All Hail Cousin Brother

Chapter 662: Entering the Palace

Translator: Atlas Studios    Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Zongzheng’s face turned green. Since Matriarch had already said that she wasn’t feeling well, he couldn’t continue disturbing her. He changed the topic and asked about Matriarch’s health.

Qing Xiu lowered her head and replied, “In March and April, her appetite wasn’t very good. During this period of time, she seemed to be in a much worse state. She forgets things that happen quickly, but she remembers what happened in the past more clearly.”

Yu Zongzheng frowned. “Did you invite an imperial physician over to take a look?”

Qing Xiu said, “Yes. The doctor is invited every ten days, and the imperial physician is invited every month. They all say that Matriarch is thinking too much and needs to rest and recuperate.”

Yu Zongzheng nodded and instructed, “Serve Matriarch well.”

Qing Xiu quickly agreed.

As soon as he left An Shou Hall, Yu Zongzhengs expression darkened. During this period of time, it wasn’t that he hadn’t sensed that Matriarch was becoming colder and colder to him.

Back then, in order to pave the way for Second Brother, Matriarch had asked him to marry Madam Xie.

Now that it was his turn to pave the way for him, Matriarch’s attitude had changed. Could it be that in her heart, only Second Brothers future was important?

Just because he was inferior to Second Brother, he should be stepped on by Second Brother for the rest of his life?

Should he give up even the opportunity that was at his fingertips?

Madam Xie had been conferred the title of a third-grade woman, but this matter did not cause any ripples in the capital. The Dragon Boat Festival happened at the same time the dams in Zhejiang were destroyed. This had caused an uproar and everyone was in a panic.

The emperor gave three oral orders in a row to resist the disaster, save the people, and deal with corruption.

The official documents of the Imperial Court’s disaster relief were also posted in the government office.

However, this was not enough to calm the hearts of the people.

The commoners in the south had suffered from water disasters, were displaced, and were filled with sorrow. The commoners in the north who had suffered from the drought also felt a sense of fear.

The hearts of the people were in chaos!

The next day, Yu Youyao got up before dawn.

After taking a bath and washing her body, Nanny Xu helped Yu Youyao change into her mingfu. At the same time, she explained all the rules in the palace.

She told her what to do when she encountered different grades of palace maids and eunuchs. They were to go from the second palace gate to where the Longevity Palace would pass. They were not to touch anything in the palace until they reached the Empress Dowager’s palace…

The spoke for an hour.

Although the mingfu made by the Internal Affairs Department were of her size, the ready-made clothes were much larger. They were very loose on the body, but they were very heavy.

One mingfu was enough for a lifetime.

Yu Youyao arrived at An Shou Hall.

Yu Jianjia suddenly looked over, and her heart skipped a beat. She looked at Yu Youyao in a daze, her eyes unable to hide the fire in them. For a moment, she couldn’t even look away.

The county lord’s mingfu was different from Old Madam’s. The ceremonial robe was really purple and had the golden patterns of the Phoenixes. Although it was not as good as Old Madam’s in terms of status, it looked more noble than Old Madam’s.

People had to wear clothes, and Buddha had to wear gold!

Yu Youyao, who usually looked light and weak, was wearing this magnificent mingfu. Even the sparrow had become a phoenix on a branch. She looked imposing and dignified, as if taking another look was disrespectful to her. Such honor was really something that others could not compare to.

But on what basis?

Yu Jianjia’s eyes hurt from the pure and bright pearls and jade on Yu Youyao’s crown. Her heart felt like it was being pricked by a needle.

She kept telling herself!

Yu Youyao only obtained the title of county lord because she had a rich external family.

The title of County Head of Shaoyi was not obtained with her own ability. She had to spend a large sum of money to buy it. She was not a true noble lady of the imperial family at all.

It was just a fancy name.

Old Madam Yu forced herself to perk up and take care of her granddaughter’s imposing and solemn county lord mingfu. She couldn’t help but smile. “She’s really beautiful. I only hope that our Yao Yao can enjoy glory and wealth in this life.’

For some reason, Yu Youyao’s eyes turned red as she nodded slightly.

Yu Zongzhengs eyes flickered, but he couldn’t hide his excitement and joy. “Mother, don’t worry. Yao Yao’s future wealth is still ahead.”

Since ancient times, a woman’s status depended on her father. In the future, Yu Youyao’s wealth and future depended on him.

Old Madam Yu’s expression darkened. She brought her family to the ancestral hall. The ancestral hall was an important place. Usually, women were not allowed to enter during sacrifices. Women were only allowed to step into the ancestral hall for family matters.

As a descendant of the Yu Clan, Yu Youyao had been conferred the title of county lord. This was also a huge matter that would bring glory to her ancestors.

When they arrived at the ancestral hall, Yu Zongzheng solemnly handed the memorial in his hand to Yu Youyao and stepped forward to offer incense.

Yu Youyao held the memorial and bowed three times first, then nine times. After that, she stood up and placed the memorial on the table. She knelt down and bowed again. “Youyao of the Yu Clan has received the Yu Clan’s teachings. I will remember your ancestral virtue and shine brightly. I will definitely not let down the emperor’s grace.”

After leaving the ancestral hall, the sky lit up.

Yu Youyao accompanied her grandmother and ate some bird’s nest porridge before getting into the carriage to enter the palace.

It was not a short journey either. After entering the palace, there were many rules. It was not appropriate to eat too much. She had to drink as little water as possible, in case she lost her manners in the palace.

Every time they wore the mingfu and entered the palace, they would be so tortured that they couldn’t even breathe.

Only by deeply experiencing the might of the heavens would the reverence in their heart deepen.

The carriage stopped at the second palace gate.

Yu Youyao helped her grandmother into the pavilion not far away to rest.

The grandmother and granddaughter ate some tea, soup, and snacks before finally feeling a little more energetic.

About ten minutes later, Auntie Shen, who was in front of the Empress Dowager, walked over with a few palace maids and eunuchs. She also brought a medic with a first aid kit and a headscarf.

Yu Youyao quickly welcomed her and bowed to Miss Shen. “Hello, Aunt Shen.”

Aunt Shen’s smile deepened as she held her hand. “There are many etiquette and rules in the palace. Save your energy as much as you can. Otherwise, you’ll be tired after all this.’

Her expression and tone were filled with friendliness. As the main palace maid in front of the Empress Dowager, her attitude often represented the Empress Dowager’s attitude.

Yu Youyao was flattered. “Thank you, Aunt Shen.”

Auntie Shen patted her hand in satisfaction. It had been a few years since they had last seen each other. Eldest Miss Yu had grown older and had become more well-behaved. Even when she entered the palace, she lowered her eyes and looked calm. She only greeted everyone and did not talk about their relationship. After that, she would only thank them and not say any words. She would respect them and follow the rules. She did not say anything that she should not say.

This was what a smart person should do.

Only then did Old Madam Yu come over slowly. “Thank you for specially coming over to receive us, Aunt Shen.”

Auntie Shen’s smile did not fade. “Matriarch, you’re too polite. Yesterday, you handed over a token to enter the palace. When the Empress Dowager found out, she was very happy. She was worried that this journey would exhaust you and cause your body to suffer, so she asked me to call a female doctor over to receive you.” At this point, she changed the topic. “Matriarch, you have now entered the palace. Don’t be in a hurry to see the Empress Dowager. Rest first and get the female doctor to take your pulse and rest your body..”