C35 How dare You!!

"Why are you panicking?" Yin Jie asked, flicking away a grape skin with a look of displeasure. "Didn't the family doctor just say she's not in any danger? She just needs to rest and she'll be fine."

"Mom," Gu Yufei was nearly hysterical. The plan had been her mother's idea, one that was supposed to be infallible. Yet, now that it had gone awry, she was terrified.

Gu Tingshen's glare was murderous, and the thought of Grandpa finding out filled her with dread, knowing well the strict discipline of the Gu family.

"Calm down!" Yin Jie sighed in frustration. How did she end up with such a useless daughter? If Yufei had even half of her cunning, she would have secured Gu Tingshen's affections by now.

"You'll go upstairs and apologize to Huo Niannian later," she commanded.

"Apologize to her?" Gu Yufei was incredulous. In her eyes, she was the cherished heiress of the Gu family. And Huo Niannian? Merely a country girl who had lucked into marrying Gu Tingshen.

Yin Jie was seething at her daughter's cowardice and lack of responsibility. "How many times have I told you? You need to know when to yield. Apologize to her genuinely, and no matter what anyone asks, you maintain it was unintentional. With me here, no one can harm you."

"Really?" Gu Yufei looked to her mother, her unease evident.

Yin Jie nodded, straightening her clothes. "Go now, before Grandpa gets back. If he hears about this, not even I can save you."

As they were about to ascend the stairs, a harsh voice stopped them.

"Stop right there!"

They halted, exchanged a quick glance, and turned around.

Yin Jie put on a welcoming smile. "Dad, you're back early today."

Gu Yufei's voice shook as she added, "Grandpa..."

The Old Master had been visiting a friend when Tingshen's call came through. Learning that Gu Yufei had locked Huo Niannian in a cold storage room sent him into a fury, and he hurried home.

Upon entering, he was greeted by the voices of Yin Jie and her daughter.

His anger was unmistakable.

"Gu Yufei, you have some nerve!" the Old Master bellowed. "The Gu family has always conducted themselves with integrity and dignity. Though you're not my biological granddaughter, I've painstakingly taught you how to behave. I never imagined you'd stoop so low as to harm Niannian!"

His words sharply delineated the Gu family's principles against Huo Niannian's revered status in his heart—a status Gu Yufei clearly could not match.

Tears brimmed in Gu Yufei's eyes, and she pressed her lips together tightly.

"Disagree, do you?" The Old Master's fury was such that he slammed his cane on the floor.

Gu Yufei stood frozen, her heart a tumult of resentment and fear of her grandfather.

"Grandpa, it wasn't intentional. I was only playing a joke on Niannian."

"A joke? You think it's funny to play with your sister-in-law's life?" The Old Master's strict discipline was legendary, and his anger was now fully aroused. He turned to Uncle Zhang, the butler, and ordered, "Lock Yufei in the cold storage. Let her experience the 'fun' of her little joke!"

Defiance was not an option. Terror gripped Gu Yufei. She clutched Yin Jie's hand and begged, "Mom, please help me! I'll die if I'm locked in there—I'll freeze to death!"