All Hail Cousin Brother

252 Marquis of Changxing’s Residence

The little girl squatted in front of him and looked up at him. Her pomegranate-red lips were curved and bright, but there was concern in her eyes.

She was probably worried about him because she mentioned Youzhou and was afraid that he would think of those unhappy things in the past.

Zhou Ling’s lips curled up slightly. “In that case, don’t mention it in front of others.”

Yu Youyao pursed her lips and changed the topic. “Cousin, when I return, I’ll tell you about the flower festival.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Okay.” After thinking about it for a while, he was still a little worried. He added, “There are too many people at the Flower Festival. With all the young misses gathered together, it’s inevitable that there will be some conflict. Be careful.”

Yu Youyao clenched her fists. “Cousin, don’t worry about me. Who would go against a growing child like me? I’m just going through the motions to broaden my horizons. I’m not going to cause trouble.”

The little girl was not the type to cause trouble, so Zhou Linghuai nodded and instructed in a low voice, “Remember to watch your surroundings outside and be alert. You have to be calm when you encounter trouble. Don’t panic. If anyone causes trouble, don’t pester them endlessly, lest you’re in a passive position and are controlled by others. Remember, to beat a snake, one must strike seven inches below its head. First, extinguish their prestige, then suppress their arrogance. There’s a saying that goes, no matter how bad things get, don’t give up. When dealing with others, your aura can’t be weak.”

The two of them gathered together to talk. No one else listened carefully, but Old Madam Yu heard them clearly. Her grip on the prayer beads tightened.

With Zhou Linghuai’s personality, she had underestimated him in the past.

And Yao Yao—

Her granddaughter used to be a little soft, but now did things cleanly and neatly like Zhou Linghuai.

Yu Youyao tugged at her cousin’s sleeve and curved her eyebrows, making them look distant. When she smiled, she looked even more charming. “Cousin, I remember everything you said.”

Her cousin had said this before.

She looked gentle and obedient. Zhou Linghuai suddenly shook his head and laughed. “Do you think Cousin is talking too much?”

Yu Youyao wrinkled her nose slightly, unhappy that her cousin had said that about her. “Of course not. Cousin, you’re not talking too much at all. You’re just concerned about me.” She pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes sparkling. “If you had a mustache under your nose and were worried about me, you would definitely look like my father.” She couldn’t help but laugh. She leaned close to her cousin’s ear and whispered, “Even my father doesn’t care about me as much as you do.”

The man was 40 years old and had also started growing a beard a while ago. His mouth was also pale and did not look good at all.

Thinking of her cousin’s future beard, she suddenly shook her head and did not dare to think about it.

The scene was too beautiful to look at.

Zhou Linghuai’s expression stiffened slightly, and he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

Yu Youyao stuck out her tongue and tugged at her cousin’s sleeve. She said coquettishly, “Cousin, I’m sorry. I was just joking. I just feel that you’re the person who treats me the best other than Grandmother.”

The little girl spoke pitifully, and Zhou Linghuai’s expression relaxed. Even if he was angry, he couldn’t be angry anymore. He said helplessly, “It’s not like at home outside. It’s better to pay more attention.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Cousin, I’ll be obedient.”

Cousin, I’ll be obedient. Her gentle voice was soft and delicate, making Zhou Linghuai’s ears go numb and his heart melt. She was simply too obedient.

After chatting for a while, it was almost time to leave.

Yu Youyao bade her cousin farewell and held Yu Shuangbai’s hand as they left with Yang Shuwan and Madam Yao.

There were four large carriages parked at the entrance.

Madam Yao held Yu Youyao’s hand and smiled at Yang Shuwan. “Third Miss’s body is a little weak, so you can’t be careless. Yao Yao, come with me. Take good care of her. It’ll be more appropriate.”

Yang Shuwan did not want to bring Yu Youyao along, so she smiled and said, “Thank you, Second Sister-in-law.” She turned around and held Yu Youyao’s hand. She said gently, “Go with your second aunt. Don’t cause trouble for her.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Got it, Mother.”

Yang Shuwan was satisfied. Yu Jianjia stepped forward and said, “Eldest Sister and Second Sister, I’ll see you at the flower festival later.”

Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai nodded.

After getting into the carriage, Madam Yao smiled and told Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai about the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence. “The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence and the Marquis of Weining’s Residence are in-laws. The Marquis of Weining’s wife is the biological sister of the Marquis of Changxing. The Marquis of Changxing’s wife has two legitimate daughters. The two legitimate daughters are beautiful. Two years ago, the second daughter was sent into the palace and was conferred the title of Concubine Zhuang. She’s one of the nine concubines. Her daughter’s name is Yingxue. She’s eleven years old this year and is a little older than you. I heard that she has a delicate and charming personality…”

Nanny Xu had told Yu Youyao all this before.

Imperial Consort Lu looked very glamorous in the palace, but she also needed to stabilize her position.

However, in order not to arouse the emperor’s suspicion, the Marquis of Weining naturally wouldn’t choose his daughter to enter the palace to receive his favor.

In this way, the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, who was related to the Weining Marquis Residence by marriage, was the best candidate. Concubine Zhuang was in the palace, and with Imperial Consort Lu helping to fight for her favor, she naturally gained power.

At the mention of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, it was inevitable that she would mention the Marquis of Weining’s Residence. “The Marquis of Weining’s wife has a legitimate daughter who has been in the family for five years. Her name is Lu Mingyao, and she’s more than half a year older than Seventh Miss Cao. I saw her once last year. The color she was wearing was the same as Imperial Consort Lu’s in the palace. Not only that, but I heard that she’s also extremely talented in poetry and calligraphy. She’s already a little famous…”

Madam Yao mentioned the other young misses in the capital.

She had told her daughter all this a long time ago. Now, she was telling it to Yu Youyao. Old Madam doted on Yu Youyao, so she had to tell her about it even more clearly.

However, as an aunt, she had to be more careful.

Unknowingly, the carriage had arrived at the entrance of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.

The red door of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was open to welcome guests. Even the tall and mighty stone lions outside were tied with a ribbon, revealing how extraordinary it was.

Nanny Qian alighted from the carriage and went forward with the invitation. Immediately, an old maid from the residence welcomed the Yu Residence’s carriage into the residence from the side door beside the main door.

The carriage only stopped in front of the pagoda door.

Madam Yao was the first to get out of the carriage and saw Yang Shuwan, who had arrived earlier than them.

Yu Youyao and Yu Shuangbai alighted from the carriage one after another.

Yu Youyao looked up. The sky was blue, and the sun was very bright. It was obvious that the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence had chosen a good day.

There was a long table in front of the door. On it, there was a long list of guests. The young misses of the various families were involved.

A steward was announcing the names of guests. His voice was very loud and clear. “The First Madam of the Yu Residence, and the Second Madam, have arrived with the Eldest Miss, Second Miss, and Third Miss.”

After announcing their names, he drew a line on the list.

A nanny came forward to receive the congratulatory gift and list. She also handed it to the steward to register it in an orderly manner.