207 I Have a Daughter
Yang Shuwan was overjoyed. Her mind was filled with thoughts of how to dress up so that she could show her face at the Flower Festival in the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence. She stood up and was about to take Yu Jianjia away.
On the other hand, Yu Jianjia took a step forward and bowed to Old Madam Yu. âGrandmother, take care of yourself. Iâll take my leave first and not disturb you.â
Even though Old Madam Yu did not like her granddaughter for thinking too much, she had to admit that Yu Jianjia was a polite and sensible person. She was meticulous in everything she did.
Madam Yao sat still.
After Yang Shuwan and her daughter left, Madam Yao glanced at her daughter, who was sitting on the chair and eating and drinking foolishly. âThere are too many people at the Flower Festival. Yao Yao and Shuangbai are still young children. They usually donât go to other peopleâs houses, so how can they be brought out?â
She was asking her for advice, so Old Madam Yuâs expression became a little more sincere. âItâs not a big deal. Our family isnât familiar with the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence, so weâre just going through the motions. As for Yao Yao and Shuangbai, you can bring them along. Theyâre younger, so no one will say anything. If you really canât bring them along, you can look for the Zhenguo Marquis Residence and let them stay with the sisters of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence. The sisters of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence are older and more polite and they donât have to stay with Madam Yang.â
Upon hearing the last sentence, Madam Yao felt relieved and left with Yu Shuangbai.
When the room was empty, Yu Youyao helped her grandmother back to the inner room.
Old Madam Yu took a sip of tea and turned to glance at her granddaughter. âWhat do you think?â
Yu Youyao pondered carefully for a moment. âPreviously, I happened to hear Father mention that the Marquis of Changxing had won a battle in You Prefecture years ago and had sent a letter to the imperial court asking for credit. This matter was asked by the cabinet to be suppressed. At this time, the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence is holding a flower festival to bring this matter to the surface. After the palace examination, it would be difficult for the cabinet to suppress this matter anymore.â
Although it was just a flower festival, it was aimed at the royal court.
She knew that Eldest Son had asked Yao Yao to manage the large study. Old Madam Yu looked at Yu Youyao for a long time. âYour third cousin came to the capital with news that the vassal king is acting strangely!â
Yu Youyao was shocked, and even her eyes widened.
Old Madam Yu did not speak directly. Instead, she asked Yu Youyao, âDo you understand what I mean?â
Yu Youyaoâs breathing tightened, and she subconsciously asked, âDo you know which vassal kingâ¦â
Old Madam Yuâs eyes lit up when she saw Yu Youyaoâs gaze. Then, she shook her head. âYour second uncle has sent someone to investigate. Thereâs no news yet.â
Why did the young mistresses of wealthy families read the Four Books and Five Classics?
It was also for the sake of helping the family take care of the inner residence better.
Naturally, they had to know some things.
Yu Youyao took a deep breath. âYouzhou is located in the extreme north, and it corresponds with the capital. In the past, the soldiers and horses in Youzhou have always been strong. They used their strength to fight with outsiders and protect their territory and intimidate the vassal lords. Ever since⦠the incident in Youzhou, the vassal lords havenât been as peaceful as before.â
Old Madam Yuâs eyes lit up even more. She stopped twirling her prayer beads and looked at Yu Youyao, asking her to continue.
Yu Youyao said, âThe Marquis of Changxing won a battle in Youzhou years ago. Itâs not like the cabinet canât suppress this glory. Back then, when King You was guarding Youzhou, he won many battles. If he were to be rewarded every time he returned, Iâm afraid the Imperial Court wouldnât be able to reward him either. Moreover, itâs the Marquis of Changxingâs duty to guard Youzhou, and itâs also his duty to win a battle. However, if the vassal lords make any movements at this time, then the Marquis of Changxing, who has won battles, will seem especially eye-catching. The emperor will have to use this matter to praise the Marquis of Changxing greatly to show his generosity and dignity as an emperor to intimidate the various vassal lords.â
At that time, the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence would probably be in the limelight.
As a direct descendant of the Marquis of Weining, the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence was probably unstoppable. The cabinet might not be able to suppress the flames of the Marquis of Weiningâs Residence, and the entire court would be in chaos.
Old Madam Yu had obviously thought of this too. She sighed slightly. âYour father is a censor, so he canât leave this matter alone. Your second uncle is a court official, and heâs also from Old Master Xiaâs lineage. He canât avoid this matter either. I donât think our family will be at peace.â
Yu Youyao agreed wholeheartedly.
Old Madam Yu looked at her granddaughter. âThe news of the vassal kingâs strange actions will probably only spread after the palace examination. Donât spread it now.â
Yu Youyao nodded. âGrandmother, I know whatâs important.â
Old Madam Yu then thought of the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence and reminded her, âAlthough the Flower Festival isnât a big deal, you have to be more careful. Youâre the eldest, so you have to be more thorough in your actions, so bring moreâ¦â Before she could finish speaking, she thought of Yang Shuwan and her daughter, who looked like they couldnât wait to get into the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence. She frowned and waved her hand. âForget it. Take care of yourself and donât mix with Madam Yang. As for Shuangbai, she came from your Second Auntâs stomach. You definitely have to take care of her first.â
Yu Youyao nodded. âDonât worry, Grandmother.â
Old Madam Yu held her hand. âDonât worry too much too and just let her do as she pleases. Anyway, Iâm not dead yet, so itâs not up to her to decide at home.â
Yu Youyao was not worried, but she still nodded in agreement.
Old Madam Yu changed the topic and asked, âThe 18th of April is your birthday. When the time comes, invite the sisters of your close family over for a gathering. Itâll be fun and lively. Weâll let everyone outside know that my granddaughter has just grown up.â
A ten-year-old child was already at the age of visiting relatives. She had the right to show her face.
Yu Youyao shook her head. âForget it. April 22nd is the Flower Festival of the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence. Our family has to prepare early. Itâs just a family meal. Itâs not too important.â
Old Madam Yu shook her head. âHow can the Flower Festival be more important than this? Itâs not up to you to decide. Prepare the invitation yourself later. Iâll get Nanny Liu and Nanny Xu to arrange it.â
Yu Youyao had no choice but to nod and agree.
Yang Shuwan happily pulled Yu Jianjia back to the main courtyard. Her face was full of pride, and even the servants saw it clearly.
When they reached the inner room, Yang Shuwan held Yu Jianjiaâs hand. âItâs also because youâve caught the eye of the Marquis of Changxingâs wife. She likes you, so she asked you to bring your sisters along. Eldest Sister and Second Sister also benefited from you.â
Yu Jianjiaâs pale face turned slightly red. âMother, donât say that. The Marquis of Changxing is holding a flower festival. He definitely wonât only invite me. It would only be appropriate if all the sisters in the family were present.â
Yang Shuwan smiled and pulled Yu Jianjia to the side room. âThis is your first time going out. You canât be careless and let Yu Youyao steal the limelight.â
Yu Jianjia frowned. Someone from the Xie Residence had come over first with three large carriages of expensive items for Yu Youyao.