Chapter 583: Embarrassed
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
However, she couldn’t not accept this kindness. Yu Jianjia chuckled and said, “Thank you for your help, Concubine Jiang.”
Concubine Jiang’s smile deepened, and she changed the topic. “Third Miss’s courtyard is cleaned every day. However, the master isn’t around, so there are still some things lacking. I just ordered someone to go over and clean it up.
You…”
At this point, Yu Jianjia frowned and said, “Everything in the courtyard was bought for me by Mother in the past. Now that Mother is seriously ill, she has been recuperating in the Tranquil Heart Residence. My health isn’t good, so I can’t accompany Mother often. I can only look at things and reminisce about my feelings. Concubine Jiang, please don’t interfere in the matters in the courtyard in the future. I’ll arrange for someone to take care of all the matters in the courtyard.”
An Shou Hall fell silent.
Old Madam Yu lowered her eyes and twirled her prayer beads without saying anything.
“I-I was meddlesome.” Concubine Jiang looked awkward. She was the one in charge of household management at home. She had originally had good intentions, but who knew that Third Miss would refute her in front of her? Naturally, she was embarrassed.
Although Madam Yang was seriously ill and had been recuperating in the
Tranquil Heart Residence, she did not come out to see anyone.
However, in the end, she was the first wife, so she naturally had to respect her as a concubine.
Third Miss was a legitimate mistress of the residence. Even if she was a legitimate concubine, she could only be considered half a mistress. Naturally, Matriarch would not embarrass her granddaughter for a concubine.
She had long known that although the Third Miss of the Yu Residence looked gentle and weak, she was not as polite as Eldest Miss Yu.
Yu Jianjia nodded.
Only then did Old Madam Yu say, “It’s been a long journey for you. Go back and
recuperate early. Don’t tire yourself out.”
Yu Jianjia lost her appetite when she saw Concubine Jiang. She did not want to stay any longer. She stood up and bowed to Old Madam Yu before leaving An Shou Hall.
Seeing Concubine Jiang’s awkward expression, Old Madam Yu said gently, “Go down and prepare for the family banquet!’
Concubine Jiang heaved a sigh of relief and quickly agreed.
In the first year, Yu Youyao was a little worried about growing sweet potatoes on a large plot of land.
The next day, before dawn, she had breakfast early and brought Nanny Xu, Chang An, a few maidservants, and eight guards to the Rogue Manor, which was the closest to the capital.
The reason why it was called Rogue Manor was because there were about 70 acres of land in the manor that produced Imperial Rogue rice.
Rogue rice was produced in Fengnan County, Hebei.
In the previous dynasty, there was an emperor who rode his horse to the area of Hebei. He saw that in the ten thousand acres, there was a field of rice that was red, shiny and different from the others. He pinched a few grains and rubbed off the rice shell that was as thin as a cicada’s wing. It was as moist as rouge and emitted a refreshing fragrance.
After it was cooked, the rice was exquisite and smooth. It was also rosy and fragrant. Moreover, the texture was soft and tender, with endless aftertaste.
Therefore, he brought this rice back to the palace and conferred it the title of “Imperial Rice.”
It was also awarded to the concubines and all the beloved ministers.
A concubine who looked listless all day because she was not used to the weather in the north would eat it for a few days and she would become lively. Her face would look as if she was wearing rogue.
Seeing this, the emperor named it “Rogue rice.”
From then on, Rogue rice became famous as a nourishing item that nourished the Qi, blood, and internal organs. Many wealthy families planted it.
Unfortunately, Rogue rice required strict weather conditions and very little was produced.
When the previous dynasty’s emperor saw this, he was shocked. “This rice is like a peerless beauty. It’s extremely mellow and precious.”
So far, only Hebei and Jingzhao had areas to grow Rogue rice.
There were only five places in total.
The manor under Yu Youyao’s name was the manor where Madam Xie had married into the family back then. It was also the only manor in the capital that could grow rouge rice.
Rogue rice was tribute rice. 70% of the Rogue rice produced every year had to be paid to the Imperial Court, and the remaining 30% could belong to the owner.
Even Yu Youyao couldn’t eat it every day. Usually, she would make porridge or add some Rogue rice.
Rogue Manor was planted with Rogue rice. In addition, there was also polished round-grained rice. As the manor occupied a large area and was also planted with other dryland crops, it was also rich in resources.
This year, there was a drought, so the other lands in the Rogue Manor were planted with sweet potatoes.
After speeding up, Yu Youyao arrived at the Rogue Manor.
Seeing that Young Miss was in a daze, Nanny Yue quickly helped her into the residence and quickly prepared warm tea. While Yu Youyao was resting, she went to prepare a bath.
Seeing that Nanny Yue was so enthusiastic, Nanny Xu went to her room to rest.
The people in the manor were efficient. After Yu Youyao drank a cup of tea, she recovered from her daze, and Nanny Yue brought her to the room to take a shower.
There were a few sets of clothes in the carriage. Chun Xiao chose a thin and soft outfit and helped Yu Youyao put it on.
After taking a shower, Yu Youyao felt refreshed.
“I’ll tie Young Miss’s hair.” Nanny Yue was very happy and pulled Yu Youyao to the bed.
Yu Youyao quickly said, “Let Chun Xiao do it!”
Nanny Yue did not let her. “I’ll do it. When First Madam was still alive, I was always the one serving her personally. I’m used to doing all of this. It’s also because I’m not blessed. If I hadn’t left the residence back then, the person who’s serving Young Miss now would be me.” At this point, her eyes welled up and even her voice choked. “Although I haven’t done the job of serving others for many years, all these years, I’ve been thinking that one day, I would be able to return to Young Miss’s side and serve her.”
Yu Youyao’s heart skipped a beat, so she did not stop her.
Before her mother passed away, although she had entrusted her to her grandmother, the person she really trusted was Nanny Yue.
Due to her mother’s death, her grandmother couldn’t let Nanny Yue get close to her in the residence so she sent her out.
Nanny Yue had also made a concession for her and listened to her grandmother’s arrangements.
Not being able to serve her was probably Nanny Yue’s greatest regret.
Nanny Yue was telling the truth when she said that she wished she had the chance to serve her.
The soft towel covered her hair and dried it bit by bit. It was of the right weight, so it had never hurt Yu Youyao. After most of her hair was dry, she pressed her fingers against her scalp and massaged it inch by inch. Yu Youyao’s scalp even loosened, and she subconsciously leaned lazily into the bed, feeling a little sleepy.
Nanny Yue smiled and said, “When First Madam was still alive, every time she was tired or in a bad mood, she liked to wash her hair and let me help rub her head. Then, she fell asleep. When she woke up, she was full of energy. Nanny
Liu learned how to massage her head from me.”
Yu Youyao also liked it and said vaguely, “Nanny, remember to call me after an hour…
Before she could finish speaking, Yu Youyao’s eyelids fluttered and she fell asleep.
This scene made Nanny Yue think of Eldest Madam Xie in a daze. Her eyes welled up again, and tears fell onto the back of her hand. She quickly tilted her head and blinked a few times before holding back her tears..
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