eurekapd Chapter 168 How Could the Eldest Daughter of the Duke's Mansion Marry a Poor Scholar?
Chapter 168 How Could the Eldest Daughter of the Duke's Mansion Marry a Poor Scholar?
Looking at the tense scene before her, Yu Wan's goodwill towards Lady Pingyang vanished instantly.
Although she didn't want to cause trouble, she just couldn't stand women like Lady Pingyang who fawned over men.
She frowned slightly, looking at Lady Pingyang with a cold gaze. Just as she was about to speak, Lady Anguo preempted her.
The Duchess of Anguo's face was gloomy, her tone filled with suppressed anger:
"Fifth sister, you have really gone too far today. Yu Ru's matter was not her fault. As an elder, you not only do not feel sorry for her, but also say such hurtful things. It is really disheartening."
Lady Pingyang, however, paid no attention and snorted lightly:
"Third sister, I'm doing this for her own good. If she hadn't been so inconsiderate, how could she have gotten herself into this mess?"
Upon hearing this, Li Molian trembled with anger, tears welling up in her eyes: "Fifth Sister, how can you twist the truth like this? Yu Ru is clearly the victim, yet you slander her like this."
Lady Pingyang's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Second sister, don't think of her as innocent. If she hadn't dressed so flamboyantly, how could she have attracted men's covetousness?"
Yu Wan couldn't listen any longer. She stepped forward, looked at Lady Pingyang with unwavering eyes, and said:
"Third Aunt, what you're saying is absurd. Women are free to choose what to wear. Does dressing nicely mean they should be harassed? This is clearly the man's fault, yet you're shifting the blame onto Cousin Yu Ru. That's really unfair."
Lady Pingyang narrowed her eyes, sizing up Yu Wan, and sneered, "You little brat, you dare to lecture me as soon as you get back to the manor? Humph, what do you know?"
Yu Wan stood up straight without fear and said, "Although I have just returned to the manor, I know right from wrong. My cousin Yu Ru's predicament is already pitiful. Not only do you not help her, but you also kick her when she's down. It's really despicable."
Lady Pingyang was so angry at Yu Wan's words that her face turned ashen. She pointed at Yu Wan and said, "You wild girl, how dare you talk back. It seems you've been too wild in the countryside and don't even respect your elders."
Yu Wan slightly raised her chin and chuckled, "Aunt Qing, I only respect elders with good character and virtue. Do you have any?"
Lady Pingyang was speechless at Yu Wan's words, and her face turned even more unpleasant.
She glared at Yu Wan, "You ignorant brat, how dare you speak to me like that? You think you're something special just because you're back in the Duke's mansion? Humph, you're just a country bumpkin, what kind of knowledge could you possibly have?"
Yu Wan met Lady Pingyang's gaze without fear. "Aunt Qing, although I come from the countryside, I know right from wrong. Cousin Yu Ru is the victim, yet you push all the blame onto her. What kind of logic is that?"
Furthermore, I only respect elders with good character, not unreasonable people like you…”
She paused deliberately, then sighed helplessly, "Let's just forget about it."
These words are not very hurtful, but they are extremely insulting.
Lady Pingyang was trembling with anger. She pointed at Yu Wan and said, "You...you girl, you have absolutely no respect for your elders!"
"I think you've been too wild in the countryside and don't know any manners."
The Marquis of Pingyang glared angrily at the Duchess of Anguo, "Third sister, you should really put some effort into disciplining your newly found daughter. She's so ill-mannered. I can let it slide today because we're family, but what if she offends other powerful figures in the future..."
She snorted coldly, "Let's see how you get out of this!"
The atmosphere had been ruined by Li Moqing, and the Duchess of Anguo was also unhappy. She retorted directly, "Our daughter doesn't need others to criticize her. Fifth Sister, you should watch your mouth."
The Earl of Pingyang was furious that the Duchess of Anguo would speak to her like that.
How dare you talk to me like that!
She was her father's most beloved daughter and the youngest in the family. Her older brothers and sisters all spoiled her.
Even if she said something, Li Moxin would never have dared to say a word against her before.
"Mother!" she cried, looking at the old lady, "Look at Third Sister..."
The old lady remained silent, listening to her sisters bickering, seemingly used to it.
Hearing Li Moqing's complaint, he frowned and looked at her sternly.
"Qing'er, you have really gone too far today. Wan'er is right, you shouldn't have treated Yu Ru like that. As an elder, you should set an example, instead of talking nonsense and repeatedly bringing up the younger generation's sad stories."
Lady Pingyang was taken aback.
Unexpectedly, the old lady did not help her, which made her even angrier. Just as she was about to lash out, she saw the old lady give her a wink.
"Alright, stop making a scene, we're all family."
Lady Pingyang seemed to remember something and swallowed back the words she was about to say.
She almost forgot that she had important business to discuss with this adopted niece.
She glanced at the sobbing Li Molian and snorted, "Cry, cry, all you do is cry. You have no backbone of the Li family at all."
After scolding Li Molian, she turned her gaze to Yu Wan and said condescendingly, "Today, I'll let it slide for my mother's sake. But remember this: don't be so arrogant again."
Yu Wan smiled faintly, leaving no room for criticism, "Aunt Qing, rest assured, as long as you stop making unfounded accusations against others, I will naturally not have any conflict with you."
Wan Yuru looked at her newly acquainted cousin with gratitude.
Because the Xu family's annulment of the engagement was so ugly, several of her close friends cut off contact with her for fear of damaging their reputations.
Although her sisters in the same clan did not kick her when she was down, not one of them stood up for her whenever the Lady of Pingyang mocked her.
She never expected that her newly returned cousin would speak up for her.
Wan Yuru's eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed silently.
The Duke and his wife exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise and approval.
They didn't think Yu Wan was meddling; her intention to protect her fellow clansmen proved that she was kind-hearted.
If they can bravely stand up, they won't have to worry about their daughter being afraid to speak out when she suffers injustice in the future.
The old lady said a few more words to comfort Li Molian and Wan Yuru, temporarily calming the mother and daughter down.
Lady Anguo didn't invite many people today; the first to arrive were her family members. Everyone sat in the main hall talking.
As long as Lady Pingyang didn't speak, the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Yu Wan sensed that Aunt Huan and Aunt Lian were both gentle people, and their daughters were also gentle.
Only Aunt Qing, though smiling, always seemed to have a calculating look in her eyes.
Just as the atmosphere was harmonious, Lady Pingyang suddenly asked with a smile, "I heard that Wan'er has already married someone outside? Which man did she marry?"
After these words were spoken, the hall fell silent once more.
The old lady glanced at the silent Duchess of Anguo and asked in a serious tone, "I heard that Wan'er married a poor scholar from the countryside. Is that true?"
Yu Wan's eyelids twitched; some bad premonitions were brewing.
When the old lady asked her questions, the Duchess of Anguo could not ignore her, so she nodded and smiled, "His background is a bit poor, but he has an extraordinary demeanor, and his character, appearance and talent are no less than those of the noble sons in the capital."
Lady Pingyang scoffed, "That's hilarious! A country bumpkin with such an air about him, no less than a nobleman's son? Does that mean everyone can become a nobleman's son?"
"Third sister, you don't need to deceive yourself like this just to comfort yourself." She smiled. "Wan'er is now the legitimate daughter of the Duke's mansion. How could she marry such a poor and pedantic scholar? People would laugh their heads off if they heard about it."
"If you ask me, it would be better to get a divorce. With Wan'er's status, she won't have to worry about remarrying."