Old Madam Yu truly wished she could dugged a hole in the ground to squeeze herself in when she caught sight of her own granddaughter speaking fiercely to the Ninth Princess and hoodwinked the princess to get closer with an unconcealable boorish cunning look. Bean-big droplets of cold sweat were dripping from her forehead as she was afraid that the little brat would continue to create havoc when she heard the sound of the Empress' suppressed snorty laugh.
Yu Pin Yan on the other hand was extremely calm with none whatsoever expression on his handsome carved face.
The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess had also turned their faces away yet their shoulders were slightly shaking as the sight of these two snowball-like little girls staring at each other was indeed too adorable.
"Did her legs become like this for the sake of saving Pin Yan?" The Empress asked in a low voice.
"Yes." Old Madam nodded her head.
"Can it be cured?"
"Physician Xue did an examination and said there will be no hope unless Great Master Ku Hui undertakes the treatment."
They could originally count upon Divine Doctor Pu for treatment, however the chance slipped away for saving the Crown Prince. Old Madam couldn't mention these in front of the imperial family, otherwise they would turn out to be narrow-minded and hoping to rely on the grace as repayment.
Even if she didn't mention it, the Empress would be unlikely to forget either and immediately expressed, "Do rest assured. Bengong[1] has already dispatched people to find Great Master Ku Hui. Bengong will definitely bring him back so long as the great master is still alive."
Before Old Madam could respond, Yu Pin Yan bowed and spoke cordially, "This humble servant will thank the Empress' kindness on behalf of my younger sister."
"Don't say this as it's also thanks to you that Cheng Si (Crown Prince's name) is able to return safely to Bengong's side. The one that ought to be grateful is supposed to be Bengong." The Empress smiled and waved her hand. She then pointed at the spirited and cute little girl between the flowering shrubs, "Yu Xiang is a good one. She has a profound understanding at such a young age. Bengong's Little Qiu'er has a very clear mind and if she likes that person after a glance, nothing can go wrong."
Old Madam repeatedly said they didn't deserve it. As she looked forward, the worries that she had just offloaded raised again when she saw her own granddaughter swiftly lift up the woolen blanket and without waiting for the Ninth Princess' reaction, she quickly covered her legs back then laughingly rubbed the head of the Ninth Princess. Wasn't the agreement was to have a glance? This damn child, the Empress was just here staring and you dared to deceive the Ninth Princess.
The Ninth Princess also felt cheated and glared at Yu Xiang with an accusation in her eyes then clearly stated, "I haven't seen it!"
"Your eyesight is not good, so you can't blame me." Yu Xiang beamingly said, "I will let you look again but you will let me take a bite of the pastry that you are holding, just one bite!" Looking at her roundness, she must be a foodie.
The Ninth Princess was at a loss but when she saw the beautiful smile on lotus seed cake, she reluctantly extended her hand.
Yu Xiang was not the least bit courteous at all. She swallowed the whole pastry in one mouthful and only left the little pastry crust on the fingertips of the Ninth Princess. The Ninth Princess stared at her in shock then pursed her lips with her nose twitching and reddened eyes revealing a super cute crying look.
Old Madam Yu was just standing behind the Empress thus she couldn't see her expression and also dared not turn to look at both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess' expressions. She was scared witless and would soon be frightened to death by this brat!
Yu Xiang almost tumbled off laughing and reached out to rub the head of the Ninth Princess before coaxing her, "Don't cry, don't cry. It's the elder sister's fault. Elder sister will show you a magic trick. You'll have to really watch carefully this time!"
The Ninth Princess didn't cry as she looked up with curiosity. She saw her fair hands swaying around in the floating light then with a snapped of the fingers, a delicate and beautiful camellia flower conjured out of the thin air. With a movement, the flower was then inserted on her sideburn. A sweet scent wafted along her hair that smelled extremely delicious.
The Ninth Princess wrinkled her little nose and kept sniffing as she grabbed Yu Xiang's palm turning it from side to side to look.
The Empress surprisingly exclaimed when she saw her daughter actually willing to take the initiative to touch others with the look of cheerfulness that the Empress couldn't help getting teary eyes.
This was because her daughter was born with a congenital deficiency that not only was she slower compared to others in learning to walk and talk, she was even utterly antisocial in nature. As she was the most vulnerable and innocent among all her daughters, the Empress simply loved her the most. Overtly this lantern feast was said to celebrate the Empress' birthday, but secretly it was to choose a study companion for her daughter.
However, when she saw her youngest daughter hid in a vacant corner, the Empress thought this was a fall through but unexpectedly sprung out this Yu Xiang. This mischievous character was just right to complement her youngest daughter.
The Crown Prince smirked, "You taught her this trick? You also loved to flaunt this when you were young."
Yu Pin Yan stared fixedly at the little girl who had just conjured another camellia flower for the Ninth Princess and spoke with a prideful tone, "Xiang'er's movement is faster than mine."
The two little balls now each have flowers on their heads as they look at each other and shamelessly showing off their good looks. Yu Xiang then asked, "What's your name?"
"I'm called Little Qiu'er[2] ." The Ninth Princess foolishly smiled.
After Yu Xiang heard that, she burst out a streak of shocking laughter that her tummy felt cramped before panting for a breath and puffed out, "I am Xiang'er. Your name is really well-suited for you. The one who chose this for you is truly talented!"
The talented Empress covered her mouth to suppress her smile and softly said, "Though Little Xiang'er is disable, her temperament is extremely optimistic and magnanimous." Just looked at that bold and uninhibited laughter that not only her white teeth but even the small tongue in her throat could be seen as no ordinary well-bred young lady would really act that way.
Old Madam Yu was feeling rather guilty, "Reply to the Empress, this subject thought not to bound Xiang'er with many rules as walking is inconvenient for her. Usually she is only taught to read and play qin thus not much teaching of the etiquette. Should there be any infringement of rules, do request forgiveness from the Empress."
The unexpected sense of sympathizing with one another was felt by the Empress after she heard those words, she grabbed the Old Madam's hand and patted reassuringly, "You are right to actually be able to think this way! They are basically different from other people and shouldn't be treated by using the methods of others to guide them. There is already too much inconvenience and tribulation in their life therefore they shouldn't be imposed with more burdens. Just let them live happily."
The Empress then looked over at the two not too far away little girls laughing merrily and felt an extreme fondness before she smilingly waved her hand, "Let's go. Just let them play carefreely. Cheng Si and Pin Yan stay behind to keep an eye but do not follow too closely for them to notice."
The Crown Prince and Yu Pin Yan bowed to undertake the task.
Old Madam Yu received a lot of envious gazes when she followed after the Empress and the Crown Princess to Nuan Shui Pavillion to join the gathering of the other official wives. The Empress took a seat in the pavilion for a short moment before she left to take a rest with the Crown Princess danced to the tune to send her off.
The atmosphere in the pavilion was much relaxed at once. A luxuriously dressed beautiful round figured lady came over and seated next to the Old Madam before she softly said, "Old Madam, shouldn't we discuss the marriage of Fu'er and Pin Yan? As you can see, they are not young anymore."
Old Madam's amiable expression immediately turned sombre when she saw her.
The Old Marquis fixed a marriage alliance with the Old Duke Jingguo before Yu Pin Yan was born which could also be regarded as a prenatal betrothal. Later, their daughter-in-laws both gave birth to a boy and a girl respectively who were exactly Yu Pin Yan and Chang Ya Fu, the second Di daughter of Duke Jingguo manor. Duke Jingguo was a first class official and highly distinguished by the emperor. By comparative, the family status was higher than the Marquis Yongle manor.
Old Madam was very satisfied with this marriage that it was regarded as a well-matched arrangement. However, the Old Marquis died in the battlefield then her son died in the hand of banditry where soon after, the Marquis manor declined rapidly and was thrown into a precarious situation. This was exactly when the assistance from the in-laws was needed.
People of this period of time didn't pay particular attention to the marriageable age so it was extremely common for an eleven or twelve years old to get married. It would have been a great assistance to Yu Pin Yan if he was to marry the Di daughter of the Duke Jingguo manor. Old Madam had requested Duke Jingguo manor several times wishing to bring forth the wedding of both children but was declined by the newly succession Duke Jingguo at that time. As the Old Duke Jingguo was suffering from the stroke attack, he naturally was unable to help as he had lost the ability of speech and movement.
How could the astute Old Madam not understand the petty thought of Duke Jingguo. He was waiting for the curtains to drop in the usurping control of the Marquis Yongle manor and would betrothed his daughter to whoever that ultimately succeeded the title. In other words, he wouldn't allow his daughter to marry a downtrodden person who had declined in the social standing and failed to succeed the title.
It truly was selfish and heartless!
Old Madam was very angry, henceforth she broke off the connection with the Duke Jingguo manor. Who would have expected that Yu Pin Yan had the ability to defeat the group of paternal uncles at such a young age and was selected by the Emperor to be the Marquis Yongle, he was definitely not lacking at all compared to his grandfather! He even successively handled several errands remarkably well after joining the royal court and in merely more than a year, he was getting more valued by the Emperor.
He was only sixteen this year and had yet to reach adulthood, what kind of situation might he be in if he tempered for several more years and also what kind of prospect might he get if the Crown Prince was to ascend the throne someday as the Crown Prince's most trusted subject?
As Duke Jingguo was getting anxious now so he ordered his wife, Du Shi to carry along some generous gifts to discuss the wedding but was shut out by the Old Madam. The marriage certificate was still in the hands of the Old Madam while Yu Pin Yan had received immeasurable favors of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, hence Duke Jingguo dared not compelled yet he also dared not betrothed his second Di daughter to other people. They were in dilemma as the Old Madam was dawdling so they tried seizing the opportunity to demand but instead was solemnly granted by this old saying - karmic retribution.
"It's still too early as Yan'er has yet to reach adulthood." Old Madam casually waved her hand.
Could a girl be the same as a boy? They were both sixteen, one had not reached adulthood while the other was already considered a spinster and wasn't able to dawdle much longer! Du Shi was uncomfortably anxious but she daren't utter a single harsh word and could only do her utmost to act warily.
Old Madam closed her eyes and coldly snorted after a while, "You held the Marquis manor in contempt that year, now I am also holding the Duke Guo manor in contempt. Unruly in social etiquette while having no distinction between Di and Shu as well as no achievement for all these years. Merely relying on the military glory of the Old Duke to just sit idly and depleting the mountain of wealth. This marriage is indeed not well-matched anymore."
This implication meant that Chang Ya Fu was not worthy of Yu Pin Yan. These words were truly vicious compared to the words when Du Shi used to taunt the Old Madam that year, yet Du Shi was unable to retort back. The Duke Jingguo manor was indeed getting worse by the day after the Old Duke fell seriously ill. Duke Jingguo was a mediocre person who only knew to idle his time away in pleasure.
It was excessively important for Duke Jingguo manor to forge a marriage with formidable in-laws. This was also the reason why they were unwilling to easily allow Chang Ya Fu to marry Yu Pin Yan that year.
How would they have known that a youth of fourteen or fifteen could be this shrewd and resourceful, only four words to describe their feeling - regret their past deeds!
Du Shi forced a smile and said, "As the saying said; to marry a wife, one must marry the virtuous. Fu'er is nevertheless extremely virtuous. She is well-versed in all four arts[1] since young and her etiquette are specially taught by the palace momo. She is also sensible, filial as well as competent. She began helping me managing the family affairs when she was ten and the most profitable shops under the Duke Jingguo manor are all single-handedly managed by her. The livelihood of several hundred people in the Duke manor is supported by her alone without any mistake these past six years. It will be the blessing for whichever family that marries her. Old Madam doesn't have to make it definite yet, it will not be too late for you to decide after you meet our Fu'er."
Old Madam was getting older. It was indeed rather strenuous to manage the Marquis manor. Lin Shi couldn't be counted on as well as Yu Si Yu, who harbored evil designs while Yu Xiang was young and physically disable. She really had to plan getting her grandson a virtuous wife as there wasn't anyone in the manor who she could hand the household management over so she could enjoy several years of retired life. What Du Shi said had truly struck the chord in her heart.
As the marriage certificate was already drawn up and it was indeed troublesome to break off the engagement, she might as well just go to take a look. She grudgingly nodded her head after pondering over it.
Du Shi was very elated as she hastily supported the Old Madam to her feet and walked towards the rear garden.