The scene instantly descended into chaos.
The ladies, who had been immersed in this earth - shattering secret, finally came to their senses. They didn't even have the time to wonder how Yun Xi knew these hidden matters. Some rushed to help the fallen, while others called for the doctor.
Such a commotion finally attracted the attention of the family heads who had been chatting merrily nearby and had no intention of paying attention to the ladies.
As the head of the family, Yun Weisheng turned around first. At a glance, he saw Liu Jingyue and Yun Xi, who looked worried on the surface but actually had smiles in their eyes.
Then, he caught sight of the other two, who were panicking and looked extremely pale. For some reason, there was an indescribable sense of strangeness in his heart.
He always felt that his own daughter was on a rampage here...
Yun Weisheng shook his head, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart. He was about to ask what was going on. But just as he opened his mouth, the husband of Zhou Chunqing, who had followed behind, preempted him and asked in shock:
"What... what happened? How did it turn out like this during a simple New - Year's greeting?"
There was a moment of silence in the room.
The ladies looked at each other, but no one dared to answer him.
After all, who would have the nerve to mention such a scandal of having an affair with one's own father - in - law.
Only Yun Xi, looking innocent, opened her mouth and said:
"Oh, it's like this..."
"I accidentally fell!"
Zhou Chunqing quickly interrupted Yun Xi's words in panic. Covering her forehead, her face was as white as a sheet.
She couldn't afford the slightest investigation into this matter. How could she let her husband know? She quickly got up with the support of the maid and forced a smile:
"It's inauspicious for me to fall. Let's go back quickly. Don't let this bad luck spread to others."
With that, she walked out on her own, not even having time to say goodbye.
This hasty escape left the men confused. They had to turn to the other "victim" and, led by Yun Weisheng, asked:
"What about the little auntie? What happened to her?"
"Getting old,"
Before Yun Xi could open her mouth, the old lady, who had finally caught her breath, spoke as eloquently as a lawyer:
"The room is stuffy. Anyway, I've seen everyone. I won't stay any longer."
"Jing'er, let's go, go right away!"
As she said this, she walked out, with a pace as fast as when she was young. In a short while, she disappeared from sight.
After hearing Yun Xi expose two jaw - dropping secrets in succession, the remaining ladies didn't dare to stay any longer.
They all made excuses to leave, and each secretly thanked their lucky stars that they hadn't offended Yun Xi. Otherwise, they might be the ones who would be too ashamed to show their faces in the future.
At the same time, all the younger generations who returned from the Yun family that day received warnings from their mothers: never cause trouble in front of Yun Xi.
"Look at your good daughter!"
The old lady of the Yun family was extremely angry. She didn't have any such sordid affairs, so she wasn't afraid of Yun Xi finding her fault.
Moreover, even if she did have something, as the biological mother of Yun Xi's father, Yun Xi would surely take her father's feelings into account!
The old lady of the Yun family didn't mince her words and glared angrily:
"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, she was lazy and made all the elders wait for her. And as soon as she came, she spoke without thinking and exposed others' faults, causing such a mess. She has ruined the whole New - Year celebration!"
"Expose faults?"
Yun Weisheng was confused:
"What faults did Yingying expose? It had such an effect. She's quite something."
"You..."
The old lady of the Yun family was almost so angry that she vomited blood.
"Do you think I'm asking you to praise her!?"
"You've raised one daughter to be willful and vicious, and the second one is also so petty and never reflects on herself. You... How could I have such a son as you!"
"Mother,"
Yun Weisheng instinctively defended Yun Xi and said:
"I told them not to wake Yingying up because I thought she was not feeling well. It's not her fault."
"Moreover, I misjudged that white - eyed wolf before. I was blinded by her false innocence. But Yingying is definitely not such a person. She has the kindest nature."
"You haven't really gotten along with Yingying since she left home. You can't be biased against her just because of what the eldest sister said."
Yun Xi raised her delicate eyebrows slightly: No wonder the old lady was so hostile. It turned out that someone had been whispering in her ear.
At this time, Yun Qi also quickly chimed in:
"Yes, Grandmother. When I first returned to the capital, I didn't know that Xiaoxi was my biological sister. But in our interactions, I found her to be upright and befriended her.
"Moreover, you know the Grand Tutor Cao. He also highly praised Xiaoxi's character and is almost a half - generation - crossing friend with her. This shows that Xiaoxi must be a good person. You'll know once you get along with her more."
"Humph—"
The old lady of the Yun family let out a cold snort from her nose and naturally didn't believe these two father and son.
But she was too lazy to argue with these two who were so protective. She secretly thought that when something happened to Yun Xi like what happened to Lou Qianying, these two would understand.
Waving her hand, the old lady of the Yun family didn't even look at Yun Xi and simply said:
"Fine, watch over your own daughter. I'm just an old woman, and it's annoying for me to say too much."
"Anyway, there's no place for me in this General's Mansion. I can't enjoy the filial piety of your wife. Everyone has left. It's time for me to go too. You all have a good New - Year!"
After saying that, regardless of Yun Weisheng's earnest persuasion, she left with her maid without looking back.
Yun Xi scratched her nose. After all, it was the first day of the New - Year. It seemed a bit inappropriate to end up like this...
Liu Jingyue seemed to sense Yun Xi's thoughts. She gently stroked her hand and said:
"Don't think too much. They came to pay New - Year greetings because of your father's current high status. Everyone wants to gain some benefits.
"Back then, when the Liu family was in trouble and your grandfather died in battle on the south - western border; your second uncle was marginalized in the court and could hardly find a foothold. Even now, he only holds a sinecure. When your father took over your grandfather's position and our family volunteered to go to the border, hardly anyone came to see us off, let alone offer help. We didn't even receive a single letter of greeting.
"If your father hadn't risked his life and suffered countless injuries to gain this great honor, they wouldn't have set foot in our house today."
Liu Jingyue said this extremely calmly. She was neither angry about the cold - hearted behavior of others back then, nor did she feel self - satisfied or vindictive now that they were in a high position.
Over the past decade or so, she had experienced and seen too much. Life and death on the battlefield were always unpredictable. Moreover, it was human nature to pursue benefits and avoid harm. She was too lazy to care about it.
She just wanted to live a good life with her own family.
But just because she didn't care didn't mean she would tolerate others being as arrogant as before and thinking they could still bully her family as they did when the Liu family first declined.
"Alright, go and see Jiang Ning first."
Liu Jingyue smiled gently at Yun Xi and then said:
"I saw her in a daze early this morning. It seems she has something on her mind. Tomorrow is the day to visit our parents' home. I need to prepare."
"Okay."
Yun Xi replied obediently. Without saying more, she led Saixing and Lingyan towards Jiang Ning's room.