228 A good man caught in difficult circumstances
As she spoke, the little girl shook her head and sighed as she looked at her cousin. Her helpless expression made Zhou Linghuai not know whether to laugh or cry.
Zhou Linghuai changed the topic and asked, âHow was the small banquet?â
Yu Youyao nodded. âIâve discussed with Nanny Xu about the people weâre inviting for todayâs small banquet. Grandmother has also approved of them, so weâve made a post. Third Miss Song is dignified and generous. Weâve played together in the past. Sixth Miss Qi is straightforward. Fifth Miss Tang is gentle, and her rules and upbringing are top-notch. Itâs easy to get along with her.â
As she spoke, she also recounted what had happened at the small banquet. When she mentioned Yu Jianjia, she couldnât help but purse her lips. When she mentioned Yu Qingning, her eyebrows didnât even twitch.
Zhou Linghuai was not surprised. âIn that case, you can take care of each other when you attend the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxingâs Residence.â
Since the Marquis of Changxing had invited the ladies of the Yu Residence, they had to invite other families as well.
He wasnât worried that something would happen to Yu Youyao at the flower festival. However, it would be the first time she was going out, so it would be more appropriate to have someone she knew accompanying her.
Yu Youyao nodded. âThatâs what Grandmother wanted too.â
Zhou Linghuai lowered his head and saw the embroidered fish pendants tied around the little girlâs waist. He could tell that this was a pair. When they were combined, they became a pendant. When they were separated, they were two pendants. Yu Youyao had always liked such exquisite things.
Noticing her cousinâs gaze, Yu Youyao lowered her head and reached out to fiddle with the embroidered fish pendant at her waist. The beautiful jade pieces clanged against each other, and the sound of the jade pendants was pleasant to the ears. âThis is a birthday gift from Third Miss Song today. Itâs similar to the embroidered fish on the longevity lock that my mother gave me previously. I think itâs exquisite, so Iâm wearing it.â
Zhou Linghuaiâs expression paused for a moment. He would carve a more exquisite one for the little girl another day.
Yu Youyao smiled and raised her eyebrows. She looked at her cousinâs green and gold-patterned robe. It looked really good, butâ¦
When her gaze landed on the sachet on her cousinâs waist, Yu Youyao wanted to cover her face. âCousin, why are you still wearing this sachet? Youâve been wearing it for a long time. The petals inside definitely donât smell good. It doesnât match your outfit today at all.â
When she had just finished embroidering this sachet, she had been so proud!
This was the first double-sided embroidery she had ever done.
When she gave it to her cousin, she also felt that her skills were a little crude. Nanny Xu had probably praised her too much. She felt that it was very impressive that she could learn double-sided embroidery. She didnât feel that it was ugly, so she didnât feel that she couldnât give it to him.
But now, her embroidery skills had improved a little. Looking at this sachet again, she felt that it was unbearable to look at. To think that her cousin didnât mind and actually wore it out.
Zhou Linghuai lowered his head. âItâs alright!â
He did not think that there was anything bad about this sachet. As it was personally embroidered by the young lady, he still felt that it was perfect.
He was also used to rubbing the embroidery on the sachet when he was thinking. The rough texture was a little awkward, but it calmed him.
If he stopped wearing it one day, he probably wouldnât be used to it.
âNo, no.â Yu Youyao looked embarrassed. She quickly squatted in front of her cousin and reached out to undo the sachet on his waist. âCousin, you canât wear it anymore. Itâs too ugly. Hurry up and undo it.â
Zhou Linghuai grabbed Yu Youyaoâs hand and frowned. âI think itâs good.â
Yu Youyao pouted, but her eyes were also filled with joy. âOf course Iâm happy that Cousin likes the sachet I embroidered butâ¦â she changed the topic and her tone became more serious, âCousin has been wearing this all this time. If others see this, they will also think that my embroidery skills are crude and canât be shown in public. I wonât admit it. My embroidery skills have improved a lot now. Nanny Xu said that Iâm already on par with those who have practiced for three years.â
It turned out that she was worried that others would laugh at her because of this sachet. Zhou Linghuai let go of the little girlâs hand and protected the sachet at his waist, not letting her take it off. âItâs nothing serious. You donât have to care too much about what others think.â
Yu Youyao was at her witâs end. âAt most, Iâll just embroider another sachet for Cousin. You canât keep wearing this sachet. Even if you donât mind, I canât afford to lose face.â
Zhou Linghuaiâs lips curled up. âWhen Cousin is done embroidering it, Iâll replace it.â
How could Yu Youyao not understand what he meant? She pouted, feeling both happy and troubled. âAlright, then. What kind of patterns do you like?â
Zhou Linghuai looked at the little girlâs bright and beautiful yellow and green clothes. âI like the pattern of the tung tree leaves. One side is a tung tree leaf, and the other is a tung tree flower. Itâll be very elegant.â Then, he added, âJust like Cousinâs clothes.â
Yu Youyao looked down at her outfit and felt that it was not bad, so she nodded. âAlright, Iâll embroider it later. The sachet is very small and doesnât take too much time.â
She would take some time to do it every day and would be done in three to five days.
Zhou Linghuai nodded. The young lady usually did not care much about needlework. He didnât think that she would be able to get it done in a short period of time. After all, the previous few times, she had dragged it out for a long time.
Yu Youyao forced herself to look away from the sachet. She grabbed her cousinâs sleeve and shook it gently a few times. âCousin, your clothes today are very similar to what Iâm wearing. Itâs likeâ¦â She tilted her head and her eyes lit up.â Yes, itâs a sibling outfit.â
The dress she was wearing had been custom-made at Jinxiu Manor.
Later on, when she was making clothes for her cousin, she remembered that he liked parasol trees, so she chose Song brocade and embroided a Chinese parasol tree. She didnât think much of it before, but now that he was wearing it, the similarities were obvious.
Zhou Linghuai did not notice this. Upon hearing her words, he took a closer look at the little girlâs yellow and green embroidered clothes. They were indeed very similar to his green and light gold clothes.
In particular, the patterns on hers were fresh and delicate, while his were elegant and deep. It suddenly reminded him that every time his father went out to wear something in the past, he would always choose something similar to his motherâs. âWhen I wear this and walk with your mother, anyone can tell that this woman beside me is my legitimate wife!â
At that time, he had joked, âItâs also a good way to let others know I am a good man caught in difficult circumstances.â
As a father, he was good at leading troops and fighting wars. However, as soon as he touched her mother, he became a fool. Even after marrying into the family for so many years, he still had the attitude of âthere will always be unruly people who want to snatch my wifeâ. He showed off shamelessly at home, but outside, he still had to show off.
Everyone in Youzhou knew that the You King and the Princess Consort were deeply in love.
His father was so angry that he raised his foot and was about to kick him. âIâm showing off my love. Men are heroes outside, but at home, theyâre like bears. Do you understand? This is a coupleâs interest.â
He mocked, âItâs a public display of affection. In the Han Dynasty, Zhang Kai was too loving and showed off too much, making the emperor at that time feel that he was too sentimental and useless. In the end, he wasnât ranked as a minister.â