"Father, the gifts that Seventh Sister sent to my courtyard today are the same as those given to the lesser-born daughters. I can't stand it—how could I, the legitimate daughter, be treated the same as those lowly girls?"
"Who does she think she’s looking down on? If she doesn’t have anything good to give, she shouldn’t bother sending anything at all. To send such—"
Slap!
Before she could finish, Yu Ningrong’s face was struck with a heavy blow.
For a moment, Yu Ningrong stood frozen in shock. She knew her father hadn’t doted on her as much as he used to this past year, but overall, he still cherished her.
She never imagined that just one sentence would make her father, who had never once raised a hand against her in her entire life, strike her.
Yu Ningrong couldn’t accept it. After the initial panic and confusion faded, fury took over. Her eyes reddened as she cried, "Father, you actually hit me! You hit me because of someone else! Wuwuwu..."
Yu Mochun withdrew his hand, his expression icy. Ignoring her tantrum, he said coldly, "Yu Ningrong, I’ve indulged you too much, letting you grow increasingly arrogant, forgetting propriety and respect."
He then turned his frigid gaze to Madam Bao. "Madam Bao, if you can’t discipline our daughter properly, I will take matters into my own hands. I won’t let her bring disaster upon this family once she’s married. If that’s the case, it’s better to send her to the family temple early."
At the mention of the family temple, both mother and daughter shuddered in fear.
Yu Ningrong shrieked, "No! I won’t go there! I’m the legitimate daughter of the Yu family—I refuse to be sent to that wretched place meant for the lowborn! I—"
In an instant, Madam Bao went from gently caressing her daughter’s injured cheek to clamping a hand over her mouth.
Turning to Fourth Master Yu, she said, "Fourth Master, Rong’er is still young and speaks without thinking. I will teach her properly and ensure she doesn’t cause trouble for the family."
Fourth Master Yu responded indifferently, "That would be for the best. Otherwise, this household is too small to contain her."
As if remembering something, he added pointedly, "Madam, don’t just focus on cleaning up Eighth Daughter’s messes. Think about the futures of Brother Yang and Brother Chen.
You know very well where their prospects lie. As their father, I can’t offer them much support, but being born into the Yu family in these times is already their greatest fortune.
This is something countless people envy. Don’t let their sister ruin it for them."
Though his words were veiled, Madam Bao, a seasoned player in household politics, understood the implications perfectly.
Her grip on her daughter loosened slightly. No matter how much she cherished her daughter, the girl would eventually marry out.
She had no intention of selling her daughter to pave the way for her sons, but she couldn’t let her daughter ruin their bright futures either.
If this daughter married into a family only to sow discord instead of forging ties, it would be disastrous. Initially, she and her husband had considered marrying Yu Ningrong into a modest family with a generous dowry, so her status and wealth would earn her some leniency.
But now, with that esteemed presence in the household, their children’s marriage prospects had soared. Recently, only prestigious families had come to propose matches.
With better options available, Madam Bao was reluctant to settle Yu Ningrong into an ordinary household.
But if Yu Ningrong didn’t change her temperament, marrying into such a family would only bring misfortune—both to herself and the Yu family.
Worse yet, the root of her anger was directed at that person—inviting calamity upon their fourth branch!
Her two sons’ futures still depended on the goodwill of this Seventh Sister!
When that person first arrived, their fourth branch had already offended her. Now that she wasn’t holding a grudge, they should be counting their blessings.
If the elders—the Old Master and Old Madam—found out about Yu Ningrong’s behavior, their entire branch might be cast out to fend for themselves.
Everyone knew that in Dayan, even the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress treated that person with reverence. The Crown Prince visited frequently.
Bound by the imperial gag order, Madam Bao couldn’t reveal the truth to her daughter. But given the royal family’s open favor, an eight-year-old with any sense should have realized something!
How did Yu Ningrong have the audacity to complain about the gifts while still accepting them?
Even Madam Bao, born into a wealthy merchant family, recognized the value of the presents from the Moonlight Pavilion. How could Yu Ningrong dare to scorn them?
Madam Bao withdrew her hand completely, her expression cooling. "Rong’er, you’re nearly a grown woman.
In two years, you’ll be of marriageable age. If you still don’t understand what’s appropriate, what kind of family do you think will take you?"
Yu Ningrong, still oblivious to her mother’s growing detachment, retorted defiantly, "I’m the legitimate daughter of the Yu family! How could I possibly marry beneath some outsider?
Grandmother is one thing, but Grandfather is my own blood! How could he be so biased, caring only for an outsider!"
Outsider?
Anyone who dared call that person from the Moonlight Pavilion an "outsider" in front of the Old Master and Old Madam would find themselves cast out.
Was Eighth Daughter courting death?
Did she think the story about Madame Sun giving birth to that person was just a cover? Those who could hear the truth knew better!
"Outsider" was a forbidden term in the Yu household—yet her daughter had the gall to say it aloud, even criticizing the Old Master and Old Madam!
Her husband was right. This girl had been spoiled beyond reason, losing all sense of her place in the world.
Before Yu Mochun could erupt, Madam Bao said firmly, "Fourth Master is correct. This child has been indulged into utter impropriety. Rong’er must relearn her manners.
Tomorrow, I will seek Madam’s permission to hire a strict governess to teach her proper decorum and respect."
Yu Mochun nodded. "From now on, Eighth Daughter is confined to her quarters. She won’t step outside until she’s learned her place and won’t bring shame upon us."
This was effectively house arrest. Yu Ningrong protested immediately, "Father, I still have to pay respects to Grandmother—"
Madam Bao cut her off. "Tomorrow, I will inform your grandmother to excuse you from morning greetings. Eighth Daughter, you will stay in your courtyard and focus on your lessons."
"Mother, no! I promised Miss Liu, the fifth daughter of the Censor Liu household, that I would visit her!"
Yu Ningrong finally began to panic. Miss Liu was the highest-ranking young lady she had managed to befriend—and the girl had sought her out first. She had bragged about it endlessly to her sisters.
Madam Bao said sternly, "I will send someone to Censor Liu’s residence to explain. You needn’t worry about it. Learning proper conduct is far more important."
Yu Mochun looked at his daughter, who still didn’t grasp her mistake, and suddenly felt weary. Rising to leave, he said flatly, "Eighth Daughter, your father is a commoner without an official title. Your mother is a merchant’s daughter."
"And those daughters from the main and third branches of the family whom you look down upon—their fathers hold positions no lower than fourth-rank officials. If it weren't for your grandfather's backing, if it weren't for the Yu family's influence, the daughter of Censor Liu wouldn't even spare you a second glance.
You'd better stay in this courtyard and think carefully—reflect deeply on where your current status and position truly come from!"
