In order to avoid the Ninth Princess from overeating, only three servings were prepared for each dish which was served in the small white jade bowls. Both had consumed a lot of energy crying, though one was feigning while the other was genuine. As such, they were thoroughly enjoying their meals and soon the assorted dishes were totally wiped clean, except for one large braised meatball in soy sauce. Little Qiuâer reached out to pick it but was poked away by Yu Xiangâs chopstick and was placed on the side of her mouth to swallow.
Little Qiuâer looked at her eagerly.
Yu Xiang passed the meatball over.
Little Qiuâer pleasingly opened her mouth to bite but Yu Xiang withdrew the meatball at the moment she was about to bite.
Little Qiuâer only snapped in a mass of air that her upper teeth knocked against the lower teeth making out a crisp crackling sound. With tears in her eyes, she looked at her accusingly.
Yu Xiang pulled a long face as she passed the chopstick over again yet Little Qiuâer snapped into the thin air once again. She was enticed as such for three times that each time she was still getting fooled. Yu Xiang really wasnât able to hold back and lay prone on the table laughing. Looking at her pitiable expression of wanting to eat but unable to do so, she finally fed her the meatball in exchange for a grateful foolish smile.
Old Madam Yu who was accompanying the Empress felt incessantly embarrassed that she had rotated the rosary beads and lowered her head, chanting the scriptures with the thought of out of sight, out of mind.
The Empress however didnât feel angry at all, instead she covered her mouth and lightly chuckled. Even after knowing the identity of Little Qiuâer, she was still able to unaffectedly and naturally get along with her. She didnât grovelled, flattered or bowed submissively. There was no fictitious enthusiasm, but only genuine fondness for her daughter. She could make her daughter cry as well as amused her to laugh and allow her to become extremely lively. This had already greatly exceeded the expectation of the Empress. This child was truly good and Qiuâer really needed such a spirited playmate, lest she becomes more reclusive.
The Empress suppressed her laughter that she beckoned to Old Madam Yu and walked towards the main hall then candidly spoke after she took a seat, âOld Madam Yu, Bengong likes this granddaughter of yours. Let her enter the palace to be Little Jiuâs companion.â
Old Madam Yu hesitated, âHer legsâŚ.â
The Empress waved her hand, âItâs all right. Just send several more momo to serve her.â
After pondering for a moment, Old Madam Yu decided to reveal the truth of Yu Xiangâs background. Anything that related to the imperial family wouldnât have been simple. Yu Xiang would be serving a princess and her status must match with the princess. If someday, the matter was exposed, wouldnât they be crowned with the crime of âDeceiving the Monarchâ? Perhaps the situation would be much worse if the Empress took a pity and wanted to find a good husband for Yu Xiang, they would offend more people should her identity be exposed after a wedding decree was issued.
The Marquis manor could be now regarded as a victim for losing a Di daughter if she was to reveal the truth but if she was to conceal the matter, when the time comes the pretender would truly turn into the perpetrator instead and could be drowned by everybodyâs spit.
Though those few maidservants and pozi had already been completely dealt with, it was still better be safe than sorry and it wouldnât be wrong to handle everything with the worst case scenario in mind. As such, even if Old Madam Yu would hide the truth from everyone in the world, she wouldnât dare deceiving the imperial family.
As expected, the Empress was extremely surprised and took a deep sigh after a moment of silence, âThere is still such an unexpected turn of events. This is truly Heaven messing with peopleâs fate. Has the real Yu Xiang been found?â
âResponding to the Empress, we are still searching.â Old Madam Yu shook her head with a wry smile.
This was purely the secret only to be known within the manor that should be kept strictly from any outsiders. The Empress was absolutely pleased with the loyalty the Old Madam showed with such honesty, but she didnât mention the matter about searching for her. Marquis Yongle manor could resolve this themselves. There was no way to know if the real Yu Xiang was alive or dead and how her circumstances were but to securely cover this matter was certainly the way to pave the back-up routes for her.
Tentatively, she would just treat as if she had never heard about this.
The Empress smiling stated after she had thought it through, âDonât worry. With Yi Fengâs ability, she will inevitably be found one day.â With a frown she pondered for a moment before she continued, âYouâve taught Yu Xiang extremely well. She had great moral integrity, intelligent and magnanimous. It doesnât matter about being the study companion. Just send her to the palace every three or five days to keep Little Jiu company. She rarely finds such a lovely playmate.â
This matter could be reckoned as clear and over that Old Madam Yu released a breath of relief and hastily agreed at the same time.
Yu Pin Yan carried Yu Xiang out of the palace door and saw Yu Si Yu standing beside the carriage with her head hung low from afar, unknowing what was in her mind. Old Madam coldly snorted when she caught sight of her and also saw Duke Jingguoâs carriage waiting by the side that her expression turned even gloomier.
âOld Madam, can we have some words?â Duke Jingguoâs wife greeted her with a smile.
âNo. Itâs not early. We should all go home.â Old Madam didnât look at the past as she personally opened the carriage curtain letting her grandson place her granddaughter into the carriage.
âGrandmother, let me support you.â Yu Xi Yu perceptively took this opportunity.
Old Madam suppressed her anger as there was an outsider present that she put her hand onto Yu Si Yuâs arm to ascend the carriage. Yu Si Yu felt somewhat settled that she flashed a pleasant smile to her Elder Brother who was straddling on the horse and hurriedly climbed into the carriage then submissively sat at the corner.
Yu Xiang grinned at her then lifted the curtain to admire the varying pallid face of Duke Jingguoâs wife. Chang Ya Fu didnât show herself at all and hid to avoid others in the carriage. The wheels slowly rolled as the dimness of the night gradually swallowed the silhouette of Duke Jingguoâs wife and turned into a vague dark spot. Yu Xiang quietly sat down before asking, âGrandmother, is Elder Brother really going to marry Elder Sister Fuâer?â
âThis is still an unresolved matter. Little children shouldnât ask so much.â With her eyes closed, Old Madam muttered to herself.
She was getting more unsatisfied with this marriage arrangement. The betrayal of Duke Jingguo manor had always been a thorn in her heart. After seeing Chang Ya Fu today, the thorn had not only been pulled out but was pricked deeper. She could forget about the intention of breaking off the engagement, however she instead joined hands with the outsiders to swindle the younger sister-in-lawâs thing. What was wrong with her? On the surface it would appear as if she was helping Xiangâer out of a predicament, but secretly she intended to please Qinghe Junzhu. This trick of preening herself in front of both sides was indeed an inferior tactic.
The most vexing was that she was so short-sighted, not even knowing who she should get close to or alienate herself from. The Emperorâs guillotine was already hanging above Prince Yuâs head yet she still rushed to fawn. This could only be regarded as a futile attempt. It would be a disaster to receive such a seemingly shrewd but was in fact a stupid granddaughter-in-law into their family!
Pondering over this, Old Madam shook her head and heaved a sigh.
Yu Si Yu cautiously moved closer to give her shoulder a massage.
âDonât busy yourself. Just stay there. What did I tell you before we left today? Ally with the outsiders to deal with your own sister. You are truly promising. With the Empressâ assertion about lack of virtue, it will be difficult even if I want to find you a good husband. Youâre on your own now.â Old Madam gloomily looked away from her and caught sight of Yu Xiang who was busily nibbling a pastry. She smiled and warmly urged, âYou must be alert when you enter the palace and donât play tricks on the Ninth Princess again.â
âI know.â Yu Xiang sweetly promised and gazed at the sudden bulge of bluish veins on the back of Yu Si Yuâs hands.