As soon as she returned to Rose Courtyard, Yuxi immediately waved back all the maids around her and stayed alone in her study. Just now, she was forced to suppress herself, but since there was no one in the room right now, there was no need for her to pretend anymore.
A graphite. Itâs usually used in pencil lead. All this time, I thought pencil lead was made of charcoal. I feel like an idiot.
Yuxi took a deep breath, then poured a bit of water into the inkstone. Afterwards, she picked up a graphite and ground it slowly inside the inkstone. After she had done grinding, she dipped the brush into the ink and quietly wrote down an enormous character.
Unfortunately, this time, Yuxi was doomed to fail. She could not calm herself down. As long as she thought of the way Jiang Hongjin looked at Yuchen, she really couldnât calm down.
Longan Red Jujube and Wolfberry Tea
For the recipe of the tea, please head up to Thermos Singapore.
Image Source | Thermos Singapore
Kufu announced from outside, âMiss, the tea is ready.â Yuxi didnât drink green tea, so she was usually given longan red jujube and wolfberry tea.
Yuxi took a deep breath and then lightly said, âCome in!â
Although Kufu had personally served Yuxi for two years, she had been working in Rose Courtyard for five years. Although her Master looked calm, she could see that Yuxi was actually really angry. She carefully asked, âMiss, are you alright?â Did she suffered grievances while in GongzhušPrincess / Princess of the First Rank residence?
Yuxi didnât want to talk so she said, âYou should withdraw. I want to be alone.â
Kufu couldnât set her mind at rest but she didnât dare to disobey Yuxi, so she could only withdraw. When she reached the door and looked back, she saw Yuxiâs expression looking so gloomy. Her mind must have been in a poor state, thought Kufu. With just three steps, then two steps, Kufu finally went out. However, she also didnât dare to go far away, so she just waited at the door.
âBangâŚâŚâ After this burst of noise, the room quieted down again.
Kufuâs heart was about to jump out but she still had the courage to ask, âWhatâs happened, Miss?â It never left her mind that Yuxi also had quite prestigious title, otherwise she would have just rushed in.
Just now, Yuxi was unable to restrain the built up anger in her heart that she had smashed the cup onto the ground. This act of her had also restored her sanity. âCome in.â
Kufu watched as the tea flowed down on the wall, which was stained with some of the wolfberries. While on the ground, there was a pile of broken teacup. She was somewhat at her wits end. She had served Miss for several years, but this was the first time she had seen Miss smashed things. She also didnât know how much grievances her Miss had suffered in the GongzhušPrincess / Princess of the First Rank residence, which managed to make her became this angry.
Yuxiâs face had a chilly expression as she instructed, âGet all those clean up. If someone ask later, you will say that I was not being careful and accidentally broke the cup.â
Kufu did not dare to say much. She could only bow her head as her respond, then swept the debris clean and prepared to take it out for disposal.
Yuxi then warned, âDonât say a word to anyone about today.â She didnât want her abnormality to be known.
Kufu hastily nodded and said, âDonât worry, Miss, I wonât tell anyone.â Originally, she wanted to wait for next time to inquire about what kind of injustice that her Master received while in GongzhušPrincess / Princess of the First Rank residence, but after hearing Yuxiâs words, she gave up this idea.
Yuxi waved Kufu to retreat and then said to herself, âIf Momo²wet nurse was here, she would definitely say that I had been acting impatient again.â At this time, she missed Momo²wet nurse Quan so much. If Momo²wet nurse Quan was around, she wouldnât be so helpless. It was a pity that Momo²wet nurse Quan insisted on returning to her hometown to provide for the aged. Whatever she said to make her stay couldnât even move Momo²wet nurse Quan.
When Zisu returned from outside, she heard Yuxi accidentally broke a cup. Her heart suddenly jumped. Her Missâ conduct had continuously been steady and she had never been an impatient kind of person. In addition, her Master cherished things she had on hand very much. More importantly, the room was covered with thick carpets. How could the cup be broken easily? Zisu found Kufu and asked, âWhatâs wrong Miss today?â
Kufu who was frigid after being snapped by Yuxi, accidentally fell on the quilt. âZisu JiejieÂłelder sister, Miss had been really careless. If you donât believe me, you can ask Miss yourself.â
Zisu was not quite convinced.
Yuxi came out of the study, saw Kufu and asked, âHas the water been heated up?â She just came back and she did say that she wanted to take a bath.
Kufu hastily nodded, âThe water has been heated up. Iâll have someone to bring the water to the clean room.â Seeing Missâ calm expression, she really felt that the scene just now was only her illusion.
After Yuxi had her bath and changed her clothes, she climbed into bed and tried to sleep.
Yuxi was lying in bed thinking about things, especially about things that happened in her previous life. After Jiang Hongjin attained the title of zhuangyuanâ´Number One Scholar (title conferred on the one who came first in the highest imperial examination) in his previous life, he came to her home and asked her to marry him. At that time, someone told her that Hongjin married her in order to have a relationship with the 10áľĘ° prince. No matter what, she was also the younger sister of 10áľĘ° Princeâs wife. Marrying her was the same as becoming a brother-in-law to the 10áľĘ° Prince, whom he could rely later on.
In fact, it happened just like that. After Jiang Hongjin married her, he went and sought refuge with the 10áľĘ° Prince. In the end, he became the most favourable assistant of the 10áľĘ° prince.
Thinking of Jiang Hongjinâs infatuated look at Yuchen just now, she had a vague guess in her heart that he might had married her not because of the 10áľĘ° Prince but because of Yuchen. If her guess was right, he destroyed her whole life because of his infatuation, and finally left her dead. Thinking till here, both of Yuxiâs hands tightly squeezed the brocade quilt. As a result, the brocade quilt had changed its shape.
At this time, Yuxi heard someone coming. The Rose Courtyard was too small that if the voice in the yard was talked a little louder, she could hear it clearly even from her bedroom.
Shiqin came over to send some supplements, when she heard that Yuxi had already asleep and she had to talk in a small voice. She also didnât stay for too long as she put down the things she brought and only said a few words, then she went back. After she went there for a moment, she told Yuchen about Yuxi had went to sleep, âFourth Miss may have been really tired. She went back to Rose Courtyard, washed herself and went to sleep.â
Yuchen smiled, âDo you still think she is pretending?â If Yuxi was pretending, how could she have not seen it?
Shiqin shook her head and said, âNo, Iâm just feeling it was a little strange. Fourth Miss also played with Miss on ordinary days, but nothing like this ever happened to her. Why did she become so tired this time around?â
The smile on Yuchenâs face faded, âHow can this be the same? Yuxi usually plays chess with me just for fun. Today, she had given her best.â
Shiqin still didnât quite understand.
When Kufu heard Yuxi calling for her, she told a young maid to go and fetched some water. She went up to Yuxi and tidied up her clothes, âMiss, when Miss was asleep just now, the Old Madam sent someone to inform that you should go to the main room when you wake up.â The Old Madam and Qiu Shi were worried when they heard that Yuxi had fallen ill, so they specially sent someone to inquire.
Yuxi gave out an âenâ and asked, âHave you made the dinner yet?â
Kufu shook her head and explained, âNo, the Old Madam asked Miss to go to the main room for dinner.â Seeing that there was no fluctuation on Yuxiâs face, she continued, âJust now, the Third Miss sent supplements such as donkey-hide gelatin and mountain ginseng.â
Yuxi softly instructed, âRegister them for storage.â Although medicine supplement was not as good as a food supplement, occasionally taking some of those supplements would also brought a great benefit to the body. Taking advantage of Yuchenâs benefits, Yuxi had also eaten a lot of good things over the years.
Maidong took out a set of red clothes, while Zisu took the jewelry box.
Yuxi shook her head and said, âThe color is too deep. Bring me the gold weaveâľgold is pressed into foil, then cut into thread-like pieces to be twisted into threads and then woven on looms brocade dress with royal blue embroidered peony. Iâll wear that one. Also, put back all the jewellery, except for the two pearl flowers hairpin. I donât need to be too dressed up when at home.â
Zisu exclaimed, âMiss, that dress is new. You should wear it when you go out for a visit next time!â Qiu Shi had made two sets of new clothes for Yuxi before. Yuxi had wore one today for the banquet and the other was this royal blue embroidered peony dress.
Yuxi carelessly said, âThe clothes are made for me to wear. Next time, when I want to go out, new clothes will be made again. Furthermore, there are still a lot of nice fabric materials in the storehouse.â Her complexion didnât look so good, so if she wore a dark color, she would look even worse. She didnât want to let the Old Madam and Wu Shi saw her without spirit. Of course, these words were only told to the maids around her. As for her real thoughts, only her alone knew.
After Yuxi went out, Maidong made her bed. However, when she looked at the crumpled and out of shape brocade quilt, she was very surprised. How much effort would it take for this brocade quilt to crumple like this! Miss, what the hell is going on? Her Miss sure had a big temper.
In the main room, the Old Madam looked at Yuxi and nodded, âYour complexion is looking good. Your San Jie âśSan=three/third, Jie=elder sister, short form for jiejie told me about what happened today. You had done a good job.â For Yuxi to be able to gain a draw with Yu Xiyu, who was the most talented and skillful in the capital, was enough to show that Yuxiâs chess skills were extraordinary.
Yuxi never showed off in an ostentatious manner in front of the Old Madam. To be exact, she had always been very modest and never gloat because of her good performance.
Old Madam was very satisfied with the fact that Yuxi was not acting arrogant and impetuous.
Cuiyu came in and announced, âOld Madam, Third Miss and Fourth Miss, dinner is ready and it is ready to eat.â
Yuxi went to the dining hall with the Old Madam and saw Wu Shi putting up bowls and chopsticks. Her eyes blinked. She didnât think that one day, she would be able to let Wu Shi served her. Although it was because of the Old Madamâs benefits, but it still able to make her heart let off its steam. Of course, it was one thing to be happy in her heart, but she couldnât show it on her face. On the contrary, she still needed to take the initiative to help.
Old Madam was not going to let Wu Shi served the two junior members of the family. She waved at Wu Shi and said, âYou withdraw first!â
Wu Shiâs face was covered with dark clouds as she calmly walked out of the dining hall. It was supposed to be junior members of the family job to serve their elders, but when it came to her, each one of them had to drop it off.
Yuxi didnât eat much lunch at GongzhušPrincess / Princess of the First Rank residence and she had also used too much of her brain. She had already become quite hungry. Despite that, she did not dare to eat more when she was at the main room. She only ate till she was seventy percent full.
After the group had finished eating and they came out, Yuxi saw Wu Shi standing outside, waiting. She gave out a respectful greeting, âMother.â Yuxiâs and Yuchenâs etiquettes were absolutely couldnât be nitpick.
Hate filled Wu Shiâs heart again, but she also didnât dare to show it in front of the Old Madam. In the past, when Wu Shi heard others said that being a stepmother was difficult, she just scoffed it off. Now that she really had become one, she finally knew that it was indeed a tough job.
When Yuxi watched Wu Shi behave like a kitten in front of the Old Madam, her heart was filled with admiration. Even Old Madamâs method had not been able to make Wu Shi learned her lesson.
The Old Madam naturally saw the unwillingness in Wu Shiâs eye. She wonât say anything on her face, but her heart was increasingly disappointed.
Yuxi and Yuchen accompanied the Old Madam for a walk in the yard to help digestion. Yuchen talked to the Old Madam in a low voice and from time to time, she would ask for Yuxiâs opinion. Wasnât this like setting a stage for Yuxi?
Less than half an hour later, the Old Madam finally released them, âYou two can return to your yard!â Yuchen had been busy every day, and Yuxi was also not idle, so she didnât want to waste more of their time.
Mama Luo sent the two out of the courtyard. When she returned, she told the Old Madam, âFourth Miss didnât directly go back to Rose Courtyard. She went in the direction of the main courtyard.â
Old Madam used to think that Yuxi was a cold-hearted person, so she was quite wary of Yuxi. But over the past few years, watching Yuxi showed filial piety towards Qiu Shi like she was her own mother, she finally released the vigilance she had in her heart.