Chapter 156: Standing Out from the Crowd

"My conscience is entirely clear," Yu Youwei said with serene composure, not a single trace of guilt visible on her pear-blossom-white face. "A tree that stands tall in the forest will always be battered by the wind. Ever since I agreed with Father to participate in the Ten Prefectures' Illusory Demon Realm tournament, I knew that idle gossip would be inevitable. I simply underestimated the pettiness of those scoundrels."

"A tree that stands tall in the forest will be battered by the wind. Sister-in-law puts it so well," Madam Liu praised, before adding with a worried expression, "I only fear that this single phrase cannot stop the mouths of the whole world!"

A sharp, piercing glint flashed within her deep eyes, causing Madam Liu's heart to constrict. Yu Youwei remarked offhandedly, "First Sister-in-law certainly has a sharp tongue! A mere remark about failing to stop the world's gossiping tongues is enough to plunge me into the eighteenth level of hell, never to rise again!"

"Audacious!" The Old Madam flew into a towering rage, looking ready to slap Yu Youwei right across the face...

"Grandmother, please don't be angry. Sister-in-law, hurry and apologize to Grandmother," Madam Liu said, feigning anxious panic.

Her gaze darkening, Yu Youwei calmly retorted, "I ask First Sister-in-law to enlighten me: what wrong have I committed? And what is there that requires stopping the mouths of the world?"

The Old Madam snapped angrily, "The rumors are flying everywhere, and you still dare say you've done nothing wrong?"

"How is Youwei in the wrong?"

It was Ning Mofei who spoke, but no one paid him any attention.

Having always detested Madam Liu's hypocrisy, Yu Youwei had not intended to tear down all pretexts just yet, but the current situation called for making an example of someone to prevent rumors from spreading wildly within the estate as well. Surveying Madam Liu with a half-smile, she asked unhurriedly, "They say an elder sister-in-law is like a mother, so why do I feel that First Sister-in-law is so impatient to crown Mofei with a green hat? I am young and ignorant, and perhaps I have offended First Sister-in-law, but Mofei has always held you in high respect, hasn't he?"

Feeling a chill run down her spine under that scrutiny, Madam Liu explained with a guilty conscience, "Sister-in-law has misunderstood. I was only worried that the impact of the rumors would be impossible to undo."

"If I am not afraid of the combined condemnation of the masses, why is First Sister-in-law so eager for me to admit fault?" Her gaze turning stern, shifting from Madam Liu's face to the Old Madam's, Yu Youwei stated solemnly, "As for the rumors, I will investigate them thoroughly. The Ning family may choose to stay out of it, but forcing me to confess to a crime that does not exist is out of the question."

"Who says the Ning family is staying out of it!" Ning Bowen's voice came from outside. Even as his words fell, the curtain was already lifted, and he strode into the room, his face as dark as water.

"Sister-in-law simply misunderstood. Grandmother and I never said we wouldn't handle it," Madam Liu hastily stepped forward to explain.

"First Sister-in-law would do better to stay out of it," Yu Youwei said indifferently. Then, cupping her hands in a salute to Ning Bowen, she continued, "Eldest Brother, Mu Yulin's target was me. Since this has implicated your reputations, I will definitely give you all an explanation."

"Sister-in-law, what foolish talk is this! Since you have entered the Ning family, all matters will naturally be borne for you by the Ning family," Ning Bowen said decisively.

A warmth blossomed in her heart, and Yu Youwei revealed a faint smile. "Such trivial matters, I can handle them myself. Eldest Brother, go attend to your business. If I need anything, I will ask you."

The Old Madam was so angry her eyes stared fixedly, and she snapped, "Don't even think about it! From today on, you are to stay in Biyin Garden and not take a single step anywhere!"

Madam Liu chimed in with earnest, persuasive advice, "Indeed, Sister-in-law, the rumors outside are running wildly rampant; it is best for you to close your doors and go nowhere. Just stay inside and copy scriptures or the like; it can also be considered a way to cultivate your moral character and temperament."

Was this placing her under house arrest? Yu Youwei smiled, a mocking curl playing at the corners of her lips.

"You are all bullying Youwei, I hate you!" Ning Mofei suddenly erupted, jumping up to shield Yu Youwei as he roared furiously, "You are not allowed to lock Youwei away!"

Everyone inside and outside the room was utterly stunned.

This fool wasn't completely foolish after all! Yu Youwei felt as sweet inside as if she had drunk honey.

His fourth younger brother's rare, fiercely protective posture brought tears of emotion to Ning Bowen's eyes as he raised a hand, feeling a sentiment akin to the gratification of watching a son finally grow up. "No one is going to lock Sister-in-law away, Eldest Brother guarantees it."

"Really?" Ning Mofei asked, sniffing, his long, narrow phoenix eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Fourth Brother, has Eldest Brother ever lied to you?" Ning Bowen laughed in exasperation, giving his fourth brother's shoulder a pat as if dusting off ash.

Ignoring Eldest Brother entirely, Ning Mofei turned around and hugged his wife, his face full of panic. "Youwei, don't be angry, okay?"

Meeting those damp, clear eyes, no matter how much anger she had, it instantly flew off to the ends of the earth. Yu Youwei smiled and said, "I wasn't really angry to begin with, I was just thinking about how to resolve the matter."

The Old Madam's anger had not completely subsided, but she did not act out again. Madam Liu cast a stealthy glance at her and Ning Bowen, not daring to stir up trouble any further.

"Sister-in-law, if the Ning family couldn't even handle a matter of this scale, we would have no face left to survive in the Imperial City. This noon, the Second Grand-uncle and I are entering the palace to have an audience with the Emperor, and we will demand an explanation from the Ninth Prince on behalf of the Ning family." Catching sight of the slight disappointment on his wife's face, a subtle stirring arose in Ning Bowen's heart. Though he did not ponder it deeply, it nonetheless planted a seed of suspicion.

"Thank you for your trouble, Eldest Brother. Then we shall return to Biyin Garden to await the good news." Giving Eldest Brother a radiant smile, Yu Youwei took Ning Mofei's hand and calmly bade farewell to the Old Madam.

Resentment churned in Madam Liu's heart, yet she feigned joy as she said, "It turns out Grandmother and I were worrying in vain; you have already arranged to enter the palace for an audience. Surely the Ninth Prince will no longer condone people in his estate spreading rumors, and the talk outside will soon die down."

"The mind of an emperor is difficult to predict. Who is to say that the Ninth Prince's indulgence of rumor-mongers in his estate does not stem from the Sovereign's own will?" Offering a subtle hint, Ning Bowen dismissed his wife first, then cleared away the maidservants outside the room.

Left alone with his grandmother in the room, he spoke bluntly to her, "Madam Liu is muddle-headed, and yet you followed along in her confusion? Sister-in-law is proud and ambitious by nature, and her horizons must be exceptionally high; ordinary people would find it hard to catch her eye. Those rumors are utterly unworthy of belief. This time, Second Grand-uncle actually knew to prioritize the bigger picture and took the initiative to ask me to enter the palace with him for an audience. Why is it that you could not keep your composure?"

The Old Madam had already forgotten about the rumors and merely wheezed indignantly, "You didn't see her arrogant demeanor! If Mofei hadn't been there as well, I would have forcefully beaten that arrogant spirit out of her. Don't talk to me about fearing the Ning family won't be able to keep her—without that butcher Zhang, the Ning family won't starve for hairy pork either! She looks down on Mofei, and I happen to look down on her airs just as much!"

"Grandmother!" calling out helplessly, Ning Bowen amusedly retorted, "You might as well hold onto your petty grudges, but be careful Fourth Brother goes to complain to Grandfather. The grand military competition is about to begin, and you will finally have a rare reunion with Grandfather, so don't let that rascal ruin it for you."

At the mention of this, the Old Madam grew even more depressed. "That heartless, ungrateful little brat—despite how much I doted on him, he actually said just now that he hates me! In the future, when he gets bullied to death by his wife, I won't care either."

Chuckling, Ning Bowen steered the conversation elsewhere. "Her Ladyship the Empress is hosting the Pear Blossom Banquet in the palace tomorrow and has invited you, specifically instructing that the Fourth Sister-in-law be brought along as well. There will surely be people making trouble tomorrow, so please do not humiliate the Fourth Sister-in-law in public."

"Who could possibly humiliate her? A tree that stands tall in the forest is bound to be battered by the wind—she is arrogant enough as it is!" Still nursing her remaining anger, the Old Madam chased her grandson out and sat alone to nurse her grievances.