When both mother and daughter arrived, Old Madam was doing her morning prayer. If Lin Shi had been mindful, she would have known the habit Old Madam developed over the past fourteen years. However, Lin Shi was partial to inattentiveness, thus leading to her daughter having to sit in the side hall and wait. They only saw Old Madam, whose body was covered with incense scent, coming out with the support of Ma Momo after finishing two pots of tea.
"Isn't this the first time you've come to pay your respect after fourteen years? It's indeed hard to come by." Old Madam leaned on the couch and slowly sipped her cup of tea, not even looking at Lin Shi.
First time paying her respect in fourteen years? What has mother been doing for the past fourteen years? Dumbfounded, Yu Miao Qi shot a glance at Lin Shi. It was only now that she understood why the relationship between these mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was so rigid.
Lin Shi was somewhat embarrassed. Racking her brains, she was thinking about how to gain her mother-in-law's favor when Yu Si Yu came in amidst the morning dew. Looking slightly surprised seeing Lin Shi here, she immediately bent her knees to curtsy.
This just gave Lin Shi a chance to extricate herself of this awkward moment, thus it was rare for Lin Shi to show a little more than moderate attitude towards the Shu daughter than before that she even personally supported the Shu daughter up.
Old Madam waved her hand allowing everyone to take their seats when she swept her gaze straight to Yu Miao Qi's waist seemingly opened her mouth inadvertently, "Why didn't you adorned the protective charm I gave you? It has been consecrated by the eminent monks which can repel ill-omened and ensure safety."
Without the slightest bit of remorse, Yu Miao Qi replied with a beautiful faint smile, "Responding to Grandmother. That's because it's a gift from Grandmother that this granddaughter dares not wear it everyday for fear of wear and tear, so granddaughter places it under the pillow to ensure a sound sleep. Granddaughter would like to thank Grandmother for your kindness and care.
If it weren't for the fact Old Madam was informed of this, she really wouldn't be able to discern the slightest hint of resentment and disdain from the face that smiled so sincerely. She was not only extremely cold-hearted, she was also very good at pretense. How did the Shen family raise her to be like this? Having such a fiendish fate and a cold-blooded nature, it would be a calamity to settle her in any family.
Old Madam did not deny her earlier dislike for Yu Miao Qi due to Lin Shi's partiality, which originally was only due to her being at odds with Lin Shi. However, when she met the actual person, that one to two parts of dislike had turned into seven to eight parts of detestment.
The more decent Yu Miao Qi behaved in front of her, the more it highlighted her treacherous and vicious nature on the sly. Merely gifting a piece of charm paper incurred her grudges, so wouldn't she bore a bitter hatred for Yan'er, who caused her imprisonment twice and also, to what extent was her contempt out of jealousy for Xiang'er, who occupies her venerated position?
Thinking about this, the seven to eight parts of detestment had now transformed into extreme alertness. Old Madam would now feel uncomfortable even looking at her a little more, so she simply turned her head away and spoke in a deep voice, "You can do whatever you like with it, just take it."
Always good at discerning others' mood and thoughts, Yu Miao Qi pursed her lips and stopped talking.
Seeing there was an opportunity, Yu Si Yu seized to gossip and gab about which household had drawn up marriage contracts or gotten betrothed, or soon to hold the joyous occasion.
Old Madam Looked at her thoughtful as she spoke impatiently, "Don't pull these inconsequential matters with me. You only have to express openly that you can't wait to get married and for me to discuss it with the Fang family, right?"
Face flushed scarlet, Yu Si Yu lowered her head and clutched the handkerchief tightly, not daring to respond.
Old Madam was in an increasingly unhappy mood and waved her hand, "I'll take care of this matter in days to come, but don't you regret it! Since you've achieved your goal, why don't you leave now?" Looking at these one and two smart-assed fools gave her a headache.
Yu Si Yu bowed and took her leave. She couldn't help but reveal a touch of joy as she stepped out of the threshold.
Once she walked away, Ma Momo murmured softly, "Old Madam, hasn't that Lord Fang been beheaded by the Marquis? The family fortune was also confiscated..."
Old Madam waved her hand, indicating that she should not say more.
With a flash of bright light in their eyes, Lin Shi and Yu Miao Qi couldn't help but look at each other when they heard this.
Not realizing this, Old Madam was about to dismiss the mother and daughter when Yu Miao Qi got up first to take her leave, saying she was going to pay a visit to her younger sister leaving Lin Shi who looked at her mother-in-law with a resolute expression.
Under the guidance of Bao Sheng, Yu Miao Qi came to the west wing, which consisted of two small courtyards that were not far from each other. The one facing south had better lighting and occupied a larger area, which naturally belonged to Yu Xiang, while the east end was Yu Si Yu's domain.
Yu Miao Qi walked through the veranda and stepped into the hanging flower gateway, where there all kinds of exotic flowers and rare herbs competed to bloom everywhere, while countless bees and butterflies fluttered under the bright sunlight, trafficking the inexplicable sweet fragrance. Such a vibrant and colorful small courtyard should been incompatible with the majestic Marquis Yongle manor, but strangely, it integrated well into it; like a paradise lost in the mortal world or a small greenhouse remaining in the frozen tundra, making people feel incomparably happy just by looking at it.
Standing under the courtyard wall that bloomed abundantly with fresh flowers, Yu Miao Qi was rather enraptured, however a clamorous voice interrupted her, "Someone's here, someone's here, Young Miss!" Glancing around, it was actually the parrot, Ah Lu that was hanging under the porch.
Yu Miao Qi woke up from her dream and walked towards the door with an even jealous mood.
To think that the true Di daughter of the Marquis manor could only squeeze in one room with her mother, while Yu Xiang had such an exquisite and dreamy courtyard, was truly unfair to the extreme! This should have been hers!
Yu Xiang was shaken awake by Liu Lu early in the morning, and in a trance, she heard about Lin Shi burning the protective charm and her intention to seize power. She nonchalantly spoke, "Just let her. I'll see if she's capable of that." Soon after, she tilted her head and fell asleep again.
With no other way, Liu Lu could only order someone to serve breakfast. Holding the savory shredded chicken mushroom porridge under her master's nose, Yu Xiang immediately woke up without being called.
However, Ah Lu loud squawk resounded before the porridge was served. Liu Lu hurriedly greeted Yu Miao Qi into the side hall, and apologized, "Reporting to Second Young Miss, Young Miss is still sleeping right now. Please take a seat and wait for a while. Nubi will call her now."
"I'll go take a look too. I want to visit my younger sister's boudoir myself." Smiling very kindly, Yu Miao Qi stepped into the threshold before anyone else.
The room was not big, but the furnishings were very luxurious and exquisite. The antique porcelains displayed on the rack were all relics; the furniture was all made of golden cedarwood and rosewood, which were extremely expensive; a bronze mirror, jewelry box, a double-edge fine-toothed comb and other things were placed on top of the huge dressing table; there seemed a lot of stuffs in the jewelry box that the lid could not even be closed and only a brass lock hung loosely. When a column of sunlight obliquely shone through the window, an indistinct colorful of precious light visibly reflected and if it was indeed opened, not knowing how dazzling it would be.
The smile on Yu Miao Qi's face was even more graceful and befitting, but her heart was actually dripping blood one drop at a time, and the thick venom that flowed out from the festering wound called jealousy eating away her bones and caused pain.
"What time is it and why isn't Younger Sister up yet? The sun will soon toast your ass." She sat down on the soft divan by the window, spouting banters gently and her melodious voice sounded extremely pleasant to the ear. No one could ever imagine that a raging beast was imprisoned in her heart at this moment.
Under the shove of Liu Lu, Yu Xiang grumbled twice before she slowly woke up. Lifting the bed curtain, she yawned and spoke sluggishly, "Elder Sister's here?"
Seeing the real face of the young girl without any makeup, Yu Miao Qi's heart was torn again. Without the rich and gaudy colors, the young girl's face lost a bit of its fierceness, yet revealed an extreme sweetness. With the light and stylish soot eyebrows, a pair of bright starry black eyes, a straight upturned nose and a small cherry-like mouth, it was truly an extremely pleasing face with a pure and charming outlook.
Not mentioning the unruly behavior and perverse temper that she even slept without any underclothes on, merely a small light-yellow dudou and a pair of same colored tulle bloomers. This highlighted her smooth and glossy skin which also made her soft pale breasts appear fuller and her waist tiny; who was truly a stunner. The beauty of her appearance and temperament made Yu Miao Qi's heart lose control and two charming poems verses naturally appeared in her head - Jade arm raises the fog tent, living color full of fragrance (vividly describes a lifelike beautiful scenery).
Even she, a woman, could not help but be moved, let alone a man. Fortunately, her legs were maimed, otherwise it wouldn't be difficult for her to become this dynasty's favorite imperial consort in the palace!
Yu Miao Qi felt a stinging pain, unconsciously bit her lower lip, and was busy using a handkerchief to quickly wipe the blood away.
Yu Xiang wasn't aware of Yu Miao Qi's many insignificant thoughts that went through her mind in a flash. She extended her hands letting Tao Hong and Liu Lu dress her, then was assisted into the wheelchair. She was pushed to the dressing table to have her face wiped and her teeth cleaned.
Putting the salt-dusted willow branch into her mouth, she asked incoherently, "Does Elder Sister like the buyao that I gave you?"
"Very much like it. I've come to specially thank Younger Sister today." Yu Miao Qi stroked the buyao at the side of her head with a sincere and touching smile.
Without even looking at her, Yu Xiang spat out the mouthwash and wiped her face with a hot handkerchief, while unscrewing a small vial and daub a little moisturizing cream before carefully applying it on her face.
The rich lotus scent wafted through the room making people feel somewhat dizzy. Yu Miao Qi knew the thing she applied was not any ordinary product, or else she wouldn't have attain such a body - flesh of ice and bones of jade[1].
If she was not taken away wrongly back then, all these things would have belonged to her - like a curse that kept echoing in her mind, binding her heart in spirals while sinking deeply into her flesh and bone marrow, never to be removed again.
Glancing at her from the bronze mirror, Yu Xiang casually asked, "Where's the protective charm that Grandmother gave Elder Sister? Why isn't Elder Sister wearing it?"
"I've placed it under the pillow on my way out. After all, it's a paper product and wearing it everyday, lest of wear and tear." Yu Miao Qi lifted her teacup to hide the disdain on her lips. It was just a useless piece of paper, was it worthy of being mentioned over and over again by these two?
Raising her eyebrows, Yu Xiang laughed lightly, "Elder Sister, however, would not have thought that when Grandmother gifted that to you, wasn't it accessorized with a delicate purse and fastened with a colorful silk tape? That means you can carry it around your waist all day, and it looks good too. It can also be used to hold down the corner of the skirt. Elder Sister doesn't know that this protective charm was entreated by Grandmother from the divine monk, Ku Hai four years ago and all these years, it has been consecrated in Zhenguo Temple that many people can't even vie for such a good thing. I have been wondering why Grandmother had it kept all these time, as it turned out, it is a gift for Elder Sister. It shows that Grandmother has all along been thinking about Elder Sister!"
Yu Miao Qi noticed a hint of sourness in her words, which was not showing on the face but inwardly, she was very amused. But no matter how moving or wonderful those words were, a piece of paper was merely a piece of paper. How worthy was it? She, however, felt very pleased that Old Madam valued her. As such, she would just find and wear it when she went back.
After all, she was her biological granddaughter, how could she not feel distress? As the days go by, she would surely be able to oppress this bastard in front of Old Madam. Thinking of this, the corner of Yu Miao Qi's lips rose inscrutable.
Yu Xiang looked at her face from the bronze mirror, and felt even more disappointed. If an ordinary person were to hear these words, they would somewhat show a hint of remorse for burning the charm, yet she couldn't see anything resembling remorse or self-reproach in the other party's eyes. Bearing grudges but not gratitude, this Yu Miao Qi was indeed like what her elder brother described, a person who is cold to the extreme.
As such, she was afraid that there would not be a way out even if she didn't want to fight with her.
[1] 冰肌玉骨 (Bīng jī yù gǔ) - beautiful woman / noble and unsullied / pure and unblemished.