All Hail Cousin Brother

311 Don’t Want to Get Involved

When Yu Youyao heard this, she couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. Madam Yang was really kind to Yu Shansi.

It was no wonder that there was no inappropriate news from Yu Shansi.

Even her grandmother was fooled.

Yang Shuwan was indeed a little unpresentable, but she could always be more meticulous when it came to her children. This was probably because she was a tough mother.

Even though she did not agree, Liu’er continued, “Although I’m serving in the main courtyard, I don’t hear much about Fourth Young Master. It’s just that after staying for a long time, I can’t help but notice some clues. I once saw Fourth Young Master’s nanny, Mother Wu, hugging Mo Cai and crying…”

Liu’er was a cautious person, so she explained some of the details she had discovered in the past without saying much.

Yu Youyao felt more confident. After giving Liu’er a few instructions, she went to the incense room.

Although she did not want to get involved in the matters of the main courtyard, if there was really anything wrong with Yu Shansi, she should be more wary.

At night, when Yu Zongzheng returned to the government office, Yu Youyao went to the study in the front courtyard to look for her father and mentioned that Yu Shansi had moved into the courtyard.

“The Songtao Courtyard has already been renovated, and the items inside have been placed one by one. In three days, it will be the Dragon Boat Festival. I thought that the days before and after the Dragon Boat Festival were not bad, so I asked Father when it was suitable for Fourth Brother to move in.”

The Songtao Courtyard had been renovated under his watch. Following his request, his eldest daughter did her best and had the demeanor of an elder sister. She was very meticulous.

Yu Zongzheng was very satisfied. After pondering for a moment, he said, “It can’t be on the Dragon Boat Festival. Let him move in tomorrow!”

The Dragon Boat Festival was a rare grand event. When the time came, the residence would have to be handled carefully. Once there were too many things to do, it was inevitable that there would be oversights. It would be more appropriate to move early.

Yu Youyao nodded and also felt that tomorrow was a good day. “We’ll do as you say, Father. However, it’s a big deal for Fourth Brother to move into the courtyard. Mother has to step in to manage it, so it will be more meticulous. Besides, Fourth Brother is still young. We have to be careful when moving him into the courtyard. The elders should be involved. Do you think we should inform Mother?”

After Songtao Courtyard was renovated, she did not plan to get involved in the rest.

Moving into a new courtyard was a big deal. If anything happened, she wouldn’t be able to bear the responsibility. She might as well avoid it.

Her father valued Yu Shansi. No matter how bad Madam Yang was, she was still Yu Shansi’s mother. Just thinking about Yu Shansi’s feelings, her father would likely agree.

At the mention of Yang Shuwan, Yu Zongzheng frowned. However, after hearing his eldest daughter’s words, he felt that her words made sense.

Yu Zongzheng nodded. “We’ll do as you say.”

Yu Youyao heaved a sigh of relief and smiled.

Yu Zongzheng was in a good mood. He had asked his eldest daughter to take the school examination that tested the Four Books and Five Classics. Not only was his eldest daughter fluent in answering, but she also had shared some insights.

When Yu Zongzheng heard this, he looked gratified again. “Yao Yao, you’ve learned seriously for a while, but you’ve improved greatly. Your cousin didn’t teach you in vain.” His tone revealed his admiration for Zhou Linghuai. Then, he asked, “You’ve been learning the zither from your cousin recently. I wonder how you’re doing.”

Yu Youyao said, “I’ve been learning ‘Spring River Flowers and Moon Night’ recently. When you’re not busy, I’ll play it for you.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Zongzheng was even happier. “Spring River Flowers and Moon Night” was a famous song, and the song was also relatively difficult. Since his eldest daughter could learn this song, it was obvious that she had also learned the zither well.

Compared to this, Yu Zongzheng valued Yu Youyao’s calligraphy more. “Write a few words for Father to see if your calligraphy has improved recently.”

He remembered that his eldest daughter was quite talented in calligraphy.

Yu Youyao nodded and walked to the desk to spread out some paper. She picked a Five Purple Five Sheep from the brush holder.

When Yu Zongzheng saw this, he was a little surprised. The pen of the Five Purple Five Sheep was slightly softer, and it was very demanding on the wrist strength. Even many men could not take it.

He also used seven purple and three sheep.

He did not expect his eldest daughter to use the Five Purple and Five Sheep.

Yu Youyao was still writing the same poem, “Born in trouble, die in peace.” The ink brush was influenced by Madam Wei’s small handwriting. The words were graceful and beautiful, like a tree that was smooth and elegant.

However, when one looked at it again, it was as graceful as a swan, and as majestic as a dragon. Looking at it from afar, it was as bright as the sun rising into the morning sky, and it bloomed like a lotus flower.

When Yu Zongzheng saw this, the upper paragraphs of the “Ode to the Goddess of Luo” suddenly appeared in his mind. The world often praised Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy with the “Ode to the Goddess of Luo”.

Immediately, he was shocked.

He did not expect that in just a few months, his eldest daughter had already mastered some of the essence of calligraphy.

“Good, good, good.” Yu Zongzheng was proud and felt complicated, so he couldn’t help but say the word “good” three times in a row.

In the past, he had actually thought that such a talented and smart eldest daughter was ignorant and stupid! He patted his daughter’s shoulder. “Yao Yao really didn’t disappoint Father.”

He couldn’t help but think again. If his eldest daughter was a man, she might be able to compare to Song Mingzhao. In the future, the first branch of the Yu Residence might be able to get first place.

The second son wouldn’t be the only one with potential in the family.

At the thought of this, Yu Zongzheng couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

However, on second thought!

A few days ago, her eldest daughter had received the Empress Dowager’s recognition, so her future probably wouldn’t be bad.

Although Brother Si was still young, he was smart and eager to learn. If he nurtured him well, he might have a bright future with his eldest sister’s help in the future.

At the thought of this, he did not feel disappointed anymore.

Yu Youyao did not know what Yu Zongzheng was thinking. Even if she did, she would not care too much. She lowered her head. “Father, you flatter me!”

That night, when Yang Shuwan heard Yu Zongzheng’s words, she was so angry that she trembled. “Master, what do you mean? Brother Si is his only legitimate son. It’s fine if he doesn’t allow me to touch him when he’s renovating the Songtao Courtyard, but the Songtao Courtyard has just been renovated, and he’s already anxiously asking Brother Si to move in. He didn’t even give me any time to prepare. How can he be so rash?”

However, she had forgotten that Songtao Courtyard was originally a good courtyard. It did not need any repairs and could still be lived in.

Fr the sake of Yu Shansi, the legitimate son of the first wife, it had taken him ten days. He had also spent more than 5,000 taels of silver. The items and ornaments inside were all the best in the public treasury.

Even Old Madam frowned when she saw the list of items in the Songtao Courtyard.

However, because Yu Shansi was the only legitimate son of the first wife, she did not say anything.

Fourth Young Master was First Madam’s only legitimate son. How could she not care about such a big matter like moving into a courtyard? She had someone keeping an eye on him all the time.

Therefore, Nanny Li knew this the best.

Eldest Miss was also very thorough. As long as there were changes, placements, household items, and so on, she would draw up a list and specially get someone to send a copy to the main courtyard.