All Hail Cousin Brother

133 A Hungry Camel Is Still Bigger Than a Horse

Old Madam Yu was even more satisfied. She asked Nanny Liu to bring over a piece of paper for Zhou Yonghe to sign. She then took out the seal of the Yu Residence and solemnly stamped it.

This way, Zhou Yonghe’s title of steward was legitimized.

Old Madam Yu ordered someone to bring out a set of Four Treasures of the Study and reward it to Zhou Yonghe. Zhou Yonghe thanked her gratefully and returned to the Windfall Courtyard.

The room fell silent.

Old Madam Yu leaned against the couch and looked at the two boxes of medicinal tea on the table with an unreadable expression. “The Zhenguo Marquis Residence is a meritorious family that has followed Emperor Gaozu. It was also extremely illustrious in the past. Just by looking at the words ‘Zhenguo’ bestowed by Emperor Gaozu, it’s not difficult to tell that the Marquis Residence used to be glorious.”

Nanny Liu lowered her head and stood at the side, not daring to interrupt casually. However, she couldn’t help but glance at the two boxes of medicinal tea on the table.

Old Madam Yu did not expect her to speak. She continued, “The current emperor is obsessed with Taoism and doesn’t care about the state affairs. The empress’s health is poor. Imperial Concubine Lu has been in charge of the harem for many years. Her maiden family, the Weining Marquis Residence, is very powerful. Although the Zhenguo Marquis Residence has fallen, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. In three years, the talented Song Mingzhao will appear out of nowhere, and the Zhenguo Marquis Residence will be incomparable.”

Three years ago, Di Ren had invaded the Northern Region and guarded King You of Youzhou. Due to his failure, he had lost three cities in a row at the border of Youzhou. Di Ren had killed people and looted in the Northern Region, causing countless casualties and shocking the court.

It was the Marquis of Weining who had put on his armor and led his troops to help out. That was how he had driven away the Northern Barbarians and recaptured the three cities of Youzhou.

After that, the You King was accused of treason.

On the other hand, the Weining Marquis Residence used the excuse of driving away the Northern Barbarians and the Anbei border situation to shine like a sun.

Old Madam Yu lowered her eyes. As Yu Miaofu had married into the You Prefecture, even though the Yu family and the You Prefecture were far apart, they were still in contact. The information that her spies had obtained was that when the Marquis of Weining was helping the north, the You King had already taken two cities in a row and killed countless Di people. The Di people already had the intention to retreat…

It was also after the incident in Youzhou that the court was in turmoil. Although it was peaceful now, it wouldn’t be peaceful for long.

The eldest son was the censor. If anything happened, he would definitely have to take the lead.

The second son was a cabinet aide. While the civil officials were not as distinguished as the military officials, their families were blessed with outstanding contributions, so they could take on the responsibility if anything happened.

She should also arrange a proper way out for Yao Yao.

There were some things that should not be delayed, and it was time to make plans now.

Nanny Liu lowered her head again and stared at the tip of her shoe.

Old Madam Yu looked up at the medicinal tea on the table. “Send this medicinal tea to Old Madam Song at the Zhenguo Marquis Residence. Tell her that Yao Yao made it herself.”

Old Madam Zhengou had specially written to say that her cough had recovered a little, and she had even praised Yao Yao in her letter. It was obvious that she really liked Yao Yao.

Nanny Liu heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll do it now.”

Old Madam Yu pinched the prayer beads one by one, thinking to herself that when the Zhenguo Marquis Residence had beaten up their great-grandfather, they had already taken root in the capital. All these years, who knew how many emperors had changed? Who knew how many rounds these meritorious nobles had changed? The Zhenguo Marquis Residence was still very stable.

The Yu Residence and the Zhenguo Marquis Residence were only separated by an alley. It only took an hour to arrive by carriage.

As soon as Bai Kui arrived at the Zhenguo Marquis Residence, he asked a decent old maid to politely lead him into Old Madam Song’s He He Hall.

Old Madam Song was wearing a brownish-gold dark-patterned jacket. She leaned against the couch and coughed a few times.

Nanny Zhang, who was serving her, calmly opened the blue and white porcelain box on the small table. She picked a spoonful of yellow and white pear paste and dissolved it into the water, then handed it to Old Madam Song.

After drinking the pear paste, Old Madam Song’s expression softened a little. Only then did she look at Bai Kui.

Bai Kui bowed and said, “Old Madam asked me to meet you. Eldest Miss has learned how to brew medicinal tea from her Nanny to nourish one’s body. A few days ago, she made some for Old Madam. After drinking it for a while, Old Madam felt much better, so she felt that this medicinal tea was effective. She asked Eldest Miss to make more and gave you two boxes.”

With that, she handed over the exquisite boxes.

Nanny Zhang quickly went forward to accept them.

Old Madam Song’s smile deepened as she turned to look at Nanny Zhang. “Listen, this old thing didn’t come specially to give me a gift, but to show off in front of me.”

Nanny Zhang had a round face and smiled very kindly. “Old Madam Yu is lucky to have such a smart and sensible granddaughter by her side. You should also bask in her glory.”

When Old Madam Song heard this, her smile deepened. “Yes, yes, you’re right. It’s all thanks to Yao Yao’s prescription that my old illness has improved a little. Quick, open it and take a look. What good things did Yao Yao give me this time?”

Bai Kui stood at the side with his head lowered. As he listened to Old Madam Song praise Eldest Miss, a smile appeared on his lips.

Nanny Zhang stepped forward with a blue and white porcelain tea box.

Old Madam Song smelled the faint medicinal fragrance. “Just this smell makes me feel comfortable. Make a cup for me to taste carefully.”

How could Nanny Zhang say no? She quickly took some medicinal tea and placed it in a cup. When the hot tea was brewed, the fragrance of the medicinal tea immediately filled the room.

At this moment, Song Mingzhao, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo, strode into the house to greet his grandmother.

Bai Kui lowered his head a little more.

Old Madam Song couldn’t be bothered to drink her tea. “Why are you here?”

“I was planning to go out, so I came over to tell Grandmother.” As Song Mingzhao spoke, he smelled a faint medicinal fragrance that seemed a little different from what he had usually drunk. He glanced at the tea on the table.

Old Madam Song didn’t notice this and only asked, “Where are you going?”

A man’s ambition was to travel the world. It wasn’t a bad idea to take advantage of his youth to go out for a walk and broaden his horizons. Ming Zhao had been practicing martial arts since he was young, and he had guards accompanying him, so his safety wasn’t a problem.

Song Mingzhao paused. “The Northern Territory.”

Old Madam Song suddenly looked up and saw the vague expression on his face. He was just short of saying that he was going to Youzhou. “Yin Huaixi is already dead. Are you still brooding over the rumors that spread from Youzhou back then?”

More than three years ago, Mr. Xian Yun had traveled to Youzhou and set up an unprecedentedly precious chess game in Youzhou to meet friends. When they learned of this news, all the scholars in the world rushed to Youzhou. Mr. Xian Yun’s front porch was also filled with people waiting.

This game had been playing in Youzhou for more than ten days, but no one had cracked it.

In the end, it was cracked by a mysterious young man who came anonymously. There were rumors that Mr. Xian Yun wanted to take this young man as his disciple, but for some reason, it was left unsettled.

There were rumors that this mysterious young man was the heir of the You King, Yin Huaixi.

It was probably not groundless.

Later on, when Mr. Xian Yun accepted Ming Zhao as his disciple, it was inevitable that people would compare them.