Chapter 244: Caught Red-Handed

 Chapter 244: Caught Red-Handed

The servants of the Yan family had always known about Daohua’s formidable nature, but while they showed respect on the surface, they didn’t feel much fear in their hearts.

There was a simple reason for this: Daohua was usually very kind to the servants, always giving instructions in a calm and gentle manner, rarely resorting to scolding or punishment.

Serving in Daohua’s pavilion was considered the easiest, most comfortable job in the Yan residence.

However, this time, the expulsion of Aunt Ren and her son made everyone truly realize how powerful the eldest young miss of the Yan family was.

Watching Aunt Ren being silenced and dragged away, the main courtyard was deathly quiet. The servants lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound. Even Ping Tong and Ping Xiao were stunned by Daohua’s sudden outburst of anger.

Feeling the fearful gazes from all around, with the scorching sun above her head, the fire in Daohua’s chest would not subside.

These days, the worry about her big brother and the others, the exhaustion from caring for her grandmother and the others, and the mental fatigue from dealing with various trivial matters had already stretched her emotions to the breaking point.

At this moment, she was in a state where even the slightest spark could set her off.

Unfortunately, someone had to provoke her.

Aunt Ren was a mere pawn, but it was the people from Shuangxin Courtyard who had truly started the rumors in the Yan residence.

Thinking about how her big brothers’ fates were still uncertain, how her grandmother and mother were both bedridden, while the people from Shuangxin Courtyard were entertaining relatives and feasting, the fire in Daohua’s heart burned hotter and hotter.

“Didn’t Concubine Lin’s family arrive? Let’s go take a look!”

Daohua stood up abruptly and quickly walked out of the room, heading straight for Shuangxin Courtyard.

Wang Man’er, seeing this, felt a chill in her heart and quickly called for a few other maids to follow.

Lately, she had sensed that her young lady had been holding back a lot of frustration, and if she didn’t vent it all today, it would be endless.

Ping Tong and Ping Xiao exchanged a worried glance.

Ping Xiao, feeling guilty, said, “Ah, it’s all my fault. If I had known the young lady would be so angry, I shouldn’t have mentioned the kitchen matter earlier.”

Ping Tong shook her head. “The young lady would have found out sooner or later. You just made it happen earlier. After Fifth Miss was born, Concubine Lin has been more subdued, usually just competing with Concubine Liu for attention.”

“But now that the master and Fourth Master are stuck in Xingyun Prefecture, Concubine Lin thinks her chance has come. It’s only been a short while, and she’s already eager to make her move. It’s good for the eldest young miss to take care of her; otherwise, she might forget her place.”

Ping Xiao was a bit worried. “But Concubine Lin is still the master’s concubine. It might not be good for the eldest young miss to confront her directly.”

Ping Tong fell silent for a moment. “Our eldest young miss isn’t afraid of the master.” Though she was a servant, she could clearly see that the eldest young miss was the most confident person in the Yan family.

Shuangxin Courtyard.

When Daohua and her group arrived, the courtyard was empty, with only two maidservants standing under the eaves.

When the maidservants saw Daohua approaching, they turned to inform the people inside, but Wang Man’er, after receiving a signal from Daohua, quickly blocked them.

Daohua ignored the detained maidservants and walked directly to the main room. Just as she stepped onto the steps in front of the door, she overheard the conversation inside.

“Your brother said the epidemic in Xingyun Prefecture is very severe. Now not only has the city been sealed, but even the surrounding suburbs have been sealed off. Li Shi’s two sons are as good as dead. Once they die, your brother will only have Wenbin left. Now Li Shi is also bedridden, and without her sons, she’s probably not going to last much longer. Once she dies, the entire Yan family will belong to you, sister.”

Upon hearing this, the servants who followed Daohua turned pale with fear, and even Wang Man’er didn’t dare look at her lady’s expression.

Compared to the others' fear and indignation, Daohua remained unexpectedly calm. She pointed to the outermost maid and said, “Go to the front courtyard and invite Father to come to Shuangxin Courtyard. Tell him I’m here waiting for him.”

The maid, named, nodded and quickly ran out of the courtyard.

At that moment, it seemed that the people inside had heard the noise. The curtain was lifted, and Concubine Lin, Yan Wenbin, and Yan Yishuang stepped out.

Seeing Daohua and her group standing outside, Concubine Lin and her son’s faces changed dramatically. Even Yan Wenbin, who had little contact with Daohua, felt guilty and unusually greeted her, though his voice trembled.

“D-D-Dao Jie-jie!”

Daohua’s gaze swept over the faces of the mother and son before walking up to the door, glancing at the dining table inside. Most of the food was still there, and the bird’s nest porridge Li Shi had been eating was also prominently displayed on the table.

There were two more people inside—Concubine Lin’s mother, Wang Shi, and Concubine Lin’s sister-in-law, Lin Xu Shi.

At this moment, both of them were holding their breath, not daring to make a sound.

There was no way around it. The eldest young miss of the Yan family in front of them was completely different from what they had imagined. Despite her small stature, her sharp gaze made them feel an instinctive urge to shiver.

Daohua looked around the room, then turned and fixed her gaze on Yan Wenbin.

Recalling how her big brother had introduced his classmate to Yan Wenbin earlier, Daohua found it both amusing and ironic. She couldn't help but laugh: “Fifth Brother, so you’re here too!”

Yan Wenbin’s heart skipped a beat. If Daohua had come in and immediately exploded in anger, he wouldn't have been as scared as he was now. But she actually smiled at him, which made him lose his confidence in an instant.

Daohua didn’t pay attention to the change in Yan Wenbin’s expression. She spoke on her own: “Fifth Brother, let me ask you something. How do you think your big brother treats you?”

Yan Wenbin swallowed nervously, considering his words. “Elder brother treats me very well, and I’m very grateful.”

Daohua raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Grateful? Do you really feel grateful?” She then pointed to Xu Shi, “When this woman just cursed Big Brother, if you were really grateful, why didn’t you speak up to stop her?”

Yan Wenbin’s heart tightened. “I…”

Before he could explain himself, Daohua asked again, “Fifth Brother, don’t you want your big brother to die at Xingyun Prefecture, so you can take his place?”

Yan Wenbin’s expression flickered. He was only in his teens and couldn’t hide his inner thoughts. Daohua had struck right at his core, leaving him at a loss for words.

Seeing her son unable to respond, Concubine Lin immediately stepped forward, shielding Yan Wenbin behind her: “Eldest Young Miss, what are you trying to do?”

Daohua’s smile disappeared, her gaze darkened, and her expression turned cold as she stared at Concubine Lin. “Concubine Lin, don’t be in such a hurry. Wait for Father to arrive; then, it’ll be your turn to perform.”

When Concubine Lin heard that Yan Zhigao was coming, she grew nervous and uneasy. After all, the things they had been discussing were indeed inappropriate.

However, soon enough, she found her courage again. No matter what, the master only had Wenbin as his legitimate son. She didn’t believe that Yan Zhigao would truly punish them.

Daohua’s eyes swept over Concubine Lin before she looked back at Yan Wenbin. “Fifth Brother, you really want both Big Brother and Fourth Brother to die at Xingyun Prefecture, don’t you?”

This time, Yan Wenbin didn’t hesitate and shook his head repeatedly. “No, I never thought about wanting Big Brother or Fourth Brother to die.”

He had thought about replacing his big brother and taking all of his father’s love and expectations, but he had never wished for his big brother or fourth brother to die.

Daohua quietly stared at Yan Wenbin as though confirming the truth of his words. After a long while, she withdrew her gaze.

At that moment, Yan Zhigao, after receiving the maidservant’s report, hurried over with Steward Sun.

(End of Chapter)