Yu Pin Yan was not in a hurry to leave after carrying his younger sister to the room. He went outside to wring a wet handkerchief to wipe off the heavy makeup on her face.
A thorny rose instantly transformed into a piece of sweet honey that melted under the basking sunlight. This softness and sweetness would only bloomed in front of him, making Yu Pin Yan's heart quiver that a burst of lingering numbness flowed into his limbs through his heart which was more intoxicating than consuming several large jars of strong wine.
He stroked his younger sister's delicate cheek while gazing at her for half a day before noticing a little bright red rouge still remaining on her lips. Using his finger, he gently rubbed it off before putting it into his mouth to savor it carefully. It was indeed cloyingly sweet.
Yu Xiang opened the pair of sharply contrast black and white feline-like eyes and simply asked, "Is it sweet? I put in a lot of beeswax and also a great deal of rose petals."
"Sweet, but it could be a little sweeter." Yu Pin Yan passed the handkerchief to the somewhat dumbfounded Liu Lu before taking off his boots and got up onto the divan, then pulled his younger sister into his arms. He took out a miscellany book from behind the pillow and leisurely browsed it with no intention of leaving.
Heart seized, Liu Lu carried the water basin and strode away with heavy steps. No matter how one looked, the behavior of Marquis just now was rather strange. Aren't they brother and sister, but why do they look like a young newlywed couple instead?
Yu Xiang didn't feel the least bit worried at all. She chuckled happily and jabbed her elder brother's solid chest as she annoyingly uttered, "How much more beeswax should I use to make it a little sweeter? I am making lip rouge, not candy. Since when does Elder Brother like candy so much?"
Since being with you. However, Yu Pin Yan didn't dare unload these words now. He pinched her fair fingers and pointed out with referential meaning, "Different ways to eat would naturally taste different."
"Are there different ways to eat lip rouge?" Yu Xiang covered her mouth as she laughed lightly when a sudden bright light crossed her mind. While she was thinking about it, Tao Hong spoke as she drew the curtain and said, "Young Miss, Jin Momo is here!"
That bright light faded away in a flash and never to be found again.
Jin Momo was Lin Shi's personal maidservant, and in Yu Xiang's memory, she had never stepped into her small courtyard except for the time when she sent over the warding evil amulets. Perhaps she had something to ask for this time.
"Let her in." She bore into the crook of Yu Pin Yan's arms and raised her head to read the miscellany book with him.
Jin Momo was shaken by the sight before her. Seeing the two siblings, one was peerlessly handsome while the other incomparably beautiful, snuggling up to each other. They were half leaning on the divan reading a book together. Their heads were very close that the tips of the noses almost pressed together, not mentioning the breath that had already blended with each other was inseparable.
This posture seemed excessively intimate between blood related siblings, let alone a pair of sham siblings? Moreover, the Marquis would occasionally sweep his eyes over at Yu Xiang with glances filled with nothing but gentleness and deep tender affections.
Sensing a sudden thump in her heart, Jin Momo felt she had glimpsed into some secrets when the Marquis' eyes casually glanced over without a shred of those tenderness but filled with piercing coldness.
She almost didn't get splintered to pieces by the dark look which contained countless blades, as she panickedly cleared her mind of all distractions one by one and knelt down to pay her respects, "Nubi pays respect to Marquis and Third Young Miss."
Yu Pin Yan didn't pay any attention, he dropped his eyes to continue reading.
Yu Xiang quirked her eyebrows, "A fittingly second young miss has suddenly become third young miss, I am truly not used to it."
Jin Momo buried her head even lower, not knowing how to reply.
Yu Xiang however didn't intend to let her off the hook and said sarcastically, "Your principal courtyard has never bothered to patronize this small courtyard of mine, and the last time you came was eight years ago which is really a rarity."
Jin Momo's heart quivered with a little uneasiness. The fact that Lin Shi's indifference to the affairs of the manor didn't mean she was also oblivious. Yu Xiang's changes over the years were clear to her. It was possible that she had been enlightened after a major disaster that she lost all her stupidity. Not only had her mind become lively and her looks became more brighter, but even her temper had also become more perverse.
At the age of ten, she managed the huge Marquis manor in an orderly and appropriate manner. In terms of ability and presence, she absolutely did not lose to any prominent noble lady, not to mention the unprincipled doting of Old Madam and the Marquis.
If she was disrespectful to Madam and not close to the second young miss, their future livelihood would not be good. When she got back, should she persuade Madam to pull herself together and grab back all the household duties back into her hand, so that she could compete with her? Otherwise, the Marquis manor would become the bastard's dominance?
Jin Momo kept pondering over this yet none was shown on her face. With extreme deference, she replied, "That's because of Madam's constant troubled thoughts and unresolved depression that Nubi dares not leave her alone, thus has slighted Young Miss. Requesting Young Miss's forgiveness."
Not caring if her elder brother had looked till the end of the page, Yu Xiang directly flipped the pages and carelessly remarked, "My, you are eloquent. What forgiveness. If I am to find you guilty, Mother will have sunken the Marquis manor with her tears. One will never go to the temple for no reason[1], just speak out. What's the matter?"
Madam had become more confused in recent years, she would weep plaintively and drown in the past everyday that even Jin Momo herself felt annoyed. Hearing Yu Xiang's words, she felt more embarrassed and lowered her voice, "Nubi was sent by Madam to get the matching tablet[2] from Third Young Miss. The shopkeeper is still waiting for it."
Yu Xiang looked at her now and spoke slowly, "You should also know the rules of the manor. Where are the detailed lists and the IOUs[3]? Bring it over for me to see."
It was a good thing that on the way out shopkeeper Qian gave a reminder, and only then did Jin Momo bring the list along with her. She bowed and hurriedly handed it over.
Leaving the crook of her elder brother's arm, Yu Xiang unfolded the list for a closer look. Yu Pin Yan put his arms around her waist, lest she didn't sit properly and fall down.
Yu Xiang smiled when she browsed through it, but there wasn't a hint of delight in the words that came out of her mouth, "Look at the generosity of Mother. Golden silk with fragrant wood embedded cicada-shaped jade beads, thousand golden leaves peony palace headdress of the same color, an exquisite green grass head-worm inlaid silver pearl hairpin, golden silk brocade dresses, smoky cloud with butterfly skirts....I have been by her side for fourteen years and have yet to receive even a single thread from her, merely a pile of warding evil amulets. I just have to ask, am I not Mother's biological child?"
She naturally knew she wasn't her biological child, but in the eyes of others, she nevertheless didn't know the fact. So, it should be normal for her to taunt about the unfairness with envy.
Yu Xiang is such an individual, whoever gives her an aggravation, regardless of whether it is accounted for or not, she has to return it and will not hold back if she can live openly. Although Yu Miao Qi concealed it well, the profound hatred that occasionally flowed from her eyes did not escape Yu Xiang's eyes. It's fine to hate her (YX) yet she (YX) couldn't bear the fact that Yu Miao Qi also holds a grudge against her elder brother.
Since she had a grudge and was waiting for an opportunity to take revenge, Yu Xiang was not going to tolerate any concessions. The hostility had already been displayed, so there was no need to playact with perfunctory and disgusted herself for no reason.
Jin Momo lowered her head and dared not replied. In the presence of the Marquis, whoever dared to utter the word 'bastard' would truly ask for death. Moreover, for the sake of second young miss's reputation, they would have no choice but to acknowledge Yu Xiang's status as a Di young miss.
Putting down the book, Yu Pin Yan embraced her into his bosom and softly patted her with solace, "Why are you fussing over this since we've all grown up and don't need to rely on her. Does it matter if you are biological or not? Elder Brother will buy whatever you like. Even the stars in the sky, Elder Brother will also find ways to pick them off for you."
The sulkiness on Yu Xiang's face instantly disappeared, instead she hugged his arm and smiled sweetly, "I don't want the stars in the sky. I just want my Elder Brother." Elder brother is precisely my whole world and I will be perfectly content with having my elder brother.
Yu Pin Yan obviously understood her unfinished words, probing over to gently rub her delicate cheek with his stubbles as he squinted to admire her blooming smile.
Jin Momo dared not raised her head to look at the siblings on the couch but inwardly pondered over the Marquis' words. What does he mean they don't need to rely on her or if not biological? Has the Marquis' heart turned cold and no intention to acknowledge her master anymore? That's right. Anyone who had been abandoned for fourteen years would bore grudges, not to mention the fact that it was fine her master treated the Marquis coldly but instead, she showered the second young miss with lots of doting. This was clearly a stab on the Marquis' heart with a knife.
Both were biological children, yet she shouldn't have dotted one and neglected the other. Moreover, the dotted one would soon be married off and couldn't be relied on. Wasn't the stable life that her master enjoyed presently depended on the endeavors of the Marquis and wouldn't the second young miss's future also relied on Marquis' hard work?
Estranged from the Marquis now would virtually mean impossible to do anything in the future. Just look at this procurement which needed an IOU for expenditure exceeding one hundred tael. Which family's matriarch would decline into such a lowly state?
While writing the IOU, Jin Momo secretly thought she should persuade her master to hastily win over the Marquis' favor when she got back.
Yu Xiang took a look at the IOU then passed it back, "Note down the date, what's the expenses for, the debtor's name and press a handprint. You will follow this when you come for the matching tablet in the future. This time I will break the rule since my elder sister just came back, otherwise without any major celebration or reason, I will not approve any expenses exceeding 3000 taels and in the future you will have to pay for your own extravagance."
Seeing the dissatisfaction on Jin Momo's face, she said coldly, "Not mentioning my Mother, even Grandmother or me have to use our own savings if we spend beyond the daily limits. Of course Elder Brother is exempted as he needs to socialize outside, so how can he lack money on hand and this point is something you cannot compare to."
Yu Pin Yan smiled profoundly as he absolutely loved this little housekeeper look of Xiang'er.
As Lin Shi had been living in seclusion and a reverent Buddhist who practiced vegetarianism, her usual biggest expenses were sacrificial yellow paper, candles, incense oil and other offerings items. The twenty taels monthly allowances were more than enough, hence she had never taken the matching tablet from Yu Xiang.
Jin Momo responded patiently as she rewrote the IOU and pressed her handprint before successfully taking the matching tablet away. Just when she was about to lift the door curtain, Yu Xiang's voice sounded again, "Wait, I have not given my elder sister a gift since her return. Take it along with you."
Jin Momo had no choice but to turn around as she bowed and waited aside.
Yu Pin Yan carried her to the dressing table and let her pick and choose from the jewelry box. He conveniently picked up a velvety flower and inserted it diagonally into the hair by her temple where he then propped up his cheek and admired her for a moment, before removing the velvety flower and inserted it into the bun behind her head. The corners of his eyes revealed strong contentment. This gentle and carefree appearance was so different from his cold and ruthless style that he simply didn't resemble himself.
Picking a butterfly hairpin, Yu Xiang looked at it before shaking her head, "Not this one, it's given by Elder Brother." Taking out another set of ruby headdress, she continued to shake her head, "This is also a gift from Elder Brother, no way."
Picking and choosing for a good half day, anything Yu Pin Yan sent were all excluded by her. This was how she realized that ninety nine percent of her jewelry was actually gifts from her elder brother. She immediately felt as sweet as consuming honey as she glanced at him from time to time then pursed her mouth and snickered with pleasure.
Yu Pin Yan pretended not knowing but in reality he loved her monopolistic look. With a restrained smile, he extended his hand and tapped the tip of her nose.
Seeing that Jin Mother's face almost turned greenish, Liu Lu removed a dusty box off the antique rack and said, "Young Miss, this is a headdress you bought from Jin Xiu House last month and hasn't been worn once, so it's appropriate to give it to Second Young Miss."
Only then did Yu Xiang close her jewelry box and casually said, "Then give this to my Elder Sister. Tell her to come and play with me when she has time. I won't pay her a visit as my legs are inconvenient."
Jin Momo responded repeatedly. Holding the box, she rushed back to the principal courtyard in extreme anxiousness. It took her half an hour just to get the matching tablet, her master's reputation was probably at stake now. This was not even befitting for a matriarch but rather like a concubine who lived on other's favor.
[1] 无事不登三宝殿 (Wú shì bù dēng sān bǎodiàn) - wouldn't have come without any reason.
[2]-对牌 (duì pái) - A pair of tablet also known as 'checking the number tablet' are made of bamboo and wood, with numbers on them and split in half. It was used as an authentication object which is used to withdraw items from the family. When the servant needs items, after the consent of the family head, she/he will remove half of the tablets and then the servants will receive the items using it. At the time of settlement, the family head would use it to verify.
[3]借条 (Jiètiáo) - IOU which refers to a note written to the other party when borrowing cash or goods from a person or a public household.