Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 221 PUA Master
Yu Daru remained silent, because he could already guess what the other party wanted to say. Sure enough, Yu Chuyang sneered.

"Because whenever someone calls my name, it reminds me of you."

Yu Chuyang ripped off the silk handkerchief wrapped around his neck, revealing gruesome bruises underneath, causing a gasp from the crowd below.

Although the woman above exposed her maternal grandfather in front of so many people, the hideous bruises on her neck were truly terrifying.

Good heavens, would an elder really be so cruel to a junior? Judging from that dark purple color, it's obvious they wanted to kill her!
"Grandfather, is fame, fortune, and wealth really that important to you? You could have lived a good life even if you stayed in Jiangdong your whole life. Are you only satisfied when you've turned our family into a complete mess and everyone is struggling to survive?"

"When you tried to strangle me, you used all your strength. I always thought you were just thin, but I never imagined you could be so strong. Was it the same strength you used when you killed my mother?"

"I know why you did this; isn't it just to curry favor with the Second Prince?"

Yu Daru repeatedly rebuked him, trying to stop the other party's treasonous remarks. However, Yu Chuyang was not afraid of death, so why would he be afraid of such a rebuke?

She forcefully shook off the other person's attempt to stop her, her voice sharp and shrill.

"Isn't your goal to solidify your position among scholars by pandering to the Second Prince? After all these years, how come you still don't understand? Only one's own talent and knowledge can be the foundation for standing among scholars. Uncle is like that, and so are you. Uncle plagiarized my articles, just as you plagiarized your grandmother's. I really find it strange, do you think you can't write anything better without women?"

These few words were more damaging than all the previous ones combined. What?! Yu Daru, who practically dominated half of the literary world, had plagiarized his wife, the renowned scholar Weishan?! Plagiarism is the most hated thing among literary figures! It's one thing if Yu Dalang did it, but did Yu Daru also commit such a despicable act?
Immediately, some students who admired the great Confucian scholar couldn't help but break down and shout.

"Mr. Yu, is everything she said true? Did you really plagiarize the works of Master Weishan?"

"I don't believe it! That's Mr. Yu! He's incredibly talented, why would he steal his wife's writing? I admit that the master of Weishan is a master of both calligraphy and painting, but I've never heard of her having any special talent in writing. Maybe this woman is just making baseless accusations out of grief and anger?"

It sounded rather ridiculous, and Jiu Que couldn't help but laugh out loud.

It turns out that in these people's eyes, the lives of two women were less important than plagiarism. But as the saying goes, like begets like. Since Yu Dalang has done such a thing, perhaps his father has also committed similar shameless acts?
Hearing the sounds of so many students breaking down in tears around her, Jiu Que felt an urge to touch them. These men, breaking down in tears, were even whimpering, making her ears tingle.

At this moment, Yu Daru was also on the verge of collapse. The moment of glory he had looked forward to all his life had been completely ruined by his wife and niece. Even if he could clear his name with sweet words today, from now on, whenever anyone mentioned his name, they would associate this human tragedy with him. At that time, no matter what the truth was, who would still believe it?
After all, people are just that foolish.

He can't clear his name today, but he absolutely mustn't drag the Second Prince down with him. Otherwise, he'll truly be living a life he can't live or die.

Yu Daru was a decisive man, and immediately decided to take full responsibility for these matters. "I admit that my actions regarding your mother were somewhat biased. But a woman should obey her husband after marriage. Since her husband is dead, what is the point of her living? After all, she didn't give birth to a son, only a daughter, who cannot inherit the family line. Thus, following her husband in death can earn her a good reputation. Moreover, I didn't force your mother to drink that poisoned soup; she wanted to drink it herself."

“I am a father. Do you know how much it hurt me to see my daughter weeping and begging me to let her follow her husband in death? But even though it hurt, I admired her noble quality, so I agreed. Although it is hard to understand, you should know that it was because of your mother's martyrdom that you lived a comfortable life for the first ten years or so. Look at your father's family, in those ten years, who disrespected you? They even found you a good husband in the end. Didn't you benefit from that?”

Jiu Que clenched her fists silently. This Yu Daru was a master of PUA (Pick-Up Artist) tactics; with just a few words, he had portrayed her mistakes as unavoidable circumstances. He even dragged Yu Chuyang into the mess. Anyone with even a slightly weaker will might have suffered a mental breakdown. After all, she had also benefited from her mother's death.

Sure enough, Yu Chuyang's expression was not good.

Seeing this, the great scholar Yu wanted to press his advantage.

“I know your mother’s passing is a pain in your heart, but I’m probably not feeling any better than you. My daughter was intelligent and talented from a young age. She studied diligently with my husband and me, and she never failed to support us. It was precisely because she was my most beloved daughter that I couldn’t bear to go against her last wishes. Chuyang, you should understand me. Would you go against your mother’s last wishes?”

"Moreover, this matter has nothing to do with the Second Prince. It was I who wanted to promote a new doctrine and establish a new school of thought, and I was blinded by greed. His Highness the Second Prince is clear-headed, gentle, and courteous; he was deceived by me and helped me promote it. I have wronged His Highness in this matter, and I will certainly apologize to him personally in the future. But you cannot blame His Highness for this; His Highness is innocent..."

"Pfft!"

As Yu Daru was eloquently trying to seduce Yu Chuyang, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he saw a withered hand holding an ebony hairpin that was plunged deep into his heart.

Following the hand upwards, he indeed saw a face etched in his memory. Wasn't that his wife, Li Chengyuan?

"You, cough cough cough..."

Why did you kill me? And in front of so many people? Didn't you even consider living? Killing your husband with your own hands in front of everyone—how could someone as intelligent as you make such a mistake?

Li Chengyuan couldn't stand this man's sweet talk anymore. She had heard similar words countless times over the years, and she had even started to believe some of them.

How could the other person say such disgusting things? And even used it to clear themselves of suspicion…

Chu Yang might still be fooled, but she would never be blinded by such petty tricks again!

(End of this chapter)