The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 33: Indeed Different (1)

Li Yun shrugged off the wet nurse's grip and walked into the room, casually instructing Cailian, "You'll be in charge here from now on. Anyone who disobeys, deal with them decisively; I don't want to see any trouble."

"Yes, Miss!" Cailian finally understood that her mistress was indeed different now. The former Miss Li, while fierce, had a soft heart and always obliged the wet nurse's requests. Now, however, she showed no hesitation in dismissing her.

"You... you're not the Miss!" The wet nurse pointed at Li Yun, eyes glinting with disbelief.

Li Yun narrowed her eyes, coldly retorting, "You say I'm not the Miss? Should I strip down for you to verify? Just because I've tolerated you as the wet nurse doesn't mean you can take advantage of it."

"You're not the Miss! The Miss would never treat me this way," the wet nurse insisted, staring intently at Li Yun.

"Ha..." Li Yun suddenly laughed, turning to Cailian. "Why don't you tell her who I really am?"

"Wet nurse! How can you say that? This is clearly the Miss! I've been with her all day! You're just reluctant to leave because you want to cling to her!" Cailian, whose heart had softened from Li Yun's caring nature, now glared at the wet nurse in anger.

"She's obviously not the Miss! You, little girl, how did you manage to bring someone who looks just like the Miss to impersonate her? Out with the truth!" The wet nurse's tone had lost its previous pleading, now filled with rage.

"You're talking nonsense! How could I possibly find someone to impersonate the Miss?" Cailian glared back, but the wet nurse's authority made her words falter. Deep down, she too felt that something was off about the Miss today.

Li Yun realized Cailian still needed some training. If she couldn't handle this kind of situation, how could Li Yun trust her in the future? She had to eliminate anyone who could disrupt her plans. Having barely gotten through her first hurdle with Old Prince Yun, she couldn't let a mere wet nurse sabotage her hard work. Her eyes chilled as she snapped, "What have you been doing all these years? Do I need to list every single transgression? I've been in the palace; do you think I could have been replaced by someone while in front of the Empress and Crown Prince? When I return, does Grandfather not have better judgment than a mere servant?"

The wet nurse seemed taken aback, having never seen Li Yun show such intimidating demeanor. She took a few steps back.

"Someone! Throw her out! I refuse to have such a heartless wet nurse!" Li Yun ordered sharply.

The onlookers froze, unsure of what to do.

"Are you all deaf? I said throw her out! Didn't you hear me?" Li Yun's voice rose even more fiercely.

"Yes, Miss!" The few servants Li Yun had designated to stay immediately stepped forward to grab the wet nurse. Others who had been left behind also joined in; they had all suffered under the wet nurse's oppressive behavior and, seeing the Miss truly meant to expel her, had no reason to hold back.

"Please spare me, Miss! I'm at fault; I won't do it again..." The wet nurse, now genuinely frightened, fell to her knees begging for mercy.

Li Yun regarded her coldly. She wasn't inherently kind; if the wet nurse was to meet her end, so be it.

Though she once believed in fairness and rights, the events since her arrival in this world had taught her otherwise, especially after nearly being imprisoned by the power plays at court. She had learned that this world had no such ideals, only the strong prevailed, and softness was a liability—particularly now, while she was still finding her footing.

She should be grateful for the scene with those women today; it provided an opportunity to clear out the pests in her courtyard. Otherwise, she might have faced difficulties early on, especially with the wet nurse's intimate knowledge of her and her past.

"Miss, I've been wrong! Please, look at how long I've served you! Spare me, and I swear I'll be loyal..." The wet nurse continued to plead, banging her head against the ground.

"If you want me to spare you, then tell me what you've done behind my back all these years," Li Yun suddenly shifted her approach. She had no memories of the original owner; perhaps this was a chance to gain insight into the inner workings of the Yun residence.

"Miss?" The wet nurse's eyes brightened at the opportunity. "If I tell you everything, you won't expel me?"

"Mm," Li Yun replied, her tone emotionless.

"Alright, I'll tell you everything! I—ah..." Just as the wet nurse was about to reveal her secrets, a sudden cry escaped her lips, and she collapsed to the ground, a dagger embedded in her back, striking a fatal blow. Her face twisted in shock, eyes wide open, unable to close them in death.

Li Yun's heart dropped as she fixed her gaze on the direction the dagger had come from. She hadn't expected someone to kill the wet nurse in front of her. The throw was too quick; by the time she registered it, it was already too late. Even if she had noticed earlier, she wouldn't have dared act, as the enemy was hidden and she was exposed.

"Miss, there's an intruder!" Cailian reacted immediately, positioning herself protectively in front of Li Yun.

"Indeed, there's a big one!" Li Yun looked towards a banyan tree outside the courtyard. Although it was dark, she could just make out the branches subtly swaying before falling still. Even if she rushed over now, the perpetrator would already be gone. She pressed her lips together, releasing her tightly clenched fists, and pushed Cailian aside. "Drag her away and keep an eye on her. We'll report this to Grandfather tomorrow."

"Miss, shouldn't we notify the authorities to catch the thief?" Cailian looked at Li Yun in confusion, still reeling from the shock of the wet nurse's sudden death. She realized the implications; someone had clearly wanted to silence the wet nurse before she could spill any secrets. What if that dagger had been aimed at Li Yun instead? It was terrifying!