Liu Yushu followed Yuxiang through a series of twists and turns into the courtyard. The General's Mansion was larger than she had imagined.
When they reached the main hall, Old Lady Wu was sitting in the main seat, with Mrs. Wu beside her. Both were dressed simply, looking rather plain.
"Are you Liu Yushu? The legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor's family?" Mrs. Wu sized up Liu Yushu from head to toe. She thought that the girl was dressed quite richly, exuding nobility in her elegance. Although most of her face was covered by the veil, the bright smile in her watery eyes that were exposed was so captivating that one couldn't help but be drawn to them.
Mrs. Wu couldn't help but click her tongue. No wonder her son liked Miss Liu. She liked her too!
Seeing Mrs. Wu unconsciously showing a smile, Old Lady Wu beside her glared at her crossly and coughed to remind her to behave herself.
"I am she." Liu Yushu bowed respectfully to the two elders. She slowly removed the veil on her face, revealing her beautiful features. Her face was truly as rosy as a peach blossom, with a smile in her eyes. Just then, a gentle breeze blew, causing a wisp of hair at her temple to flutter slightly. She seemed like a fairy stepping out of a painting, vivid and incredibly beautiful, yet also showing a touch of cleverness.
Everyone in the room was stunned.
Old Lady Wu's small, squinted eyes widened. She was surprised in her heart. She never thought there could be such a beautiful woman in the world.
Mrs. Wu had the same surprised expression. She had only seen such a beautiful person in paintings.
She couldn't help but walk over, reach out and touch Liu Yushu's shoulder, then withdrew her hand in shock. She turned to the old lady and said excitedly, "Mother, she's real! This is a fairy descending to the mortal world. Should we offer incense and pay homage?"
Liu Yushu almost burst out laughing upon hearing this. It was the first time someone had flattered her like this. She was really afraid that Mrs. Wu would treat her like a goddess and kneel down to kowtow to her. Hahaha.
"What nonsense are you talking about in broad daylight!" Old Lady Wu came to her senses and scolded in a low voice.
"Why did you come here? And alone? Did your family's old lady send you?" Old Lady Wu was arrogant. She sized up Liu Yushu from head to toe with a sideways glance and snorted, "Our family didn't invite you!" It was as if she was issuing an order to evict her.
Liu Yushu suddenly understood why her grandmother didn't like the Wu family. Old Lady Wu was really unreasonable, and Mrs. Wu was also so fussy and rude.
"I've come today to give you an explanation, Old Lady." Liu Yushu smiled slightly. "I never poisoned the wine. That bottle of wine was given to me by Wu Chunzhe. I didn't want it, so I asked my maid to return it. As for why something went wrong when the people in your family drank it, you're a wise and discerning person, Old Lady. You must know the reason."
It was obvious that Jin Qiao'er had deliberately caused this trouble. She wasn't going to take the blame!
Old Lady Wu's face changed. She was surprised in her heart. She didn't expect this little girl, Liu Yushu, to be so smart and see through Jin Qiao'er's scheme at once.
Old Lady Wu knew that Jin Qiao'er had done it on purpose, but in order to matchmake Wu Chunzhe and Jin Qiao'er, she turned a blind eye and didn't expose it.
As for Wu Chunzhe, he also knew it in his heart. But unfortunately, he couldn't go against Old Lady Wu. Only Mrs. Wu was so naive, thinking that Jin Qiao'er was innocent.
"That's just your one - sided story. How do I know you didn't switch the wine?" Old Lady Wu insisted.
"I understand." Liu Yushu sneered coldly. "I've made my point clear. If you insist on slandering me, I won't admit it. I have no reason to poison Wu Chunzhe. If this matter gets out, what will others in the capital think? I'm not afraid of their gossiping behind my back because I'm upright. But your family's Miss Qiao'er might become well - known in the capital!"
Liu Yushu was sure that Old Lady Wu was afraid of complications, so she deliberately made a mountain out of a molehill. Seeing Old Lady Wu's face getting uglier, she continued with a smile, "I think we'd better go to the yamen and let the yamen investigate what exactly happened. What kind of poison Miss Qiao'er was poisoned with? It can't be just based on my one - sided story, nor can it be just based on your Wu family's words." Her reasoning was so sound that it left Old Lady Wu speechless.
"Mother, what shall we do! I don't want to go to the yamen. I'm scared!" Mrs. Wu was terrified.
"Your impudence! Is this how you talk to your elders? You have no manners at all!" Old Lady Wu lost face and couldn't argue with Liu Yushu, so she started to change the subject.
Liu Yushu showed disdain in her eyes and smiled slightly. "Oh, manners? The elders in my family never taught me to frame others." What she wanted to say next was, "You're an old woman but still abet evildoers. How dare you claim to be an elder?" But then she thought that if she said it, she would really go too far, and Old Lady Wu would have an excuse to teach her a lesson.
"Actually, this matter is already over. Qiao'er is fine. Miss Liu, you'd better go back. We won't mention this matter again in the future!" Mrs. Wu said timidly.
What did she mean by not mentioning it in the future? Didn't it imply that it was all her fault?
Liu Yushu was not willing. "If you really want to settle this matter, write an apology letter and send it to my home, saying that you misunderstood me. Let everyone know that this matter has nothing to do with me." Her attitude was firm. This was a matter of principle, and she couldn't back down even a single step.
"Little girl, how dare you try to act presumptuously in front of me! You have a lot of nerve!" Old Lady Wu was furious. Since she couldn't win the argument with Liu Yushu, she was about to resort to violence. "Someone, beat this presumptuous little girl severely. So what if her father is the Grand Tutor? In the end, he's just a weak scholar. My son holds military power. If this matter is brought to the Emperor, let's see who the Emperor will side with!"
"Old Lady Wu, you're being presumptuous! You dare to show contempt for the Emperor. Do you want General Wu to rebel? This is a capital crime that will implicate the entire family!" Liu Yushu didn't show any weakness. She never expected that Old Lady Wu would be so overbearing and unreasonable.
"What are you still standing there for? Beat her to death for me!" Old Lady Wu roared angrily. Mama Yuxiang rushed over, grabbed Liu Yushu's arm, and raised her hand to slap her.