All Hail Cousin Brother

275 I Really Don’t Know What to Do With You

Her soft hand was pressed against his back, caressing it from top to bottom. The warmth in her palm penetrated the thin material of his shirt, causing Zhou Linghuai’s back to stiffen.

Zhou Linghuai’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. He suddenly tightened his grip on the armrest. “I’m fine now.”

Her cousin’s voice sounded a little hoarse and dark. He was not as cold as before. However, she did not hear any discomfort. Yu Youyao felt much more relieved and looked reproachful. “Cousin, you’re too careless. You choked on your own food after taking a bite of the pancake.” She shook her head and sighed in an old tone. “I really don’t know what to do with you.”

Zhou Linghuai was immediately speechless.

Let’s make it clear, who exactly can’t do anything to who?

However, he was spoiling her more and more.

Zhou Linghuai suddenly remembered that the little girl had eaten the peony cake that he had bitten. He felt that it was a little inappropriate and hesitated for a moment. “In the future, don’t…” Seeing that the little girl’s eyes were as clear and bright as water, the words that came to his mouth changed to, “Is the peony cake delicious?”

Yu Youyao did not know how conflicted her cousin was. She took another peony cake and ate it. As she ate, she nodded. “It’s delicious. Did Cousin specially buy it for me?”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “I was out today and happened to pass by the store.”

Yu Youyao swallowed the cake in her mouth. “Cousin, you’re lying again. The Precious Peace Temple isn’t on the way. I’ve been to the Precious Peace Temple and know the way. You can’t lie to me!”

Her cousin’s legs were inconvenient. After entering the Yu Residence, he also lived in seclusion. The only place he could go was the Precious Peace Temple.

Zhou Linghuai immediately did not want to speak.

Yu Youyao wrinkled her nose. “Cousin, what’s wrong with you? You’re clearly treating me well, but you insist on being secretive, afraid that I’ll find out how well you treat me.” She pursed her lips and glanced at her cousin from the corner of her eye. “Why are you so awkward?!”

Zhou Linghuai choked on his cake. Now, he almost choked on his tea. Suddenly, his hands felt itchy. “Cousin arranged it all.”

Yu Youyao pouted and ate her cake.

Seeing that she had taken another piece of peony cake to eat, Zhou Linghuai couldn’t help but remind her, “Have a few pieces of peony cake to fill your stomach first. If you eat too much, can you have lunch later?”

Yu Youyao blinked. “Cousin, on the way back, the horses were shocked, and so was I. Can I eat an extra peony cake to calm down?”

Zhou Linghuai’s eyebrows sank. “What happened?”

Her cousin’s expression was dark and scary. Yu Youyao quickly said, “When we turned the corner, a carriage suddenly rushed out. Aunt’s horses were shocked at the front, and the horses behind also jumped…”

Zhou Linghuai interrupted her. “Were you injured?”

Yu Youyao waved her hand. “With Chun Xiao’s protection, I wasn’t not injured. I just jolted a few times and felt a little uncomfortable. Cousin, don’t worry.”

Zhou Linghuai heaved a sigh of relief. “Whose carriage is it?”

Their carriages almost collided. No matter which family it was, they had to find out.

Yu Youyao suddenly thought of the yellow jade ring she had seen at a glance. She shook her head. “Cousin, is pure yellow jade only used by the Imperial Prince?”

The Book of Rites taught about clothes etiquette. Her cousin had taught it to her, and Ms. Ye had also taught it in class. However, when she panicked, she felt a little uncertain.

Zhou Linghuai’s gaze suddenly darkened. “The yellow jade is also known as a jade huang. The emperor and the nobles use it as a pendant. The full one is a ring. Most of the time, it’s bestowed by the emperor to warn someone not to be complacent. In addition, the vassal lords who have heavy troops in their hands and are guarding the vassal lands will be bestowed with the jade carving ring. The dragon is carved with its head and tail connected. The dragon has no horns and lies on the ground. Therefore, they can’t ride the clouds in the sky and bow down to the true dragon.”

Yu Youyao’s face turned pale.

Zhou Linghuai gently rubbed the top of the little girl’s head. “It’s not the first or second time the vassal king has made a move. It’s only a matter of time before he enters the capital. Just pretend you didn’t see him. Don’t worry about anything else.”

Hearing her cousin’s words, Yu Youyao calmed down a little. “Cousin, do you know which vassal lord entered the capital?”

These words were more or less a test. The Yu Residence had long known that Third Cousin had brought news of the vassal king’s unusual movements into the capital, but they had yet to hear any news.

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “It’s King Ping of Liangzhou. Liangzhou is located in the south. The south is filled with mountains and miasma. It’s very far from Quanzhou, but it resonates a little.”

Yu Youyao’s heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously looked at her cousin and opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.

How did Cousin find out about something that even Second Uncle couldn’t hear?

Back then, at the Precious Peace Temple, after she had accidentally discovered her cousin’s tracks, she had vaguely sensed that he was very mysterious and his identity did not seem to be simple. Her cousin did not deliberately guard against her, so she also knew that her cousin was living in the residence now and was also bound to the Yu Residence. She should not be worried that her cousin would harm the Yu Residence, so she did not probe further.

However, she kept feeling that the vassal lord’s strange actions seemed to be related to her cousin, so she couldn’t help but worry.

The little girl did not say anything, but her bright eyes were filled with worry for him. Zhou Linghuai chuckled and rubbed the little girl’s hair hard.

Yu Youyao quickly covered her head to prevent herself from rubbing it. “Cousin, you’ve messed up my hair.”

Zhou Linghuai laughed. “You’re still young. Why are you worrying? Be careful not to grow taller in the future.”

Yu Youyao quickly leaned back and dodged her cousin’s demonic hand. She pouted. “Cousin, you still have the cheek to criticize me. You’re not much older than me. You make it sound like you’re old. Be careful not to grow taller in the future.”

With that said, she was really a little worried that her cousin’s leg would be damaged and he would grow slower than others. She had to ask Nanny Xu later if she had any medicinal cuisine for growth.

Zhou Linghuai did not know what she was thinking. If he knew, he would probably not know whether to laugh or cry.

At this moment, Qiu Xing entered the study. “Young Miss, Miss Qing Xiu is here. She wants you to go to Old Madam’s house.”

Yu Youyao quickly stood up. “Cousin, if you’re not busy, wait for me in the study. When I return, I’ll have lunch with you.”

Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Okay!”

Only then did Yu Youyao leave the study and go to An Shou Hall with Qing Xiu.

Second Uncle and Second Aunt were no longer around. Her father was sitting and drinking tea with a dark expression. Yang Shuwan was sitting beside him. Her slightly raised eyebrows inevitably revealed a hint of smugness.

Yu Youyao bowed and greeted her elders before sitting down obediently beside her grandmother. “Grandmother!”

“Oh my, my dear granddaughter, you’ve suffered so much today…” Old Madam Yu pulled her granddaughter into her arms and wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

If it weren’t for the fact that she had to hand over a token in advance to enter the palace and find the time, how could she still be sitting in the house?