.

Shang Fei walked in, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere, and could not help but mock Shang Yinqiong. "What? You usually only eat in your own little courtyard. You finally decided to come out? If outsiders saw this, they might think our Duke’s mansion treats you poorly."

His words struck exactly where the Duke’s anger lay.

"What is that you are saying? I see you spending your days with those scoundrels, drinking and carousing; you’ve clearly drunk your brains away!"

The Duke grabbed the nearest object and struck Shang Fei hard across the back. Shang Fei, caught completely off guard, could only endure the blows.

Shang Yinqiong’s expression remained unchanged as she continued to sample the breakfast on the table. It did indeed taste better than what was prepared in her small kitchen. She usually avoided dining with them because she could not stand their hypocritical faces, but if coming to the table meant witnessing such a spectacle and causing them such frustration, she was more than willing.

Madam Yu hurriedly restrained the Duke. "My Lord, you mustn't hit him like this. You’ll hurt Fei'er."

"He spends all his time carousing and doesn't know the heights of the heavens! If I don't discipline him now, sooner or later he will bring ruin upon this house!" The Duke panted heavily.

Madam Yu quickly stroked his chest to soothe him. It was at this moment that a coughing sound was heard from outside the door.