Chapter 76: Harming the Family
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
How could Old Madam Yu not agree? She quickly asked Yu Youyao to help her into the inner room. She sat in front of the polished bronze mirror and asked Yu Youyao to put the headband on her forehead.
Just as Yu Youyao had expected, the navy blue headband matched Old Madam Yu’s outfit perfectly. It looked luxurious and grand.
“Grandmother, I’ve sewn a small medicinal bag to calm the mind and nourish the body. You’ll feel that it’s good to use it. In about ten days, I’ll get someone to open it and replace it with a new one. I often prepare the medicinal bags too.”
The medicinal herbs used in the medicinal bag had been soaked in spiritual dew, so the effects were naturally good.
Old Madam Yu sniffed carefully. Indeed, she could smell an extremely faint medicinal fragrance mixed with a hint of sandalwood. It seeped into her heart, and even the pent-up anger in her heart felt much better.
It was a smell she was used to.
She hadn’t smelled it before, but it was probably because had been offering incense to Buddha in An Shou Hall all year round, and the sandalwood smell was too strong, so it was covered up. For a moment, she felt that her granddaughter was meticulous and dedicated, and she was even more delighted.
Her grandmother was old, so she ate her dinner earlier, in case she acc.u.mulated too much food at night and had difficulty digesting. Therefore, as soon as it was noon, Nanny Liu ordered someone to prepare dinner.
Madam Yang came out of the temple hall and served the grandfather and granddaughter.
Looking at the harmonious scene between the grandfather and granddaughter, she felt even more annoyed. Then, she thought of the Buddhist scriptures that she had copied for an entire day. Not only were her hands almost broken, but she had also been smelling sandalwood for an entire day. Her mind was in a daze, and her heart was burning with anger.
Yu Youyao called out, “Mother,” but did not say anything else.
After setting the rules for a few days, Yang Shuwan did not seem to have grown much, but she had become much more haggard and thin.
There was a thick layer of powder on her face. As she had been staying in An Shou Hall, she did not have time to return to the main courtyard to touch up her makeup. The white powder on her face had fallen off, and her face looked uneven, like a cracked wall. There were dark shadows under her eyes, and it was obvious that she had not slept well recently.
Her grandmother did not treat her harshly, but it was still difficult for her to stay in the north courtyard all day and copy Buddhist scriptures. It was not much better than being tortured.
After finally finishing her meal, Madam Yang was sent to the temple hall by Old Madam Yu. It was already evening, but she still had no intention of letting her return to the main courtyard?
“Old Madam…” Madam Yang was shocked. She stood there in a daze for a long time. Only when Nanny Liu reminded her did she react. She could only lower her head and return to the temple hall with a resentful expression.
Yu Youyao then returned to the Jade Courtyard.
Old Madam Yu twirled the prayer beads in her hand, and most of the joy on her face dissipated. “Tomorrow, I’ll go to the Education Department to find a nanny. Bring her to my house first, then send her to the Clear Autumn Courtyard.”
It was true that the nannies in the Education Bureau taught etiquette, but their methods were much harsher than those in the residence. It was also true that they tortured others.
After all, she was still her granddaughter. She had to give her a few words of warning first, so that others would know their limits and not torture her too much.
How could Nanny Liu not know what she was thinking? She naturally agreed.
Recalling how miserable Yu Qingning had looked when she was crying, Old Madam Yu’s hand that was twirling the prayer beads paused slightly. “Tell me, am I being too heartless?”
Nanny Liu hurriedly said, “Don’t say that. I’ve been with you for most of my life, so how could I not know? You’re the most stubborn but soft-hearted person. You’re doing this for Fourth Miss’s own good.”
Old Madam Yu was silent for a while. “Concubine He has always taught Yu Qingning to be magnanimous, and Eldest Son has also doted on her. She doesn’t want to be filial to her elders, nor does she want to be filial to her sisters. Instead, she wants to pave the way for herself and seek a future. She wants to suppress a legitimate daughter and compete with Yao Yao in every way. If we continue to indulge her, she will only harm others and the family.”
At this point, she paused and rubbed her forehead gently. Her fingers touched the headband on her forehead, and she felt a little more comforted. “In the past, I used to turn a blind eye to it, but as I grew older, all of them became more scheming, and more unrestrained in their actions. I’ve just warned her yesterday, so it’s obvious that Yu Qingning doesn’t take it to heart. Today, she went to school and has already spread her thoughts to outsiders.”
Nanny Liu agreed deeply. She felt that Yu Qingning was indeed too incompetent and had lost the upbringing of the Yu Residence.
Old Madam Yu continued, “It’s unbecoming of sisters to be at odds with each other. Fortunately, it’s Ms. Ye. If it were anyone else, I’m afraid that everyone would know about it and laugh at the Yu Residence for no reason.”
Nanny Liu picked up a cup of tea and placed it in front of Old Madam Yu. She listened attentively but did not speak.
Old Madam Yu wrapped the prayer beads around her wrist and said in a helpless tone, “Other families only teach people to gossip, but Eldest Brother is an imperial censor. His family is not well-mannered, and he has not taught his daughter well. If word of this gets out, how can he stand in the imperial court and carry out the duties of an imperial censor to investigate the morals of a hundred officials? If outsiders find out, the entire Yu Residence will lose face.”
The old man had lived for most of his life and had seen many conflicts between the legitimate wife and concubines. Naturally, he could not tolerate such nonsense.
Nanny Liu loosened the headband on Old Madam Yu’s forehead and carefully placed it into a box. “Old Madam feels that since Fourth Miss is about to turn nine years old, she should settle down and find a capable nanny as soon as possible. Perhaps she can even change her personality.”
Old Madam Yu nodded. “Even if we can’t completely change her, we can let the Nanny discipline her so she will learn from her mistakes. She’ll learn more about logic and rules. The sisters are all grown up now, so it’s time for them to interact on good terms. We shouldn’t cause trouble outside and make a fool of ourselves for no reason. We’ll lose face in the Yu Residence and if they don’t know how to restrain themselves. In the future, when they’ve married into another family, they won’t be harmed by others.”
Nanny Liu immediately guessed the Old Madam’s good intentions.
However, looking at Fourth Miss today, it did not seem like she would understand Old Madam’s kindness. She sighed inwardly.
Old Madam Yu sighed softly and said, “No wonder people say that you have to marry a good wife. Look at Madam Yao. She’s good at socializing and is Second Brother’s good wife. She also managed Second Brother’s concubines well. The children of the concubines are also well-mannered. The sisters are harmonious and can help each other live well in the future.”
Nanny Liu just listened without speaking.
At the mention of Madam Yao, Old Madam Yu couldn’t help but mention Madam Yang. “Take a look at Madam Yang again. She’s really not presentable at all. She’s even brought these young mistresses of the residence into such a mess.”
Nanny Liu came to a realization. No wonder Old Madam Yang was acting so uncharacteristically today, not even calling Madam Yang back to the main courtyard for dinner.
Seeing that the Old Madam’s expression did not look too good, Nanny Liu quickly changed the topic. “Old Madam, don’t think too much about this. Eldest Miss learnt how to recite an essay in cla.s.s today. She even received praise from Ms. Ye.”