Chapter Twenty-Four: What Happened?

"What does this have to do with Yunqiao? Stop blaming her for everything."

Hearing this, Luo Zefeng did not argue back. Instead, he shot a furious glance at Luo Yunqiao. "Big brother, what kind of love potion has she fed you? You used to dote on Zhen'er the most. Why are you siding with Luo Yunqiao this time, leaving Zhen'er to suffer such grievances?"

The volume of their argument rose, and it seemed as if they were on the verge of a full-blown fight.

"Stop it, little brother!"

"Ting'er, Feng'er, stop this at once!"

Madame Luo and Luo Yunzhen spoke up, preventing the situation from escalating further.

Luo Zefeng fell silent, though his peripheral vision remained fixed on the silent Luo Yunqiao, his anger simmering. "Big brother, you are still making excuses for her. Is it worth it? She is an ungrateful wretch! Look at you now, arguing with me for her sake, while she doesn't even say a word. She is cold-blooded!"

"All of you, be silent!"

Madame Luo roared. Suddenly, the world went black before her eyes, and she swayed, nearly collapsing backward.

"Mother!" Luo Yunzhen and the maid quickly caught her.

Seeing that Madame Luo was truly incensed, Luo Zefeng finally held his tongue, though the look he cast at Luo Yunqiao remained hostile, as if he could tear her apart.

Madame Luo sighed. "You are all brothers and sisters; you should cherish one another. How can you quarrel like this over such trifles?"

"Ting'er, as the eldest brother, you should care for your siblings and be fair to all."

Luo Zeting cupped his hands in apology. "I was wrong, Mother. Please calm your anger."

Madame Luo then turned to Luo Zefeng. "Feng'er, you are naturally unruly, and today you have been disrespectful to your elder brother. If this reputation spreads, how will you enter government service or marry in the future?"

"Mother, I know I was wrong," Luo Zefeng said, bowing his head.

Madame Luo continued, "Zhen'er, Yunqiao, you two are the legitimate daughters of the Marquis's estate. You should support each other. If the four of you live in harmony, only then will our family prosper and go further." Her gaze lingered on Luo Yunqiao.

"Yes, Mother!" Luo Yunzhen quickly replied.

Yet, from beginning to end, Luo Yunqiao remained silent, as if she had heard nothing at all.

Finally, Madame Luo sighed and waved her hand in disappointment. "You may all go."

Luo Yunqiao, not wishing to spend another second there, turned to leave the courtyard without hesitation. But there were those who would not let her be.

"Stop right there!"

Luo Zefeng’s voice came from behind, but Luo Yunqiao did not pause; if anything, she quickened her pace. She had no desire to waste her time on a fool like Luo Zefeng. She would rather use this time to carefully plan how to rescue those innocent people.

Seeing her continue, Luo Zefeng shouted at her retreating figure, "Luo Yunqiao, you don't deserve to be part of the Luo family!"

"Enough, Feng'er!" Luo Zeting barked.

Luo Zefeng turned to him, snapping, "What is wrong with you, big brother? Ever since she returned, the Marquis's estate has been plagued with problems. You treat her so well, yet she didn't even glance at you before leaving! She is just a cold, selfish ghost!"

"She isn't even truly part of the Luo family. In my eyes, there must have been some mistake; she is nothing but a base, mongrel bastard!"

"Luo Zefeng!" Enraged, Luo Zeting swung his fist, striking Luo Zefeng squarely in the face and knocking him to the ground.

Luo Yunzhen was startled and quickly stepped between them, crying out, "Big brother, stop!"

Luo Zefeng, refusing to concede, stood up and glared at Luo Zeting, though his words were directed at Luo Yunzhen. "Zhen'er, move aside!"

Luo Yunzhen insisted, "No! Mother was already so angry; if she sees you two fighting again, her health won't be able to bear it!"

Mentioning Madame Luo brought them both back to their senses.

Luo Yunzhen added, "Elder sister suffered for many years outside, and after returning, she has faced so many troubles. It is natural for her to resent the Luo family; we should be understanding."

She urged them, "Big brother, little brother, please do not argue because of me and elder sister. We are all one family."

"Zhen'er is so sensible," Luo Zeting said, reaching out to pat her head gently.

"Zhen'er, how are you so kind? Being too kind is not a good thing," Luo Zefeng grumbled. "If you are this kind, you will suffer at Luo Yunqiao's hands sooner or later."

Luo Yunzhen shook her head indifferently. "I only wish for our family to be at peace; that is enough. Whether I suffer grievances or not matters little."

...

Back in her courtyard, Luo Yunqiao began to take stock of the monthly allowances and jewelry she had received from the Luo family. The more she calculated, the less confident she felt.

"If I want to rescue everyone, this is far from enough." Luo Yunqiao’s face was etched with worry. Suddenly, she remembered something and pulled out the box the old matriarch had given her, selecting the gold and silver jewelry from within.

"Jinxin!"

"Yes, Miss? What are your orders?" Jinxin set down her feather duster and hurried over.

"Take these pieces of jewelry and sell them. Exchange them for silver for me." Luo Yunqiao wrapped the jewelry in a small cloth bundle and handed it to her.

Jinxin looked at the box, which now contained only banknotes, and furrowed her brow. "Miss, these are the jewels the old matriarch gave you. If you don't like them, we can have them melted down and redesigned; there is no need to sell them."

"Besides, if the Marquis and the others find out, you will surely be punished!"

Luo Yunqiao only shook her head. "Listen to me. Sell them all for money. We must rescue those people."

"After all, only when they return can my innocence be proven and the stain on my reputation be washed away. Compared to that, what is a little jewelry?"

Understanding her mistress's intent, Jinxin took the bundle and hurried out.

Meanwhile, after dropping Luo Yunzhen off at her courtyard, Luo Zefeng was wandering through the garden. He was still sullen from the fight with his brother when a small figure collided with him.

Still in a foul mood, Luo Zefeng kicked out at Jinxin’s leg. "What kind of blind dog are you? Don't you have eyes when you walk?"

Seeing that she had offended the Second Young Master, Jinxin dared not even cry out in pain and quickly knelt to beg for mercy. "Second Young Master, have mercy! This servant did not do it on purpose!"

Recognizing her voice, Luo Zefeng realized who it was. "It's you? What are you in such a hurry for?"

His gaze fell upon the cloth bundle Jinxin was shielding in her arms, and he asked suspiciously, "What is that in your arms? Let me see!"

Jinxin hugged the bundle tightly, looking troubled. "Second Young Master, it is some items that the Miss asked me to help dispose of; it is not suitable for a man to see."

Thinking it was nothing more than the rouge and powder that women favored—assuming Luo Yunqiao was simply trying to make up for the life of luxury she had missed out on—Luo Zefeng lost interest.

He waved his hand impatiently. "Fine, fine, get lost!"

Jinxin quickly thanked him and stood up, hurrying away.

However, Luo Zefeng gave a signal to his servant, gesturing for him to keep an eye on her.