All Hail Cousin Brother

254 Flattering the Top and Stepping on the Low

Someone else chimed in, “That’s right.”

Someone even said, “Quick, take a look. Which young miss isn’t dressed up today? It’s obvious that they all like to look beautiful. Fifth Miss Lu is dressed appropriately for her age.”

Everyone was talking at once, all of them praising Lu Mingyao, making her blush.

Cao Yingxue walked out from behind her mother. Her light yellow dress was innocent, charming, and beautiful. She was also a jade-like beauty, causing the eyes of the madams to light up.

She held Lu Mingyao’s arm and giggled. “Fifth Cousin, your face is so red. You’re as beautiful as a Zhao peony that bloomed in my greenhouse yesterday!”

Her voice was clear and innocent, making everyone laugh.

Yu Youyao looked at Lu Mingyao.

A Zhao peony was an expensive peony. Fifth Miss Lu was beautiful and dressed very brightly. She was really as beautiful as a peony.

Other than a few people from the imperial family, there was probably no one else who could compete with her for beauty at the flower festival today.

All the madams changed the topic and began to praise Cao Yingxue for how beautiful she was. Cao Yingxue also blushed and couldn’t help but twirl her feet, wishing she could hide behind Lu Mingyao.

As they chatted, someone started. “The Marquis of Changxing won a battle in Youzhou at the end of last year. He’s really impressive. I heard that Di Ren is tall and strong, much taller and stronger than the men of our Great Zhou…”

When the Marquis of Changxing’s wife heard this, she couldn’t help but smile. “After guarding Youzhou for three years, he only fought one decent battle…”

Immediately, someone disagreed. “That won’t do. The Marquis of Changxing has been guarding Youzhou for three years, and it’s rare for the north to be peaceful for three years. It’s also because Di Ren is afraid of the Marquis of Changxing’s reputation.”

It was as if Youzhou had never been peaceful in the past!

When some of the madams heard this, they picked up their tea and drank it to hide the strange expression on their faces.

All the madams tried their best to flatter the Marquis of Changxing’s wife.

Although he did not directly mention King You’s name, his words were full of praise and arrogance. It really blew the Marquis of Changxing into the sky and was like stepping on King You in the mud.

Yu Youyao felt a little sick of it.

The north was peaceful, but the court was not, especially the vassal lords.

Only by dealing with the internal matters could one be at peace outside. In the past, there was King You guarding the north. Wasn’t the north more peaceful than now? Wasn’t the court more peaceful now?

She did not know what was going on with the Marquis of Changxing in Youzhou, but one thing was certain. The Marquis of Changxing could not intimidate the vassal lords of various places, let alone the entire court.

After talking for a while, the Marquis of Changxing’s wife finished showing off and suggested that they go to watch a show. “The family has invited the Happiness Crew into the residence. They said that they want to sing the new song, ‘Dingjun Mountain’, Qin opera…”

Yu Youyao’s expression changed slightly.

Mount Dingjun was about the old Shu general Huang Zhong. When Cao Cao attacked the important town of Jiameng Pass in Western Shu, he was still strong. He asked Zhuge Liang for an order to reject the enemy and beat back the enemy general Zhang He. Then, he took advantage of the victory to capture the Tiandang Mountain where the Cao army had stored food. Later, he killed the Cao general Xiahou Yuan and captured Mount Dingjun, where the Cao army’s main camp was located.

Qin opera was simple, rough, and bold. It was not as elegant as the Kun opera. In the capital, the Kun opera was popular. When the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence sang this song, in addition to showing off that the Marquis of Changxing’s wife was old and strong, it was meant to show Marquis of Changxing’s merits of guarding Youzhou. It could be said that he had put in a lot of effort.

Yang Shuwan immediately smiled and said, “That’s good. I’ve never heard a Qin opera. I’m in luck today.”

Everyone agreed. The Marquis of Changxing’s wife was also happy, so she said benevolently, “Young misses, go play by yourself. You don’t have to sit there and do nothing with us.”

Every madam had to give their young misses a few words of advice.

Seeing Yu Shuangbai’s excited expression, Madam Yao gave up on bringing her along. “It’s not like at home. You can’t run around when you’re walking with your big sisters.”

Yu Shuangbai nodded tightly.

Thinking about how Nanny Xu was following her, and how Yu Youyao was young but also a refined person, Madam Yao held Yu Youyao’s hand. “You’re the eldest sister, so you’re more mature than Shuangbai. If there’s anything, get the servant girl to come and look for me.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Don’t worry, Second Aunt. We’ll play with Third Sister Song and Sixth Sister Qi.”

Madam Yao was even more relieved when she heard this.

All the young misses present beamed with joy. They each found their own companions and happily walked out of the hall with Lu Mingyao and Cao Yingxue.

Yu Shuangbai held Yu Youyao’s arm and walked together with Song Wanhui and Qi Sining.

Yu Jianjia was a step behind. Looking at the few figures walking in front of her, who couldn’t hide their closeness, her chest felt tight. She pinched her handkerchief and gently pressed the corner of her mouth, resisting the urge to cough.

Qi Sinian quietly whispered into Yu Youyao’s ear, “This morning, my mother mentioned the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, so she also mentioned your Yu Residence. Before Nanny Xu was released from the palace, Concubine Zhuang went to the Empress Dowager’s palace and asked her to hand Nanny Xu over to the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence to raise Seventh Miss Cao Yingxue. The Empress Dowager did not agree and sent Nanny Xu out of the palace. Not many people knew about this. It was only when my mother happened to enter the palace that day that she heard it…”

Yu Youyao was stunned for a moment. Nanny Xu probably did not know about this either. Otherwise, she would have told her.

Qi Sinian reminded her, “Be careful. Although it’s just an insignificant matter, you saw it today. The Marquis of Changxing won a battle in Youzhou. Now that he’s in the limelight, he won’t really hold it against you. However, you’re probably also famous in the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “I know.”

Qi Sinian nodded and changed the topic. “This morning, on the way to the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence, we bumped into a carriage from the Tang Residence. Fifth Miss Tang is going to the Huining Nunnery. She said that she wants to stay for a few months to pray for the sick Old Madam Tang.”

Emperor Taizong had set up the Hanlin Academy to recruit talents and all the scholars in the world to help the Imperial Court. He had stated clearly, “The selection of the Hanlin Academy is especially important. Disciples have to be of good character and learn well.”

However, Eldest Master Tang doted on his concubines and killed his wife. He was not a person of good character. Everyone in the court knew about it, but no one dared to report it to the emperor.

Imperial Concubine Lu also doted on the six concubines and had controlled the harem for many years. Wasn’t this also the act of favoring concubines after the wife was dead?

In the early years, the Imperial Court had neglected the pros and cons.

One year, in order to congratulate Imperial Consort Lu on her birthday, the Weining Marquis Residence had wantonly captured kingfishers from all caught by the Great Zhou Dynasty to be made into a “Ten Thousand Jade Feathers Rainbow Dress.” This caused the kingfishers in the suburbs of the capital to disappear, and the Imperial Court was very dissatisfied.

Song Wanhui frowned and lowered her voice. “This is too ridiculous. Fifth Miss Tang is only growing. How can she go to the nunnery?”

Yu Shuangbai thought of Tang Yunmeng, the daughter of a concubine, who was as arrogant as her fourth sister, Yu Qingning. “First Madam Tang let Fifth Miss Tang go to the nunnery?”

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