All Hail Cousin Brother

208 I’ll Protect You!
Yang Shuwan rummaged through her belongings and said, “There’s still a top-notch moonlight wishing silk in my bag. It’s made of high quality material, and the color is bright and elegant. It’s the most suitable for you. Tomorrow, I’ll bring you out to shop and buy you a good outfit… You can’t dress up in plain clothes this time. You have to look radiant. Yes, the moonlight wishing silk is elegant. It has to be paired with the Southern Pearl to look good…”

“The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence has sent out invitations…” Zhou Linghuai held a special soft brush and carefully painted the zither. It was unknown if he was listening to the secret guard’s report.

The shape of the zither had already been carved. The body of the zither was carved with nine feathers and was painted in honey yellow. It looked sweet and beautiful, exuding an indescribable luxury.

It took Zhou Linghuai an hour to finish applying a layer of paint. He threw the small brush into a jar at the side and said calmly, “You can remove the red wishing silk bag.”

Yin San’s figure flashed and disappeared.

Zhou Linghuai looked at the zither. The paint was even and bright. It was specially decorated. The paint that was just applied was naturally left to dry. It was the best.

He wheeled himself back into the study. Not long after, Zhou Linghuai pricked up his ears and heard the little girl’s footsteps. They were light and cheerful, unlike the others around him. Every time, he could always tell that she was here.

Even if someone was following him, he could tell which footsteps belonged to the little girl.

“Cousin, you didn’t go to school today. Are you feeling unwell? Did Uncle Sun treat you? Did you eat the Essence Protection Pill on time every day?” As soon as Yu Youyao entered the house, she ran to her cousin and looked at him anxiously, unable to hide the worry on her face.

Zhou Linghuai shook his head. “In the past few days, Mr. Hu Shan has been giving me advice. I’ve learned all of this in the past. Moreover, I won’t be taking the path of an imperial scholar in the future, so I don’t have to learn to be one.”

Both the second and third examinations tested strategy.

Yu Youyao held her cousin’s hand and pouted. “Cousin, you should study more carefully. Your leg will definitely recover in the future. It’s hard to determine that you won’t take the path of a scholar in the future.”

Zhou Linghuai chuckled. “I hope Cousin can earn an honorary title?”

The imperial examination was the best path for a man. Of course, she hoped that her cousin would receive a high salary. Just as Yu Youyao was about to nod, she thought of the Flower Festival in Changxing and shook her head. “As long as Cousin is well, it doesn’t matter what happens. It doesn’t matter if he takes the examination or not. Ever since the incident in Youzhou, the Imperial Court hasn’t been peaceful. It might not be a good thing for him to take the examination.”

She did not have to avoid talking to her cousin anymore.

Hearing Yu Youyao mention Youzhou, Zhou Linghuai’s eyes flashed. Before he could say anything, he heard the little girl continue, “The Marquis of Changxing is holding a flower festival. Not only did he send an invitation to the residence today, but he also deliberately mentioned that he wanted the sisters from the residence to go. I wonder why?”

She did not believe that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife had really fallen in love with Yu Jianjia after meeting her once at the Precious Peace Temple and had only invited them because of Yu Jianjia.

Zhou Linghuai was also a little surprised. “What did Grandaunt say?”

Yu Youyao shook her head. “Grandmother only asked me to take care of myself during the flower festival. She didn’t say much else. I don’t think there’s anything urgent.”

Zhou Linghuai’s eyebrows twitched slightly. “You’re a young lady who has just reached the age where you can explore the outside world. As long as you’re doing well on the surface, others won’t mind even if there’s a lack of etiquette.” Thinking that Old Madam Yu also had the same thoughts, he changed the topic slightly. “However, since the Marquis of Changxing has deliberately mentioned you all, there’s a reason for it. Later, get someone to ask about the sisters in the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence. The adults don’t need you to entertain them, but you have to interact with them. If you know more, you can also be on guard.”

The banquets of the big families were all hosted by male guests. The women were invited separately, and the older ladies were not with the elders. Instead, they were entertained by the first daughters of the main family. The rules were not that strict, but when a group of young ladies gathered together, it was inevitable that there would be a lot of trouble.

When Yu Youyao heard this, she understood the crux of the matter. No matter what the Marquis of Changxing was thinking, it had to be revealed from the few of them.

She looked at her cousin and smiled. “Cousin, you’re amazing. I hadn’t even thought of this.”

Zhou Linghuai shook his head and laughed. Then, he instructed, “During the Flower Festival, bring Nanny Xu over. Chun Xiao has some tricks up her sleeve. If you bring Xia Tao along, you’ll be able to hear some news and won’t be in the dark.”

Since Old Madam Yu wasn’t going to the Flower Festival, Yu Youyao could only follow Madam Yang.

Madam Yang wouldn’t take her seriously, and Madam Yao had to take care of her daughter first. This was the first time Yao Yao was going out officially, so she couldn’t do without someone guiding her. Nanny Xu definitely had to take care of her.

This was the first time they were going out officially. Not only were they not familiar with each other, but they were also going to such a grand event like the Flower Festival. The Marquis of Changxing did not look like a good person either. Yu Youyao did not know what was going to happen at the Flower Festival, and even she was a little flustered.

After hearing her cousin’s analysis and arrangements, Yu Youyao felt relieved and nodded. “I understand, Cousin!”

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “You don’t have to take the Flower Festival of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence to heart too much. When the time comes, you can just make a trip there.” At this point, he paused slightly, and his thin lips turned pale and sharp. “You don’t have to endure it when you encounter trouble. Don’t let yourself suffer. If anything happens…” He stared into Yu Youyao’s eyes and said word by word, “I’ll take care of it for you!”

Yu Youyao’s heart trembled. She widened her eyes and looked at her cousin, smiling. “I’m not the type to be bullied. Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone make me suffer.”

Three years ago, after King You’s rebellion, the Marquis of Weining recommended the Marquis of Changxing to the emperor to guard Youzhou. The emperor agreed, and the Marquis of Changxing was given a lot of troops and stayed in the limelight.

She didn’t know where her cousin got his confidence from to say such a thing to her.

It was as if the Marquis of Changxing was just a grasshopper after autumn to him, and he could crush him at any time. This undoubtedly confirmed her guess.

Her cousin must have something to do with the vassal king’s abnormal behavior.

She just didn’t know what her cousin was going to do.

Yu Youyao felt a little uneasy, and she was more worried. She held her cousin’s hand. “Cousin, you have to be fine.”

Zhou Linghuai was stunned for a moment. Then, he held the little girl’s hand. It was soft and delicate, like cream. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he only replied with a soft “Mm.”

The little girl changed the topic with a smile. “Cousin, it’s my tenth birthday on April 18th. Grandmother said that she wants to hold a small banquet and asked me to invite my acquaintances to join in the fun.”

Zhou Linghuai suddenly remembered that had prepared a gift for it for a long time that he kept in the house. He smiled and said, “You deserve to have some fun.”

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