All Hail Cousin Brother

178 Return Gift

When Qing Xiu heard this, she sighed.

It was obvious that Old Madam did not mean that, but Eldest Miss was a meticulous person.

Nanny Liu’s smile deepened. “Of course. I’ve been with Old Madam for most of my life, and I often make mistakes in returning gifts. Eldest Miss, you have to learn carefully.”

Although her words were pleasant to the ears, Yang Shuwan was still unhappy. She said calmly, “Then watch from the side. Ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”

Yu Youyao nodded. She sat at the side and listened to Yang Shuwan and Nanny Liu discuss.

After listening for a while, Yu Youyao pointed at the gift list. “Mother planned to give a pair of peony plates from the previous dynasty, but the flowers are blooming very luxuriously. What’s so special about this pair of jade bottles?”

What special features could there be?

The Xie Residence had given her a pair of Ru ware bowls. The Yu Residence did have a Ru ware tea set that was comparable. Logically speaking, this tea set was just right. However, Ru ware was an expensive item and was a lost art. How could she bear to let such a good thing go to the Xie Residence for nothing?

Hence, she replaced it with a pair of expensive but not rare jade bottles.

When Yu Youyao asked, Yang Shuwan was stunned for a moment. “This pair of jade bottles is very expensive. There’s the word ‘Jade’ in it, and it also has the meaning of fulfillment.”

The reason was a little far-fetched, so Yu Youyao nodded.

Nanny Liu, who was at the side, understood what Eldest Miss meant. “Since there’s already a pair of blue and white flowers, it’s not good to give them another one. Do you want to change it to something else?”

Yang Shuwan was a little unhappy, but Nanny Liu smiled and did not say anything.

Seeing that the atmosphere had turned stiff, Yu Youyao smiled and said, “When I was taking stock previously, I saw a pair of jade bracelets with purple ribbons. They were just like the jade vases and spring bottles and were also a decent gift.”

A purple ribbon was pure and rich, but it was very rare. It was much more expensive than the jade bottle, but it was still inferior to Ru ware. Yang Shuwan nodded reluctantly.

Next, Yu Youyao really displayed the essence of the word “learning” to the fullest. From time to time, she would point at the gift list and ask some questions.

Nanny Liu’s eyes flickered.

The questions that Eldest Miss had raised were all things that Yang Shuwan had overlooked. However, Eldest Miss had grasped the situation well and did not embarrass Yang Shuwan.

She knew how to do things and behave.

Nanny Xu had really taught her a lot.

An hour later, the gift list was prepared. Yang Shuwan had also bled internally, so how could she still be happy? She said coldly, “If there’s no problem, get someone to prepare it.”

Nanny Xu nodded, and Yu Youyao returned to the Jade Courtyard.

Yang Shuwan had always wanted to take advantage of the loopholes in the gift list to save face, but she did not care about personal feelings. It was no wonder that her grandmother was worried. Even she was angry when she watched from the side.

However, on second thought, she was just a concubine. How could she have any connections with the Xie family?

There was nothing wrong with doing this.

When she was making the gift list just now, she had asked some obscure questions. Nanny Liu understood what she was thinking and was trying to say something. Even if Yang Shuwan was unwilling, she couldn’t refuse.

Even so, the gift that the Yu Residence had prepared was still a little too standard compared to the Xie Residence. It was nothing special, and no one would pick on it. It was not bad.

After working for a long time, it was finally time.

Yu Zongshen was the first to leave the government office. He changed into his official uniform and went to the main residence.

When Xie Jingliu received the news, he had to come over to greet his elders.

Seeing him, the faint smile on Yu Zongshen’s lips deepened. “I originally wanted to take a day off, but I really couldn’t leave the government office, so I neglected you.”

Xie Jingliu’s name was Xie Yue. Only close elders and relatives would call him by his courtesy name.

Back then, when he had gone to Quanzhou, he had coincidentally interacted with the Xie Residence, so he had gotten to know Xie Jingliu. At that time, Xie Jingliu was a little older than him. When he heard that he was ranked second in the Imperial Court, he pestered him for guidance.

Xie Jingliu was a very big kid and was a rare talent in the world. When he saw him, he was delighted and inevitably became closer to him. He had a close relationship with the Xie family, but the person he was closest to was still Xie Jingliu.

It was also because of Xie Jingliu that the Xie Residence had helped him so much.

However, Xie Jingliu’s expression was indifferent. “Uncle, you’re being too serious. I’ve already disturbed you by visiting today.”

Her cold attitude was obvious even to a fool. Yu Zongshen picked up his teacup and lowered his eyes. The fragrance of the tea in the cup lingered in the air, covering his eyes. “Is Old Master’s health good? Are Old Master and Old Madam well?”

Xie Jingliu smiled sarcastically and did not say anything.

Yu Zongshen was silent for a while. “Back then…”

Xie Jingliu interrupted him. “After King You’s rebellion, the entire court has been in turmoil. When I went to the capital this time, it was also because Great-Grandfather felt that the capital was about to fall into chaos. He asked me to secretly transfer a portion of the Xie family’s business back to Quanzhou.” He laughed silently. After a while, he said, “Old Master asked me to tell you to take care.”

After saying that, Xie Jingliu stood up and bowed to Yu Zongshen. “It’s rare for me to enter the capital. I’ll go to the Jade Courtyard to talk to Cousin first.”

Before Yu Zongshen could say anything, he had already left.

After he left, Yu Zongshen’s expression was calm, and there was a trace of his usual smile on his lips. With a wave of his sleeve, the teacups, bowls, and plates on the table spilled all over the ground, and the sound echoed in the silent room.

Even if he was angry, he would not change his expression.

“Xie Roujia!” An inaudible voice escaped from his lips, and his smile turned into a bitter smile.

No one in the residence knew about this episode.

It wasn’t until nine o’clock that the Eldest Master, Yu Zongzheng, returned to the residence with his official authority. It was obvious that he hadn’t heard the message sent by Old Madam Yu.

Yu Zongzheng first went to An Shou Hall to greet the Old Madam. “I was busy with court matters today and couldn’t leave early to return to the residence.”

Old Madam Yu sneered in her heart. Second Brother, a cabinet aide, could even return to the residence at midnight. How could he, a censor, be busier than a cabinet aide?

He obviously did not take the Xie Residence seriously. It was also because Xie Roujia’s death had made him timid. Even meeting the people from the Xie Residence was difficult for him.

Old Madam Yu couldn’t say anything else. She only waved her hand. “It’s fine since you’re back.”

Yu Zongzheng heaved a sigh of relief. Although the government office was busy, it wasn’t to the extent that they couldn’t leave. It was also possible to bring some official matters home to handle.

However, he had never liked to interact with the people of the Xie Residence. He just felt that after the people from Xie Residence returned, the entire residence was filled with a yellow and white stench.

It was unknown what his mother was thinking. Every time a merchant from the Xie Residence returned, not only did he have to work hard, but he also had to return early.

Xie Jingliu was just a junior. How could he be worthy of him letting go of court matters?

Old Madam Yu took a look and guessed what he was thinking. She sneered in her heart. “Your wife has arranged a banquet. Even if it’s for her sake, she should know the importance of being there.”