Chapter 93: A Sting in the Throat
While Yu Youyao was practicing her calligraphy, everyone in the residence received gifts from her.
Everyone liked expensive and fashionable materials. Even Yu Qingning stroked the smooth and bright material happily. She was already thinking about what kind of clothes to make that would be outstanding and beautiful, and stand out in the residence.
Old Madam Yu was so happy that she couldn’t close her mouth. “This girl has become a treasure distributor again.”
Nanny Liu smiled and said, “Even so, you’re right. Just now, Master even praised Eldest Miss. She is becoming more and more like a legitimate elder sister.”
When Old Madam Yu heard this, how could she not be happy? “How could he not be satisfied? During the past few days of recuperation, Yao Yao has sent a lot of things to her house. There’s no need to mention the food and necessities. Many of them were personally made by Yao Yao. Just this kind gesture alone was something that no one in the residence can compare to, let alone some antique calligraphy and paintings. It seems she’s afraid that Eldest Son will be too frustrated recuperating at home, so she’s playing to his taste. She’s meticulous and thoughtful in everything. Even a fool can sense her intentions.”
Nanny Liu agreed wholeheartedly.
As Old Madam Yu spoke, she pulled a long face. “Yao Yao has always been a generous person. The residence has benefited from her, but there are still some people who accept things from Yao Yao. Although they say nice things, they don’t think highly of Yao Yao. How shameless.”
Qiu Xing handed the carefully wrapped fabric to Yang Shuwan.
Yang Shuwan couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve made Eldest Sister spend so much. Quick, help me thank her.”
After Mu Jin sent Qiu Xing out, Yang Shuwan eagerly unwrapped the bag. When she saw the precious and rare materials inside, she almost tore the handkerchief in her hand.
There were indigo, purple-gray, ocher, and black-gold lotus patterns. They were all top-notch famous materials. Although they were all dark in color, they looked rich and generous, and did not look old-fashioned.
However, she had never liked dark colors. She preferred brighter colors.
Old Master usually liked her to dress more charmingly.
Most of the Old Madam’s clothes were of this color. No matter how good the material was, it was not easy to make clothes out of it. It would clash with the clothes of the Old Madam at home.
Yang Shuwan was exasperated. “That little b*tch must have done it on purpose.”
Nanny Li also felt that it was a pity. Not only was such expensive and beautiful material unable to be made into clothes, but it was also not appropriate to give them away as a gift. She could only keep it to herself.
Yang Shuwan panicked, so she asked Nanny Li to keep the materials. Out of sight, out of mind.
Nanny Li nodded and asked, “Madam, what gift do you plan to give in return?”
A gift in return! Yang Shuwan was so angry that she had forgotten about it.
At Nanny Li’s mention, Yang Shuwan was even more furious. “She only gave me these pitch-black materials, which only old women can wear, and wanted a gift from me in exchange…”
Nanny Li thought to herself that this was the most suitable material for the mistress of the household to wear. It could be made into a few sets of clothes that she could wear when she went to other houses. It would look grand and n.o.ble, and would also look very impressive.
A daughter couldn’t be too frivolous when it came to giving her mother clothing material..
However, Madam liked beauty. Even when she was outside, she still had to dress up so that she could surpa.s.s others.
Madam was born of a concubine and was also a second wife, so she was naturally inferior to others. Naturally, she lacked confidence. When she was outside, she wanted to show off more.
After being angry for a while, Yang Shuwan calmed down. “Bring the red jade Tian-tsui in my box over.”
No matter how much she disliked the gifts from her stepdaughter, she had to appear happy. She had to choose the best gift to give in return. Its value could not be lower than the gift from her stepdaughter. Otherwise, if others found out, it would be seen as her taking advantage of her stepdaughter, and it would damage her reputation as a virtuous and magnanimous person.
Since her master was still recuperating in the residence, she had to act even more magnanimous.
Nanny Li was also shocked. “Madam, weren’t you planning to keep it for Third Miss?”
Tian-tsui was a special item. It was already extremely difficult to make thin slices of gold and silver on it. Only a few extremely powerful old craftsmen could do it.
Then, he would have to pluck the feathers from a living kingfisher and stick them onto the gold and silver pieces, turning them into various types of jewelry. A kingfisher could only have 28 feathers at most, and among them, royal blue and emerald blue were the best, especially royal blue. A small hairpin was already expensive.
Furthermore, Madam’s jade Tian-tsui was sapphire blue.
On the pattern of a peony flower, there was a sapphire b.u.t.terfly perched on the flower. With a gentle shake, the b.u.t.terfly’s thin wings seemed to come alive, trembling slightly. It was bright and lively.
Two years ago, Madam had sent someone to capture Kingfishers and found an old craftsman to make it.
At the mention of this, Yang Shuwan was also annoyed. “If I don’t give it to her, who else can I give it to? Not only did Yu Youyao give these materials to me, but she also did a favor for the entire residence. How could Old Madam let her down? She couldn’t wait to give everything to Yu Youyao. Madam Yao from the second house is used to being a good person. She will probably use a gift to show off in front of Old Madam.”
Nanny Li understood immediately.
However, Yang Shuwan gritted her teeth. “Old Master is still in the residence. As her stepmother, it’s understandable that my gift is inferior to Old Madam’s. However, if it’s inferior to Madam Yao’s, it’ll really be embarra.s.sing. This will be exposed. If Master finds out, will he still be happy?”
However, when she thought about how she had given Yu Youyao a pair of jade bracelets a long time ago, and now she will give her a jade Tian-tsui, she felt as if her heart had been cut off.
She used to be the daughter of a concubine in the family, so she had nothing in her hands. Even her dowry was brought to the Yu Residence.
It was also because she had married into the Yu Residence that she had managed to earn quite a bit of money from the government, which was why she had saved up some money. All these years, she had been managing her own private a.s.sets, and the profits were not bad either. That was why she had more money now. However, in terms of foundational wealth, she was still inferior to the legitimate daughters of wealthy families. With a large dowry, she would have more good things.
Nanny Li said, “Madam, you’re really thoughtful. Not only is the jade Tian-tsui expensive, but it’s also exquisite and rare. It is so outstanding that no one can pick on it.”
“It’s such a waste to give such a good thing to Yu Youyao for free.” The more Yang Shuwan thought about it, the angrier she became. She couldn’t help but scold, “B*tch, now that you have a powerful nanny by your side to guide you, you’re scheming against me.”
However, no matter how aggrieved or angry she was, she could only accept it.
Not to mention that Yu Youyao had the Old Madam’s protection, and as her stepmother, she couldn’t interfere much. Even the second branch took good care of Yu Youyao.
There were many businesses in the clan, and they all had dealings with the Xie family in Quan Zhou. They were also very protective of Yu Youyao.
There was also the Xie Residence in Quan Zhou. One of the merchant ships sent to the capital every season was for Yu Youyao.