All Hail Cousin Brother

206 Flower Festival Invitation

Old Madam Yu immediately beamed with joy. She turned to look at Nanny Liu. “This girl! She doesn’t know that money can’t buy youth.”

It was obvious that their relationship was as close as before. Nanny Liu also smiled. “Eldest Miss is trying to be filial to you.”

Old Madam Yu liked hearing this, and her face broke into a smile.

April was destined to be an eventful month. After Yu Youyao left school, Qing Xiu came over. “Old Madam has something on and has invited Eldest Miss over.”

Yu Youyao nodded without thinking.

After Qing Xiu left, Xia Tao whispered into her ear, “In the morning, a nanny came to the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence and went to Old Madam’s An Shou Hall.”

Yu Youyao’s eyelids twitched.

The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence did not have much contact with the Yu Residence, so when they suddenly visited…

For some reason, Yu Youyao recalled what she had heard outside her father’s study that day. She suddenly felt like a storm was brewing.

Before the New Year, Chang Xinghou had won a battle in the You Prefecture and handed over a request for credit to the Imperial Court, allowing the cabinet to suppress it. After the palace examination, this matter should be settled…

When Yu Youyao arrived at An Shou Hall, Madam Yang and Madam Yao were both there. To her surprise, even Yu Jianjia and Yu Shuangbai were sitting in the room.

Old Madam Yu waved at Yu Youyao.

Yu Youyao went forward to greet the elders before walking to her grandmother’s side and sitting down obediently, attracting Yu Jianjia’s attention. She pretended not to see her.

Yu Jianjia lowered her head. The Old Madam did not hide her love for Yu Youyao at all.

Since everyone had arrived, it was time to talk. Madam Yao smiled and asked, “Old Madam, why did you call us over today?”

When the nanny from the Marquis of Changxing Residence entered the residence, Old Madam did not hide it. Naturally, she understood what was going on.

Yang Shuwan glanced at Madam Yao from the corner of her eye. She had originally planned to ask this question first, but who knew that while she was still thinking about the people from the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, Madam Yao had already snatched the opportunity.

Old Madam Yu did not answer Madam Yao and only turned to look at her.

Yang Shuwan was staring at Old Madam Yu, waiting for her to speak. Suddenly, her gaze darkened. She held her breath and her heart skipped a beat. Before she could react, she heard Old Madam Yu ask her, “When did you meet Madam Changxing?”

Yang Shuwan was first shocked, but then her eyes were filled with joy. However, she did not dare to show it because of Old Madam’s question. “The last time I went to the Precious Peace Temple, I brought Sister Jia and Qingning to the temple to admire the plum blossoms. I bumped into the Marquis of Changxing’s wife and said a few words. She even praised Jia Jia for being obedient and polite.”

It was on the seventh of February that she had seen a woman in the Plum Garden. She was wearing a brown-gold felt jacket with large golden peonies embroidered on it. It was originally made of old-fashioned material, but now, she was dressed in an imposing and domineering manner.

In the capital, the Marquis of Changxing’s wife was a dignified person. She usually went to visit various families, so they had naturally seen her before. She went forward to say a few words.

She had originally thought that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife was someone who was not easy to get close to. Unexpectedly, she actually smiled and chatted with her, even holding Jia Jia’s hand and praising her for being well-mannered.

After talking to the Marquis of Changxing’s wife, they had a realization!

It turned out that when they were in the palace, Qingning had offended a master who knew about lot writing. He couldn’t help but reprimand her and actually asked the Marquis of Changxing’s wife to listen to Jia Jia’s words to comfort her.

At the side, Yu Jianjia’s eyes lit up. She recalled that day when the Marquis of Changxing’s wife had kindly held her hand and praised her for her good looks and manners. She couldn’t help but put down the tea in her hand and tilt her head and ears.

Yang Shuwan couldn’t help but ask, “Old Madam, why are you suddenly asking about this?”

Old Madam Yu’s expression darkened a little. She took out the golden invitation card on the table and showed it to everyone. “The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence is holding a flower festival on April 22. They are inviting our family over a few days after the palace examination.” At this point, her voice paused for a moment. She first glanced at Yu Jianjia, then at Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai. “They also asked us to bring a few younger ones from the family.”

Madam Yao was stunned. She couldn’t help but ask, “Why did the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence choose this time to hold a banquet…”

They still had to take care of a few younger children, and the younger children in the family were all half-grown. It was not the right age to take them out yet. This was a little against the rules!

Yu Jianjia’s eyes lit up a little more. She tightened her grip on her handkerchief and looked at Yang Shuwan.

Yang Shuwan understood and couldn’t help but ask, “Our girls are all a little young. Everyone in the capital knows that they haven’t reached the age to be brought out. Why did they suddenly mention bringing them out?”

Just now, Old Madam had specially asked her when she had gotten to know the Marquis of Changxing’s wife. Could it be that she liked Jia Jia and felt that she was well-mannered, so she had specifically mentioned that she wanted to bring her sisters along?

Old Madam Yu smiled faintly. “That nanny said that Eldest Madam Yang is very well-mannered. Even though the sisters in the family are young, they’re not ordinary. She said that Seventh Sister in the residence is about the same age as Yao Yao and the others, so they should be able to play together.”

Towards the end, her tone became indifferent.

Yu Jianjia’s eyes were filled with joy.

That day, the Marquis of Changxing’s wife held her hand and kept sizing her up. She had a kind smile on her face, and even her somewhat mean face was very gentle. It was obvious that she really liked her.

She turned around and glanced at Yu Youyao, who was looking down and thinking about something, and Yu Shuangbai, who was eating and drinking foolishly. She pursed her lips slightly.

Since she was going to be brought along, the other sisters in the family naturally had to be brought along as well to not be disrespectful.

Yang Shuwan immediately raised her eyebrows, unable to hide her smug expression. She said, “The Marquis of Changxing only saw Jia Jia and spoke to her…”

In other words, the few sisters in the family were only able to attend the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence because of Yu Jianjia.

The room fell silent.

Old Madam Yu closed her eyes and fiddled with her prayer beads. Yu Youyao sat beside her grandmother with her head lowered. No one knew what she was thinking. Madam Yao brought over some tea, but Yu Shuangbai did not notice that the atmosphere was amiss at all. She ate happily.

Yang Shuwan also realized that she had misspoken. She quickly smiled and tried to salvage the situation. “It was probably because I was sick a while ago. Yao Yao helped to manage the household and made a name for herself outside. Madam Changxing heard about it.”

Old Madam Yu opened her eyes and looked at Madam Yang. “What do you think?”

Yang Shuwan was stunned by the question. She subconsciously replied, “Since this invitation has already been sent to my door, how can I not go? We would offend someone for no reason.”

Old Madam Yu did not want to say anything else. She waved her hand and said, “In that case, go back and prepare. I’m old, and it’s not appropriate for me to go out. Just the two of you can bring Eldest Miss, Second Miss, and Third Miss along!”