All Hail Cousin Brother

290 Old Madam Cao

Yu Lianyu also looked at the palace token, and her eyes lit up. “Big Sister is really imposing when she wears it. Third Sister was right just now. Now that Big Sister has obtained honor, we have to bask in it too.”

Compared to Yu Jianjia’s vague words, she was much more straightforward and genuinely happy.

Yu Fangfei touched the Lantian Jade on the palace token and couldn’t bear to part with it. “The Lantian Jade is really beautiful.”

Yu Youyao smiled and said, “I have a pair of white Lantian Jade Bracelets in my house. If you like them, I’ll get someone to send them to you later. One for each of you.”

Yu Lianyu and Yu Fangfei looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other’s eyes. “Thank you, Big Sister.”

The first wife treated them well, and the jewelry she usually bought was also meticulous. However, noble jade like Lantian jade was not something they, the daughters of concubines, could covet.

Only Big Sister could do such a thing.

Yu Shuangbai pouted and quickly asked, “What about me? Eldest Sister gave Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister Lantian Jade White Bracelets. What do you plan to give me? I’ve already said that if it’s not Lantian Jade, I don’t want it.”

Yu Youyao glared at her. “How can you ask someone for a gift? Do you lack a Lantian jade?”

Yu Shuangbai refused. “You can’t favor one over the other.”

Yu Youyao looked helpless and shook her head. “I’m afraid of you. I still have a white and green blue jade bowl in my room. I’ll send it to you later.”

Yu Shuangbai smiled smugly.

Yu Lianyu and Yu Fangfei also laughed.

Big Sister had also put in a lot of effort to give them gifts. They were the daughters of concubines, so they did not have many precious things on hand. Hence, they gave them jewelry. If they were older, they could show off.

Second Sister did not lack these expensive things, so she gave her a bowl to decorate.

Every time Big Sister gave them something, she would sincerely consider it for them. She never sent them away with anything that was not valuable.

Yu Jianjia looked at the few of them surrounding Yu Youyao and trying to please her. She couldn’t help but bite her lip.

She was sitting in the hall, and even the daughter of the second branch had given her something. However, Yu Youyao seemed to have forgotten about her third sister and did not say anything about giving her something.

Yu Youyao did not know what Yu Jianjia was thinking. Since Yu Jianjia did not ask for it herself, she did not plan to give it to her.

The things in her hands were not from a random place, but from her maternal grandfather’s hard-earned family. She had given them to Yu Shuangbai because they were sisters.

It was fine if she gave it to Yu Jianjia, but she was not a fool.

Yang Shuwan was also furious, but as an elder, it wasn’t appropriate for her to ask her stepdaughter for something, although she didn’t want it herself.

Seeing how generous her granddaughter was, Old Madam Yu chuckled.

At this moment, Qing Xiu entered the room. “Old Madam, Old Madam Cao of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence has brought the Marquis of Changxing’s wife and Seventh Miss Cao over.”

Madam Yao and Yang Shuwan were shocked and almost stood up from their chairs.

Old Madam Cao was like the Old Madam at home. She was already old and experienced. Basically, she lived at home and did not go out.

She actually came personally.

The two of them couldn’t help but glance at Yu Youyao. They couldn’t help but sigh.

Old Madam Yu’s smile also faded a little. She sat steadily on the couch and looked at Madam Yang and Madam Yao. “The two of you can go over and welcome them. Just be polite.”

The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was rude, but the Yu Residence still cared about their reputation.

Madam Yao and Yang Shuwan quickly stood up, tidied their clothes, and left one after another.

Old Madam Yu swept her gaze across the room and said gently, “Yao Yao, Sister Shuang, and Third Miss, stay behind. Fifth Miss, and Sixth Miss, go back first!”

Yu Lianyu and Yu Fangfei nodded in agreement. After stepping forward and bowing to Old Madam Yu, they brought their maidservants out of An Shou Hall and returned to the second branch.

Old Madam Yu looked at Yu Youyao and the others again. “Go behind the screen first.”

Old Madam Cao’s seniority was high. The few of them had to be greeted so that they could meet her naturally. They couldn’t stand there and let others see that they were unruly.

Yu Youyao nodded and went behind the screen with Yu Shuangbai.

Ai Ye and Hui Xiang helped Yu Jianjia in. There was a round table and a small stool behind the screen. Bai Kui ordered the young maidservant to serve snacks, fruits, and tea.

Not long after, footsteps came from outside.

When Yu Youyao heard the voices of her second aunt, Madam Yao, and Yang Shuwan, she looked out of the screen and could only see faint figures swaying. Her master was leading a group of maidservants.

Old Madam Cao was supported by the Marquis of Changxing’s wife, and they entered An Shou Hall like stars surrounding the moon.

She was wearing a ginger longevity jacket and an emerald headband. She was a little older than Old Madam Yu, but she was tall and thin, looking very capable.

It wasn’t until she entered the house that Old Madam Yu asked Nanny Liu to help her to the hall. She greeted, “Oh, I haven’t seen you for many years. Why are you so busy today? Sit, sit…”

Old Madam Cao also smiled and said, “There’s a reason why I took the liberty to visit today and didn’t even send a greeting card. I’ve disturbed your peace. Please forgive me for my rudeness.”

After the group greeted each other, they sat down one after another. The maidservants quickly served tea and snacks.

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife lowered her eyes and sat beside Old Madam Cao. She was wearing a grayish-green knee-length jacket and gold-inlaid jade accessories. She looked dignified and generous, but not as ostentatious.

Cao Yingxue also put away the flamboyance on her body. She was wearing light blue clothes and had simple accessories. She sat on the small stool behind the Marquis of Changxing’s wife and lowered her head, not daring to breathe too loudly.

Her mind was filled with thoughts of how not long after Yu Youyao had left yesterday, there were already people making excuses to leave the Flower Festival one after another. Her mother couldn’t stay or stop her. She was so angry that she almost fainted.

Not long after, someone from the palace came and invited her and her mother into the palace. The Flower Festival could no longer be held.

Cao Yingxue had only entered the palace a few times in her life, and Zhaoyang Palace twice.

The Longevity Palace was very big. The ground was covered in gold bricks, and it was so dazzling that she couldn’t breathe.

As soon as she entered the hall, even her legs went limp.

The Empress Dowager was separated by a dazzling bright yellow curtain, and her dignified voice came through it. It made her feel dazed and unreal, but it was intimidating. Her mind had also become muddled, so much so that she couldn’t even memorize the “Biographies of Exemplary Women” that she had been taught since she was young. She was punished by the Empress Dowager.

Only at this moment did she realize how powerful and afraid she was.

Her heart was filled with regret. She shouldn’t have made things difficult for Yu Youyao at the Flower Festival. Not only had she embarrassed her family, but she had also ruined her reputation.