Chapter 353: Chapter 124: Doubts Arise_3

Every time Yueyao listened to Tingzheng talk about his experiences at the Li family, she felt especially fortunate that her father had made such a good friend. From Tingzheng’s accounts, she could sense the love and care Uncle Li, Auntie Li, and the Li family had for Tingzheng, and because of this, Tingzheng was able to grow up so well.

After the evening meal, Yueyao took Tingzheng to see the scenery. By the time they reached their destination, Tingzheng was sweating profusely. Yueyao said, “Tingzheng, in the future you must exercise and keep your body strong. You can’t get out of breath after just a short walk.” Yueyao saw that Tingzheng was well-nourished, but a healthy body requires more than just nourishment; one must exercise to maintain good health.

Both of them walked the same path, but while the sister was not red-faced or out of breath, he felt exhausted. It was the first time Tingzheng felt such a big difference between him and his sister. Tingzheng always listened to Yueyao and immediately nodded, saying, “Alright, I’ll start exercising when I get back.”

Tingzheng had stayed in the mountains for only one night. After lunch the next day, Yueyao let him go back. Tingzheng was reluctant, “Sister, next time the teacher gives us a break, I will come to see you again.”

Yueyao patted Tingzheng’s shoulder in response, “Okay.”

News of Yueyao’s move soon spread back to Lian Mansion.

Yueying’s chill had already healed, and she was now focusing on recuperation. Learning of the news, she felt uncomfortable. If it weren’t for staying in a damp, cold room, she wouldn’t have caught a chill.

Cai Lan had had enough of Yueyao’s attitude on the mountain and seized the opportunity to speak ill of her, inciting, “Miss, Third Young Lady must have done it on purpose. She intentionally made you stay in such a cold room, forcing you to leave the mountain. Miss, Third Young Lady is someone who cannot tolerate others.” Cai Lan was consumed with hatred when she thought about Yueyao’s difficulties; she complained about not being allowed to bring the Coarse Maid up the mountain and about not being permitted to live in the main house. Yet, when they returned, Third Young Lady lived in the main house and even brought a Coarse Maid. If these arrangements had been made earlier, they wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Cai Qing felt that Cai Lan was becoming more and more unreasonable. She wanted to argue but, seeing Yueying’s silent expression, she swallowed her words. These matters were better judged by the Miss herself. The last time she spoke well of Third Young Lady, not only did Cai Lan target her, but the Miss was also not very pleased with her. If she defended Third Young Lady again, who knows what they would accuse her of next.

Seeing that Yueying didn’t speak, Cai Lan continued to stir up trouble, “Think about it, Miss. Since you left the mountain, now she alone has earned the reputation of being filial. Miss, don’t you remember what happened with Third Young Master? It was simply a matter of a few words, a letter, but Third Young Lady found every excuse not to help. Miss, Third Young Lady doesn’t take you seriously at all…” Third Young Lady was always picky and fussy, making her own life difficult. She had to make sure Third Young Lady suffered too.

Cai Qing couldn’t stand it anymore and advised, “Cai Lan, we are not in a position to interject in the matters between Misses. If Madam finds out, we will surely be punished.” Discussing the master’s faults and inciting discord between masters could lead to severe punishment.

Cai Qing really couldn’t understand why Cai Lan always targeted Third Young Lady. Third Young Lady and Eldest Miss were cousins who lived apart; having a good relationship with her had only benefits and no disadvantages. Cai Qing looked at Cai Lan with a flash of confusion in her eyes; she realized something was off about Cai Lan. Previously, Cai Lan would occasionally stir up trouble, but since they had been on the mountain, she had started acting oddly.

With a heavy heart, Yueying spoke softly, “Enough, you may all leave. I need some quiet to think.” She really needed to calm down and think carefully about whether to return to the mountain.

After a long period of contemplation. Yueying decided it would be better to return to the mountain. That afternoon, while paying respects to Lady Ma, she expressed her desire to return to the mountain, “Mother, I’ve recovered from my illness and would like to go back to the mountain tomorrow.”

Lady Ma looked at Yueying and thought of one word, foolish. If she really cared, she wouldn’t have come down from the mountain in the first place, “There’s no need to go back to the mountain. Stay at home and take care of your health.”

Yueying didn’t understand and explained, “Mother, I’m fully recovered. Going to the mountain is not an issue.” Her health was restored, so naturally, she could return to the mountain. Why couldn’t she go?

Lady Ma had never expected Yueying to question her directly, saying, “No particular reason? I’m afraid you might fall ill again in just a few days after your return to the mountain, causing more trouble. What if you fall sick again? People might think I did it on purpose. And what would the Ma Family think? What would Duke Mansion think?”