All Hail Cousin Brother

209 Cousin Is Too Annoying

The Yu Residence was a family of scholars. In addition to having a close relationship with the Marquis Zhen Residence, there was also the Tang family, the Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy, and the Qi family, who were related to the Imperial Court. As for the Yang family, even if it was because of Yang Shuwan, Yu Youyao probably wouldn’t be invited. With Old Madam Yu around, she wasn’t afraid of being criticized.

Yu Youyao looked a little sad. “Cousin, when I was young, there were even rumors in the residence that I was bad luck and jinxed my mother to death.”

At that time, she was still young. She had heard from the servants that her mother had given birth early because she had fallen and had a difficult time giving birth. In the end, she did not survive her confinement and passed away.

She was very upset. She ran alone to her room and cried until her eyes were swollen under the blanket.

Zhou Linghuai felt a lump in his throat.

Yu Youyao sniffed. “Later, when Grandmother was sick, a Daoist nun suddenly came to the house. The Daoist nun said that I was a jinx and had to be sent to the temple to be treated for a few years. When Grandmother found out about this, she was so angry that she couldn’t even care about being sick anymore. She brought my birth characters to the Precious Peace Temple and met Master Hui Neng. Master Hui Neng said that I had a Buddhist affinity and that if I could be kind, I would enjoy great fortune…”

Zhou Linghuai tightened his grip on the armrest. The veins on his back bulged, and a ruthless glint appeared in his deep eyes. “Your mother’s death has nothing to do with you…”

He frowned. After all, it was a family matter of the Yu Residence, so he couldn’t say much.

Yu Youyao took a deep breath. “When I was young, I spent my birthday with my grandmother. Actually, I wasn’t too willing to hold a party.”

Zhou Linghuai understood. Although Old Madam Yu had resolved this matter, the young lady still believed from the bottom of her heart that her mother’s death had something to do with her. Even her birthday every year was not a happy one.

He held the little girl’s hand and pursed his lips.

The little girl suddenly smiled and looked at her cousin with sparkling eyes. “When it’s my birthday, you can’t forget to give me a birthday gift.”

She had gone to the Green House to look for her cousin today to tell him her birthday.

Who would ask others for a birthday gift? Zhou Linghuai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he nodded. “Okay!”

With this assurance, Yu Youyao smiled even more happily. Suddenly, she wanted to know what her cousin wanted to give her. She asked, “Cousin, what gift do you plan to give me?”

Zhou Linghuai shook his head. “There won’t be a surprise if I tell you.”

Yu Youyao pouted and said unhappily, “Cousin, tell me. Just a hint. Even if I know what you’re giving me in advance, I’ll still be happy and surprised when I receive a gift…”

The things that her cousin had given her were all extraordinary. Even now, she was still surprised and happy to see the fan that he had given her.

Zhou Linghuai chuckled and said nothing.

Yu Youyao tried to persuade him, but she didn’t manage to get anything out of him. She was both angry, curious, disappointed, and expectant. After dawdling for a long time, she finally left the Green House.

After Yu Youyao left, Zhou Linghuai heaved a sigh of relief. He took a blue handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

The little girl was really too torturous. He almost couldn’t hold it in anymore and wanted to take out the gift that he had prepared for a long time and hand it to her.

The capital became lively again because of the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.

The next day, Yang Shuwan brought Yu Jianjia out.

Xia Tao was a little unhappy. “First Madam brought Second Miss out to shop without even asking her. How can she bring one out without bringing the other? Isn’t she afraid that others will say something?”

It was understandable that First Madam did not bring Fourth Miss along, but it did not make sense for her to bring Eldest Miss along.

Yu Youyao’s expression was indifferent.

Yang Shuwan did not want to bring her out, nor did she want to go out with Yang Shuwan. Once a child left the residence, she would be out of her grandmother’s sight. It was better to be cautious.

However!

Without an elder by her side, there were indeed many inconveniences.

Yu Jianjia often went out to shop with Yang Shuwan, but she did not go out much in a year. Her grandmother was old, so it was not appropriate for her to bring her along.

Just like the last time they had set up a porridge booth, Yu Jianjia was still young, so Yang Shuwan had brought her out to show her face. She did so even though her grandmother looked down on such behavior.

But actually, it wasn’t that bad.

She hoped that her cousin’s leg would recover as soon as possible so that he could take her out in the future.

When she thought of her cousin, she couldn’t help but think of what her cousin had said yesterday about giving her a gift. She felt an unbearable itch in her heart. Then, she thought of how stubborn her cousin had been yesterday. She was really angry.

In the past, as long as she frowned, pouted, wrinkled her nose, wheedled, and acted shamelessly, her cousin would definitely think of ways to make her happy.

It didn’t work this time.

As she thought about it, Yu Youyao pouted aggrievedly.

Hmph, Cousin was too annoying!

She had to hold it in today and not look for her cousin.

She would just leave Cousin alone in the Green House to rot!

Xia Tao did not know that her Young Miss had gone to the Green House and did not hear a word she said. When she saw the announcement that Eldest Miss had drafted, she was unhappy. “In a few days, it will be Eldest Miss’s birthday. As her stepmother, Eldest Madam should care about it, but Eldest Madam’s eyes are fixed on the outside. She’s only thinking about buying clothes for the Flower Festival at the Marquis of Changxing Residence.” At this point, she could not help but feel angry. “The invitation from the Marquis of Changxing Residence was just delivered yesterday, and she can’t wait to run out today. She’s afraid that others won’t know that she’s rushing to curry favor with the Marquis of Changxing Residence.”

Although the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence was a prestigious family in the capital, the Yu Residence was also a scholarly and noble family. First Madam had probably forgotten that there was still an elder in the family.

Yu Youyao laughed. “Due to the imperial examination, the capital has been very quiet for a while. There haven’t been many banquets. It’s rare that the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence is holding a flower banquet. Madam Yang is probably anxious to show off. It’s not just her. Other families are probably the same.”

Yang Shuwan had always been an ostentatious person. Since it wasn’t easy for her to manage the household, she wanted to show off outside. In addition, as soon as Yu Jianjia went out, she wanted to make sure that she presented herself well.

As her mother, she was proud when Yu Jianjia revealed her face.

Xia Tao widened her eyes and rolled her eyes. “Third Miss is only a young girl, so how can she dress up? The person who should be getting new clothes in the family is you, who is ten years old and has the right to walk around outside.”

Yu Youyao shook her head. “It’s appropriate for Nanny Xu and Nanny Liu to manage the birthday celebration. Besides, it’s just a small banquet between the sisters. It’s not too important. I don’t lack these things.”

Xia Tao pursed her lips.

Yu Youyao did not want to talk about this topic anymore. She handed the prepared announcement to her. “Give it to Nanny Xu.”

The Yu Residence had some dealings with all the families in the capital, but they were not really close to one another. There were only a few sisters who were of the same age as Yu Youyao.