Chapter 279 - 279 Guess Who I Am?
279 Guess Who I Am?
Yu Jianjia slowly lowered her head, revealing a long and thin neck. She said hoarsely, “Yes, Father!”
Although his third daughter did not know the severity of the matter, she was still able to listen to him. Yu Zongzheng felt a little comforted. “Since you sprained your ankle, go back to the courtyard and rest well.”
Yu Jianjia stood up shakily. Ai Ye and Hui Xiang quickly helped her up.
She endured the pain in her feet and bowed. “Grandmother, Father and Mother, I’ll take my leave first!”
When they reached the door, Yu Jianjia couldn’t help but pause. She tilted her head and glanced at Yu Youyao, who was sitting in front of Old Madam. Her eyes were cold, and tears welled up in them.
Yu Youyao looked up and saw the curtain of the inner room fall, as well as a corner of Yu Jianjia’s moonlight dress.
As soon as Yu Jianjia left, Yu Zongzheng’s anger turned to Yang Shuwan. He glared at her fiercely. “I originally thought that although you’re the daughter of a concubine in the family, you’ve also read books and have some literary talent. That’s why I ignored my mother’s objections and insisted on marrying you into the family. I didn’t expect you to be so unpresentable. You don’t manage the family well, and your children aren’t raised well. They’re so disappointing.”
Yang Shuwan’s body went limp and she almost fell to the ground. She cried out miserably, “Master…”
In the past, when he saw Yang Shuwan’s behavior, he couldn’t help but feel that Yang Shuwan had been wronged. His heart ached, and he had to protect her a little.
However, today, Yang Shuwan had implicated him. Yu Zongzheng only felt annoyed. “From tomorrow onwards, you’ll go to Mother’s house to set the rules. The butler’s key will also be handed over to Yao Yao, and she’ll be in charge of the household. Third Miss and Fourth Miss have all been taught bad habits by you. Brother Si, probably can’t be taught well by you so I will ask him to move into a courtyard.”
“Master, how can that do?” Yang Shuwan exclaimed, and even her voice became shrill. “Brother Si is only a little more than six years old. How can he move into another courtyard so early…”
Yu Zongzheng interrupted her. “Si’er’s birthday is in June. He’ll be seven in two months. I’ve already made up my mind. You don’t have to say anything else.”
Yang Shuwan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Master…”
Yu Zongzheng ignored her and turned to look at Yu Youyao. “Tomorrow, pack up the Songtao Courtyard in the front courtyard and help arrange for your fourth brother to move in as soon as possible.”
Yu Shansi was the only legitimate son in the family. His father valued him very much, and Yu Youyao did not want to get involved in Yu Shansi’s matters.
However, since her father had asked, Yu Youyao couldn’t refuse. She could only nod. “Okay, Father. It’s just that there are many things in the front courtyard that I haven’t done in the past, so I’m worried that I won’t be able to handle it well. It’s also a big deal for Fourth Brother to move into the courtyard, so it’s more appropriate for Zhao Da to help me.”
Yu Zongzheng valued his legitimate son highly. Seeing that his eldest daughter was so cautious, how could he not agree? “We’ll do as you say.” As he spoke, he felt that not only was his eldest daughter smart and magnanimous, but she was also a well mannered person. Even if there was something she didn’t understand, she wouldn’t cause trouble. She said it openly and asked someone to help. “In the future, you’ll have to spend more effort on the family matters.”
Yu Youyao smiled and nodded.
Yang Shuwan watched as the father and daughter spoke back and forth. She was even responsible for making arrangements for her son who had come out of her womb. This made her even angrier.
Si’er would be moving to the front courtyard and would no longer be by her side. If anything happened in the future, it would be too late for her. How could Yu Youyao be evil? Now that she was in charge of the family, what good was there for Si’er?
In the future, when Yu Zongzheng saw his son, he wouldn’t come to the main courtyard anymore. This way, Yu Zongzheng would spend fewer days in the main courtyard.
Yang Shuwan was indignant. “Master…”
Yu Youyao couldn’t stand listening to her anymore, so she stood up and smiled. “Grandmother, Father and Mother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go back first. Cousin is waiting for me to have lunch.”
Old Madam Yu’s heart ached again. “I almost forgot. Yao Yao has been working so hard, but she didn’t even have lunch. She’s starving. Go back quickly, go back quickly…”
Yu Zongzheng also said, “Go back. Don’t make your cousin wait too long.”
Yu Youyao bowed to her elders and left. When she reached the door, she suddenly remembered that King Ping had entered the capital. She hesitated, wondering if she should tell her grandmother about the scene she had seen on the street today.
However, when she thought of how her cousin had asked her to pretend not to see it, she gave up.
The vassal king had entered the capital without an edict. He was guilty of conspiracy and rebellion, and it involved a lot of things. If she was not careful, she would be in trouble. It was definitely not something a growing child like her should be involved in.
When she returned to the Jade Courtyard, there were already simple and appetizing dishes prepared in the small kitchen.
Zhou Linghuai sat in the hall and looked up at the painting on the wall.
He used gold, silver, pearls, agate, coral, pine stone, lapis lazuli, cat’s eye stone, cinnabar, and other ores to paint. He mixed them with saffron, yellow, indigo, rose balsam, musk, and other plants.
Looking at this painting, Zhou Linghuai couldn’t help but think of the Bodhi tree he had seen at the Precious Peace Temple today.
In his mind, he repeatedly pictured the little girl in a plain brocade dress. She would raise her jade neck and gently lift her toes. She would hold the wishing silk with both hands and throw it.
He still remembered that the wishing silk had a message that said, “Cousin, I hope that your illness will go away and all your illnesses will disappear. I hope that you will be free from calamity and live a peaceful life…”
Seeing that her cousin was looking at her seriously and did not notice her, Yu Youyao’s eyes darted around and she had an idea. She gently picked up her skirt and walked silently behind her cousin. Caught off guard, she covered her cousin’s eyes and deliberately said, “Guess who I am?”
Was there a need to guess? Zhou Linghuai couldn’t help but smile. “Naughty~”
“Who’s Naughty? I don’t recognize her. Cousin, you’re wrong. Guess again.” Yu Youyao smiled until her eyebrows curved. She covered her cousin’s eyes and refused to let go.
Zhou Linghuai smiled. “Isn’t it you?”
Yu Youyao puffed up her cheeks, feeling a little indignant. “I’m clearly Cousin’s smart, obedient, cute, and beautiful little cousin.”
Zhou Linghuai smiled and removed the little girl’s hands from his eyes.
The little girl had a pair of red and soft hands. When he held them in his hands, they looked boneless. They were soft and fragrant, like cream. Her thin fingers already looked delicate and beautiful.
Yu Youyao pouted and glared at him. “Cousin, don’t you know how to cooperate?”
He had never played such a childish trick when he was two years old. How could he cooperate? Zhou Linghuai’s expression paused for a moment. “Why don’t you do it again?”
Yu Youyao was speechless. She reached out and took the book from his lap. “Cousin, you should read less in the future.”
Her evasive thinking made Zhou Linghuai confused and helpless.