TPGA - 55

Chapter 55: Humiliation

Yunyi lightly glossed over the details of the assassination attempt, avoiding the more sensitive parts. After Wu Laosan’s doubts were resolved, he said, “So that’s what happened. My little girl has grown bolder since entering the governor’s mansion—she even dares to wield a knife now. In any case, saving Master Jiancheng is a good thing.” Pausing, he carefully stored the jade pendant and pearls away. “I’ll keep these for you. Let me know if you ever need them.”

“I earn seven or eight hundred coins every month, and with these pearls and jade, our household will be much better off in the future. Father doesn’t need to go hunting in the mountains anymore—it’s dangerous. Besides, you’re getting older and should enjoy a peaceful life.”

Wu Laosan knew she was worried about him and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. Plus, Dahei is always with me.” Dahei was a dog Wu Laosan had found at the foot of the mountain a few years ago. It accompanied him on every hunting trip and helped with the hunt.

The father and daughter continued talking for a while, though most of the time, Wu Laosan did the talking while Yunyi listened quietly. After all, she wasn’t the real Meixue. The less she said, the less likely she was to reveal inconsistencies.

They talked until dusk fell. Yunyi glanced at the darkening sky and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s go to the Du family.”

“The Du family…” Wu Laosan shook his head and didn’t continue. Together, they walked out. As Wu Laosan locked the door, a large black-and-yellow dog suddenly charged out from the side, barking fiercely at Yunyi. Startled, Yunyi instinctively stepped back, and a dagger slid into her palm from her sleeve.

Seeing this, Wu Laosan hurriedly scolded the dog, “Dahei, stop barking! How could you not recognize Meixue after only a little over a month apart? She used to feed you all the time!”

No matter how much Wu Laosan scolded, Dahei kept barking and growling at Yunyi, showing clear hostility. Dogs often rely on their sense of smell rather than sight to identify people. Although Yunyi and Meixue looked identical, their scents were different, which Dahei immediately detected, leading to its unusual behavior.

Despite Wu Laosan’s repeated rebukes, Dahei refused to stop. Seeing how frightened Yunyi was, Wu Laosan forcibly dragged the dog inside and locked it in the house. Even then, it continued barking incessantly.

After locking the door, Wu Laosan sighed, “That Dahei has gone mad. When we returned from hunting earlier, I let it go outside to find food. I don’t know why it’s acting like this now.”

Yunyi forced a smile and said, “Maybe it’s as Father said—I’ve been away for so long that Dahei feels unfamiliar with me. If I come back more often, it should get used to me again.”

Wu Laosan nodded. “Alright, let’s hurry to the Du family.”

The Du residence wasn’t far. After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they arrived. The two vermilion doors of the Du residence, though far from matching the grandeur of the governor’s mansion, were still quite prominent in the area.

After knocking a few times, a man resembling a steward came out. He seemed to recognize Wu Laosan and his daughter and eyed them coldly. “What do you want?”

Wu Laosan, being a mild-mannered person, forced a smile and said, “We’re here to see Ru… uh, Master Du.” Noticing the steward’s displeased expression, he quickly corrected himself.

The steward raised an eyebrow. “Wu Laosan, have you forgotten what my mistress said? Or are you two still refusing to give up even now?”

Wu Laosan hastily replied, “No, no! We just want to return something to Master Du.” With that, he handed over the pure silver butterfly hairpin. The steward took it and said, “Wait here. I’ll inform the master.”

After waiting for a while, the steward returned with someone—but it wasn’t Du Ruhui, whom Yunyi had met earlier. Instead, it was a tall woman wearing a thin cotton jacket made of ink-splashed silk and a long peach-colored skirt embroidered with silver-threaded plum blossoms. Her waist was adorned with jade accessories, sachets, and colorful tassels. At first glance, she exuded wealth and status.

Upon seeing her, Wu Laosan’s face visibly paled. Before even reaching the gate, he bent his body obsequiously and greeted her. “Madam Du, may you be well.”

The woman, referred to as Madam Du, crossed the threshold and sneered. “Wu Laosan, we’ve known each other for quite some time now. To be honest, I never realized how cunning you truly are.”

Wu Laosan asked in confusion, “What do you mean by that, Madam Du?”

Madam Du waved the hairpin in her hand and said sternly, “I thought Meixue going to work at the governor’s mansion meant you had finally listened to me. But it turns out you haven’t given up at all! You still foolishly dream of letting Meixue step into my family’s door.” Turning her gaze to Yunyi, she sneered disdainfully, “I’ve lived half a lifetime and met many people, but I’ve never encountered someone as shameless as you.”

Yunyi’s face darkened. “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Madam Du stared at her with contempt. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. The moment you come back, you start seducing men without a shred of shame. Just as I expected—a wild girl.” Then she added, “Do you really think using your wiles to bewitch Ruhui and flaunting this hairpin will make me accept you into my family? Let me tell you—this life, the next life, even the life after that—you’ll never set foot in my house!”

In her memory, the Wu family was weak and powerless, easy to manipulate however she pleased. Her words were deliberately cruel and cutting.

Though Wu Laosan was angry, he wasn’t skilled with words. After struggling for a long time, he managed to squeeze out, “My daughter Meixue didn’t seduce Ruhui.”

Madam Du snorted. “Do you have the audacity to call him ‘Ruhui’?” She continued, “Of course you’d deny it. If it weren’t for her schemes and tricks, how could someone like our Ruhui ever look twice at a wild girl like her?”

Hearing Madam Du repeatedly refer to Meixue as a “wild girl,” Wu Laosan angrily retorted, “Meixue is not a wild girl—she’s my daughter!”

“What daughter?” Madam Du scoffed. “Everyone knows you picked her up from a tiger’s den. Or perhaps…” She scrutinized Wu Laosan mockingly, covering her mouth as if suppressing laughter. “She wasn’t picked up at all—maybe she’s the child of some wild woman you had relations with? Either way, she’s still a wild girl. No matter how you look at it, I’m right.”

Yunyi’s eyes turned icy cold. “Watch your filthy mouth!”

The bone-chilling coldness in Yunyi’s gaze momentarily startled Madam Du, but she quickly sneered. “So, working at the governor’s mansion has taught you how to put on airs, has it? You might act high and mighty now, but don’t forget—you’re nothing more than a servant girl, no matter where you go. Don’t try to intimidate me! Let me remind you: our Ruhui is destined to pass the imperial examinations and marry a noblewoman—a proper lady of high standing—not some lowly wild girl like you. If you have any sense of self-awareness, leave now and never show your face before me again.”

Enraged, Yunyi laughed bitterly. “True, there’s no match between us—but it’s not because I’m unworthy of your family. It’s because your family isn’t worthy of me!”

Though neglected in the palace, she was still a princess by birth. Any marriage she entered would be with royalty or high-ranking officials. How could she possibly stoop so low as to associate with a mere family like the Dus?