Chapter 92: A Mischievous Girl
Even though Zhou Linghuai was knowledgeable, he had never heard of this insect.
Yu Youyao knew that this Essence Protection Pill was a good medicine for her cousin, so she was a little curious. “Uncle Sun, do you know what this strange worm looks like?”
Uncle Sun shook his head. “I’ve never seen it before either. I’ve heard that this worm looks like a cicada and is completely brownish-black.”
Yu Youyao noted it down seriously. “I’ll write to Grandfather later and ask him to help find it too.”
Uncle Sun was overjoyed and hurriedly said, “That’s great. The business route of the Xie Residence in Quanzhou is smooth. Old Master Xie has traveled extensively and is knowledgeable. Perhaps he has heard of this insect.”
Zhou Linghuai did not decline. “Thank you, Cousin.”
Yu Youyao waved her hand. “Cousin, don’t stand on ceremony with me. It’s nothing. If you need anything in the future, you have to tell me. I can help you think of a way.”
Seeing the little girl’s serious expression, Zhou Linghuai’s throat moved, and he nodded.
Yu Youyao said happily, “Then I won’t disturb you anymore. I’ll go back and help you pick out a few pieces of clothing.”
The little girl came and left quickly, causing Zhou Linghuai to be a little stunned. He looked at the door of the study and forgot to look away.
When he reacted and was about to continue carving, a beautiful figure entered his sight again. The little girl stood at the door and did not enter.
“Cousin, you don’t have to go to school today. It’s rare that you’re free, so have a good rest. You don’t have to go to the Jade Courtyard to practice calligraphy with me in the afternoon. I’ll practice calligraphy by myself and definitely won’t slack off. Tomorrow, I’ll bring it to you for a review. It’s been hard on you these past few days.”
For several consecutive days, her cousin went to the Jade Courtyard at noon every day to teach her how to write. Now, she could already write better. Even Ms. Ye praised her for her great improvement.
Zhou Linghuai nodded.
Yu Youyao laughed happily. “Cousin, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Zhou Linghuai smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
Yu Youyao turned around and was about to leave when she seemed to have thought of something and turned around. “Cousin, I’ve made some medicinal cuisine in my room. I’ll get Qiu Xing to send it over at noon. Remember to eat it.”
Every day, her cousin would teach her how to write, so she found a few good medicinal recipes in the book “Cauldron Food.” She used the medicinal ingredients that were filled with spiritual dew to make medicinal dishes for her cousin every day. She had also shown Uncle Sun the recipes. Uncle Sun said that these were excellent recipes that were good for her cousin’s health and could be used more every day.
Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Okay!”
Only then did Yu Youyao leave happily.
Seeing the little girl’s figure disappear at the door, Zhou Linghuai smiled and took out the lacquered box. He took out the carvings one by one and continued carving with the peach blossom stone.
The little girl liked apricot flowers. The color of peach blossom jelly was light red and delicate, looking a little like apricot flowers. It had the artistic conception of “white is not white, but red is not red.”
If he carved an apricot-shaped seal, she would probably like it very much.
When Yu Youyao returned to the Jade Courtyard, she went to her room to pick out some materials.
Nanny Xu looked at the various materials and said, “They’re all exquisite materials. If they’re kept for too long, the flowery styles won’t be as bright as they are now. It’ll be a pity if they’re spoiled.”
Her maternal grandfather’s merchant ship was arriving at the end of the month. At that time, there would be a lot of new materials arriving in a box. Yu Youyao said, “In that case, tidy up and pick out the most expensive and best materials. Send five each to Grandmother and Father’s house. Then, pick four more stable and dignified flowery styles and send them to Madam Yang.”
Nanny Xu smiled when she heard this. “What a mischievous girl.”
Madam Yang usually dressed like a mistress, but she liked bright colors and stable and dignified flowers. Most of them were dark and heavy, and were more mature. Even if she was given good materials, Madam Yang might not like them, let alone make clothes using them..
No matter how much she disliked it, she had to accept it with a smile.
Not only did she gain the reputation of having filial piety, but she also made Madam Yang feel like a fishbone was stuck in her throat.
Yu Youyao stuck out her tongue. “I don’t want to let her have the best material. I’ll give her the most valuable material, but I just have to let her see it for herself. I’ll feel stifled if she doesn’t wear it.”
Nanny Xu smiled and said nothing.
Yu Youyao did not continue to bring this up. “Second Uncle and Second Aunt will also give three horses each. The eldest brother and sister-in-law in the family will get two horses each, regardless of whether they’re the child of the first wife or second wife. However, we have to choose carefully. Eldest Brother, Second Brother, Second Sister, and Third Sister will have to choose more carefully.”
On the surface, he could not favor one over the other. Otherwise, if he wanted to be a good person, he would have to compare who was superior and who was inferior. It would be a headache.
However, in secret, it was still necessary to distinguish between the legitimate wife and the concubines.
Nanny Xu nodded secretly. This arrangement was already extremely appropriate. “There are still some incomplete small items left, so I’ll reward them to the servants in the courtyard.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “Nanny, make the arrangements!”
Since they were making spring clothes in the residence, it was just right to give them away. It would not only help her gain fame, but also the hearts of the people. It was just right.
Nanny Xu led the maidservants to sort out the materials. Yu Youyao planned to personally pick out a few pieces for her cousin.
Dong Mei helped to pick out some clothes. “There’s Moon Cloud Brocade in the box. It’s a good-looking material. It’s suitable to make clothes for Young Master.”
Cloud brocade was a type of tribute material. It had always been known that “every inch of brocade is worth its weight in gold.” It was named for its brilliant color and beauty, like the clouds in the sky. This moon-white cloud brocade was embroidered with clouds, but it looked elegant and n.o.ble, which was very rare.
Yu Youyao’s eyes lit up. “I’ll choose this Moon Cloud Brocade.”
It was moon-white, but not pure white. It had a faint blue color, and there was a faint tinge of azure in the blue. It looked like white, but not really white. It looked like blue, but not really blue. It was an extremely beautiful color.
Then, Yu Youyao picked two more green ones: stone green and crow green. They were both colors that her cousindid not have. She also picked ones that were blue, white and one black.
Every color was carefully chosen.
Yu Youyao wrote down the measurements and handed them all to Dong Mei. “Get Manager Sun to make a few sets of clothes for Cousin. The moon-white ones will be for casual wear, while the black ones will be more formal and suitable for more solemn occasions. The green ones will be for going out, and the remaining ones will be for the most popular styles in the capital.”
Dong Mei noted them down one by one and asked the maidservant to bring the materials to Manager Sun.
Yu Youyao returned to her small study to write a letter to her grandfather.
First, she expressed her longing and greetings to her grandfather’s family. Then, she wrote about the recent situation in the Yu Residence. She also mentioned a few matters in the capital and vaguely mentioned the matter of “appointing a disciple”. Finally, she asked about the strange insect that Uncle Sun had mentioned.
After writing for five whole pages, she finally stopped!
When the ink on the letter was completely dry, Yu Youyao took out an envelope and sealed it with wax. She called out to Chun Xiao, “Send this letter to the Xie Residence in Quan Zhou.”
Her cousin’s health was more important. It would take more than ten days to send it to her grandfather, and she would probably receive a reply from him at the end of the month.