Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 56 Undercurrents

The Duke of Yu's mansion is very large. Duke Yu Shan was a military officer, and perhaps to improve his genes, he married women from aristocratic families. As a result, the mansion has been improved over the decades. The pavilions, terraces, waterside pavilions, flowers, trees and rocks are arranged in a well-organized manner, which is very elegant and does not reveal the atmosphere of a nouveau riche.

Yu Ze and Shen Che chatted very congenially, from poetry and songs to life ideals, while Shen Qing listened in on the sidelines.

Although Yuze is a large fat man, he has excellent manners and can be seen to be well-mannered. He is also very tactful in his dealings with others and speaks in a gentle and pleasant way, making it difficult for people to feel any ill will towards him. Apart from his appearance, he can be considered a qualified successor.

It's true that you can't judge a book by its cover. Fukang and Yuze changed Shen Qing's prejudice against fat people. Don't assume someone is stupid just because they're fat. By extension, never underestimate anyone.

"Yan Qi, I heard that the Duke and the Heir Apparent are both in the Southern Frontier. Has war broken out again recently?"

Yu Ze's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he said, "When have border conflicts ever ceased? These are minor ailments and not worth worrying about."

"I've heard..."

“My cousin has come from afar, and I have prepared a feast. Come, come, let’s talk about romance and not business today.”

Knowing that he could not find out any more information today, Shen Che did not bring it up again and replied, "I will respectfully comply."

Seeing this, Shen Qing thought to himself, Shen Che seems very interested in the Southern Frontier. He said there is another war? Now that the countries are at peace and restraining each other, one move can affect the whole situation. If Yu Kingdom launches a major war against another country, how should we, as an ally, deal with it?

Then he thought of the devastation and suffering caused by war. As someone born in a peaceful era, he couldn't bear to see it. He prayed for peace and tranquility, hoping it was all just his overthinking.

Green Jade Courtyard —

Yu Mi sat on the swing, trying to unravel the nine-linked rings, while Yu Jue sat on the stone bench in the courtyard, looking at the account book. He didn't turn the pages for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.

"Click—" The nine-linked rings were untied.

"Sister, do you need my help?" Yu Mi approached the stone table.

Yu Jue snapped out of her daze and smiled, "No need."

"Is something on your mind, sister?" Yu Mi lay on the table, looking up at Yu Jue with her clear, bright eyes.

Yu Jue was somewhat envious of her carefree appearance and gently stroked her little head. "It's just that Grandfather and Father haven't sent any letters home for a long time."

"Oh~" That's it? Yu Mi didn't care at all.

"Doesn't Mi'er miss them?"

"I have my sister, that's enough."

Seeing that she showed no emotion and remained unmoved when her father was mentioned, Yu Jue couldn't help but sigh.

She had long since discovered that her younger sister seemed to be just as the Taoist priest had said—cold-hearted by nature, and indifferent to everyone except her, her older sister.

She once thought that it was because of the prophecy that her family members were distant from her, which made Yu Mi not close to them. It wasn't until her wet nurse, who had taken care of her since childhood, passed away that she was not saddened. When her pet cat, which she had raised for a year, was lost, she immediately replaced it with another one. Only then did she realize that Yu Mi was truly heartless.

Looking at Yu Mi's eyes filled with dependence, Yu Jue thought, it's all that stinky Taoist's fault! His pronouncements made everyone in the manor look at Mi'er with strange eyes, which shaped Mi'er's current temperament.

"Young lady, your son-in-law has come to see you again," Qin Zhong, the personal maid, teased.

Yu Jue rolled her eyes at her, patted Yu Mi's head and told her to play by herself for a while, then got up and left the courtyard.

Yu Mi watched Yu Jue's departing figure, her eyes darkening. Stealing her sister, how annoying.

The maid standing nearby felt inexplicably cold.

Qingyuxuan —

Yu Pingting was even angrier when she saw her mother and brother singing in unison. She said, "Mother has no ambition and is content with the status quo. Anyway, Father dotes on you and you don't have a legitimate wife to keep you in check. You live a carefree life."

“My brother is a man who can make a name for himself, but what about me? How can I strive? I can only find someone to marry. I don’t want to marry just any minor official or a son of a high-ranking family and be unable to hold my head high in front of Yu Jue and the others for the rest of my life.”

After all, she was her own daughter, so Aunt Mo couldn't bring herself to say anything harsh like "ambitious but unlucky," and could only offer gentle advice.

"No matter how ambitious you are, you have to consider the actual situation. Even if you want to marry a son of a high-ranking family, what makes you think you can? Just because you're good-looking?"

"Can't we rely on talent?"

"..."

"..."

The mother and son exchanged a glance; she seemed not to have anything to say.

Yu Pingting blushed, "What can you learn from the tutor in the manor? It's just going through the motions."

"You want to change your husband?"

"I want to go to the palace school!"

Well, now that the truth has been revealed, Aunt Mo finally understands the real purpose behind Yu Pingting's commotion today.

The Yu Kingdom's Imperial Academy is filled with children of powerful and wealthy families, who are usually legitimate sons. However, there are exceptions, such as the king's sons and those who gain admission through nepotism. But even then, one needs to have a high standing with the king to be allowed to get in through connections.

Is the status of the heir of the Duke of Yu sufficient? Undoubtedly, it is, but it's not worth it. Human relationships are like face, they become thinner with wear and tear, it's not worth wasting time on such a trivial matter.

"No, that would put your father in a difficult position."

"I'm just going to ask the king for a favor..."

"What do you know, little kid? Is this how you use the achievements of your grandfather and father who fought on the battlefield?"

The emperor is the worst boss in the world, ten times more ruthless than a capitalist. When you ask for a favor, he doesn't calculate it by value, but by the number of times!

Yu Pingting seemed to have figured out something crucial, but felt that since it concerned her future, it was still worth taking the plunge.

She wanted to go to the palace school in order to squeeze into the core social circle of the upper class and cultivate relationships.

“My maternal grandfather protected my father back then, and my uncle also lost his life for him…”

"Snapped--"

Yu Pingting covered her face in disbelief, staring at Aunt Mo. She had never been beaten before, and tears welled up in her eyes. "I didn't say anything wrong!"

"Shut up!"

Aunt Mo's chest heaved with anger. "Your maternal grandfather's unwavering loyalty and righteousness cannot be desecrated like this! Is your uncle's life something you can use to seek revenge?"

"Why do you think I, a mere servant, deserve to be so carefree? And why do you all live such a comfortable life?"

It's all about past friendships, but if you bring it up so bluntly, it becomes a transaction, and the friendship is gone.

Transactions may end, but friendship and affection are endless.

At this moment, Aunt Mo almost wanted to stuff Yu Pingting back in and remake her.

“Yu Pingting, let me tell you, there are people in this world who favor concubines over wives and value illegitimate sons more than legitimate sons, but your father is definitely not one of them. In his heart, Yu Ze and Yu Mi are always the most important. Don’t be delusional and try to compete with them.”

Aunt Mo and Yuqi grew up together and knew how much he suffered because of his stepmother. The main reason he became the heir was because he was the legitimate son of the first wife. As a beneficiary, he firmly supported the rights of the legitimate son; otherwise, he would have become a laughing stock.

How could someone who Zhou's family couldn't raise even after going to such great lengths be a clueless idiot?