Chapter 604: The Old Consort
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After Nanny Liu handed over the invitation, a servant reported the identities of Old Madam Yu and the others. The servants quickly bowed.
At the Flower Festival held by Duke Rong’s Residence, it was Duke Rong who took care of the male guests in the front courtyard.
The reception of the female guests in the backyard was arranged by the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence. As soon as Old Madam Yu arrived, the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence quickly put aside her socializing and rushed over anxiously.
Then, she saw Old Madam Yu wearing an imperial mandate dress.
The Great Zhou Dynasty’s Madams had two sets of outfits. One was a gown, which was used to enter the palace to meet nobles.
The other set of clothes was common clothes. They were usually worn when receiving important imperial decrees and important banquets in the palace.
Old Madam was from a second-grade official family. Her head accessory was a pearl-green cloud crown. Her big red sleeved dress was inlaid with purple edges and had golden embroidery of clouds. There were also golden embroidery patterns on her dress. Without a ceremonial robe, she looked dignified and noble.
The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence was terrified. She quickly smiled and stepped forward to bow. “What’s going on today? To think that you’re here too. If our old consort finds out that you’re here, she’ll be so happy.”
Old Madam Yu nodded and asked, “Speaking of which, I haven’t seen her for many years. Is she doing well?”
The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence quickly replied, “Thanks to you, she’s still in good health.”
With that, she lowered her eyes.
She had originally thought that even if Eldest Miss Yu was brought out by an aunt, she would only be half a mother. How could she compare to her own daughter?
At that time, if anything happened to Yu Youyao, she would be a young lady who had just grown up. If she was lacking in etiquette and rules, she could not blame the Duke Rong’s Residence.
She really did not expect Old Madam Yu to come.
Previously, she had always heard that Old Madam Yu was a widow and wasn’t in good health, so she rarely went outside. Furthermore, she had been eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist scriptures for many years. Her personality was indifferent, and she didn’t like to go to events.
Thinking of what she had discussed with Consort Xu previously, she couldn’t help but feel a little disheartened.
However, at this point, she had no choice but to shoot her arrow.
Before coming to the Duke Rong’s Residence, Yu Youyao had already understood everything about the family, so she naturally recognized the Princess Consort.
This person had her hair combed into a high bun and was wearing a silver and red peony smock. At her waist, there was a long and narrow strip of red silk with bat patterns embroidered on it. On it was also a yellow ribbon with embossed phoenix patterns and red coral flat beads in bright colors.
Only relatives of the Great Zhou Dynasty wore jewelry.
No matter what thoughts the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence had, she did not dare to reveal them in front of Old Madam Yu. She quickly called out to Madam Yao and looked at Yu Youyao, who was standing behind her elders.
It wasn’t the first time she had seen her like this, but her fresh and elegant appearance still made her gasp.
“This is…” The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence Prefecture’s smile deepened. “She must be your Eldest Miss!”
Old Madam Yu nodded. “She’s the eldest daughter of our eldest son.”
Yu Youyao quickly walked out from behind her elders and bowed to the
Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence. “Greetings, Princess Consort!”
When the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence saw that she was only 13 years old, she already had some thoughts. Her hair was trimmed to a certain extent, and her shoulders were straight. Her waist was thin and when she extended her neck, she revealed her delicate charm.
The way she followed the rules and etiquette revealed good upbringing.
The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence quickly held her hand and helped her up. She smiled and said, “Good child. Our old Consort is old friends with your mother, Eldest Madam Xie. When you come to our family, there’s no need to be polite.” With that, she turned to look at Old Madam Yu with a flattering expression. “Tsk, what a good girl. No wonder you hid her at home. It’s rare to see her. I’m afraid you’re worried that someone will snatch her from you.”
Yu Youyao was 13 years old this year and was already at the age of marriage. This joke was harmless. Yu Youyao did not hold a banquet on her birthday, so many people in the capital should understand what Old Madam Yu was thinking.
Old Madam Yu’s smile deepened. “Isn’t that so? How can our family do without her now?! ”
It was different for a girl who was engaged. Rules were more important, and even her father and brothers in the family had to avoid her.
Every day, other than embroidering dowry and learning some household manager matters, she could not even interfere in many matters at home.
When the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence heard that Matriarch Yang had simply admitted it, her scalp went numb again, but she could only stiffen and smile. “Of course. Everyone in the capital knows that your Eldest Miss is a capable person. She helped share the burden of her elders at the age of ten. Eldest Madam Yang has been sick for two to three years and she’s been taking care of the family. Third Miss Yu isn’t in good health and she’s also the one helping to take care of her.”
Yu Jianjia lowered her head and felt bitter.
In the past two years, she had been staying in the manor to recuperate. She also knew that there were many rumors in the capital about her health.
However, she couldn’t refute.
She only hoped that she would show her face at the flower festival later so that others would know that she had already recovered and was no longer a sickly person of the Yu Residence.
Old Madam Yu nodded. Hearing her praise her granddaughter, she was not humble at all.
The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence also changed the topic and asked Yu Shuangbai and Yu Jianjia one by one.
Old Madam Yu introduced them with a smile.
Yu Shuangbai was beautiful and generous. The Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence’s eyes lit up when she saw her, and she did not hide her love.
When the attention was on Yu Jianjia, the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence saw that although she was wearing a crepe myrtle flower dress. Although she looked weak, she did not look sick. She knew that Third Miss Yu had recovered and she wanted to praise her.
However, she couldn’t help but praise in her heart. The three legitimate daughters of the Yu Residence were indeed all good-looking. They were also outstanding in etiquette, rules, and temperament.
Yu Youyao was delicate, Yu Shuangbai was beautiful, and Yu Jianjia was gentle.
After the greeting, the Princess Consort of Duke Rong’s Residence quickly brought Old Madam Yu and the others to the reception pavilion.
Old Madam Yu was of high status and was invited to the main seat. How could the daughters-in-law in the house dare to be slow? They quickly led the young misses in the family forward and bowed to them.
The old princess consort was sitting on a purple sandalwood chair with bright red hair. When she saw Old Madam Yu, her turbid eyes lit up and she almost got up to pull her along for a chat.
At their age, they had few chances to see the sisters they used to be on good terms with.
It had been many years since she had seen Old Madam Yu.
After greeting them, Yu Youyao and her sister stepped forward and bowed to the old princess consort.
The old princess consort was neither thin nor fat. She was even older than Old Madam Yu. She was wearing a dark purple crane-patterned outfit, and her waist was also embroidered with pine crane patterns.
The old princess consort was already prepared. She held Yu Youyao’s hand and praised her non-stop, “… Good child, you take after your mother. Even your personality is as bright as hers. You’re really well-mannered. That’s great…”
As she spoke, the nanny beside her handed her a palm-sized wooden box with golden silk. She took the box and stuffed it into Yu Youyao’s hand without any explanation.
Old Madam Yu watched from the side, and her eyes couldn’t help but widen. This gift had clearly been prepared in advance. The more solemn the gift box was, the more extraordinary the gift seemed to be..
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