kvmb Chapter 126 Because it's impossible
Chapter 126 Because it's impossible
“Father is beating my stepmother, it’s so scary,” Yu Zixi answered, sobbing.
Shen Jinzhu and her maids were all startled when they heard this.
Although Aunt Rong was only a concubine, she was Yu Kangnian's biological mother.
How could you hit your own mother?
"Third Aunt, I miss my mother, I'm scared." Yu Zixi cried uncontrollably.
Shen Jinzhu quickly comforted her, "It's alright, it's alright. I'll take you out to see your mother later. Don't cry."
Hearing her say that, Yu Zixi slowly stopped sobbing.
Yu Zilie's clenched fist also loosened.
To conceal the purpose of her trip, Shen Jinzhu brought all the children to the Shen residence.
When Zhao Yining and her two children met, they embraced and wept bitterly once again.
After meeting, everyone ate together, and the children went to take a nap.
Zhao Yining and Shen Jinzhu chatted alone.
Upon learning that Yu Kangnian had actually hit his own mother, Zhao Yining was both shocked and not surprised.
"He's really crazy," she murmured to herself.
If the child continues to stay with him, he'll probably be terrified.
She now desperately hopes that Yu Kangnian will die suddenly, just like the old lady or the old marquis.
That way, the child won't have to suffer.
"Jinzhu, what do you think I can do for the child? Will he ever go so far as to hit the child?" Zhao Yining's face was full of worry.
"Don't worry, your older brother is here," Shen Jinzhu comforted her.
But they all knew it.
Distant water cannot save near fire.
Yu Kangping might initially try to uphold justice, but if Yu Kangnian asserts his authority as a father and says he wants to discipline his son, he won't be able to interfere too much.
"If only there were a way to get Lie'er and Xi'er to come with me," Zhao Yining said, her eyes red from crying.
Shen Jinzhu did not answer.
Because that's impossible.
The Yu brothers, Yu Zilie and Yu Kangnian, both share the surname Yu. Even if Yu Kangnian dies, they will be raised by the Marquis's mansion.
Even if Yu Kangping doesn't support them, the clan elders will take care of them; they can't possibly let them go to the Zhao family.
Unless Zhao Yining marries someone else whose power surpasses that of the Marquis's family, and who uses their power to coerce her, perhaps she could take the child away.
After Zhao Yining finished speaking, she realized that her idea was unrealistic.
She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Third sister-in-law, thank you for taking such good care of Lie'er and Xi'er. I will repay you by working like a slave."
“Sister Yining, it’s too formal for us to talk about this,” Shen Jinzhu shook her head.
“Even if you are not my second sister-in-law, Lie’er and Xi’er are still my nephews. I can’t just stand by and watch them bully us.”
Zhao Yining was very grateful to hear this.
She quickly took out the gift she had prepared.
"I really don't know how to thank you enough. So I embroidered a handkerchief for you. See if you like it."
Shen Jinzhu took it and saw that it was embroidered with a picture of lotus flowers and mandarin ducks playing in the water.
On the handkerchief, lotus petals are layered upon each other, their colors ranging from light to dark, resembling real flowers swaying in a gentle breeze. Two mandarin ducks are intimately intertwined, looking incredibly lifelike.
Just as she was about to praise him, she reached behind the handkerchief.
Sensing something was amiss, she turned it over and exclaimed in surprise, "Double-sided embroidery! Sister Yining, you can actually do double-sided embroidery! That's amazing!"
"It's not as exaggerated as you say." Zhao Yining's face flushed slightly from the praise.
"As long as you like it."
Shen Jinzhu nodded repeatedly: "I like it, I like it so much! Do you know that there are very few embroiderers in the world who can do double-sided embroidery, and among them, there are even fewer with such exquisite embroidery skills as you?"
"This handkerchief is worth at least ten taels of silver."
"If it were made into a screen, it could sell for at least five hundred taels of silver."
"If it's an embroidery by a famous master, selling it for thousands of taels of silver is not a problem."
Zhao Yining was stunned; she hadn't expected her embroidery skills to be so valuable.
She sent her maid to check; a plain handkerchief usually costs only a few coins, but embroidered with simple patterns can sell for ten to several dozen coins.
Some skilled embroiderers might earn a tael or two of silver at most.
When Shen Jinzhu told her that the handkerchief she embroidered was worth more than ten taels of silver, how could she not be excited?
"Jinzhu, does that mean I can support myself with this?" she asked excitedly.
"Of course." Shen Jinzhu nodded with a smile.
"If you wish, you can consign your embroidered handkerchiefs, fans, and screens to the Shen family's shop. Of course, the Shen family's shop will take a cut. You can also choose to sell them directly to us."
"Sell it to us directly, and we'll resell it at a higher price later, and that's none of your business."
"If you consign it, you have to wait for the right person; you can't get the money right away."
Zhao Yining thought for a moment and said, "After I finish embroidering, I'll sell the first few pieces to you."
She had been worried that her dowry was running low and how she would live. Now, she can earn money to support herself.
Perhaps in the future I can use the money I earn to buy a small courtyard, so I don't have to keep living with the Shen family and causing trouble for them.
She will choose to consign the goods when she is less short of money.
“No problem.” Shen Jinzhu nodded in agreement and then offered her some suggestions.
"The New Year is in three months. You can embroider some festive round fans. Also, embroider a screen about birthday celebrations. I remember that the Imperial Concubine's birthday is around the New Year."
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Zhao Yining nodded quickly.
Her face was full of gratitude: "Jinzhu, I really don't know how to thank you. If it weren't for you, I might be homeless now."
“We’re family, so let’s not be formal. You must take good care of your hands. They’re very precious,” Shen Jinzhu replied with a smile.
Zhao Yining also smiled. She was somewhat relieved that Yu Kangnian cared about his reputation, so he never took action in places where outsiders could see him.
So her hands have never been injured, which is why she can continue embroidering now.
Happy times are always fleeting.
After Yu Zilie and his children woke up, they ate dinner together, and then it was time to return home.
Yu Zixi cried, not wanting to leave her mother, but Yu Zilie knew very well.
He pulled his younger brother onto the carriage: "Don't cause trouble for your third aunt. It's already very kind of her to bring us out. If you keep making a fuss, we won't take you with us when we come to see Mother."
Yu Zixi pouted, wanting to cry, but she held back.
Shen Jinzhu felt relieved.
Lie'er has grown up.
The group returned to the Marquis's residence.
Yu Zilie took Yu Zixi back to his dormitory. As soon as he opened the door, he was surprised to find Yu Kangnian sitting in a chair, staring at them expressionlessly.
"what--!"
The two children screamed in fright at the same time.
"Where did you two go today? Why are you so late?" Yu Kangnian stood up, approached the two children, and stared down at them with an oppressive air.