Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1216 - 512: The Outbreak of War (Part 1)

Maternal Aunt Gao looked at Yueyao, her eyes flashed with jealousy.

Yueyao was at home in casual attire, wearing a simple light purple Mandarin Duck Brocade Crescent Long Skirt, her hair in a simple Flying Moon Bun, with a Jeweled Blue and Emerald Peacock Hanging Hairpin slanted in it. The tassels of tiny pearls swayed gently with her steps, making her look exceptionally beautiful.

Usually, Yueyao didn’t wear jewelry at home, but Gu You had said a few words to her when she was going out today. Regardless, this was not her own home, and she had to mind her appearance. So when going out, Yueyao put on the peacock hairpin aligned with Gu You’s suggestion. The hairpin suited Yueyao’s temperament, adding the finishing touch.

Maternal Aunt Gao was in her prime at sixteen, the best years of her life. Normally, she was inexplicably confident in front of Mingzhu, because Mingzhu was not only aging but also a termagant. If not for her good family background, the Old Master would have long despised her. Yet now, standing in front of Yueyao, observing her effortless grace and elegance, she felt inexplicably ashamed, as if no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t compare to the person before her, even if that person was older than her.

Yueyao sensed the malicious gaze from Maternal Aunt Gao, frowned slightly, and said, "Brother-in-law, my sister and I will leave first, you can take your time browsing with her!" After speaking, she pulled Mingzhu away.

Niu Yanghui wasn’t oblivious; he could sense Yueyao’s dislike, and he smiled, saying, "Alright." He sighed inwardly, thinking, oh dear, there’s probably going to be another argument tonight.

Yueyao saw Mingzhu’s face turn a mix of blue and purple, led her back to her own courtyard, and after Mingzhu calmed down, she asked, "Just what is up with this Maternal Aunt Gao? Wasn’t it said before that her background was unclean? Why was she raised to the status of an auntie?"

Mingzhu clenched her fists tightly but said nothing.

Yueyao sighed softly, "I normally shouldn’t meddle in these matters. After all, it’s your family business. But looking at you now, if you don’t resolve the resentment in your heart, in the end, someone else will benefit." Yueyao typically wasn’t someone who meddled in others’ business. Previously, Mingzhu didn’t say anything, so she didn’t ask. But now, this matter seemed more serious than she had imagined.

Hearing this, Mingzhu hugged Yueyao and started to cry.

Yueyao gently patted her, said nothing, and let Mingzhu cry until she was exhausted, crying hysterically.

Gu You brought some water, and Yueyao wrung out a towel and handed it to Mingzhu, saying, "Wipe your face first, speak slowly, and don’t keep it pent up inside."

Mingzhu took the towel, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Yueyao, I’m sorry you had to see me like this." The frustration had been bottled up for too long.

Yueyao spoke softly, "There’s no need for formalities between us. Tell me, what’s really going on?" This matter wasn’t simple, it seemed.

Mingzhu wiped her face clean and said, "That Maternal Aunt Gao was originally a woman sent by Governor of Jiangnan Xue Qingyang. It’s common in official circles to exchange women, but this was the first time for me. I planned to send this woman away at first, but my husband said that since she was sent by the Provincial Governor, sending her away immediately would certainly offend him. Moreover, he said that this woman might be a plant by Xue Qingyang, and if we sent one away, surely another would come. So, it would be better to keep her. In the end, I had to compromise and let her stay.

Yueyao also knew that exchanging women among officials was a usual pastime for them. As for whether she was a plant, that would depend on the circumstances: "Since she’s an auntie, why did Niu Yanghui use her as well and elevate her to the status of an auntie?"

Mingzhu’s hands trembled slightly.

Yueyao held Mingzhu’s hand and asked softly, "Did that woman climb into Niu Yanghui’s bed when you went to Hangzhou?"

Mingzhu shook her head, "No, it was when I was physically indisposed. When I found out about this, I had a huge argument with him, and we’ve been frequently quarreling since then."

Yueyao was forming words in her mind, thinking of how to console her. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Mingzhu smiled bitterly, "The nanny has been advising me, saying that it’s common for men to have three wives and four concubines. Later, I asked him if he wanted to elevate that woman to auntie status, and he nodded. Yueyao, you don’t know how dazed I was at that moment. I remembered what you told me when I came to Suzhou, added to the constant advice from the nanny, so I’ve been holding it in, very painfully. Yueyao, I’m really worried that one day I won’t be able to bear it any longer."

Yueyao seated Mingzhu in front of the dressing table, took the ornaments from her hair, then took a poplar wood comb from the dressing table to comb her hair. After arranging her hair, Yueyao took a blue hairband from Gu You and tied Mingzhu’s long black hair.