Chapter 754: Yue Fei Represents the King of the North
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Little Yao’er wrinkled her nose. “With Mother around, I’m not afraid. Niother will always protect me…”
The next day, when Yu Youyao woke up, Auntie Xu was no longer around.
In her dream, her mother was holding her hand. It was so warm and sincere. Her mother’s gentle voice echoed in her ears. “Okay, Mother will always protect my Little Yao’er…”
Yu Youyao called out in a daze, “Mother…”
Auntie Xu heard the commotion and entered the house.
Yu Youyao’s eyes were red. “Auntie, I dreamed of my mother.”
Auntie Xu chuckled. “What did you dream about?”
Yu Youyao held back her tears. “l dreamed that my mother wanted to make elm pancakes for me to eat. I also dreamed that she said she would always protect me.”
Auntie Xu stroked her hair and said nothing.
Yu Youyao threw herself into Auntie Xu’s arms again. “Auntie, I want to eat elm fruits pancakes. My mother liked to eat this when she was young. I’ve never eaten it before.’
Auntie Xu looked at the tall purple elm tree outside the window, which was already turning yellow. “At this time of the year, you can’t eat elm fruit pancakes, but you can get powder from the elm bark. You can also make elm bark powder pancakes. When the elm tree grows elm fruits next spring, I’ll pick the elm fruits and make you elm fruit pancakes, okay?”
Yu Youyao quickly nodded. “Okay, I will eat eat elm bark pancakes.”
After breakfast, Yu Youyao gave the gifts that she had prepared long ago to everyone in the Xie Residence. Some of these etiquette were prepared in the name of the Yu Residence. They were all specialties, spices, supplements, and so on from the capital. Some were prepared by Yu Youyao herself. Most of them were incense, tea, fat, powder, and so on. Her grandmother and a few aunts each received a small box of gems and agate.
Yu Youyao had just moved into the Yi Water Garden and had many things to do.
Worried that there would be insufficient manpower in the main courtyard of the Yi Water Courtyard, Madam w.a.n.g instructed familiar people to enter the residence as soon as they arrived.
When Yu Youyao received the news, she quickly welcomed her.
Madam w.a.n.g happily held Yu Youyao’s hand. “Did you sleep well last night? Are you used to sleeping on the bed?”
Yu Youyao nodded. “I’ve been on the boat for many days. After I got ash.o.r.e, I also felt like my body was floating. I finally had a good sleep yesterday and even dreamed of my mother.”
Madam w.a.n.g also saw that she looked good. “That’s good.” Then, she changed the topic and said with a smile, “When you came to Quanzhou, not all the servants in the courtyard came over together. It’s inevitable that there won’t be enough people in the courtyard. Also, there aren’t many people in your courtyard. I’m worried about the local servants in Quanzhou taking care of you, so I found some people to come over. Pick some of them to take care of you later.”
The Xie Residence made the decision to arrange this in case Yu Youyao came over and was fl.u.s.tered. It would be inconvenient for her in every way.
The servants in the courtyard were all serving in the house. They had to be close to their masters, so they were very picky. Yu Youyao had to choose someone they liked, so she had to choose herself.
Yu Youyao knew that Eldest Aunt was worried about her thoughts and was very touched. “The rules are different everywhere. I wonder how the people here should be chosen.’
Seeing that she wanted to listen to her opinion, Madam w.a.n.gs smile deepened. She quickly said, “Auntie Xu is a dignified person. She can teach the servants herself, so there’s no need to choose those who can serve you soon as they come over. Pick some people who have death contracts. They have clear backgrounds and have only been briefly taught the rules. The younger ones will be more useful when they’re in front of you and are taught by you.”
Little Yao’er was the daughter of an official and the County Head of Shaoyi. Although she did not show it, she had to be more cautious.
It was also more appropriate to teach someone herself.
Every word and sentence was sincerely for her sake, so Yu Youyao naturally appreciated it. “When choosing people, I will have to get Eldest Aunt to help
Auntie Xu with my choice.”
Madam w.a.n.g agreed immediately.
Yu Youyao held Madam w.a.n.gs hand and went to the courtyard.
Auntie Xu was talking to the broker.
The broker was in his forties. He was round and smooth, and he was very kind. When he saw Yu Youyao, his eyes narrowed into slits with a smile. “Oh, oh, oh, you’ve grown up as a n.o.ble lady in the capital. You’re indeed extraordinary. Your family is really lucky…”
After all, she was a real n.o.ble lady who had been conferred the t.i.tle of County Head. Even if she did not put on airs, she was not someone who could be judged by anyone and sized up unscrupulously.
The broker was also tactful and did not dare to size her up.
However, it was inevitable that he would glance at her from the corner of her eye. This County Head of Shaoyi was filial. She had a simple comb on her head and tied her hair with a headband. She did not have any accessories on her. She was wearing a snow satin dress with a slanted top and a pleated waist skirt. Under the dress, only the tips of her shoes were revealed, revealing a reserved and quiet beauty. There were no patterns on her clothes, making her look simple and elegant. The snow satin was not just cold and white. It shone like pearls, and did not look unlucky.
Not only did it show filial piety, but it was also part of the “etiquette” of visiting.
Madam w.a.n.g beamed. “Our family has been looking forward to seeing her for more than ten years. She’s finally here.”
The two of them chatted for a while before starting to choose people.
The broker took the name list and Yu Youyao checked it one by one. When she met someone she was interested in, the broker was sensible and introduced the person from head to toe again. When Yu Youyao felt that it was suitable, she would ask for w.a.n.gs opinion.
Yu Youyao dipped her brush in ink and handed the name she had taken a fancy to to Auntie Xu.
After Auntie Xu saw the candidates, she already had candidates in mind. She then compared them to the candidates that Yu Youyao had chosen. In the end, she decided to choose ten people. The ten young maidservants were all around the age of nine or ten.
For the next two days, Yu Youyao was busy settling down in the courtyard.
By the time everything was settled, it had been three days since Yu Youyao had entered the residence.
Early in the morning, the Xie Residence opened their doors and prepared to welcome guests.
At this moment, Yin Huaixi entered the Xie Residence in a black python robe and high boots. As Yin Huaixi’s ident.i.ty couldn’t be made public, the Xie
Residence only treated him as “Young Master Zhou from the Yu Residence.” Yin Huaixi also followed suit and greeted the elders of the Xie family.
After that, Old Master Xie brought Yin Huaixi to the study. “King Yue Fei, please take a seat.”
How could Yin Huaixi dare to? He quickly said, “Old Master, you flatter me. I’m here to greet my elders as a junior today. How can I accept such etiquette?
Please take a seat.’
Old Master Xie knew that he had an ulterior motive, but he had the token that Old Madam Yu had handed over before she died. The Xie family was already in a pa.s.sive position.
Yin Huaixi did not reveal his ident.i.ty after visiting. Instead, he directly sent a greeting card as Yue Fei, the King of the North. He had already established an imposing air for himself.
Old Master Xie did not decline.
Xie Jingliu must have already conveyed all his thoughts to Old Master Xie. Yin Huaixi did not say anything else. “l took the liberty to come and disturb you to discuss my marriage with Yao Yao,” He took out a small box the size of his palm and respectfully handed it to Old Master Xie. “There’s a token as proof. Old Master, please take a look..”