Chapter 31
Cousin, Save Me
After being reprimanded by her stepmother on the spot, Yu Qingning felt so aggrieved and resentful that her eyes had turned red.
Yu Jianjia persuaded gently, “Mother, don’t be angry in the temple. It won’t be good if Bodhisattva sees this. Fourth Sis is still young and was feeling agitated earlier. I think she didn’t mean to be rude. As her mother, you can just guide her more in the future.”
Her gentle words sounded reasonable and kind, attracting a few other visitors who were about to offer incense to take a few more glances at Yu Jianjia when they overheard this. They then softly asked the people beside them which family that girl was from.
However, Yang Shuwan thought back to how Yu Qingning had mocked Jia Jia for picking a bad lot. When she had heard that earlier, she was undoubtedly incensed. Still feeling enraged, she said coldly, “You’ll be grounded for a month when we return home, and you’ll need to copy ‘Female Ring’ twenty times. Your pocket money will also be halved for a month.”
After being scolded and punished, Yu Qingning felt so indignant that she was about to cry. When she thought of Yu Youyao, who had drawn a wonderful lot, she felt even more resentful and couldn’t help but glare at Yu Youyao.
This made Yu Youyao, who had merely been standing at the side, feel a little puzzled. However, she couldn’t be bothered about it.
Old Madam Yu took a look at the situation but also did not care to get involved. Madam Yang was really more and more incredible. She was even lecturing her stepdaughter in public now, without any consideration for how it would look to others.
A moment later, Madam Yao brought Yu Shuangbai and the others out.
The concubines’ daughters had all managed to draw good lots. Yu Shuangbai also drew an especially good lot—hers signified great fortune, and was even better than Yu Youyao’s “A Blessing in Disguise” lot.
After leaving the palace, Old Madam Yu saw that the few of them who had not drawn a good fortune lot were looking downcast. “Drawing lots is just for peace of mind. There’s no need to take it to heart.”
“Old Madam is right.” Madam Yao also smiled and agreed. She changed the topic and said, “A few days ago, my niece was being playful and also picked a lot, and it actually turned out to be “Li Dan’s Dragon Phoenix Pair’.”
Yu Youyao and the others were curious about what the lot meant. They all looked at Madam Yao eagerly, waiting for her to continue. However, Madam Yao had finished speaking, and she covered her mouth, laughing continuously.
Yu Shuangbai was extremely curious. She tugged at Madam Yao’s sleeve. “Mom, don’t keep us in suspense. Hurry up and tell us what the lot means.”
Madam Yao finally managed to stop laughing. She held the handkerchief to the corner of her eye and dabbed. “This lot is for those who are wishing for a child. It means to be pregnant with a son.”
Yu Youyao was confused. “But that’s not very funny!”
Yu Shuangbai had a strange expression. “Isn’t that cousin of mine only four or five years old this year?”
This time, everyone held their handkerchiefs and laughed. The matter of drawing lots was finally over.
Then, Old Madam Yu wanted to visit the meditation room, so she headed there on her own.
The Precious Peace Temple had grown some plum blossoms. At this time of the year, the plum blossoms looked the best, so Yang Shuwan wanted to bring Yu Jianjia and the others to admire it.
On the other hand, Madam Yao had run into her close friend and they were having a chat.
So the two houses of the Yu Residence parted as well.
Yu Youyao did not want to join the people of the main house. “Mother, I’m a little tired. I want to go back to my room to rest. I won’t go with you to admire the plum blossoms.”
Actually, Yang Shuwan wasn’t really keen on bringing her along either, but she still had to pretend a little. Hence, she hesitated a little. “It’s not often that we come out…”
Yu Qingning didn’t really want to be with Yu Youyao too. She smiled and said, “Big Sister has to get up at dawn every day to learn and study. She’s probably sleepy. Earlier, in the car, she had slept all the way too.”
Yang Shuwan relaxed and nodded. “Alright, I’ll get Nanny Li to send you back.”
Yu Youyao quickly said that there was no need, and Yang Shuwan did not insist, as the courtyards were where the women of various residences rested and it was very safe.
Yu Jianjia coughed lightly. “Precious Peace Temple has many twists and turns. Big Sis, if you don’t know the way, you can find a monk in the temple to lead you back.”
After Yang Shuwan and the others left, Yu Youyao walked slowly along the limestone path. The Precious Peace Temple was huge. There were lakes, stone bridges, and flowers in the temple. It looked quiet and peaceful.
After walking for a while, Yu Youyao saw an apricot tree planted on the side of a lake. It was planted alone by the side of the water. The branches were blooming with flowers and it was beautiful, like a myriad of rouge spots that colored the spring sky.
Yu Youyao liked it when the apricot flowers were in full bloom. They were bright red. When the petals bloomed, the thick red color gradually turned pink. When the flowers fell, they became snow-white. She turned to Dong Mei and Chun Xiao and said, “Wait for me here. I’ll get a stalk of apricot flowers and bring it back to make a sachet for Cousin.”
It was rare for her to leave the Residence. She had to bring something back for her cousin.
Chun Xiao nodded while Dong Mei hesitated. “We’ll accompany you, Young Mistress!”
“There’s no need for that. It’s quiet here, and there isn’t anyone else around. Stay here and keep an eye on things. Call out to me if you see anyone,” Yu Youyao instructed carefully.
It was better to be cautious when they were outside.
Dong Mei and Chun Xiao turned around and saw two trails, one on the left and one on the right. They looked deep and still, as if someone would approach from these trails when they weren’t paying attention. It was indeed better not to follow her.
Yu Youyao lifted her skirt a little and walked to the tree. She saw apricot branches above her head—a spread of red, pink, and white. She stood on her tiptoes and reached out, but she couldn’t reach it. She took a few more steps forward and suddenly heard a voice from behind.
“Young Lord, you’ve been in the capital for some time. Are you living well in the Yu Residence?”
Yu Youyao was shocked when she heard the man’s voice. She abandoned the flowers and tried to avoid him, so she didn’t manage to hear exactly what he had replied.
“Yes, it’s alright.” The voice was thin and sounded like the chill of spring, piercing straight to the heart and bone.
‘Why does he sound so much like my cousin?’
Yu Youyao paused for a moment, but she couldn’t help moving a little closer and peeked through—
Her cousin was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in dark clothes with black stripes. There seemed to be a dark cloud hanging thickly around his entire body, looking dangerous and ominous. There was a book on his knee, and it was that book—Guiguzi. His face was very pale, and there was a sense of ruthlessness mixed with callousness in his eyes. He seemed like a completely different person from when he was at the residence.
Across from his cousin was another man dressed in black and kneeling on one knee. He kept his head down, so his face couldn’t be seen, but she could vaguely tell from his voice that he was in his forties.
She had really seen her cousin. Yu Youyao was shocked.
“Young Master, the people in the Yu Residence are simple and aren’t likely to scrutinize you, but your ident.i.ty is special. You have to be careful,” the man in black reminded worriedly.
Zhou Linghuai did not comment. Instead, he changed the topic. “The Spring Festival is coming. Marquis Weining’s Residence…”
The words “Marquis Weining’s Residence” made Yu Youyao’s heart jump, and her subconscious was instinctively alarmed. At that moment, she heard a vigilant voice filled with a murderous tone call out, “Who’s there?”
Oh no! Yu Youyao panicked. She turned around and tried to escape, but there was a sharp sword glow and a deadly aura that made Yu Youyao’s mind go blank. In that split second, she closed her eyes and shouted, “Cousin, save me!”