chapter 29.2

In the main hall of the Marquis Yongle Manor.

The Old Madam was talking to a well-dressed woman, turning her head from time to time to ask Ma Momo, “When will Young Miss be back?”

“It’s already this late. I think she will return soon.” Ma Momo went to the door and looked at the sky.

The Old Madam held onto the woman’s well-maintained hands and said with a smile, “To tell you the truth, the affairs of the Manor have been left with my granddaughter. I haven’t been in charge of it for two to three years. You have arrived in a hurry this time. We didn’t prepare for food, clothing, housing and transportation. Before my granddaughter returns, I would be helpless and wouldn’t know what to do! I’m old and useless!”

The woman pursed her lips and smiled, “What is the Old Madam saying? You have such a capable granddaughter, and you don’t know the blessings that have been built in your lifetime. Look at you. You’re ten years younger than my mother. If she came personally, she may be envious!”

The Old Madam was coaxed by the woman happily and asked about the recent situation of her old friend. They were talking and laughing. When Yu Xiang came in from the outside, the sound of the wheelchair turning made the Old Madam look around and said with a smile, “As a matter of fact, speaking of the devil. Xiang’er, come and greet your Auntie Pei. Her mother was a good friend of mine before I married.”

The woman saw Yu Xiang’s legs covered under the blanket, and her expression was slightly surprised. Initially, she thought that the clever and capable granddaughter from the Old Madam’s mouth was Yu Si Yu, the eldest daughter of the Marquis family. But, she didn’t expect that it was Yu Xiang who had broken her legs and couldn’t walk.

The story of Yu Xiang’s sacrifice to save her elder brother was well known, but it couldn’t save her reputation of being more and more rebellious. This sentence was obviously not applicable to the girl in front of her. She was very delicate and looked more beautiful than the golden sunshine outside the courtyard. This was especially so with her round and big eyes that were dark and virtuous. When you look at them, she seemed to use countless small hooks that pierce straight into your heart.

Although she was merely 14 years old and had not married, she was very tall and graceful. At the age of ten, she lost her legs and became disabled. However, there was no trace of decadence or inferiority on her face. As soon as she entered the hall, she greeted in a sweet voice, which was very gratifying. It was not as bad as what the rumours said.

This appearance and bearing was totally different from the woman’s imagination. She was stunned for a long time before she regained her sense. She held the girl’s white wrist and sighed, “Is this Xiang’er? I haven’t seen you for a long time that you have grown so big. When you were just one month old, auntie carried you for a little while.” She raised her hand to gesture.

Yu Xiang covered her mouth and chuckled. Her black and white cat-like pupils were covered with beaming rays, which made the woman dizzy for a while. The woman sighed in her heart, “This unique posture was no different from that of Min Imperial Concubine, who was once the most favoured. It’s a pity that these legs… “

The Old Madam also laughed along. She raised her hand to touch her granddaughter’s bun and gently said, “Your auntie has accompanied your cousin to the capital for the examination this time. Your cousin entered the top ten of the conference examination a month ago, and will only attend the palace examination one month later. Because she found a nest of termites in her rented courtyard, which was not safe, she would stay at our manor for a while.”

“That’s great. Maybe a month later, the Yamen of the Ministry of rites will choose the number one scholar from our family! We can gain some auspicious energy with them.”

Yu Xiang made Auntie Pei laugh and repeatedly said she was a spiritual person.

Yu Xiang joked a little and said seriously, “Since he is preparing for the examinations. I’ll get people to clear up the Die Cui garden in the East. Although it is remote, the environment is very quiet. You can go over and have a look. If there is anything missing, I will order them to add it. Both of you have been tired from your journey. I will ask someone to arrange your courtyard and food. You should have a rest.” After saying that, she ordered people to tidy the courtyard and arrange a banquet.

The Old Madam squinted her eyes and drank tea on the couch. Her posture was very relaxed.

Auntie Pei thought that the Old Madam was boasting about the ability of a maimed person. However, Yu Xiang dealt with all kinds of things in a proper way. Her speech was also very funny and humorous, which was no less than that of a good-natured lady.

She was secretly stunned. Auntie Pei took advantage of Yu Xiang leaving to change her clothes and asked, “Old Madam, don’t you have another granddaughter? Why don’t you ask her to meet with me? I’m going to stay here for a month. It’s better to be familiar with her.”

When Yu Si Yu was mentioned, the Old Madam behaved oddly. She glanced at Auntie Pei and was rather skeptical, “You are so anxious to meet my granddaughter. Is it for the sake of…”

Pei Shi didn’t conceal and nodded, “Old Madam, you see, this year is Zhi Chen’s coming of age and he should be engaged. My mother and you are like sisters. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if the children of both families marry each other?”

Pei Shi’s husband was the secretary of the salt transportation. Although he was only in the vice fourth rank and an outskirt official[1], he was in charge of the salt administration in the country. It wasn’t boastful to say that he was rich enough to drip oil. If Yu Si Yu married their family, she would enjoy endless wealth and glory. As a grandmother, she would be happy. But at the thought of the Emperor’s recent action to check against the national tax treasury, the Old Madam hesitated. Si Yuntong, the salt transportation envoy, was specially responsible for supervising the salt fields. The people sitting in this position were determined to be shady, so they would bring trouble to Yan’er. What’s the point in getting married to their family? When he finished the exam, we could quickly get rid of this relationship.

The Old Madam pondered over it and thought it wasn’t good to reject Pei Shi directly. She waved her hand to ask for someone to call Yu Si Yu but she had another plan in her heart.