The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 313: Hell on Earth

Chapter 313: Hell on Earth

"If people find out, how will the Yu family survive in the capital in the future?!"

Yu Chunhua had expected her mother and brothers to support her, but their expressions changed suddenly.

Mrs. Yu’s face was stern. "How many times have I told you not to speak of things you shouldn’t? Did you not hear me at all?"

"Daughter was indeed wrong, but... but Father punished Daughter for this? In the future, Father will only lower his standing everywhere in court!" Yu Chunhua argued cunningly. "The Emperor should also know that in Mu Nation, not only the Ninth Prince knows how to fight, but my Father is also invincible!"

General Yu was so angry his beard almost curled up. He strode up and slapped her hard again. "Shut up! If it weren’t for the Ninth Prince’s covert intelligence this time, I wouldn’t have been able to drive away the elite troops of the Border Nation so quickly. These years I’ve spent in the southwest, neglecting to properly educate you, have led you to develop such a temperament."

Mrs. Yu did not intervene, only watching coldly.

Both she and her husband came from humble backgrounds, and they had worked hard to build up their clan to its current state. They couldn’t let their daughter ruin everything.

The eldest brother also rebuked her, "You are truly short-sighted. How could the Ninth Prince’s status as a war god be shaken? Besides, even if Father wins more battles, our family can’t compare to the imperial relatives!"

The second brother nodded, "Exactly. Fortunately, Father won this battle himself; otherwise, the Ninth Prince might have personally taken action."

The third brother was anxious, "Father, it seems you have to punish severely to prevent the Ninth Prince from pursuing this matter further."

Yu Chunhua’s cheeks burned hot. She had started out feeling wronged and tearful but now stared blankly at them.

Her mother and brothers, who usually doted on her, were now treating her like a different person. How could they treat her like this?!

"No, Father..." Yu Chunhua finally realized the seriousness of the situation. She gritted her teeth through the pain in her knees and moved closer, her voice trembling with tears. "Father, Daughter knows she was wrong. Daughter will never speak rashly again."

General Yu looked at her coldly. "You’re already sixteen. It’s time for you to get married."

"Father?" Yu Chunhua had a bad feeling.

General Yu continued, "Your cousin Dashizhi is reliable and of the right age. Their family had previously sent letters proposing marriage, and I sent word back on my way back to the capital, asking them to send the betrothal gifts and set the wedding date as soon as possible."

"No!" Yu Chunhua’s eyes widened, and she grabbed General Yu’s clothes tightly. "Father, I’m a county princess. How can I marry someone from such a poor family as my cousin?"

With her status, she should marry into a prestigious family in the capital.

Mrs. Yu’s eyes flickered with reluctance, but it quickly disappeared. She sighed lightly, "I’ll prepare more dowry for you, Chunhua. For our family’s sake, you cannot stay in the Capital anymore."

They couldn’t risk their three sons’ futures for one daughter.

Yu Chunhua was completely stunned. "Mother, even you treat me like this?!"

"Dashizhi is well-behaved and won’t let you suffer," Mrs. Yu said.

Yu Chunhua cried out, "But he has no official position, his family is poor. If I marry into that household, I’ll surely suffer! Mother, Father, you can’t be so heartless..."

General Yu’s face was cold as ice, showing no sign of wavering. "You’re no longer a child of three. You must bear the consequences of your own mistakes."

With that, he ordered the guards to take Yu Chunhua back to her courtyard. Until the wedding, she wouldn’t be allowed to step out of the courtyard.

At first, Yu Chunhua begged for mercy, but when she realized it was useless, she resorted to cursing.

The guards stuffed her mouth with cloth to prevent anyone from hearing her outbursts.

Peace returned to the General’s residence.

Mrs. Yu’s eyes were slightly red. Following General Yu into the house, after thinking it over, she couldn’t bear it. "Husband, actually, Chunhua didn’t say much. Why don’t we visit and offer a formal apology? The Ninth Princess is beloved by the people; this matter should be able to be smoothed over."

General Yu sat down, took a sip of cold tea, and sighed in frustration. "If it were just a matter of saying a few words, would the Ninth Prince bother to argue with this little girl?"

"Could it be... Chunhua did something else?" General Yu lowered his voice and recounted the good deeds Yu Chunhua and the high-born ladies had done at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Mrs. Yu’s pupils contracted.

Feeling weak, she sat down heavily on the chair.

"She’s so... vicious!" Mrs. Yu’s tears welled up. "Husband, it’s my fault for not teaching her well, allowing her to make such a mistake."

General Yu sighed. He knew his wife was already feeling guilty and didn’t continue blaming her.

But Mrs. Yu was puzzled and asked, "Then why didn’t you explain the reasons to Chunhua just now?"

"This matter involves several noble families. Madam Hou was probably afraid of their retaliation and didn’t mention the injustice she suffered," General Yu explained. "It was Lord Xie who asked the Ninth Prince to intervene. By doing so, even if others hold a grudge, they won’t direct it towards Madam Hou."

Mrs. Yu listened with a solemn expression. "Others say Lord Xie is indifferent and lacks cunning. It seems he previously didn’t bother with schemes against others. This time our family narrowly escaped disaster. From now on, we must be cautious at every step."

"It’s fortunate that Fan Yunxi is timid; otherwise, the Yu family would have faced the Empress’s fury," General Yu nodded, murmuring, "Although the Capital is prosperous, one wrong step can easily lead to ruin."

Mrs. Yu deeply agreed.

In this mundane world, it might be even harder than hell in the underworld.

---

A few days later, news spread from General Yu’s mansion that Yu Chunhua was preparing for marriage.

The several high-born ladies who had bullied Fan Yunxi were initially terrified. However, after waiting and seeing that everything was calm both inside and outside their homes, they quickly relaxed.

Fan Yunxi was truly timid, and Xie Beihan was just bluffing without any real abilities.

But their happiness didn’t last long. Troubles emerged in their own homes—whether their father was taking in a stunning concubine, their brothers were engaged to spirited girls with notorious reputations, or various relatives were causing disturbances.

Soon, chaos reigned in their mansions.

Apart from lacking leisure time to go out, they were suddenly burdened with various family matters, and they even had little money left after a short time. They dared not venture out anymore.

They once suspected Xie Beihan was behind it all, but seeing him lounging around as usual each day quickly dispelled their doubts.

Perhaps their family’s luck had turned sour, and they had offended someone, hence their string of misfortunes.

Although they had little money left, they still made arrangements to visit the Tianfo Temple to pray for better luck.

However, while taking a break at a teahouse on the outskirts of the city, they unexpectedly encountered Lord Ye Siheng and his wife.

The several high-born ladies froze in fear.

This was an enormous disaster!

They couldn’t avoid trouble now!

Ye Siheng and Lady Nanli sat at the next table, surrounded by Black Armor Guards.

The high-born ladies stiffened, barely daring to breathe.

Nanli took a sip of hot tea, glanced at them, and asked, "Where are you headed?"