All Hail Cousin Brother

That day, she was sitting in the central room like today. There was a portrait of Madam Xie on the wall.

After Old Madam Lai entered the house, she did not bow to it immediately. Instead, she glanced at Madam Xie’s portrait on the wall with a very strange gaze, making her suspicious.

Previously, Seventh Aunt had mentioned that when Madam Xie entered, Old Madam Lai was still serving in the residence.

The Matriarch’s health wasn’t good. As soon as Madam Xie entered, she asked her to help manage the household.

Yu Jianiia had heard that Madam Xie was a powerful person. Just like Yu Youyao, she rewarded and punished people clearly. She was a kind person. Even though Madam Xie had passed away many years ago, there were still old servants in the residence who remembered her kindness.

Old Madam Lai worked under Madam Xie. Forget their master-servant relationship, anyone with discerning eyes could tell that with the way Old Madam Lai was looking at Madam Xie’s portrait, there was a problem.

After Old Madam Lai kowtowed to her to thank her, she secretly asked Hui Xiang to follow her.

Indeed!

When Old Madam Lai arrived at a place with no one around, she spat on the ground and cursed, “Pfft, shameless little b*tch. She relied on her cheap appearance to hook up with her brother-in-law. What a wh*re. With a short life span too…”

After that, she scolded and lamented, and Yu Jianjia pieced together the truth about Old Madam Lai leaving the residence.

Back then, Old Madam Lai had served in the residence. Although she was efficient, her hands and feet were a little dirty. It seemed that Madam Xie had discovered that she had stolen jewelry that her master did not wear because her brother was seriously ill.

She was a servant in the Matriarch’s house, so Madam Xie couldn’t make a fuss.

Madam Xie was not a heartless person. She privately interrogated Old Madam Lai. When she found out that her brother was seriously ill, she did not report it to the officials or punish Old Madam Lai. She only wrote Old Madam Lai on the list of people who terminated the contract.

To outsiders, it was said that Old Madam Lai’s brother was sick. Old Madam Lai was worried about her nephew and was willing to resolve the contract with the residence.

It was also because of this that no one in the residence knew the truth.

From Yu Jianjia’s perspective, Madam Xie’s actions were very benevolent.

There were national laws and family rules. It was understandable why Old Madam Lai had stolen her master’s jewelry, but a mistake was a mistake. She couldn’t have continued to serve in the residence,

Madam Xie did not go too far and helped Old Madam Lai cover up the theft.

Old Madam Lai had left the residence unscathed. With her experience serving an official, it was easy for her to find other jobs. It could be considered as giving Old Madam Lai a way out.

However, after hearing Old Madam Lai insult Madam Xie like this, it seemed that not only did she not appreciate Madam Xie’s kindness, but she also held a grudge.

Hence, Yu Jianjia was suspicious of what she said about “seducing her

brother-in-law.”

However, it was inevitable that she would take these words to heart.

When she spoke to Seventh Aunt, she had deliberately asked Madam Xie what she had said. Seventh Aunt only thought that she respected her mother, so she naturally said something.

Later on, she found out from Seventh Aunt that back then, after Second Uncle Yu Zongshen was ranked, he went to Quanzhou. With the help of the Xie family, he nxote the “Sea Map Strategy” and laid a solid foundation for later entering the cabinet.

This was also the reason why the Xie Residence and the Yu Residence got married.

Only then did Yu Jianjia realize that something was amiss.

Actually, what had happened to Second Uncle back then was not a secret in the residence.

Since Matriarch did not mention this and Yang Shuwan was the second wife, she did not know much about this matter. The first and second branches had also separated long ago. She only knew some bits and pieces, so she did not think about it.

At Seventh Aunt’s mention, Yu Jianjia suddenly realized that the person who had a close relationship with the Xie family was actually Second Uncle.

Second Uncle had stayed in Quanzhou for more than a year and had been in and out of the Xie Residence. It was impossible for him not to know Madam

Xie.

In that case, Old Madam Lai’s words were very likely not groundless.

Yu Jianjia’s face turned pale with fright, but a secret excitement surged in her heart.

After that, she used the excuse that Old Madam Lai had once served in the Matriarch’s house to help Old Madam Lai hire a doctor to treat her illness. She even transferred Bai Ye to serve her personally.

Old Madam Lai and Bai Ye were also grateful.

She used this favor to indirectly ask about Madam Xie.

Old Madam Lai only thought that she respected the first wife very much and wanted to know some things about her, so she couldn’t help but say more.

However, Old Madam Lai had served in the residence after all, and her mouth was very tight. No matter how she probed, she did not mention anything about Madam Xie and Second Uncle.

However, she still found out some useful information.

Old Madam Lai hated Madam Xie. No matter how cautious and tight-lipped she was, it was inevitable that she would reveal her resentment towards Madam Xie when she mentioned her due to oversight.

These words were detailed, so it was difficult for ordinary people to associate them with an “affair between in-laws”.

Yu Jianjia was a “mindful person” to begin with. She thought about Old Madam Lai’s every word and sentence, even her tone and expression when she spoke.

In the end, it was confirmed that Madam Xie and Second Uncle had known each other since they were in Quanzhou.

She couldn’t help but guess!

Second Uncle was ranked first and had even entered the Hanlin Academy. In the future, he would be a cabinet minister. How could he marry a businesswoman?

The lowest rankings included scholars, farmers, businessmen, and merchants.

If Second Uncle married Madam Xie, it would inevitably make people sick.

The legitimate son of an aristocratic family, who was ranked first in the rankings, and the heir of the Hanlin Academy. The stigma of being “obsessed with women” would ruin his great reputation. Madam Xie would become the greatest obstacle in his career.

From a mother’s standpoint, be it for her son’s future or his reputation, it was impossible for Matriarch to watch her son marry a businesswoman.

Old Madam Lai was a cautious person. This matter was definitely not groundless. Even if she did not have evidence, she definitely knew some inside information.

She had brought Old Madam Lai into the residence because she wanted to show her kindness and observe her carefully. If she investigated this matter clearly and had something on Yu Youyao, her future would be good.

However, plans could not keep up with changes.

Her father had brought Divine Physician Xie back from Zhejiang. Divine Physician Xie’s “Blood Medicinal Catalyst” cure was too tempting. If she wanted to nurture Yu Youyao into a medicinal catalyst, she first had to get her father to give up on her.

Yu Youyao was the eldest daughter of the first wife, and she had been conferred the title of County Head of Shaoyi. It was impossible for the Yu

Residence to give up on her easily..