Chapter 181 - A Lot

Zhou Linghuai—

Yu Youyao’s expression resembled Zhou Linghuai’s.

It reminded her that every time she met Zhou Linghuai in the residence, she had to greet him. Zhou Linghuai called out to her in a low voice, “Third Cousin!”

He was looking at her, but she had a nagging feeling that she wasn’t in his eyes.

Later on, she happened to see Zhou Linghuai and Yu Youyao talking together. Yu Youyao smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling, and she looked just like before.

Meanwhile, Zhou Linghuai, who had always been aloof and distant, had a faint smile on his pale lips as he called out to Yu Youyao, “Cousin!”

Although his voice was still cold, it was like the warmth of the world when the winter snow had just melted.

At first, she did not notice the difference.

Later, she found out that Zhou Linghuai only called Yu Youyao. “Cousin!”

The other young misses in the residence became second, third, and fourth cousins in front of him. It was obvious that in his heart, Yu Youyao was the only cousin he acknowledged.

Xia Tao went all the way to the front courtyard and looked for Zhao Da. “Young Miss asked me to come and get a book called ‘Ritual Dances to Confucius.’ This book is only available in Eldest Master and Young Master’s house. Young Master is still in school.”

Zhao Da nodded. “Please allow me to report to you.”

Xia Tao quickly said, “Thank you, Steward Zhao.”

When Zhao Da went to the study, Yu Zongzheng was writing calligraphy. When he heard that his eldest daughter wanted to read “Ritual Dances to Confucius”, he frowned slightly and said, “Bring Xia Tao over.”

The Great Zhou Dynasty was open-minded, but there were still many restrictions on the books that women could read as they pleased. For example, the “Ritual Dances to Confucius” described an extremely high standard of etiquette. It was used to encourage students to have high aspirations, to offer gifts, to sing songs, to play music, to be happy, to give birth, and so on. However, women rarely read such books.

Soon, Xia Tao was brought over and she bowed respectfully to the Eldest Master. “Today, Manager Sun from the Jinxiu Manor sent over a new spring robe that was similar to a lanshan. Miss felt that it was a little inappropriate, so she asked me to borrow a book called ‘Ritual Dances to Confucius’ so that she can look at the records of the lanshan and not disrespect any rituals.”

Yu Zongzheng first frowned, clearly feeling that this lanshan was not suitable. “Who made this lanshan?”

However, this question made Xia Tao’s face freeze. She stammered, “It’s, it’s Third Miss. Third Miss came up with a piece of snow satin and designed it to look like a lanshan. She got it done by the Jinxiu Manor. The Great Zhou Dynasty doesn’t have any lanshans, and no one has done it in the past, so the Jinxiu Manor didn’t pay much attention to it. Who knew that when Miss saw that it was a lanshan, she felt that it was a little inappropriate…”

Upon hearing that it was Yu Jianjia who had made the robe, Yu Zongzheng was first stunned, but then he felt that it was an unwritten rule among scholars. It was normal for Jia Jia not to know about it, so it was fine. In any case, after the clothes were sent into the residence, the residence would check them one by one to see if they matched the etiquette system.

But then, he remembered that even Yao Yao knew about the ceremonial robe, so they must have learned about it in school. In that case, Jia Jia was a little out of her depth. “It’s rare that Yao Yao is thorough and appropriate. Take the book over!”

Xia Tao nodded repeatedly.

After Xia Tao left, Yu Zongzheng’s expression darkened. “Madam Yang is really getting out of hand. She’s not even as good as Yao Yao, who’s only half grown child.”

On the first day, Butler Yao had received a set of clothes from the Jinxiu Manor. The style of these clothes had been decided by Madam Yang in the past. This was Madam Yang’s fault. Fortunately, Yao Yao had discovered it in time.

Thinking of what his eldest daughter had done in the residence today, Yu Zongzheng’s eyes lit up and he called Wen Zhu over. “Go to the courtyard and pass a message to Third Miss…”

Soon, Xia Tao borrowed a book and returned to Windfall Courtyard.

Yu Youyao handed the borrowed book to Yu Jianjia. “Third Sister can see it clearly.”

Yu Jianjia was filled with suspicion, so she flipped open the book and read every word. Not long after, the blood drained from her pale face. She felt suffocated, but she held her chest and closed the book with a loud bang. She sat on the chair for a long time before she reacted.

She slowly stood up and said respectfully to Yu Youyao, “Some time ago, I happened to obtain a painting of a banquet from the previous dynasty. When I saw that someone was wearing a lanshan, I felt that the Great Zhou Dynasty had never seen such a style before. If it were made into female clothes, it would probably look very good. Hence, I drew all sorts of patterns and asked Manager Sun to help me make it. I didn’t expect that there would be such an honor among the scholars of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The lanshan was so symbolic in Confucian rituals and I almost caused a disaster.”

Yu Youyao’s expression was indifferent, but she did not say anything.

Yu Jianjia’s body trembled slightly, and her voice softened a little. “Thank you, Big Sister, for covering up this matter for me. It’s my fault today. My health isn’t too good, so it’s a little difficult for me to discipline the maidservants in front of me. I’ve also treated them much more kindly, but I didn’t expect them to become so rash. I’ll punish her with half a year’s worth of monthly salary. In the future, I’ll leave her in the courtyard to manage the matters in my room and not bring her out anymore. She offended Big Sister, and it’s also my fault for not being strict with her. Please forgive me, Big Sister.”

Yu Youyao nodded slightly and turned to Dong Mei. “Bring the clothes to Third Sister!”

However, she did not say anything about forgiving her!

Yu Jianjia pursed her lips and accepted the clothes gratefully, then handed them to Ai Ye. “Thank you, Big Sister.”

Ai Ye helped Hui Xiang back to the courtyard first, while Yu Jianjia made a trip to the main courtyard. Nanny Li had returned with the medicine and was instructing Mu Jin to brew the medicine. “Put away the medicine that Doctor Ding gave you, and brew the prescription that was previously prescribed for you.”

Yu Jianjia walked over with small steps. “Whose idea is this?”

Nanny Li was stunned by the question. She quickly said, “It’s what I-I meant. Doctor Xiang is the doctor that Eldest Madam needs. The medicine that Madam took previously was also effective.”

Yu Jianjia’s voice turned a little cold. “You heard what Physician Ding said previously. Although Doctor Xiang’s prescription is not bad, it’s only treating the symptoms and not the root cause. Mother’s migraine disease has been acting up repeatedly, which shows that there’s a problem.”

Nanny Li lowered her head, not daring to say anything else.

Yu Jianjia continued, “Eldest Sis has been managing the household for a day. Even if she were to hire a physician, she would still have to hire the best one. Just now, she displayed her ‘filial piety’ outside the residence. I’ve asked Ai Ye to ask around about Young Master Ding, and I’ve also learned a little about him. There’s no harm in using him first.”

Nanny Li hurriedly said, “Third Miss has thought it through. I’ll get Mu Jin to change to Doctor Ding’s medicine now.”

Yu Jianjia nodded. “There’s no need to let Mother know about this. Her recovery is more important.”

Nanny Li nodded in agreement.

Yu Jianjia entered the house. Yang Shuwan was leaning against a pillow, waiting for her. When she saw her, she quickly asked why Yu Youyao was looking for her.