All Hail Cousin Brother

199 Little Piggy

The next morning, the disciples who were participating in the second round of examinations came over to greet Old Madam Yu.

Seeing that they were in good spirits, Old Madam Yu was also very happy. “The second examination is tomorrow. We have to wait at the palace gate at midnight and enter at dawn. This examination will last from daytime to dusk. Why didn’t you rest in the courtyard? You even came all the way here to greet me. It’s been tiring.”

Yu Shande said respectfully, “Over the past few days, I’ve been under Third Grandmother’s careful care. I have to come and greet her before I can take the examination in peace.”

Initially, they did not feel much about the medicinal cuisine, medicinal tea, and medicinal fragrance they ate every day.

However, after eating for three to five days, something effective happened.

At the very least, when he was away from studying, he would eat some medicinal cuisine and drink some medicinal tea. He would then feel more relaxed. Before he went to bed, he would light another incense stick to ensure that he would have a good night’s sleep.

After eating and sleeping well, he would be full of energy. Studying would also yield twice the results with half the effort. Even though he was a little nervous, he did not panic.

Old Madam Yu chuckled. “Don’t thank me. I was just giving instructions. Yao Yao was in charge of everything.”

With that, she turned to look at her granddaughter. Yu Youyao was sitting obediently beside her grandmother.

Yu Shande quickly thanked Yu Youyao, and the other three followed.

Yu Youyao smiled and said, “You can’t write the word ‘Yu’ with one stroke. We’re all on the same side. There’s no need to be so polite. It’s a huge matter for you to participate in the examination. Even if we can’t help, we have to do our best.”

That night, the Yu Residence was brightly lit.

At midnight, Yu Zongzheng and Yu Zongshen called Yu Shande and the other three over to say some encouraging words. After that, the residence arranged for a large carriage to bring them to the palace gate.

There were already many people waiting at the palace gate.

The candidates gathered together. In order to relieve their nervousness, it was inevitable that three to five people would gather together to talk.

Yu Shande repeated all the rules and etiquette in the palace. After the three of them nodded and memorized them, he said, “It’s still early. Sister Yao has prepared a light and suitable medicinal cuisine and a refreshing medicinal tea. You should have some too. When it’s time, don’t eat anything. Otherwise, you’ll lose your etiquette in the palace.”

Most of the matters regarding the second round of examinations were handled by Sister Yao. She was meticulous and thorough.

This way, their tense hearts seemed to be much more settled.

The few of them ate and drank very leisurely.

“When I got into the carriage just now, I felt my limbs go weak at the thought that I was about to take the second examination. Now, I suddenly feel at ease.”

“It’s probably because Sister Yao’s arrangements are too appropriate. We can also clear some of our distracting thoughts and charge forward in peace, so we don’t feel afraid anymore.

“Sister Yao is young, but she speaks and does things like Third Grandmother. She’s really extraordinary.”

After eating and drinking, everyone chatted for a while more, and it was dawn.

The candidates were led by the internal servants and the supervisors in charge of the examination. After going through all kinds of etiquette such as roll calls, distribution of papers, worshiping, saluting, and so on, they sat down safely in the Hall of Peace.

No one in the Yu Residence was asleep either. They were all gathered in An Shou Hall to listen to the news.

When the sky turned bright, a servant ran all the way into An Shou Hall. “The few young masters of the family have safely entered the palace. They’re probably waiting for the questions in the hall.”

When Old Madam Yu heard this, she immediately smiled. “Let’s stop worrying here. They’ll have to rely on themselves from now on. We’re all tired after taking care of them for a night. Everyone, go back and rest!”

Yu Zongshen also smiled. “It’s been hard on Mother.”

Old Madam Yu turned to look at her granddaughter, only to see that Yu Youyao was sleepy. She was sitting in a chair. Her elbows were on the small table and her small hands were supporting her small head as she dozed off. Her little head was nodding off bit by bit, and there was even a blanket on her back. It was the one that had been on Zhou Linghuai’s lap just now. It was also funny. “I didn’t have to worry this time. Look, the person who’s worked really hard is dozing off there.”

When everyone saw this, they immediately laughed.

This smile woke Yu Youyao up from her half-asleep state. She covered her mouth and yawned as she turned around and saw her cousin. “Cousin, let’s make some pork trotters later. Do you like them cooked or stewed?”

These words made everyone in the room roar with laughter.

Zhou Linghuai clenched his fist and pressed it against his lips, blocking the widening smile on his lips. Looking at the little girl’s sleepy eyes and innocent look, he found her adorable.

Yu Youyao was dumbfounded from laughing. She glanced into the room and immediately snapped out of her daze. Even her small body straightened, and her pink face, which had been sleeping soundly, turned red with embarrassment.

Old Madam Yu laughed until tears streamed down her face. “You’re like a little piglet. You even think about eating in your sleep.”

Yu Youyao puffed up her cheeks. “Grandmother, you can’t mock me like this in public. Aren’t you a little hungry after taking care of them for a while?”

Old Madam Yu wiped her tears with her handkerchief and smiled. “Why did I raise such a clown?”

Everyone laughed again, and the tense atmosphere in the room completely dissipated.

However, Yang Shuwan could not smile. Every time there was an examination, it was personally arranged by Old Madam. No one else could interfere.

However, this time, Old Madam had directly ignored her and handed such an important matter to Yu Youyao.

As the mistress of the household, where was her status?

Yu Jianjia lowered her head and drank her tea. She was not in good health to begin with. After taking care of the candidates for most of the night, she was also tired. Although her grandmother had asked her to return to the courtyard to rest early in the morning, everyone in the house was present. If only she was not around, it wouldn’t be good, so she forced herself to stay.

Now that she heard that Old Madam was going to show off Yu Youyao’s ability as soon as she had the chance, she felt that it was boring. She felt that she might as well return to the courtyard early in the morning to rest.

After returning to the Jade Courtyard, Yu Youyao washed up and went to sleep.

She slept until seven o’clock in the morning. Today, the Yu Residence had stopped classes for the second round of examinations. It was rare that Yu Youyao did not have to attend school. She learned some medicine, incense, tea, and food from Nanny Xu. Then, she planned to go to the Green House.

Her cousin had said that the Essence Protection Pill could be refined in three days. Today was the third day, so it was probably about time.

At this moment, Xia Tao came over and said, “Liu’er has recovered a little. She came over to thank Young Miss.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Bring her in!”

Xia Tao led Liu’er into the room. Liu’er knelt on the ground obediently and kowtowed to Yu Youyao respectfully. Every kowtow was very sincere. When Yu Youyao saw this, her heart skipped a few beats, afraid that her injuries would not recover and her head would be damaged again.

After three kowtows, Yu Youyao said, “Get up quickly.”