Chapter 11: Zhengge Er

Yueyao was preparing to tell her grandmother about Zheng Ge'er's situation. It would be best to resolve this matter as soon as possible.

Seeing the situation, the old lady knew that Yueyao had something to say, so she dismissed all the maidservants, saying, "San Yatou, if you have something to say, just tell your grandmother. Has someone bullied you?"

Yueyao quickly shook her head and said, "No, with grandmother around, no one dares to bully me. It's just that I had a dream. In the dream, my mother told me that Zheng Ge'er is now the only heir left by my father in this world. She asked me to take good care of him." This was Yueyao's well-considered reason. If she could make Hua Lei believe it, then she believed that her grandmother would also believe it.

The old lady was taken aback. Her daughter-in-law had appeared in Yueyao's dream. Although it was unexpected, she didn't doubt that Yueyao was making it up. Mainly because Yueyao was simple-minded and usually buried herself in copying scriptures. She didn't expect Yueyao to be so thoughtful.

After hearing Yueyao's words, the old lady thought that San Yatou must have been copying scriptures every day. Her filial piety had moved the heavens, which led her deceased daughter-in-law to ask San Yatou to take care of Zheng Ge'er. If her daughter-in-law hadn't done such a thing back then, her second son would be doing well now!

Momo was chosen by the old master. The old lady had opposed the marriage between Momo and her eldest son. But in the end, she couldn't resist the old master. However, because of this, the old lady had never liked Momo.

Yueyao's mother, Ma Shi, was chosen by the old lady herself. After Ma Shi came to the family, she was very filial to the old lady, virtuous, and dignified, which the old lady liked. The only thing that displeased the old lady was that Ma Shi couldn't bear a legitimate grandson.

The old lady didn't blame Ma Shi entirely for this. After knowing that her body was damaged after giving birth to Yueyao, Ma Shi stopped taking the medicine for concubines. But she still couldn't conceive. Later, her second son went on an official mission, and the old lady let her daughter-in-law go with him in the hope of having a legitimate grandson. But instead of a legitimate grandson, they got a white-haired person to send off a black-haired person.

After hearing Yueyao's plea, the old lady understood that even though Zheng Ge'er was incompetent and unworthy, he was still the only heir left by her youngest son. The old lady thought for a moment and realized that she couldn't educate him herself. Firstly, her health couldn't handle it, and secondly, she didn't like Zheng Ge'er. Thirdly, the ancient people had deep faith in gods and ghosts, and Yueyao was extremely filial. If Yueyao was willing to take care of him, then so be it. The old lady nodded and said, "San Yatou, do you mean to educate him yourself?"

The reason Yueyao borrowed her deceased mother's words was that she wasn't close to Zheng Ge'er, and it wouldn't be appropriate to bring it up abruptly. By borrowing her mother's words, it made it more convincing. After hearing the old lady's words, Yueyao, with tears in her eyes, said, "Mother's dream, Yueyao dare not disobey. Please, grandmother, grant your approval."

The old lady didn't think much more and said, "Zheng Mama, you accompany San Gu Niang. If there's anything inappropriate, you tell your grandmother."

The old lady didn't want to deal with Zheng Ge'er before, and there was a reason for that. She was old and couldn't handle so much. Yueyao didn't like Zheng Ge'er, so she let Momo handle it. Besides, Momo wouldn't let go of the meal ticket that was Zheng Ge'er.

Yueyao's residence had a good view and was very quiet, but it was located in the south of the Lian residence, which was relatively remote. To Yueyao's surprise, her brother's residence was located directly opposite hers. They were like "one in the south and one in the north." If they were to meet, they would have to go around the entire mansion. The chances of them meeting were close to zero.

Yueyao followed Zheng Mama for half a day before arriving at a dilapidated courtyard.

The gate was peeling, and the walls showed colorful marks. If it weren't for Zheng Mama leading her in, she wouldn't have known that such a place existed.

After entering the courtyard, she was relieved to find that it was clean. However, there were no trees in the courtyard, and it was not as pleasing to the eye as her own courtyard.

Just as Yueyao let out a sigh of relief, she heard an angry voice coming from inside the house, "How many times have I told you to stay in the house and not to go anywhere? You didn't listen and ran out, getting yourself all dirty. Now I have to clean you up."

Yueyao's face frowned. Whether in Jiangnan or here, no one had ever spoken so loudly in front of her. She walked into the house and saw a woman in her thirties scolding a thin, weak child dressed in a green outfit.

The little boy kept his head down, tears and snot covering his face, but he didn't cry out loud. He just trembled and sobbed silently. It was truly pitiful.

The old woman became even angrier when she saw this scene: "Can you hear me? You fool, speak up. Say you dare not do it next time." She raised her hand, as if wanting to strike the child.

Yueyao looked at her wanting to hit and said coldly, "What kind of thing are you? Who gave you the courage?"

She did not expect that Tingzheng's days would be so difficult. A maidservant dared to scold and even hit him. What kind of sister was she?

The old woman turned her head and saw Yueyao's icy look, and was immediately frightened and knelt down: "Third Miss, spare me, spare me. This old servant only scared the young master and never lifted a finger. Please spare me. Please spare me, Third Miss."

Yueyao asked coldly: "And where is Mistress You? How dare you act so boldly, just now you have crossed the line, enough to merit a severe punishment."

The old woman trembled and said in terror, "This servant doesn't know, Mistress You left early in the morning and still hasn't come back.” She knew that if this matter was exposed to the master’s wife, she would have no way out. Right now she could only hope that Yueyao would let her off.

Yueyao, however, did not even look at her, and walked to Tingzheng's side. Tingzheng's face was covered in tears and snot, and his clothes were stained with some unknown substances, dirty and disheveled. His hands were also dirty. He looked like a wild child.

Yueyao carefully examined Tingzheng. He was thin, almost skin and bones, resembling that of a three or four-year-old despite being five years old.

Yueyao felt very distressed. In her previous life, she had never cared about this half-brother. How could she have known that he was living in such hardship? Yueyao blamed herself, realizing from the outcome of her previous life that Mistress You had never really cared for him. Otherwise, why would she delay in getting a doctor, causing him to become ill with a fever?

Yueyao held Tingzheng's hand. Even though it was August, his hands were ice cold. Yueyao suddenly felt a chill, and checked his sleeves and clothes. Fortunately, she found no signs of injury. These people had been daring but had not dared to harm Tingzheng.

Seeing Yueyao’s icy gaze, the old woman was terrified and began to beg for mercy. Yueyao turned her head and asked, "Zhen Mama, how should this servant be punished for disrespecting her master?"

Zhen Mama coldly replied, "Twenty strokes and the entire family will be sold into slavery."

The old woman immediately collapsed to the ground, letting out a scream like a slaughtered pig and pleading, "Miss, please spare me, Miss?"

Yueyao acted as if she hadn't heard the plea. She had long seen through these people. When they were in power, they didn't even respect their master. What they considered as compassion was merely foolishness, an opportunity to be taken advantage of.

At this moment, Tingzheng looked at Yueyao with expectation and fear in his eyes. Finally, summoning great courage, he pulled on Yueyao's sleeve and called out, "Sister."

Yueyao was shocked, thinking she had misheard, and asked again, "What did you just call me?" In Yueyao's memory, she had never met Tingzheng before. Why did he know she was his sister?

Tingzheng struggled to speak but remained silent.

Afraid that Yueyao would lose patience and neglect Master Zheng, Huali stood nearby and cajoled, “Master Zheng, answer the Miss if you have something to say.”

Tingzheng then softly called "Sister" once again.

Yueyao asked in astonishment, "How did you know that I’m your sister?"

Tingzheng's voice was weak, "I have seen my sister before. She gave me candy." After speaking, he lowered his head.

Yueyao was very surprised. She had no recollection. While Yueyao was lost in thought, Huali whispered in her ear, "Miss, it was I who gave the candy. Young Master also saw you on the boat." In fact, Huali took good care of Tingzheng in private.

Yueyao glanced at Huali and smiled bitterly. What kind of sister was she, even worse than a maidservant.

Huali didn’t know Yueyao’s thoughts but tried to comfort her, “Miss, although Master Zheng may not be very intelligent, he is definitely not a fool. Blood is thicker than water. For Miss, besides Madam, Master Zheng is the most reliable."

In fact, from Tingzheng's words earlier, Yueyao could tell that her little brother was a bit naïve but definitely not a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn't have remembered her for so long. "Tingzheng, tell your sister, is the candy delicious?"

Tingzheng looked at Yueyao and expressed his inner thoughts, "Sister, I'm very hungry." Perhaps the memory of the candy was deep, or it could be because of their sibling relationship. Tingzheng trusted Yueyao and wanted to be close to her.

Hearing Tingzheng say he was hungry, Yueyao was immediately filled with anger. She sternly said, "Do you not feed him every day? The food provided by the residence is being privately kept and not given to Tingzheng?"

Huali was stunned. Yueyao had never shown such a temper before. In Huali's memory, Yueyao had always been gentle and had never raised her voice. However, she had changed completely. Could a dream make her change so dramatically?

Quickly sweeping her chaotic thoughts aside, Huali reassured herself that while Yueyao had indeed changed, it was for the better. The rest was not her concern.

The maid knelt on the ground, crying, "Miss, even if I had the courage of a lion, I wouldn't dare to be strict with the young master's monthly silver. It was Madam You who used to manage this money." If she added another offense, it wouldn't be just the family being sold off, but the whole family would be beaten to death with sticks. At this point, she could only push the blame onto Madam You.

Yueyao held back her anger and stopped scolding the maid. No amount of scolding would be of any use. She took out her own handkerchief and wiped the tears and snot from Tingzheng's face. The once pristine and clean handkerchief was now ruined.

Hualei stared at Yueyao in a daze. Miss Yueyao was very particular about cleanliness and didn't allow anyone to touch her things, let alone be contaminated by such filth. She had really changed, for the better. Madam in heaven would be pleased to know that her words had completely changed Yueyao.

Yueyao asked the maid who was crying on the ground, "Where are the clothes?" This outfit was definitely ruined. She needed to change into a new one.

The maid had cried so loudly just now that she couldn't say a word for a long time.