Chapter 262: Chapter 103: Kill a Thousand Enemies and Hurt Yourself Eight Hundred (Part 1) Chapter 262: Chapter 103: Kill a Thousand Enemies and Hurt Yourself Eight Hundred (Part 1) Yueying’s maid, Cai Lan, was indignant but knew she had no place to intervene at the moment. In the Lian Mansion, the hierarchy was strictly adhered to; Yuebing and Yueyao, as masters, could argue but their maids could only advise, never join in. Otherwise, if the Old Master learned of it, the lighter punishment was dismissal and the harsher was death. So, neither maid spoke up.
Another of Yueying’s maids, Cai Qing, slightly changed her expression. She had always thought the Third Young Lady was weak and gentle, never expecting her to speak so sharply once she did.
Not to mention Yueying’s maids, even Hua Lei was extremely surprised. The young lady usually spoke little and had never been known to argue with anyone. Yet, the sharpness of her rebuttal silenced the Second Young Lady, leaving her speechless while her own young lady appeared as if nothing had happened. When had her young lady become so formidable?
Yuebing, sensing the awkward atmosphere, finally said, “We should enter the mourning hall.”
Yueyao completely ignored Yueying, who was red-faced with anger, and knelt at her designated spot in the mourning hall.
Though Yueyao knelt in the mourning hall, her thoughts lingered on the recent confrontation. This life was different from her past one, and she wondered what schemes Lady Mo would devise against her. No matter what came, she would face it; the worst outcome would be leaving the Lian family.
The heat of August made it suffocating, and both the mourners and the servants suffered. Some of the physically weaker ones had already succumbed to heatstroke.
And just as Yueyao had predicted, Yueying really did faint in the mourning hall.
Yuebing was also struggling, and upon seeing Yueying being carried away, she desperately wanted to leave too. But seeing Yueying return to kneel, she resigned herself to kneeling silently once again.
Yuehuan was on the verge of collapsing, puzzled at the resilience of Yuebing and Yueyao. Weren’t legitimate daughters supposed to be pampered? Yet, they seemed unfazed. If Yuebing and Yueyao left the mourning hall, she could follow, but if she, a daughter born of a concubine, left alone, she would be drowned in spittle.
Yuehuan struggled to hold on but, given her frail constitution, eventually fainted, waking up later in bed.
After eating two bowls of millet porridge, Yuehuan continued to sleep, waking refreshed. Her sleep had been poor lately, and today she finally caught up on some much-needed rest.
Maternal Aunt Su returned, and Yuehuan couldn’t help asking, “Auntie, did the Second Young Lady and the Third Young Lady faint?” She somehow felt that Yueyao would have fainted, seeming no stronger than her, unlike Yuebing, who, nourished daily, likely had better health.
Maternal Aunt Su shook her head, “No, the Second Young Lady and the Third Young Lady are still in the mourning hall..”
Yuehuan muttered resentfully, “Why are they fine, and I fainted? Auntie, I heard that the Third Young Lady had the weakest health, yet she endures.”
“The Third Young Lady has actually been building her stamina by walking those long distances back and forth daily for over a year,” replied Maternal Aunt Su, touching Yuehuan’s forehead. “So, the Third Young Lady might actually have the best health among you four sisters, allowing her to spend each day in the mourning hall and still find time to copy the ‘Vajra Sutra,’ the Old Madam’s favorite. Young lady, you must not underestimate the Third Young Lady.” Maternal Aunt Su was unaware that Yueyao was also practicing the Five Animal Frolics. Yueyao did the exercises in her room, accessible only to Nanny Hao and her personal maids. Other servants were punished if they entered without permission, either beaten or sold. Naturally, Lady Mo did not want to provoke the Old Madam’s ire, hence her reach did not extend that far.
Yuehuan blinked and murmured, “So that’s why. It seems I need to exercise too,” but seeing Maternal Aunt Su, her face fell immediately. Maternal Aunt Su always hoped she would be a demure lady who never showed her teeth when she smiled—hardly someone who would be allowed to exercise. Doing almost anything here was inconvenient.
At Yueying’s side, Maternal Aunt Chen was taking meticulous care of her.
Once the Old Madam had passed, Maternal Aunt Chen immediately returned. Seeing Yueying awake, she scolded, “You foolish girl, why exert yourself so much?” The doctor said it was due to excessive exhaustion. This child has really suffered lately; look how gaunt her face has become.”
Yueying cried until her throat was hoarse and now speaking pained her. Bearing the pain, she said, “Auntie, I’m alright, don’t worry.”