CHAPTER 293: CHAPTER 293: WE’RE DOING THIS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD

The depths of these noble families are truly unfathomable.

Meng Yao did not linger long at the Duke Zhen Country Mansion, and after exchanging pleasantries with the Duke Zhen Country, he found an excuse to leave.

The Duke Zhen Country’s attitude towards Meng Yao was somewhat cordial, mentioning that the Yun and Qi families have been old acquaintances. Once the family matters are settled, he would visit the Duke Qi Mansion, suggesting that Meng Yao should bring Zhao Ting and the children along to strengthen ties among the younger generation.

Meng Yao agreed.

Upon returning, Meng Yao told Zhao Dahe about Yun Ying’s poisoning.

Zhao Dahe was very surprised, "Is he alright?"

"Imperial Physician Li and A-Xing are both there, they prescribed medicine. When I left, he hadn’t passed away yet."

Zhao Dahe frowned, Yun Ying poisoned? It seemed unlikely, for someone like him who plans meticulously, how could he fall into such a simple trap?

"You also think there’s something strange, don’t you?" Meng Yao asked.

"The Duke Zhen Country had Yun Madam taken away and instructed that she be watched closely, which shows this matter is closely related to Yun Madam. But I have always believed Yun Madam is not a match for Yun Ying, how could he have been caught?" Zhao Dahe said.

Thinking of the system’s indication, Yun Ying wasn’t only poisoned with arsenic.

Meng Yao suspected, perhaps it was intentional?

"I have a feeling, Yun Ying probably won’t be in any real trouble." Zhao Dahe said after a moment of silence.

"Possibly."

Interestingly, Meng Yao had the same feeling.

Half a month later, something of middling significance occurred in the Capital City.

The Duchess Han Ling was dismissed back to the Han Family.

As for the reason for her dismissal, no one knew.

However, it was certainly not a trivial matter.

Zhao Dahe visited Yun Ying once, and upon returning, Meng Yao finally understood what had happened.

"Since it wasn’t Yun Madam who instructed the magpie, why was she still dismissed?"

"The magpie is Yun Madam’s person, loyal to Yun Madam. Also, the dismissal involved Yun Heng’s influence. Yun Heng is not naturally frail; Yun Ying, though didn’t elaborate, mentioned it was closely related to Yun Madam."

Meng Yao was quite shocked.

She had learned that Yun Madam’s care for the illegitimate son raised under her name rivaled her affection for her biological child.

"Anyway, this matter has Yun Heng and Yun Ying working together." Zhao Dahe said.

It indeed astounded people, yet was quite absurd.

"Yun Heng and Yun Ying shouldn’t be against each other, should they?"

"Yun Heng has no obsession with the title, so naturally, there’s no need for him and Yun Ying to be adversaries." Zhao Dahe said.

Meng Yao nodded thoughtfully. Regardless, this matter showed how exceptional Yun Ying was.

For someone who appeared suddenly halfway, to be accepted and form alliances so quickly all indicated his impressive capabilities.

Having him as a friend would bring comfort.

If he were an enemy, it would likely cause headaches.

"You are friends with Yun Ying, aren’t you?" Meng Yao asked.

"Yes." Zhao Dahe replied firmly.

——

Han Ling never thought she’d end up so pathetic in her lifetime; she was always admired and envied.

Before marriage, she was famous throughout the Capital City, a sought-after bride by many noble families.

After marriage, she was the Duchess of the Duke Zhen Country, a superior-ranked Duchess, and the Duke Zhen Country was very fond of her. Even though she had been childless for years, her status as Duchess remained stable.

Whenever people mentioned her, they surely would say she’s fortunate.

But now, she became a discarded woman.

Abandoned ruthlessly by the man whom she thought cherished her.

She became the biggest laughingstock in the Capital City.

Her elder brother and sister-in-law took her back home and let her live at ease there.

However, she could sense their insincerity.

She felt her dismissal not only made her a laughingstock, but it dragged the entire Han Mansion into gossip fodder.

The unmarried nieces and nephews at home might now struggle to find suitable matches.

Han Ling couldn’t understand why things turned out this way?

If, at the beginning, she had truly raised Yun Heng sincerely, he might have genuinely regarded her as a mother, right?

Or, if she had calmly accepted Yun Ying’s return to the mansion, things shouldn’t have come to this point, right?

In other people’s eyes, she was always kind-hearted, generous, and exemplary.

Yet, in reality, these were merely an image she crafted.

While enjoying others’ praises, her heart was filled with resentment.

She resented the Duke Zhen Country, why did he continue to get involved with other women after marrying her, claiming she was the most important while openly having children with others.

She hated how she had to display magnanimity despite her inner fury, otherwise she would be labeled as petty and intolerant.

She truly disliked Yun Heng, yet she had to keep telling herself she liked him, she must raise him, so she would have someone to rely on in the future.

Seeing Yun Heng’s face, almost identical to his mother’s, she was constantly tormented.

She raised Yun Heng to become someone fragile, hoping for an opportunity for him to perish.

However, before Yun Heng could die, Yun Ying appeared.

Their existence reminded her that throughout, she was a joke.

"A-Ling." Han Madam knocked on the door for a long time, failing to get a response, and then simply pushed the door open.

Only to find Han Ling sitting on the ground, lost and vacant.

Han Madam sighed; if only she had known this, she might have made different choices back then.

She always thought her sister-in-law was a clever person, secretly envying her, wishing she could be more like her.

Ultimately...

Han Madam was grateful she wasn’t like her sister-in-law.

Recalling her husband’s instructions, Han Madam took a deep breath, "A-Ling, let Qingdai accompany you to live in the old home for a while."

Fading from the public’s view would allow this matter to be gradually forgotten.

Otherwise, it would never be buried.

Han Ling slowly lifted her gaze, staring fixedly at Han Madam. Han Madam felt somewhat guilty and turned away, "Your brother and I are looking out for you. The Capital City is a place of heartbreak. Staying here won’t allow you to forget those things anytime soon."

"Your dowry will be taken back, your brother said."

"Qingdai is a good girl; she’ll take care of you and keep you company."

"This is just a temporary measure, A-Ling, do you understand?"

Han Ling slowly withdrew her gaze, her voice hoarse, "Big Sister-in-law, do you think I should be reasonable enough for the sake of the Han Mansion’s reputation, readily agree? From then, stay in the hereditary home, never to appear? That after a long time, no one will remember me? That this disgraceful matter can thus end?"

"A-Ling, it’s for your own good too. And besides, A-Ling, as an aunt, you should consider your nieces and nephews, right?" Han Madam advised earnestly.

"Yes, it is indeed for my good." Han Ling chuckled, "May I ask Big Sister-in-law, is Qingdai willing to follow me back to the old home, never to return?"

To get rid of her, sacrificing a daughter.

Indeed, it is for her good!