338 Definitely a Calamity
He did not say if it could be treated, but Yu Zongzheng knew very well that his third daughter’s illness was probably not easy to treat. He was furious. “Thank you, Imperial Physician Hu.”
Imperial Physician Hu spread out some paper and began to write a prescription. He prescribed three sets of medicine in a row. After explaining how to use them, he stood up. “Although medicine is important, recuperation lies in the foundation. This illness can’t be delayed.”
Yu Youyao quickly got someone to prepare a generous gift and sent Imperial Physician Hu out. She also instructed Ai Ye, who was in front of Yu Jianjia, to get the medicine.
After everything was arranged, Yu Youyao returned to her house.
Yu Zongzheng was already furious. He ordered someone to gather all the servants in the courtyard.
“Third Miss’s illness has acted up again. You’re serving her in front of her, but all of you didn’t report it. You hid your Master’s illness, causing her illness to worsen. It’s simply hateful.”
Hui Xiang was shocked and quickly explained, “Master, I’m innocent. During this period of time, Master was busy in the government office, so Third Miss didn’t allow me to tell Master about this. She said that she was afraid that Master would worry.”
Yu Youyao frowned and said, “Third Sister doesn’t want Father to worry because she’s being filial. However, there are other elders in the family, and Third Sister has fallen ill frequently. You’re just a servant. How can you bear the responsibility of hiding Third Sister’s illness and delaying her recovery?”
Hui Xiang said anxiously, “Master, Master, I didn’t mean to hide it. It’s just that Old Madam is old, and First Madam’s illness flares up from time to time. Third Miss has always been considerate and filial, and she doesn’t want the elders to worry about her health…”
Bang— Yu Zongzheng slammed the table and glared at Hui Xiang. “You’re full of lies. Third Miss’s health isn’t good, so she doesn’t want her elders to worry. Isn’t there still Eldest Miss in this residence? Eldest Miss is the eldest daughter of the first wife, and also the eldest sister. She has the responsibility to take care of and raise the younger siblings in the family. Third Miss is weak, but you’re actually so negligent. You’re even using such sweet words to push the blame to her. What exactly are your intentions?”
Yao Yao cared about their sisterly relationship. If she had known about Jia Jia’s health earlier, why would her condition have worsened to this extent?
Hui Xiang’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m innocent. It’s Eldest Miss. Eldest Miss didn’t allow me to say anything. I didn’t mean to hide it. I’ve been with Third Miss since I was young and am loyal to her.”
Yu Youyao said coldly, “You’re indeed loyal to Third Sister. It’s just that she’s weak and has a gentle personality. You’re all arrogant and don’t know the severity of the matter. Previously, Third Sister fell to the ground. She was frightened and had a high fever. She was in a coma for three days and three nights and almost lost her life. Now, there’s also you, a sly maidservant. You hid Third Sister’s condition and made her so seriously ill.”
When Hui Xiang heard this, she felt dizzy and kowtowed. “Master, I’m innocent…”
“Shut up.” If Yao Yao hadn’t mentioned it, Yu Zongzheng would have almost forgotten about it. Previously, he had thought that it was because Yao Yao was pampered that Jia Jia had fallen and was frightened. How could he have known that it was obvious that Jia Jia was neglected by the maidservant in front of her? Immediately, he was furious. “Someone, tie up all the servants in front of Third Miss. All of them will be punished with 30 strokes of the paddle and sold to the brokerage house.”
Immediately, a few old maids found ropes and tied them up without any explanation.
“Master, show mercy…”
“I’m innocent…”
“I know my mistake. Master, please spare me this time…”
The servants cried and kowtowed, begging for mercy. The room was in chaos.
When Yu Jianjia received the news, she couldn’t care less about being sick or weak. She asked the little girl in the room to help her out. “Father, w-what are you doing? They’ve served me for many years. Even if they haven’t contributed much, they’ve worked hard. Father, please spare them this time on my account. I-I’ll definitely discipline them strictly later…”
Yu Youyao’s lips curled up slightly as she tapped her teacup with one hand. “It’s raining today. The weather is cold and humid. Third Sister is weak to begin with, so why did she run out without even wearing a thick set of clothes? How did your maidservant serve you?”
Yu Jianjia knew that something was wrong.
Her father was angry because the servants in front of her were useless and did not know the severity of the situation. Yu Youyao’s words undoubtedly further confirmed this.
Indeed!
Seeing that his third daughter was only wearing a thin white shirt and not even a cloak and her thin body was trembling, Yu Zongzheng frowned. “Your sister is right. Your health isn’t good, so you should stay in the house and recuperate well.” With that, he turned around and instructed the old maids that Yu Youyao had brought over. “Help Third Miss back to rest.”
The servants in the courtyard were too outrageous.
Yao Yao was right. Jia Jia was too gentle and kind, which was why they were so arrogant and didn’t know their limits. They couldn’t even serve their master well.
They could not let it go easily.
Yu Jianjia refused to leave and knelt on the ground with a thud. Her lips trembled as she said in a trembling voice, “Father, please let them off this time. I’m weak and they’re used to serving me. If Father punishes them and I get someone new to take care of me, it won’t be as appropriate as them…”
Yu Zongzheng frowned, feeling that what she said made sense. He turned to look at Yu Youyao and asked, “Yao Yao, what do you think we should do?”
Yu Jianjia looked at her father in shock. When had her father trusted Yu Youyao so much that he even asked about her opinion when dealing with the servants?
Yu Youyao put down her teacup and fiddled with the blood beeswax prayer beads on her wrist.
In the yellow room, the crystal clear blood beeswax prayer beads shone like jade under the dense light. They were pure and beautiful, almost piercing Yu Jianjia’s eyes.
She knew that this string of blood beeswax prayer beads had been enshrined in the Precious Peace Temple before Yu Youyao was born. Some time ago, when she was old enough, Old Madam had given it to Yu Youyao as a gift for her tenth birthday.
After Yu Youyao put it on, it never left her side.
Who wouldn’t like beautiful and rare things?
Every time she saw her, she couldn’t help but take a few more glances. When Hui Xiang saw her, she would complain about how biased Old Madam was. Everything good was for Eldest Miss, and she only had Eldest Miss in her heart.
She had said it after hearing it from Hui Xiang, but why didn’t she think so in her heart?!
But!
She had her father’s love, and Yu Youyao could never compare to her.
Now, not only had Yu Youyao gained her father’s trust, but she had also snatched away his love for her. Could it be that as her mother had said? Yu Youyao was not human, but a monster?
Yu Youyao pondered for a moment before saying, “We definitely can’t keep the same people in front of Third Sister. Otherwise, it will definitely become a disaster in the future.”
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