Chapter Nine: Entering the Palace of Fishes

“If only you wouldn’t bully me,” Yu Youwei shot him a glare and said, “Let everyone go, including Yuyan. I promise to marry into the Ning family obediently and never play any tricks again.”

Yu Shiyu chuckled softly, his tone gentle, “I trust your promise, but Yuyan cannot be released. The others can go, but she is already my woman.”

“She’s still a child!” Yu Youwei clenched her fists, wishing she could smash this madman’s head.

“Let’s go.” Yu Shiyu had no intention of reasoning further. With a wave of his hand, the guards released Mu Yuqi and the others.

As soon as Mu Yuyan touched the ground, she darted to Yu Youwei’s side, trembling as she nestled in her arms. Yu Youwei held her close, looked at Mu Yuqi’s pale face, sighed gently, and said, “You did your best.”

“I am useless,” Mu Yuqi replied, lowering his head.

“It’s not your fault. Go back, and remember to help take care of my mother,” Yu Youwei said, then led Mu Yuyan away.

After leaving the Gorge of Ghostly Sorrow, they headed southeast, straight to Shanyin City. After resting for a night at a Yu family tavern within the city, Yu Shiyu and the two women boarded a carriage, guarded by riders, and sped along the official road toward Dongling City.

None of them noticed there was a small thunder eagle trailing them in the sky, and a little white bear clinging to the carriage axle underneath, all the way until they reached Dongling City.

With the wedding approaching, the Yu family’s estate in Dongling was more heavily guarded than usual. Passersby were kept well away from the gates. The Yu estate, occupying nearly half of Dongling City, stood tall with blue-brick walls and jade-green tiles, nestled amidst lush foliage. Two imposing stone lions flanked the ornate vermilion gate.

The carriage stopped at the entrance. Yu Shiyu jumped down and smiled, “Ninth Sister, we’re here.”

Yu Youwei helped Mu Yuyan down, glanced at the stone lions, then lifted her gaze to the gold-lettered plaque reading “Yu Estate.” A wave of complex emotions surged in her heart.

Following Yu Shiyu past the screen wall and along a carved blue-brick path, Yu Youwei noticed Mu Qingxuan and the others hadn’t followed them. She guessed they had other accommodations, and her worry for Mu Yuyan’s safety in the Yu estate deepened.

The estate was festooned with lanterns and decorations, filled with festive cheer. As they walked, Yu Shiyu barely acknowledged anyone who greeted him, but with Yu Youwei, his tone softened, drawing surprised stares from those around.

After entering the hanging flower gate, Yu Shiyu summoned two maids to escort the girls to Lanwei Residence in the western courtyard. He sternly instructed the maids, then turned and smiled at Yu Youwei, “Ninth Sister, this was Eldest Sister’s residence before her marriage. Rest here for now; I’ll come fetch you later to meet the elders.”

For Yuyan’s sake, Yu Youwei needed to maintain a good rapport with Yu Shiyu on the surface, so she smiled and replied, “Thank you, Second Brother.”

Perhaps it was the strict family rules, or perhaps Yu Shiyu’s influence, but whether the guiding maids or those serving in Lanwei Residence, they were attentive and meticulous. After the sisters washed and dressed, an array of delicious dishes awaited them.

Yu Youwei’s favorite was the steamed perch, a flavor she had never tasted before, so fresh that even after picking the bones clean, she still craved more.

Qiaomei, the maid standing at Yu Youwei’s right, smiled and said, “Ninth Miss, this perch isn’t raised in ordinary river water, but in the estate’s cold pond. It’s rarely served, even for honored guests.”

“Oh, I’m no honored guest. It must be for Second Brother’s sake, right?” Yu Youwei was clear-minded; even if the family needed her to marry into the Ning clan, the Yu family didn’t necessarily value her.

Qiaomei merely smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Meanwhile, in the study, Yu Shiyu recounted the journey to his father, then said with a laugh, “She truly is Fourth Uncle’s daughter. Ninth Sister is stronger than all the other sisters, though it’s a pity she’s not a boy.”

Master Yu Tianze’s eyes were intense as he asked, “Does she really have your Fourth Uncle’s Frost Blade? He didn’t give it to Ruoshang but left it for this girl. Hm, seems he wished she were a son.”

“Probably. Third Sister is too gentle, like Fourth Aunt, whom Fourth Uncle surely disliked. Luckily, Ninth Sister exists; Fourth Uncle’s spirit should be comforted,” Yu Shiyu replied with a smile.

Yu Tianze laughed, “You love your uncle and extend that affection to Ninth Sister, caring for her more than your own sisters—so much so that you specially instructed the kitchen to prepare steamed perch for her.”

“I owed her an apology. Being hated by Ninth Sister is no fun,” Yu Shiyu admitted, then puzzled aloud, “How did she slip away from the tavern so silently? I still don’t understand. The tavern has no back door, and the gap between her departure and our discovery wasn’t long. With Yanbo’s speed, she shouldn’t have escaped his search range, yet we found nothing. After seven days of searching, she simply showed up on her own.”

“You didn’t ask her?”

“That would be embarrassing.”

Yu Tianze chuckled softly, then asked, “Did you check if the tavern had any secret passages? The proprietress could have been her accomplice.”

Yu Shiyu’s eyes widened as he slapped his forehead. “That’s possible! After clearing things up with the Ning family, the proprietress said she saw her run out. We only took a quick look inside, never thought to check for secret tunnels. Who knows how far her accomplices are, maybe even past Mu’s village!”

“If that’s true, her scheming is deep. Letting her marry into the Ning family—who knows if it’s wise,” Yu Tianze tapped rhythmically on the table.

A hint of anger flashed in Yu Shiyu’s eyes. “The Ning family has pushed us too far—making our Yu family’s girl marry their fool. If you ask me, we should demand they follow birth order and let Ninth Sister marry Ning Third. With Ninth Sister’s cunning, she’d have no trouble handling Ning Third, which would benefit the Yu family.”

“And what if she manipulates Ning Third but turns against the Yu family? She didn’t grow up here and probably feels little attachment to the clan,” Yu Tianze, though unwilling to complicate matters, felt it necessary to strengthen Yu Youwei’s sense of belonging. He decided to add more to her dowry.

Yu Shiyu thought his father was still somewhat short-sighted, but said nothing more. Later, when he met Yu Youwei, he mentioned, “Ninth Sister, the Ning family is here to propose for Ning Fourth. If you don’t wish it, I’ll go with you to ask the patriarch to insist they follow birth order and betroth you to Ning Third.”

“Is Ning Fourth not good?” Yu Youwei feigned innocence, batting her long lashes.

“Ning Fourth is said to be a simpleton—I haven’t met him. The Ning Third I saw in the tavern is his twin, decent looking,” Yu Shiyu replied candidly, and Yu Youwei’s opinion of him improved a little.

“How could Wei-jie marry a simpleton!” Mu Yuyan, though usually afraid of Yu Shiyu, blurted out anxiously.