Gu Liyue looked up at Jiang Che, words of defense on the tip of her tongue, but in the end they all vanished.
Jiang Che pointed at the main house. "Now, go to Mother's place and kneel down to plead. Send this cat away and ask Mother to let Yue out."
Gu Liyue frowned at him. "Madam has already agreed to let Little Red accompany Hydrangea."
Jiang Che didn't expect Gu Liyue to resist. He felt even angrier and gritted his teeth. "Gu Liyue, who do you think you are? Hydrangea is my elder sister's cat, so Mother treats it so well. And what are you? You're just something Mother uses to remember my sister. You're not even as good as Hydrangea. What right do you have to stay here? And what right do you have to bring a cat back? Let me tell you, Gu Liyue. If you don't send it away, I have plenty of ways to kill it!"
Gu Liyue defended herself. "Third Young Master, this isn't my cat. It belongs to Young Master Lin from the Princess Mansion. I just..."
"Stop bringing Lin Zhijie up. I've already inquired about all your dirty deeds. First, you lured Lin Zhijie to get close to you. After being sent away by the Princess, you still clung to him and chased him to the capital. I don't know what method you used to get in with my mother. Gu Liyue, do you think you can deceive everyone? I even thought you were an honest person before. I even felt that punishing you to shell walnuts last time was too harsh. I didn't expect..."
"Are you done?" Gu Liyue interrupted Jiang Che. "Third Young Master, if you're here to mock me, then let's go in front of Madam right now and argue. Let's ask Madam if I clung to her to stay here. You're too cowardly to do something yourself. Why should I do it? If you have the guts, just tell Madam directly that you hate me and ask me to leave!"
"You..." Jiang Che was stunned and couldn't say a word for a long time.
Gu Liyue continued. "Also, did you really think I was honest? You thought the punishment last time was too harsh, but did you make any compensation? You didn't. What, do you think your unexpressed guilt is so great? Third Young Master, to be honest, I can understand why Miss Yingyue hates me. I took away some of Madam's love for her. But what about you? You're just being inexplicable. At least Miss Yingyue has the guts to tell Madam clearly. You don't dare to do anything. You just come to threaten me secretly? Oh, men..."
"You! What did you say?" Jiang Che was completely enraged. "You're saying I'm not a man? Let me tell you, Gu Liyue. Do you think I dare not beat you?"
Perhaps after saying all the pent - up anger in her heart, Gu Liyue felt completely relaxed. Looking at Jiang Che again, she only thought he was extremely ridiculous.
She had no intention of talking to him more. "It's impossible for me to plead for Miss Yingyue. She doesn't like me, and I don't like her either. I won't argue with her about what she did to me today, but I'm not kind - hearted enough to plead for her. As for Little Red, since you've said so, I naturally won't keep it in the mansion anymore. However, I can't leave the mansion on normal days. In a while, during the Lantern Festival, Young Master Lin will come to pick me up to celebrate. I'll return the cat to him then."
After saying that, Gu Liyue went into the west wing.
Jiang Che was extremely angry. He wanted to chase after her, but then he thought it was getting late. It didn't seem appropriate to barge into a young lady's boudoir. He was fuming. This woman dared to provoke him like this... However, what she said seemed to make some sense. If he was dissatisfied, he should tell his mother instead of making things difficult for her.
No, no, no. This woman was very cunning. She clearly didn't want to give up the wealth and honor of their family, so she said these high - sounding words. He couldn't be deceived by her so easily.
Forget it. Stop thinking about her. He should first figure out how to get something for Yue'er to eat.
Gu Liyue hugged Little Red and stroked it gently. She had long understood that one could only do what was appropriate in one's position. She was neither a mistress nor a maid now. All she relied on was Madam's favor. But in the end, she was just a substitute, not Madam's real daughter.
How could a person like her protect Little Red's safety? Since she couldn't, it was better to send it away earlier to avoid any mishaps.
With Little Red's company, Hydrangea had indeed become much more lively. Little Red scurried around the yard every day, and Hydrangea would follow it around. After half a month, Hydrangea looked much more energetic.
Madam Jiang was extremely happy. She rewarded Gu Liyue and Yuan'er, saying that they had taken good care of Hydrangea.
Yuan'er said quickly. "Madam, I didn't do anything. It's all Miss Liyue's good idea. Since Little Red came, the yard has been much more lively."
Madam Jiang laughed. She pointed at Little Red. "Quick, catch it for me to have a look. This cat is so good - looking and lively. No wonder Liyue likes it."
But Little Red didn't like Madam Jiang very much. It didn't scratch people, but just bared its teeth and struggled.
Madam Jiang didn't mind. She said again. "Liyue doesn't know that at first, Hydrangea also didn't like me. It only knew how to play around with Yue'er. I was so worried at that time, afraid that Hydrangea would scratch Yue'er." Then...
At this point, Madam Jiang paused. Later, Yue'er died. After Hydrangea was sick for a while, it became obedient instead.
Yuan'er continued. "Madam, you're so forgetful. I still remember that you thought the Hydrangea I brought wasn't good and punished me."
Yuan'er was Jiang Yue's personal maid. Madam Jiang treated her differently from other maids. She didn't get angry when she heard Yuan'er's rebellious words. She just asked. "Oh? You still remember such an old thing?"
Yuan'er smiled secretly. "Of course I remember. I was punished to be confined at that time. Miss secretly saved some pastries and climbed through the window to send them to me. But the window was too high. Miss fell down and almost hit her head."
Madam Jiang recalled the past and nodded. "Yes. At that time, I was so anxious and angry that I wanted to beat you both up. But Yue'er protected you. I had no choice but to let you go."
Yuan'er stuck out her tongue. "So it's because of this that I've developed such an unruly character. Madam, please tell Nanny Chao. With my character, which decent family would want me? I'll just comb my hair to show that I'll be single and serve Hydrangea and you for the rest of my life."
Madam Jiang was used to her nonsense and just laughed. "In the future, you must stay away from Liyue. Don't spoil another one of my daughters."
All the maids in the yard laughed. It was extremely lively.
But Jiang Yingyue, who had been hesitating to enter at the door, had red eyes. She had been under house arrest for half a month. As soon as she was finally able to come out, she immediately wanted to come and pay respects to Auntie.
But Auntie had already forgotten about her. In Auntie's heart, there was only that Gu Liyue.
Clearly, she was Auntie's new daughter. Auntie had given her the character "Yue". Uncle was also willing to let her be Auntie's daughter. Why didn't Auntie want her?
Was it because of the cat? What if she could accept the cat?