Chapter 74 Left Behind

As she spoke, she walked to the door and called to her three grandsons, "Rui'er, Lin'er, Tuan'er, come over here quickly and greet your aunt."

Upon hearing their grandmother's call, the three children who were playing in the yard stopped what they were doing and walked over to stand in front of Yu Qingci in an orderly manner.

A hint of smugness appeared on the third aunt's flat face. Her three grandsons, aside from anything else, were absolutely obedient and only listened to her.

“Niece-in-law, look at yourself. I’m not just bragging, but I’ve taught my three grandsons with care since they were little. Every one of them is well-mannered and has excellent manners. They’re also all very handsome.”

"It's alright if my niece-in-law is undecided. Why not let Rui'er stay and try today? This child has been studying the classics with her teacher for two years and is often praised by him in the private school."

So... that's it?

Yu Qingci was somewhat dumbfounded by her third aunt's series of actions.

The third aunt didn't care about her reaction and made the final decision: "Let's settle on this. My niece-in-law has had a long day and deserves a rest."

Then, turning to Rui'er, he said, "My dear grandson, remember what I told you at home: get along well with your aunt. Don't be naughty here. Grandma will come to see you again in a couple of days."

The child nodded understandingly.

Yu Qingci...

Third Aunt: "Niece-in-law, this child is steady and reliable. You'll know once you spend more time with him. He'll be easy to raise. Once this matter is settled, I can go back to my own home with peace of mind."

Rui'er looked at Yu Qingci with a mature expression on her childish face, as if to show that she was indeed worry-free.

After finishing her sentence, the third great-aunt grabbed her two other grandsons and prepared to leave.

Upon seeing this, Granny Pei hurriedly stepped forward to block the Third Mistress's path, saying, "You jest, Miss. How can you leave a child here with us for no reason? Anyone who doesn't know better would think that our young mistress has secretly taken in an adopted son."

Third Aunt glared at the meddlesome Granny Pei with displeasure.

That's not what I meant, is it? But saying it out loud would ruin the point.

My niece-in-law is young and delicate, and she has only recently married into the family. So, we sent the child directly to her. As long as the child stays in her yard for one night, the next day she can openly announce to everyone that my niece-in-law has chosen her eldest grandson as her heir.

When that time comes, it won't be so easy for either her sister-in-law or her niece-in-law to send the child back to her.

The third aunt wanted to leave as soon as possible, so she said impatiently to Granny Pei, "You old servant, do you have any manners? How dare you block your master's way? Get out of the way!"

Granny Pei's smile widened, but she didn't move. She waved to Rui'er and said, "Young Master, hurry up and follow me. Your grandmother is going back."

The third aunt's face immediately fell: "You old servant, can't you understand human language? Didn't you hear me just tell the child to stay and keep my niece-in-law company?"

Granny Pei smiled humbly, "How can this be? It is said that boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven. Although the young master is still a child, he has reached the age where he should avoid suspicion. It is really inappropriate for him to stay. Besides, our young mistress..."

Before she could finish speaking, the third aunt raised her voice and said, "Oh, your young mistress hasn't even said anything yet, and you, an old servant, are pointing fingers here?"

Seeing this, Yu Qingci stepped forward and said tactfully, "Third Aunt, don't be angry. What Granny Pei said makes sense. It is indeed inconvenient for the child to stay with me. Besides, the child is also shy around strangers."

Unfortunately, the third aunt didn't appreciate it: "Since it's already been agreed upon, how can my niece-in-law change her mind so easily? Do you even respect me as an elder?"

After saying that, he glanced at Rui'er, who was standing there dumbfounded.

Rui'er trembled slightly under her grandmother's gaze, then suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out:

"Ouch, my stomach hurts."

Everyone was immediately drawn to the child's commotion.

Yu Qingci hurriedly told a maid to fetch the family physician, while she bent down to examine Rui'er carefully. Rui'er tugged at Yu Qingci's sleeve with a pleading expression on her face and said:

"Auntie, my stomach suddenly hurts a little. Could you help me find a place to lie down for a while?"

Yu Qingci looked the child up and down carefully. Seeing that the child had a rosy complexion and was holding her little hand tightly, she didn't seem sick. She had a guess in her mind and looked in the direction of her third aunt.

There's no trace of Third Aunt anywhere.

Granny Pei laughed in exasperation: "So our young lady isn't worried about her little grandson at all."

He then turned to Rui'er and said, "Young Master, your grandmother has left. Your stomach shouldn't hurt anymore, right?"

Rui'er was already seven years old and very good at reading people's expressions. He knew that Granny Pei had seen through his little tricks, so he blushed and lowered his head without saying a word.

Granny Pei originally wanted to send the child over directly, but Yu Qingci stopped her and whispered a few words in Granny Pei's ear. Granny Pei nodded and went out to do her work.

Inside the room, Yu Qingci and Rui'er stared at each other, the child neither making a fuss nor showing any fear, and even said in a serious tone:

"Auntie, if you're tired, go and rest. Don't worry about me. I can study on my own."

Yu Qingci smiled and said, "No rush. You must be hungry after playing all day. I'll have someone bring you some snacks."

Granny Pei acted swiftly, and soon the news that the Third Aunt had abandoned her eldest grandson at Guanlan Pavilion reached the ears of the Second and Third branches of the family.

A short while later, Ms. Wei and Ms. Ma came over with their children to visit.

Wei was with Wei Ge'er, while Ma had the wet nurse hold the swaddled Yu Ge'er.

Upon entering, the two looked surprised at Rui'er standing in the room.

Ma: "Oh, isn't this Third Aunt's eldest grandson? What are you doing here all alone? Are you here to see your cousin-in-law? This child is so well-behaved."

"Look, it's almost dark. Granny Li, you've gone to the trouble of taking the young master back to his grandmother. It's so dark and windy; make sure he doesn't get lost."

Madam Ma gave a signal, and Li Mama, who was standing behind her, immediately stepped forward, grabbed Rui'er, and smiled like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Young master, please come back with this old servant."

Rui'er was just a child, and she almost fell over when Li Mama pulled her with force.

Rui'er cried out, ignoring everything, "I'm not going back! You old servant, let me go!"

The room immediately erupted into chaos.

Granny Pei hurried over and separated them.

Madam Wei looked at Rui'er, who was crying and refusing to leave, and sneered, "Third Aunt, you really don't know how to do things properly. You just dump such a big grandson at your niece-in-law's place and leave. What will people think of this?"

Madam Ma: "That's right. Even if he's still a child, he's reached the age where we should avoid such things. I think it would be better to keep our Yu-ge'er. Our Yu-ge'er is only a few months old and is the easiest to raise. Nephew's wife, as long as you nod your head, I'll even send the wet nurse over. What do you think?"

Wei glared angrily at Ma, who was making trouble: "What nonsense are you talking about? Your fourth branch only has this one precious grandson. Instead of taking good care of him, you're talking nonsense. Be careful your fourth brother doesn't go back and make you angry."

"I said, niece-in-law, you're too lenient. Your third aunt wants to leave her child here, and you just let her? There's no such thing as a free lunch. If that's the case, then my son Wei will stay with you tonight too."

After saying that, she pulled Wei Ge'er over and pushed him in front of Yu Qingci: "Go to your aunt's side quickly. You will stay here with your aunt tonight. You are not allowed to cry or make a fuss."