All Hail Cousin Brother

134 Planning

“I have to make a trip there to know what kind of person that place can raise.” Smelling the fragrance of the tea, Song Mingzhao suddenly felt thirsty. Seeing that the tea had not been touched, he couldn’t help but bring it over.

After taking a sip, he immediately felt the fragrance of the tea enter his mind. It was fresh and refreshing. There was a hint of bitterness in his mouth, but it made his cheeks feel relaxed. He actually liked it very much. “Grandmother, is this tea different from usual?”

Old Madam Song was a little surprised. “Your Grandmother Yu sent it over just now. She said that it’s a medicinal tea that Eldest Miss Yu learned from a nanny in the palace. She’s the only one who made it. There’s no such thing outside. I just made a cup here and didn’t have time to drink it, so I asked you to drink it.”

Nanny Zhang made another cup and handed it to Old Madam Song.

Old Madam Song didn’t care that it was hot. She blew on it a few times and took a small sip. Then, she looked surprised. “This taste…” She paused and her eyes lit up. “I remember that I’ve tasted it a few times in the Empress Dowager’s palace in the past. It’s a rare good thing. Eldest Miss Yu, you’re really considerate.” As she spoke, she looked at a box of medicinal tea that had yet to be touched. “If you like it, take a box and drink it.”

Song Mingzhao suddenly recalled the little girl who had sat beside Old Madam Yu at the Precious Peace Temple that day. She had been dressed in pink and white, looking delicate and lovely. He couldn’t remember what she looked like at all, but he remembered that she had a pair of clear eyes. When she looked at you, her eyes seemed to glow, giving him a strange sense of familiarity…

Song Mingzhao pulled back from his distant thoughts and shook his head. “Since Eldest Miss Yu gave it to Grandmother, I…”

Old Madam Song smiled. “Why are you being so polite to Grandmother? That old thing from the Yu family and I have been together for so many years. Are you still worried about me not having enough medicinal tea?”

Song Mingzhao did not decline anymore. After saying a few words to his grandmother, he left the He He Hall with Yao Cha.

Old Madam Song glanced at Bai Kui and happily asked Nanny Zhang to prepare a gift in return. “Help me thank Yao Yao later and ask her to come to the Zhenguo Marquis Residence to play when she’s free.”

Bai Kui received the gift and left respectfully.

Seeing that Bai Kui had left, Old Madam Song said to Nanny Zhang, “I heard that Eldest Madam Yang is sick. The eldest branch of the Yu Residence is now under the household manager Yao Yao?”

Nanny Zhang nodded. “That’s what everyone says. I don’t think it’s wrong.”

Old Madam Song sighed. “Yao Yao is only ten years old. She’s only a child, but she already knows how to manage the household. She’s really amazing!”

However, she did not doubt at all if a child could manage the family well.

Not to mention anything else, just from the time they had met at the Precious Peace Temple, the little girl’s words and actions were very appropriate.

Old Madam Song’s maidservant, Wei Zi, led Bai Kui out of the residence. On the way, they bumped into Madam He, who was about to go to Old Madam Zhenguo’s house.

Madam He had a full moon face, willowy eyebrows, and phoenix eyes. She was a blessed person. “Wei Zi, this is?”

Wei Zi hurriedly bowed. “It’s Sister Bai Kui from the Yu Residence. She was ordered to send some things to Old Madam.”

Bai Kui also bowed. “Greetings, First Madam!”

Madam He smiled, but there was a hint of shrewdness in her eyes. “Send my regards to Old Madam Yu.”

Bai Kui nodded repeatedly.

Seeing that Wei Zi had left with Bai Kui, Madam He pinched her handkerchief and pressed it against the corner of her mouth. “Why did the Yu Residence suddenly come knocking on our door to deliver something to Old Madam for no reason?”

Mother Wang, who was beside her, said, “I heard that the last time at the Precious Peace Temple, Old Madam met Old Madam Yu and the two of them spoke together. Later on, Eldest Miss Yu gave Old Madam a prescription for the pear paste, saying that it was a good thing from the palace and could help with her cough. After Old Madam took it for a while, her cough indeed eased a little, so she interacted more with the Yu Residence.”

Madam He’s eyes flickered. “What a coincidence. When I went to Jinxiu Manor today, I heard Manager Sun mention the Eldest Miss of the Yu Residence and praise her. He said that Eldest Miss Yu is already able to share Grandmother and Mother’s burdens at such a young age. She has the demeanor of a head of the household, and it’s rare for her to be kind and compassionate…”

Mother Wang did not dare to speak.

Madam He chuckled. “Let’s go to Old Madam’s house.”

When Bai Kui returned to the residence, he reported to Old Madam Yu, “Old Madam Song was very happy and praised Eldest Miss a lot. Even Young Master Song liked Eldest Miss’s medicinal tea. Old Madam Song gave him a box on the spot, and he didn’t refuse.”

Old Madam Yu’s gaze darkened, but she did not say anything.

Then, he looked at the gift that Old Madam Song had given Yao Yao. It was a red jade lock. It was as red as a bloodstone, and it was carved with peony patterns. There were yellow, white, and red jade beads at the bottom of the lock. On the back of the lock was carved the words “Riches and Honor”. It was very expensive.

The elders were also particular about giving gifts. The more expensive the gift, the better.

When giving gifts to a junior that they liked, they had to give them something that they could wear to show their closeness. Among them, jade was the best, and the most popular color was red.

Jewelry was a little ordinary. For example, longevity locks, wealth locks, and so on were mostly given to the descendants by the elders. They had different meanings like “giving blessing” and “preventing blessings from leaving”.

The key was that this was a precious red jade lock. The meaning behind it was huge.

Red meant auspiciousness, and jade meant fulfillment. As for the lock…

Old Madam Song’s gift was obviously too big, but Old Madam Yu was very satisfied.

In this way, her plan was half successful.

She had to watch this carefully!

Old Madam Yu waved her hand. “Send it to Yao Yao.”

Bai Kui took the gift and went to the Jade Courtyard.

Yu Youyao was a little surprised to receive a gift from Old Madam Song. “Isn’t this too expensive, Grandmother…”

Bai Kui smiled and said, “Old Madam saw it, so she asked me to send it over to Eldest Miss. Old Madam Song likes the medicinal tea you made very much. She even said that the prescription for the medicinal pear paste you gave her previously was good, and it even alleviated her cough.”

She did not mention Song Mingzhao at all.

Yu Youyao pursed her lips before accepting the gift.

After Bai Kui left, Yu Youyao asked Chun Xiao to put away the red jade wealth lock properly. She looked at Mo Lan in front of her in a daze.

Today, her grandmother had asked her to deliver medicinal tea to Old Madam Song from the Zhenguo Marquis Residence, so she treated it as an ordinary interaction between relatives.

However, Old Madam Song had also sent over a valuable lock, which made her feel a little uneasy.

In her nightmare, she had married Song Mingzhao and was locked up in a small courtyard. She had used medicine to create a medicinal catalyst. In the end, she had exhausted all her energy and lost her value. Then, her heart had been peeled off and she had died a terrible death.

Even though it was just a dream, she could still feel the excruciating pain when the needle was inserted and her heart was dug out. She could feel the despair of not being able to live or die.

When she woke up, she kept reminding herself that it was only a dream. It didn’t mean anything.

However, the nightmare was too real. When she woke up from it, she was unknowingly affected by the dream. It was as if she had lived for many more years.