All Hail Cousin Brother

293 I Regret It So Much

Old Madam Cao smiled until her eyes narrowed. She held Yu Youyao’s hand and turned to look at her. “This must be your darling, Yao Yao, whom you’ve been raising since she was young.” Before Old Madam Yu could finish speaking, she turned around again. As she sized up Yu Youyao, she smiled. “She’s a delicate and beautiful person. If I had such a granddaughter, I’m afraid I would dote on her so much that she would find it unbearable.”

This praise was really heartfelt.

Even Yu Jianjia couldn’t help but lower her head when she heard this. She immediately felt that the tea in her mouth had lost its taste.

Yu Youyao pursed her lips and smiled shyly.

She was a growing child, but her eyes were naturally smooth. Every move she made exuded the aura of a noblewoman. Her thin figure was very delicate, and there was indeed a delicate fragrance on her thin back.

How many families in the capital could afford to raise such a delicate and expensive person?

She wondered how much good fortune she would have.

Old Madam Cao’s eyes trembled slightly as she hid the deepness in her eyes. She looked at the palace token on Yu Youyao’s waist and smiled. “Just now, on the way to the Yu Residence, I bumped into a carriage from the palace. I also found out that Aunt Shen was ordered by the Empress Dowager to give Eldest Miss Yu a reward. This palace token is really beautiful.” Her tone also sighed. “The Empress Dowager likes Lantian jade. Back then, when Old Master asked me for a conferment, the Empress Dowager rewarded me with a white and green Lantian jade.”

Everyone thought that she was just gossiping and just listened.

Yu Youyao lowered her head and heard Old Madam Cao change the topic. “The Empress Dowager said to me that Lantian jade has four good characteristics, namely harmony, gentleness, trueness, and firmness. There are also five virtues that show its beauty, namely benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, bravery, and purity. There are also six qualities namely, purity, transparency, silence, moisture, clarity, kindness, and fragrance.”

As soon as these words were spoken, An Shou Hall was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Everyone looked at Yu Youyao.

She had originally thought that a palace token was already very dignified. How could she have known that this palace token had four characteristics, five virtues, and six qualities? This was the Empress Dowager’s praise for Yu Youyao and a warning to her.

It was also obvious how much the Empress Dowager valued Yu Youyao.

Old Madam Yu smiled and said, “I know that the Empress Dowager has a yellow and white Lantian Jade Buddha that’s worshiped in the temple hall of the Longevity Palace.”

Yang Shuwan secretly pinched her handkerchief, feeling a little upset.

The round stool was very hard. Her sprained ankle was also in unbearable pain when it was placed on the ground. Yu Jianjia couldn’t sit still anymore and wanted to return to her courtyard immediately.

Yu Youyao was a little surprised herself. “Thank you for clearing my doubts, Old Madam.”

Old Madam Cao nodded and looked at Yu Youyao with admiration. “Cleanliness and integrity. Yao Yao is kind-hearted. It’s because her family has developed a strong character that she has such a demeanor.” At this point, she sighed softly, her face filled with gentle apology. “Good child, you suffered at the flower festival yesterday.”

“Old Madam, you flatter me.” Yu Youyao bit her lip and looked at Old Madam Cao.

Old Madam Cao was of high seniority. After saying this, as a junior, she shouldn’t be putting on airs.

Old Madam Cao turned to look at the maidservant standing behind her.

The maidservant was also smart and quickly handed a treasure box to her.

The top of the treasure box was filled with pearls and jade treasures. Seeing how dazzling they were, everyone couldn’t help but guess how impressive the gift in this box was.

Old Madam Yu’s eyes flickered as she looked down and twirled her prayer beads.

Old Madam Cao opened the box and took out a silk book. “Previously, our family received a silk book. The words on it were all in the ancient language of the Pre-Qin Dynasty, and no one in the family recognized them. However, there was an emblem on the head of the silk book, and it has some ties with your maternal family, the Xie family.”

She gently unfolded the silk book. These pages looked old, but they had been preserved extremely well. The golden words on it had the shape of the oracle bone script and looked very obscure. There were also some drawings of ghosts and gods. At the end of the silk book, there was indeed the emblem of the Xie family. However, this emblem was different from the Xie family’s. It seemed to be more complicated.

However, Yu Youyao knew that it should be the emblem of the Xie family.

This scroll was indeed an old item of the Xie family.

Yu Youyao’s breathing tightened. Old Madam Cao had said that she had obtained it by chance a long time ago, but she might not be telling the truth. This silk book was an ancient artifact from the pre-Qin dynasty, so it must have been kept at home long ago.

Today, Old Madam Cao had indeed brought the silk letter to visit her with sincerity.

Seeing her serious expression, Old Madam Cao knew that she had achieved her goal. She placed the silk book into the treasure box and handed it to Yu Youyao. “I’ll give this silk book to you today. It can be considered to have returned to its rightful owner.”

“Thank you, Old Madam.” Yu Youyao held it with both hands and turned to hand it to Chun Xiao.

Old Madam Cao watched the situation and glanced at the Marquis of Changxing’s wife.

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife was shocked and quickly smiled. “Good child, it was really hard on you yesterday. As an elder, I’m old but I’m inexperienced. Didn’t I make a mistake? I’m so embarrassed and regretful. I’ll swallow my words and apologize to you.”

She had completely put down her status as an elder and really apologized.

Now, Yu Youyao admired the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.

As a junior, how could she be worthy? She quickly said, “Madam, you’re being too serious. It was originally just a dispute between Seventh Miss Cao and me. Who knew that it would also cause a commotion at Madam’s flower festival? I feel very apologetic.”

If someone respected me, I would respect them tenfold. If someone respected someone, they would also respect them.

Whether or not the Marquis of Changxing’s apology was sincere, as a junior, she naturally had to show some respect.

The Marquis of Changxing’s wife heaved a sigh of relief. She immediately felt that even her clothes were drenched with sweat.

She smiled. “My Seventh Miss has been spoiled by me since she was young. I actually raised her to be so ignorant. I also brought her here today to apologize to Eldest Miss Yu.” With that, she turned to look at Cao Yingxue, and even her voice became stern. “Come over quickly and apologize to Eldest Miss Yu.”

Cao Yingxue quickly stood up from her chair and walked forward with small steps. She lowered her head and bowed deeply to Yu Youyao. Then, she said hoarsely, “Eldest Miss Yu, I’m sorry. It was my fault at the flower festival yesterday. Please forgive me.”

Seventh Miss Cao lowered her head, so she couldn’t see the expression on her face. She could only see a sharp chin that was smooth and jade-like.

Yu Youyao nodded. “Seventh Miss Cao, you’re too polite.”

Anything more was not necessary.

She did not say that she would forgive her, but on the surface, she considered it.