Chapter 354: Chapter 124: Suspicions Arise_4

Upon hearing these words, Yueying’s face flushed red, and she dared not bring up the matter again.

Once back in her courtyard, Cai Lan asked anxiously, “Miss, why are you still thinking about returning to the mountain?” She had to earnestly persuade her miss not to return to the mountain. Life on the mountain was too hard, cold and boring, and there was so much work to do; not to mention the Third Young Lady was like a demon. If they had to return, Cai Lan would feel like dying.

After Yueying left, Lady Mo thought it over and felt it indeed inappropriate to leave Yueyao alone on the mountain. Otherwise, people who did not know better might think they were neglecting Yueyao, who was without parents. That very night, she spoke to Lian Dongfang about sending Yuehuan instead, “Old Master, originally I wanted to send the Second Young Lady, as she is the elder sister and could look after the Third Young Lady on the mountain. However, the Second Young Lady has just developed a cough these past two days and is on medication. The Fourth Miss going would be just right.”

Lian Dongfang always stayed out of domestic affairs, leaving the decisions to Lady Mo.

Yuehuan’s expression turned sour as she received Maternal Aunt Su’s message. “Third Sister will never agree to let me go to the mountain.” Seeing Yueyao’s demeanor, who would let her stay on the mountain? Moreover, she wasn’t sure she could endure the hardships.

Maternal Aunt Su saw that her daughter did not look pleased. She knew what Madam was scheming. Yet, she felt conflicted internally, and the struggle within her persisted.

Yuehuan found it very strange and asked, “Maternal Auntie, you never liked me associating with the Third Young Lady before, so why didn’t you tell Madam not to let me go? Maternal Auntie, what’s wrong with you?” She keenly sensed that Maternal Aunt Su had been acting odd lately.

Maternal Aunt Su sighed lightly, “Madam is unwilling to send the Eldest Miss again, and the Second Young Lady happens to be unwell, so you are the most suitable choice. Even if I wanted to object, it would not matter.” The reason the Eldest Madam wanted her daughter to go to the temple was presumably to foster a good relationship with the Third Young Lady and then subtly extract information from her.

Yuehuan had an intuition, telling her that Maternal Aunt Su was hiding something from her, and this matter definitely wasn’t as simple as the reasons given on the surface. Yuehuan bowed her head, reining in all of her thoughts, and with a hint of worry asked, “Maternal Auntie, what if I go to the mountain and the Third Young Lady drives me away?”

Seeing Yuehuan’s expression, Maternal Aunt Su shook her head and chuckled, “Whether the Third Young Lady agrees or not is her own matter, and it has nothing to do with you. If Madam directs you to go, you shall go, and if you are sent back, it is not your fault. Prepare yourself, it will probably be within the next few days.”

Yuehuan nodded, and after Maternal Aunt Su had left, she gripped the corner of her blanket. She hoped that the suspicions she had were wrong.

The maid at Maternal Aunt Su’s side found her attitude strange and asked, “Maternal Auntie, is it really okay to let the Fourth Miss go to the mountain?” She felt it was not a good idea. The Fourth Miss had always wanted to get close to the Third Young Lady but never had a chance. Now with an opportunity, what if the Fourth Miss sided with the Third Young Lady?

Maternal Aunt Su said wearily, “It would be good for her to stay on the mountain for a while.”

Maternal Aunt Su was a very astute person. At first, she was deeply saddened by her daughter’s memory loss, but her daughter’s narrow escape from death was also a cause for celebration; thus, despite Yuehuan’s memory loss, she taught her devotedly. Gradually, however, she noticed something was amiss. Yuehuan had become smarter, not only possessing a photographic memory but also quick to grasp things.

Becoming more intelligent was positive–her daughter was inherently smart, and Maternal Aunt Su had intentionally had her daughter feign simplicity. However, what puzzled her was that memory loss should not completely overturn everything about a person. Preferences in activities and likings had all changed, no matter what it was.

Furthermore, ever since her memory loss, Yuehuan had started tutoring Tinglun. Her teaching methods were innovative and effective, significantly accelerating Tinglun’s learning progress. Yet, during her teachings, Yuehuan would occasionally utter words that Maternal Aunt Su had never heard before. When Yuehuan explained, she appeared undeniably guilty, which aroused Maternal Aunt Su’s suspicions.

All of these odd incidents had alarmed Maternal Aunt Su; aside from the superficial resemblance, nothing else seemed like her daughter, as though the person inside had been replaced.

Maternal Aunt Su had always told herself not to overthink it; that was her own daughter, whom she had carried for ten months and given birth to. She consoled herself that a drastic change in personality following memory loss was possible. Unfortunately, when Yuehuan had developed a lipstick and started distributing it to Yueying and Yuebing, Maternal Aunt Su could no longer convince herself.

Maternal Aunt Su had always encouraged Yuehuan to act dull and slow-witted, but she taught her everything that should be taught. She instructed Yuehuan in stratagems and embroidery, in all the skills she possessed. However, she had never taught Yuehuan how to make rouge lipstick.

During this period, Maternal Aunt Su was extremely conflicted. Although there were many doubtful points, Yuehuan still looked the same and showed the same filial piety. Maternal Aunt Su was uncertain about what to do. Since Madam wanted to send Yuehuan to accompany Yueyao on the mountain–she understood that accompanying was essentially surveillance–she felt it was an excellent opportunity to send Yuehuan to the mountain, letting her stay there for a while. As long as Yuehuan could peacefully reside on the mountain for some time, then she too would be at peace.

This was primarily because ever since Yuehuan had recovered, she had been affectionate and respectful towards Maternal Aunt Su and showed great love for Tinglun, which made Maternal Aunt Su hesitate. She doubted, yet she feared being wrong; she was indecisive. Had Yuehuan become cold towards her upon awakening and not shown affection for Tinglun, Maternal Aunt Su would probably have called for a Taoist priest long ago to perform an exorcism. So it seemed, a fool might indeed be blessed.