132 Indeed A Smart Person
“Zhou Yonghe was a filial son. He couldn’t care less about the school examination and went to that family to argue. That family beat Zhou Yonghe up and broke his face, leaving a long scar. As a result, Zhou Yonghe couldn’t continue with the examination.”
Yu Youyao’s hand couldn’t help but tighten. The Great Zhou Dynasty indicated that those with severe illnesses, broken faces, and incomplete bodies couldn’t enter the government. It was obvious how vicious that family was.
She couldn’t help but think of her cousin, and her mouth tightened. “What happened then?”
Xia Tao said, “How could Zhou Yonghe be convinced? In the middle of the winter, he found his way to the Yu Residence and knelt in front of the door to seek justice. At that time, the head of the Yu Residence was still your mother, Eldest Madam Xie. After knowing what had happened to Zhou Yonghe’s family, Eldest Madam Xie felt deep sympathy for him, so she stepped forward and sent money to the government, asking them to investigate. The government found out that the family had deliberately killed someone. Not only did they pay a sum of money to Zhou Yonghe’s family, but they were also detained and sent to jail to seek justice for Zhou Yonghe’s family.”
However, she did not expect that Zhouzhuang’s new steward would have some affinity with her mother. Yu Youyao was a little surprised.
Indeed, the older the wiser.
Seeing that Yu Youyao did not say anything, Xia Tao continued, “When Eldest Madam Xie passed away back then, Zhou Yonghe’s family was dressed in mourning clothes. They followed the people from the Yu Residence from afar and paid respect to Eldest Madam Xie by walking a few kilometers.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “Go and meet this Steward Zhou!”
Zhou Yonghe was 24 years old. He was wearing a gray cloth that had been washed until it was white, making him look tall and thin. He looked decent, but there was a long scar on the left side of his face, from the corner of his eye to the side of his nose. It was a little shocking at first glance, but after so many years, the scar had faded a lot, and it was actually not that scary.
Zhou Yonghe stood up calmly and bowed to Yu Youyao. “Greetings, Eldest Miss.”
It was the etiquette of a scholar!
The Great Zhou Dynasty cared about official titles, so it was obvious that officials did not kneel. Zhou Yonghe was a child, so there was naturally no reason for him to kneel to her. Yu Youyao nodded. “Manager Zhou, please sit!”
Zhou Yonghe thanked her, lifted his clothes slightly, and sat back down calmly.
The young lady was sitting at the head of the table in an apricot dress. Her young face had grown a little, and she looked vaguely beautiful. She looked very much like Eldest Madam Xie back then. However, compared to Eldest Madam Xie’s dignified and beautiful appearance, the young lady in front of her looked a little more elegant and noble.
He was stunned. Then, he remembered that back then, First Madam Xie had stepped in and dealt with the government. The government had investigated the truth and returned justice to the family.
He went up to the Yu Residence to thank First Madam for her kindness. He was so intimidated by First Madam Xie’s aura that he did not dare to look up. He could only catch a glimpse of First Madam Xie’s apricot-red clothes. There was a piece of pink and white apricot flower embroidered on the corner of her dress which looked beautiful.
She said, “I heard that your studies are excellent. You’re already a scholar at such a young age?”
At that time, the scar on his face was very terrifying, like a centipede lying diagonally across his face. He was furious and gritted his teeth. “I originally planned to participate in the academy examination in February, and become a scholar.”
Eldest Madam Xie’s tone revealed a hint of pity. “Although the imperial examination is the best way out, it’s not the only way out. You’re smart and you have more principles than others. You’re already better than most people in this world. It’s not advisable to give up on yourself. In this world, it’s difficult to know if things are good or bad. How can you know if it’s a blessing in disguise?”
Before he left, he stood under the magnolia tree in the Windfall Courtyard. At that time, there were many magnolias, and the flowers were blooming like lotuses. Thinking of Eldest Madam Xie’s character, he felt that she was as noble as this magnolia.
A maidservant came forward. “First Madam asked me to give you this bottle of top-grade Jade Face Ointment. She wants you to go back and apply it. Although it can’t remove the scars on your face, it can at least reduce them a little.”
Ten years later, when the magnolia flowers bloomed again, he came to the Windfall Courtyard of the Yu Residence, but everything was different.
At this moment, he still hadn’t understood First Madam Xie’s words. “It’s hard to tell whether it’s a blessing or a curse in this world. Who knows if it’s a blessing in disguise?”
However, it was only later, after he had left the capital with the Eldest Miss of the Yu family for many years and returned to the capital that he finally understood that Eldest Madam Xie’s heartfelt words were meant for her daughter, Yu Youyao.
It was this young girl who had brought him all the way to the capital.
Zhouzhuang had chosen Zhou Yonghe to be in charge to express its goodwill to her. She was in charge of the household, but her subordinates were all old hands in the residence. Naturally, there was no problem with these people doing things, but it would not be easy to order them around. With Zhou Yonghe, she would not have no one to use in the future.
In that case, there was no doubt about Zhou Yonghe’s ability.
Yu Youyao did not waste any time. She asked Chun Xiao to pass a stack of papers to Zhou Yonghe. “Steward Zhou, not only do you have a relationship with my mother, but it’s also fate between you and me. In the afternoon, all the stewards in the manor will enter the residence. At that time, I’ll mention this matter, so I’ll have to trouble you to discuss a rule with the other stewards and establish a new contract. It’ll be implemented outside the residence these few days.”
Zhou Yonghe did not say much. On the white paper, although the rows of small words were a little childish, they were still natural. They were hard and soft, and were actually written by a half-grown child. It was really unbelievable.
After reading the entire proposal, Zhou Yonghe felt deep veneration for her. “Eldest Miss, you’re very ambitious. You don’t stick to a single place. You’re using centralized and decentralized methods to gain power.” As he spoke, he had already stood up from his chair and walked up to Yu Youyao. He bowed respectfully. “I am willing to serve Eldest Miss.”
Zhou Yonghe was indeed a smart person!
Zhouzhuang’s steward had always been very respected in the Yu Residence. Among the stewards, he had a rare reputation. With Zhou Yonghe taking the lead, this matter became much easier.
At this moment, Old Madam Yu also found out that a new steward of Little Zhouzhuang had entered the residence. She said to Nanny Liu, “Old Master Zhuang of Zhouzhuang is old and wise. I’m relieved that Yao Yao has such a person by her side.”
As she spoke, a maidservant came over to inform her, “Eldest Miss has brought Steward Zhou over to greet Old Madam.”
Old Madam Yu smiled and quickly said, “Please come in.”
On the first day that Steward Zhou took office, he had to pay a visit to Old Madam Song and the mistress of the household. However, Madam Yang was sick, so it wasn’t appropriate for them to disturb her. Yu Youyao led him into An Shou Hall and brought along the medicinal tea that she had promised to give to Old Madam Song.
Zhou Yonghe greeted Old Madam Yu respectfully, exuding a scholarly aura.
Old Madam Yu sized up Zhou Yonghe carefully and nodded in satisfaction. “In the future, you’ll have to work hard with Eldest Miss. Although my granddaughter is a little young, she’s just like her mother. She’s kind-hearted.”
Zhou Yonghe was a smart person, so he understood immediately. Old Madam Yu had asked him to only follow Eldest Miss in the future and be ordered around by her. “Old Madam, don’t worry.”