Chapter 12: Chaos at the Bo Residence

“Father, let’s divide the family estate,” the second son, Yu Qingsheng, said with a pleading expression.

“Son, if you leave the Yu household, you won’t be able to enter the National Academy. Your studies will be delayed,” Yu Yunzhi still clung to his hopeful dreams.

“Father, do you think elder brother would allow his younger brother to enter the National Academy?” Yu Yuanzheng posed another pragmatic question.

Yu Yunzhi was left speechless.

If he himself was denied the chance to study, how could he expect his son to succeed?

This year, his son could already take the imperial examination for the title of Xiucai.

The path ahead...

He dared not imagine further.

“Father, taking the imperial exams does not necessarily require entering the National Academy. So many students from outside have passed the Jinshi degree without attending it. Which of them went through the Academy?” Yu Qingsheng had thought this through clearly.

He was even more diligent in his studies than his father and did not want his life to be ruined.

“Very well.” Yu Yunzhi looked at his son’s determined face and finally made up his mind.

He could no longer be enslaved by the elder branch.

Though he managed the business and lands of the Lord of Yong’an’s estate, he never profited a single penny. His elder brother scrutinized the accounts every month, questioning every ten taels of silver in and out.

With his father’s decision affirmed, Yu Yuanzheng finally felt at ease.

For the past three days, she had been contemplating ways to free her parents from the dominance of the elder branch.

Yu Chaoyang’s threats spurred her to keep searching for solutions.

But all depended on her father’s consent.

Returning to the boudoir she once occupied, it was as quiet as when she left.

Two embroidery frames sat silently in the outer room.

This was the place the original owner loved most.

She had no close friends, no social circle—only embroidery.

But she did not know how to embroider.

Recalling the original owner’s memories carefully, she then picked up the needle and thread, and began stitching the unfinished piece from before her marriage.

At first, her stitches were crooked, but after the tenth stitch, she found her rhythm.

In her previous life, she had performed acupuncture on patients, each needle requiring utmost precision to avoid mistakes.

Now, applying that principle to embroidery, it made sense.

Her stitching grew faster and neater than the original owner’s.

The two maids watched in astonishment.

“Miss, your skill has improved again,” Jiang Hua said, bringing her tea. In such a short time, the miss had finished stitching a whole leaf, which amazed her.

“Maybe after a few days of rest without embroidery, my spirit has returned,” Yu Yuanzheng joked.

Previously, the original owner had spent over a year embroidering dowry items for Yu Chaoyang. Only when she was about to marry did she reluctantly prepare a few things for herself.

At lunch, maids from the elder branch came to summon them to dine together. After all, this was the day the two daughters returned to their natal home, and the meal was to be shared.

They arrived at the main house’s side hall, usually reserved for hosting guests.

Two tables were set: one for men, one for women. Without outsiders, no screen was arranged.

The head of the household, Lord Yong’an, Yu Yunxin, sat in the main seat.

To his left was Shangguan Zishu; to his right, the heir of the Lord’s estate, Yu Qingli; beside him, the second son Yu Qinghao; then Yu Yunzhi and his son Yu Qingsheng.

The seating alone revealed the second branch’s low status.

Yu Yuanzheng was grateful her father had agreed to divide the family.

No one spoke during the meal, except occasional chatter from the men’s table as they drank.

Afterwards, as everyone was about to disperse, Yu Yuanzheng stood up deliberately.

“Uncle, I have something to discuss with you.”

The forty-five-year-old Lord Yong’an, Yu Yunxin, was basking in pride today.

His daughter was soon to be the wife of the heir to the Duke of Rong’s mansion; her husband was the heir himself, and one step further would be prince and princess—a great honor.

Thus, he was unusually cordial to Shangguan Zishu.

“What is it?” Yu Yunxin’s face grew stern.

“Uncle, it’s best to send all the servants away. I suspect you wouldn’t want them overhearing what I am about to say. Or better yet, only keep the matriarch, elder aunt, and two elder brothers. Let the others leave,” Yu Yuanzheng said seriously and coldly.

Yu Yunxin had never taken this niece seriously, but today she exuded an unprecedented aura that made him want to comply with her wishes.

Finally, they moved to the main hall, leaving only a few key family members, including Yu Chaoyang and his wife.

“Speak. What is it?” Lord Yong’an and the matriarch took their seats, exuding authority.

“Father, you speak,” Yu Yuanzheng looked to Yu Yunzhi.

“Elder brother, the second brother wants to separate the family estate,” Yu Yunzhi hesitated several breaths before speaking.

“What? Second brother, you must be dreaming. You haven’t even had much to drink. Mother is still alive,” Lord Yong’an said incredulously.

This illegitimate brother was competent in managing household affairs. Losing him would mean more trouble for Lord Yong’an. This free labor was not something he wished to let go.

“Uncle, let’s not speak in riddles. Why was my father, who passed the Xiucai exam years ago, not allowed to continue his studies? Grandfather was still around then, yet he was never given the chance,” Yu Yuanzheng asked bluntly.

Everyone knew the reason, but it was a taboo not to be discussed openly.

“You are a married daughter; do not interrupt the conversation of adults,” Lord Yong’an snapped, embarrassed by his niece’s boldness.

“Second sister, this matter is not for you to speak on. You know the rule—no division of the estate while parents are alive,” Yu Chaoyang admonished her.

“Uncle, can this family be divided? Give me a clear answer,” Yu Yuanzheng ignored her and addressed the head of the household directly.

As the heir’s fiancée, she had the right to speak on equal terms with Lord Yong’an.

Yu Yunxin’s gaze flickered between Yu Yunzhi and Yu Yuanzheng.

The second brother remained timid, while this niece had completely changed—no longer timid and evasive, no longer avoiding him.

“My old lady is still very much alive. Are you wishing for her early death?” the matriarch slammed the table, frowning.

“Mother, please don’t be angry. The family cannot be divided,” Yu Yunxin refused flatly.

This was exactly what Yu Yuanzheng expected and she inwardly sneered.

They were so used to enslaving her family.

“Uncle, don’t tell me you don’t know why I became the fiancée of the Duke of Rong’s heir.”

Yu Yunxin was taken aback.

“It was an accident—wrong bride delivered to the bridal chamber.” He tried to settle the matter decisively.

“Do you think we are fools? This was all orchestrated by the elder branch. If eldest sister didn’t want to marry, they could have discussed breaking the engagement with the Duke’s mansion. Why drag me into this? Today, the second branch is using this as a condition to negotiate the division of the estate. If you refuse, I will expose the elder branch’s deeds throughout the capital.”

“Do you have proof this was not an accident? When you and Chaoyang left the bridal sedan, you were dressed identically. Mistakes happen, don’t they?” Shangguan Zishu lost his composure.

He was involved in this matter too. If implicated, it would be troublesome. The heirship was not yet secure, and any scandal could ruin his standing with the emperor.

“Second son, if you had to choose between marrying me or eldest sister, which would you choose? I want an honest answer.”

“Of course Chaoyang. How could a daughter of an illegitimate second branch compare to her?” Shangguan Zishu answered without hesitation.

Anyone would choose the same.

“Have you considered that eldest sister’s marriage was arranged by imperial decree? Aren’t you afraid of committing treason against the emperor?” Yu Yuanzheng pressed.

“It was an accident,” Shangguan Zishu insisted stubbornly.

“Is that so?” Yu Yuanzheng, unwilling to waste time, stepped to the center of the hall and began her performance.