Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Old Madam Yu was worried. Not only did she send Qing Xiu over, but she also arranged for five strong old maids to follow her. In addition, she chose ten more guards with good martial arts skills in the residence.
Seeing that her grandmother was really worried, Yu Youyao said, âIâll bring
Chang An over. Chang Anâs martial arts are very impressive. Cousin didnât bring Chang An back to Youzhou because he was worried that if I took care of the family, it would be inevitable that I would go out. Itâs inconvenient for him to travel, so he left him for me to order around.â
Her cousinâs legs were inconvenient, so it made sense for him to have a skilled servant by his side.
She was not worried about exposing anything.
Indeed!
When Old Madam Yu heard this, her expression improved a little. âIn that case, come back quickly.â
Zhou Linghuai was not an ordinary person. Of course, she was not naive enough to think that the person beside him would be an ordinary person.
Zhou Linghuai had always doted on Yao Yao and was willing to leave Chang An with her. It was obvious that Chang Anâs martial arts skills were not bad and he could protect Yao Yao.
She did not trust Chang An, but Zhou Linghuai!
After Yu Youyao got into the carriage, Chang An went to the front.
The carriage left the residence unhurriedly.
It was autumn and dry, and the weather had yet to change. The journey was wobbly for more than two hours. When they arrived at the manor, Yu Youyao was also dizzy and uncomfortable.
Knowing that Yu Youyao was here, Yu Jianjia quickly came out to welcome her. âEldest Sister, why are you here?â
As soon as Yu Youyao alighted from the carriage, she tidied her clothes. âThird Sister has been staying in the manor for a few months. During this period of time, the capital is not peaceful, and Grandmother and Mother have to take care of each other, so they donât have time to come and visit you. The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days. Grandmother misses you, so she asked me to come and bring you home.â
Yu Jianjia lowered her eyes. âI was originally discussing with the clan aunt about returning to the residence for the holidays, but I didnât expect Eldest
Sister to come personally. The distance is not short. Itâs been a long journey for Eldest Sister. Hurry up and go into the house.â
Yu Youyao nodded and entered the house with Yu Jianjia.
This hot spring manor had been renovated a few times. In the courtyard, there were lakes, hills, pavilions, curved paths, flowers, and trees. Everything looked elegant.
Everything was appropriate in the room.
It was really a good place to recuperate.
When she saw Yu Jianjia just now, although her figure was weak, her cheeks were thin and red, and her breathing was smooth. It was obvious that she had recuperated well.
After entering the reception pavilion, Yu Jianjia instructed the servants to serve tea.
In a small transparent glass bowl, there was a golden teapot with two to three chrysanthemums floating on it. After the tea entered her mouth, there was a hint of bitterness. After entering her throat, she felt that her lips and teeth were refreshed and her thirst was quenched.
It was really not bad.
Yu Youyao put down her teacup. âThis chrysanthemum tea tastes good.â
When Yu Jianjia heard this, she smiled. âSome time ago, I picked wild autumn chrysanthemums from the manor and made them myself according to the method recorded in the Book of Tea.â At this point, she suddenly remembered that Yu Youyao usually liked to make these too. She continued, âIn July and August, the manor was filled with small autumn chrysanthemums. The nearby commoners would go up the mountain in their free time and pick some home. After steaming them, they would dry them. When the weather was hot, they would drink some to relieve the heat. I had nothing to do, so I imitated them and also went up the mountain to pick some. I also felt that this summer day was much more refreshing.â
Yu Youyao smiled faintly. âI see that Third Sisterâs complexion is rosy, and sheâs even much better. It seems that Third Sisterâs days in the manor are quite leisurely. Grandmother will definitely be very happy.â
Yu Jianjia smiled gently. âItâs all thanks to Eldest Sister who helped me arrange everything. My meals and clothes are meticulous. This leisurely life is all thanks to Eldest Sister.â
Yu Youyao was meticulous and did everything flawlessly. Although she was not in the manor, everything in the manor was appropriate. Even the people in the manor praised Yu Youyao endlessly.
Once, Hui Xiang couldnât help but say a few aggrieved words.
Then, an old woman in the manor spat on her face. âThird Miss is aggrieved? Why is she aggrieved? Eldest Miss is in charge of the matters in the residence. Old Madam is old, and itâs also Eldest Miss whoâs filial to her. First Madamâs health isnât good, and Eldest Miss is taking care of her from the side. Eldest Master is in charge of the royal court, and Eldest Miss is in charge of the main family. Third Missâs health is weak and sheâs recuperating in the manor. This is also arranged by Eldest Miss. As long as Third Miss recuperates well, how is she aggrieved?â
Hui Xiang trembled with anger, but the others in the manor also thought so.
Someone couldnât stand Hui Xiang on the spot. âTheyâre both daughters of the residence. Third Miss is nurturing flowers in the manor and reading books. Could it be that sheâs working harder than Eldest Miss? I think Eldest Miss is the one whoâs really aggrieved.â
Hui Xiang was in trouble and was punished by the clan aunt. She was demoted to a second-in-charge and was not allowed to serve her.
Yu Jianjia finally understood that even though she had escaped from the residence and was far away in the manor, Yu Youyao was still capable enough to control the people in the manor.
After all, Yu Youyao was someone that even the Empress Dowager had praised and rewarded!
How could the servants in the residence doubt Yu Youyao?
Compared to her, of course, everyone was more willing to trust Yu Youyao.
Seeing that her head was lowered, revealing her fair and thin neck, Yu Youyao smiled and said, âWeâre all sisters of the same family. Thereâs no need to say anything. â
Hearing this, Yu Jianjia couldnât help but raise her head, and her eyes turned red. âItâs also because my body isnât good enough. Grandmother is old, and Mother is sick, so I canât take care of her in front of me, let alone share Eldest Sisterâs burden. Not only is Eldest Sister taking care of the family everywhere, but even my days in the manor are better than Eldest Sisterâs. I really feel guilty that Iâve let her down.â
It was probably not only the servants in the manor who thought so. Even the entire capital would think the same.
Her mother was sent to Tranquil Heart Residence and became an abandoned woman.
Her younger brother was also disliked by her father and was not as doted on as before.
When her condition worsened, she had no choice but to go to the manor to recuperate.
The entire Yu Residence had become Yu Youyaoâs world. It was obvious that Yu
Youyao had benefited. Why was Yu Youyao the one with such a good reputation?
What kind of logic was that?
Yu Youyao chuckled and said, âIf you feel guilty and apologetic, recuperate well. Donât let Grandmother and Mother worry.â
As a junior, it was her duty to show filial piety to her elders and share their burdens. It was a fact that Yu Jianjia was not in good health, but this was not an excuse and reason for her not to be filial.
She had to let Yu Jianjia understand that even if she hid in the manor, this âillnessâ was not easy to treat.
Otherwise, outsiders would probably think that she couldnât tolerate her stepmother and stepsister in the family.
Her bad reputation was about to be splashed on her head..