All Hail Cousin Brother

283 Quiet Battle

Bai Kui continued, “The Empress Dowager also said that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife is a mingfu. It’s her duty to take care of her husband and teach her children well. Virtue is a must. Only by doing good deeds and virtues can she become a model woman. Otherwise, it would be considered that she’s not worthy of being a mingfu. She asked Aunt Shen to teach the Marquis of Changxing’s wife the rules of being a mingfu.”

“When Concubine Zhuang received the news, she went to the Longevity Palace to plead for leniency with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager did not see Concubine Zhuang and even asked her to stay in her own palace and learn the rules. She said that the Marquis of Changxing was working for the Imperial Court in Youzhou. As a wife and daughter, they should be considerate of a husband and father’s hard work and learn more rules and upbringing to ensure that the Marquis of Changxing would not have any worries.”

When Old Madam Yu heard this, she understood that this was a disguised way of restraining Concubine Zhuang.

However!

Every family had planted spies in the palace, but this news was not easily spread. It was obvious that the Empress Dowager had instructed it.

At this moment, it had probably already spread throughout the capital.

The Empress Dowager had punished Seventh Miss Cao to copy the “Lessons for the Women of the Li Family” and had also asked someone to teach the Marquis of Changxing’s wife the rules. It was obvious that she also felt that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife had not raised Seventh Miss Cao well and wanted her to relearn everything she studied.

They really lost all their face and became a laughing stock.

In the Jade Courtyard, Yu Youyao had also received this news and was deep in thought. “The Empress Dowager has used the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence’s missteps to bring up this matter. The Marquis of Changxing probably won’t have the face to ask for credit from the Imperial Court anymore. If this Flower Festival was held well, the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence would be proud and its reputation will be even greater than before. It’s only natural for him to ask for credit, but if the Flower Festival was ruined, it would also ruin the reputation of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.”

At the Flower Festival, she had fought with Seventh Miss Cao over her upbringing and reputation.

She argued with the Marquis of Changxing’s wife for the dignity and face of the Yu Residence.

Nanny Xu’s smile deepened. “Eldest Miss is also someone who keeps a low profile. After this incident, the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence has completely stopped its power play, and the Imperial Court can be more stable. However…” she changed the topic slightly, and her slightly lowered tone made everyone’s hearts sink. “You’re in the limelight in the capital now and have attracted everyone’s attention. Countless people in the capital are watching your every word and action, including the nobles in the palace. You have to be more careful with your words and actions in the future.”

Yu Youyao’s heart skipped a beat. She nodded. “Nanny, I understand.”

Nanny Xu sighed softly. She wondered if it was good or bad for Yu Youyao to stand out among the noble ladies so early and even be noticed by the nobles in the palace.

However, after this incident, it was obvious that Yu Youyao was a person with great fortune.

Yu Youyao did not think too much about it. To a woman, there was nothing more terrifying than ruining her reputation. Even though she knew that what she had done at the Flower Festival would completely offend the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, the Marquis of Weining’s Residence, or even Imperial Consort Lu in the palace, she had no choice.

Actually, she would also feel uneasy and afraid.

When they returned to the residence, the auntie asked her in detail about what had happened at the flower festival. She only comforted her a little before letting her and Yu Shuangbai take a carriage back to the residence.

After that, her father, second uncle, second aunt, and Madam Yang were all invited to An Shou Hall by her grandmother.

She could almost guess that the topics they were talking about were all closely related to her. They involved the Yu family, the Yu clan, and even the court.

All of this was not something a growing child like her could interfere in.

She had no idea what the consequences would be.

She would also be terrified.

When her cousin arrived at the Jade Courtyard, she saw him sitting in the study with a book in his hand. His eyes were calm and his expression was cold. Even though he was sitting there, he was like a rugged mountain that was difficult to move.

She suddenly felt at ease.

Her cousin’s casual attitude made her feel even more like she didn’t have to be afraid even if the sky fell.

Yu Youyao went to the incense room. The wooden osmanthus incense beads that she had made previously had been left in the room for two to three days. Now, they were completely dry.

Nanny Xu took a small bowl and placed it on the table. The bottom of the bowl was facing up. “The bottom of the bowl is worn out. It’s just right to grind the beads. Grinding the beads requires patience. It’s a slow job.”

Yu Youyao nodded. She picked up an incense bead and placed it at the bottom of the bowl to polish it carefully until the rough surface of the bead became round and smooth. One incense bead was almost done.

The finished incense beads were brownish-yellow in color, exuding an ancient and elegant aura. If they were often worn like jade, the color would become stronger, darker, and more beautiful.

Nanny Xu nodded. “The beads are grounded well. Smell them.”

Yu Youyao lowered her head and sniffed. “The refreshing fragrance of the osmanthus flowers has become reserved and heavy. When it enters your nose, the fragrance is fragrant. After savoring it carefully, you feel that the fragrance is elegant and sweet. There’s also a hint of sweetness in the remaining fragrance. It’s layered.”

She put down the incense bead and sniffed her fingers. She felt that the fragrance lingered for a long time.

After Nanny Xu smelled the incense, she also praised, “It’s a top-notch incense bead. It’s well-maintained. After wearing it for three to five years, its fragrance will be nurtured. It’s very rare for it to be done so well on the first time.”

Yu Youyao was pure and thorough. The incense beads she made also had this characteristic. The fragrance was also especially pure and long-lasting. This way, the incense beads also had a strong fragrance and were filled with spirituality. It was very suitable to wear.

The incense beads were easy to make, but their fragrance was rare.

Fragrance was easy to create, but spirituality was difficult to find.

Yu Youyao was smart and creative, and she did not lack patience. She was very talented in incense making.

Her studies were suspended for three days.

The next day, Yu Youyao did not have to go to school. She learned etiquette from Nanny Xu and had breakfast before sending Xia Tao to Songtao Courtyard to arrange for the servants to clean it up.

After the Songtao Courtyard was cleaned up, she went over to take a look and see how the courtyard was going to be renovated.

Yu Youyao lowered her head and drafted a list. She handed it to Liu’er. “These are the belongings, ornaments, flowers, and wood that the Songtao Courtyard needs. Take it to the front courtyard and show it to Zhao Da. If there’s no problem, get the main storeroom to prepare it.”

She was also worried that there were some things that weren’t available in the main warehouse for the time being, or that they weren’t suitable. She could also get someone to buy them outside, in case they weren’t available when they moved to the courtyard. If the items were missing, she would panic.

Liu’er took the list and went to look for Zhao Da.

Yu Youyao flipped through the almanac. The best day was still seven days later. Seven days were still a little tight but sufficient.

It took almost an hour to sort out the matters of the Songtao Courtyard.

Yu Youyao stretched.

Chun Xiao couldn’t help but say, “Eldest Madam Yang hasn’t sent the butler’s key over yet.”

Yu Youyao did not mind. “Who would be willing to manage such a big family? It’s really tiring. Don’t worry about her.”

Chun Xiao pursed her lips and smiled.

Some people seemed to hate their lives as they held onto the butler’s key, refusing to let go. Others couldn’t wait to push this authority away.