All Hail Cousin Brother

180 I Can Only Pamper You

Yu Jianjia covered her lips and coughed. Her pale face also turned a strange red. It was obvious that this cough was real and uncomfortable.

Yu Youyao was sitting beside her, so it was inevitable that she would be concerned. “Third Sister’s health isn’t good. The dishes at the banquet are oily and meatier. It’s better to eat less. I’ve made some light and nourishing medicinal cuisine in the small kitchen in my courtyard.” After saying that, she turned around and instructed Xia Tao, “Go and get a pot for Third Sister.”

Just as Xia Tao was about to leave, Yu Youyao added, “Grandmother’s stomach isn’t very good, and Cousin’s body is also a little weak. Bring some for Grandmother and Cousin too.”

Yu Jianjia’s throat felt uncomfortable, and she couldn’t cough anymore. However, her throat felt itchy. As she endured it, it became more and more itchy. For a moment, she couldn’t help but cough violently a few more times.

The atmosphere in the room eased a little. Yu Zongzheng heaved a sigh of relief and smiled. “Yao Yao is still the most thorough. She even thought of this.”

His praise completely embarrassed Yang Shuwan.

If Yu Yao was thorough, didn’t that mean that Yang Shuwan, an adult, was inferior to a half-grown child?

Yang Shuwan, who had worked hard for the entire day and was so busy that her feet did not touch the ground, was really doing a thankless job. She had done everything for Yu Youyao just to let her show off. Her dignity and glory had actually become Yu Youyao’s. Then, what was she?

Yang Shuwan felt resentful and couldn’t help but look at Yu Zongzheng sadly.

Only then did Yu Zongzheng realize that he had misspoken. He felt a little guilty.

However, when he thought about how Yang Shuwan couldn’t even hold a proper banquet, he realized that it was her fault for not being a good household manager. So what if he praised Yao Yao?

Hence, he ignored Yang Shuwan’s gaze.

Yang Shuwan tightened her grip on the handkerchief in her hand, almost tearing it apart. She blamed Yu Youyao for this.

Old Madam Yu glanced at her and changed the topic. “All of you usually say that I’m biased towards Yao Yao. Look at her filial piety. Let’s see if you still have the cheek to say that in the future.”

Although it was a joke, it was the truth.

However, Madam Yao smiled and agreed. “Isn’t that so? She’s even better than me, your daughter-in-law.”

After being praised, Yu Youyao’s face turned red and she felt a little embarrassed. “Mother woke up early in the morning to manage it. The banquet was also sumptuous. I was worried that everyone wouldn’t think too much at the banquet and eat happily for a while. However, your stomachs would suffer, so I asked the small kitchen to prepare some medicinal cuisine.”

When they heard this, everyone laughed. This was embarrassing for Yang Shuwan, who had just lost face.

She had come up with all sorts of ways to say that Madam Yang had worked hard to hold the banquet, and the banquet had been held well. It was obvious that Yu Youyao was a sensible and filial person, afraid that she would steal her mother’s face.

Even the servants at the side couldn’t help but sigh. Eldest Miss was really a kind and magnanimous person.

Yu Zongzheng’s face lit up as he nodded repeatedly.

The awkward atmosphere completely dissipated.

Madam Yao knew what was going on and immediately said, “Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law.”

Yang Shuwan had regained some face, but she was not happy at all. When Yu Youyao said this, it made her seem even worse.

Now, she was no longer embarrassed, but she had lost her dignity.

Yu Jianjia couldn’t even cough. Her chest felt stuffy, and her face turned even paler. “Thank you, Big Sister. It’s also because my body isn’t strong enough. I have to trouble the elders in the family and Big Sister to think more about me.”

When she said this, her voice was weak, and her light pink lips trembled slightly. The redness between her lips made her skin look as white as snow and pale. She looked so pitiful.

Everyone praised Yu Youyao.

She sat beside Yu Youyao and coughed for a while, but no one cared.

Yu Youyao chuckled. “It’s only right since we’re sisters. You don’t have to worry about it. You should focus on recuperating in the future.”

Yu Jianjia nodded, suddenly not feeling like talking anymore.

After a while, Xia Tao brought over the medicinal cuisine.

After Old Madam Yu, Zhou Linghuai, and Yu Jianjia ate some, they felt that the medicinal cuisine was very filling. Even Yu Jianjia felt much better after eating it.

The banquet became lively.

At noon, there were old and young people at the table. It was not suitable for them to drink too much wine and they only drank as a form of respect. It was good that they were polite. However, it was inevitable that they would drink wine at night.

Yu Youyao was worried about her cousin, so she couldn’t help but look over.

Zhou Linghuai was talking to Xie Jingliu when his eyes moved slightly. Their gazes met, and their tacit understanding was obvious.

Zhou Linghuai gave her a reassuring look. Only then did Yu Youyao purse her lips and look away with a smile.

The two of them exchanged glances and did not hide it from Xie Jingliu. He glanced at Zhou Linghuai’s legs and knew that Yu Youyao was worried about his cousin. He felt stifled again.

After three rounds of wine and the etiquette was complete, a maidservant came over to refill the wine. Zhou Linghuai pushed her away and said, “I’m not in good health, so I can’t drink too much wine. I’ll use tea as wine.”

Yu Zongzheng and Yu Zongshen expressed their understanding.

Before Xie Jingliu could speak, he saw his little cousin next to him hurriedly winking at him, as if she was afraid that he wouldn’t speak.

It was really frustrating to see.

What could he do? She was his only cousin, and he couldn’t see her often, so he could only dote on her. Xie Jingliu also said, “Of course, health is more important.”

Yu Youyao smiled.

After the banquet, it was already 9pm.

Nanny Xu brought people over and distributed the medicinal cuisine that she had prepared to everyone in the residence. The medicinal cuisine was light and delicious, and it was also satisfying. She had eaten a lot of meat and oily food previously, and her stomach was so full that she couldn’t eat more.

After finishing a bowl of medicinal cuisine, her stomach felt a little better.

It wasn’t until late in the evening that the banquet completely ended.

Xie Jingliu initiated to leave.

Old Madam Yu was already tired, so she forced herself to stay awake. “If you’re not busy returning to Quanzhou, you have to come over more often to get closer to Yao Yao while you’re in the capital.”

Xie Jingliu cupped his hands and agreed, letting Zhou Linghuai, Yu Shanyan, and the others send him out.

After getting into the carriage, the steward brought over the gift list from the Yu Residence. Xie Jingliu took a look and was no longer interested, so he took the gift list that Yu Youyao had prepared.

After reading it, Xie Jingliu’s heart ached, but he was also happy. “What’s wrong with this girl? She made so many things herself. Not only does it take a lot of time, but it also requires a lot of energy. She’s not afraid of tiring herself out and making it seem like her family is lacking.”

After the guests left the house, it was quiet.

Yang Shuwan had put in a lot of effort to arrange this banquet, but she ended up in a terrible position. However, this helped Yu Youyao’s reputation of being thorough and filial.

Yang Shuwan still had to drag her exhausted body to look for Yu Zongzheng. “Master has drunk a lot today. I’m afraid he can’t go to the study to handle official matters. He also doesn’t need to be served by me. Come to my room…”