Chapter 504: 188 Big Moves
Lady of Marquis Jingning talked to Yueyao for less than three sentences before another violent coughing fit ensued, and a maid outside brought over a bowl of dicine.
The personal maid by Lady of Marquis Jingning’s side imdiately asked Yueyao to leave.
It was normal for Yueyao to be asked to step out, as guests certainly had to make themselves scarce when the host was feeling unwell. However, the maid’s expression, suggesting that Yueyao was so disastrous flood or savage beast, left Yueyao fuming.
Xiang Wei tugged at Yueyao, whispering, “Miss, let’s wait in the yard.” No sooner had Yueyao stepped out of the room than the maid, for so unknown reason, tripped and fell flat on her face.
Yueyao glanced at Xiang Wei, and seeing her act as if nothing was out of the ordinary, assud it was rely a coincidence. What Yueyao didn’t see was the fleeting coldness in Xiang Wei’s eyes just a mont before.
The Lady of Marquis Jingning soon fell asleep after taking her dicine.
Mingzhu tugged at Yueyao’s arm, saying, “Yueyao, co to my courtyard!”
Once back in her courtyard, Mingzhu instructed the maids to bring out her jewelry, “No need for the gold and silver, just bring out the rest.”
The maid fetched nine jewelry boxes, and following Mingzhu’s order, opened them all, imdiately lighting up the room with their radiance.
Pointing to the jewelry in the boxes, Mingzhu said to Yueyao, “I know you don’t like gold adornnts. Pick whatever you like from these!” The jewelry Mingzhu offered were either jade or ornanted with precious stones and pearls, each piece worth a fortune.
Yueyao’s lips curled into a smile as she said, “These pieces are all beautiful, I like them all. Mingzhu, why don’t you give them all to , what do you think?”
Mingzhu’s eyes widened in disbelief, all of them? If it were just one or two boxes, Mingzhu would have given them away without a second thought. But to give away everything made her hesitate. That was most of her jewelry, and she would certainly miss it.
Mingzhu turned to look at Yueyao’s expectant face and the jewelry in the boxes, and, with gritted teeth and stomping feet, proclaid, “If you want them, they’re yours.” Then, pausing, she warned the few personal maids in the room, “No one is to speak of this. If anyone dares to leak a single word, they can no longer stay by my side.” Mingzhu was worried about the trouble if her mother found out.
The maids by Mingzhu’s side broke out in cold sweats in fear; the jewelry included heirlooms passed down from previous generations of the Marquis’ household, gifts from the Marquis’s Wife and the Princely Heir, and even awards from the Empress Dowager. Giving so much away to Yueyao without proper reporting would surely have them flayed alive by Madam.
As the maids were about to speak up to prevent this, a look from Bai Yi stopped them in their tracks. The maids were sharp enough to know that if the jewelry truly was given away, Bai Yi would be the first one held accountable. Seeing Bai Yi unperturbed, they decided to wait and see how things unfolded. Of course, Bai Yi wasn’t worried, for she knew Yueyao well enough to understand that her earlier words were in jest. However, Mingzhu’s response was gratifying to her; after this incident, Miss Yueyao would regard Mingzhu even more favorably.
Yueyao was stunned by Mingzhu’s generosity and asked again, “Those pieces are worth at least tens of thousands to two hundred thousand taels of silver—are you sure you’re giving them all to ?”
Mingzhu waved her hand dismissively, “A promise is worth more than a nine-span team of horses; once I’ve said I’ll give them to you, they’re yours. Bai Yi, pack them up. Later, when no one’s looking, move them to Yueyao’s carriage.”
Yueyao stepped forward to hug Mingzhu, saying, “I’ve never seen anyone as foolish as you.”
Mingzhu, not pleased, pushed Yueyao away and huffed, “What do you an ‘as foolish as ’? Am I not giving them away because I see you like them? It’s not like I would do this for just anyone. Bai Han has been wanting my Phoenix Hairpin, and I didn’t give it to her.”
Yueyao’s smile grew even more radiant, “If you’re not foolish, then there are no foolish people left.” To give away items worth tens to two hundred thousand taels of silver so freely—could there be anyone sillier than Mingzhu in this world? Certainly not.
Angered, Mingzhu warned, “I tell you, if you keep calling foolish, I’ll break off our friendship.”
Bai Yi hastily interjected from the side, “Miss, Miss Lian is just joking with you, she doesn’t really want your jewelry.”
It suddenly dawned on Mingzhu why Yueyao had called her foolish, seeing Yueyao’s unrestrained laughing expression, she walked forward and pinched Yueyao’s tender flesh, “You wicked girl, making fun of and calling a fool—how brazen.”
Yueyao kept laughing heartily.
Xi Yu, dumbfounded, watched Yueyao and said to Xiang Wei in admiration, “Ever since the Old Master and Madam passed away, this is the first ti I’ve heard the miss laugh so heartily.” In the past, the Miss’s laughter when facing others was just a courtesy, not genuine mirth.
Xiang Wei uttered an enigmatic phrase, “Fools have their own kind of fortune!” Xiang Wei was referring to Mingzhu, thinking her rather foolish, but soone with good fortune nonetheless.
Mingzhu picked out the best two jewelry boxes and said to Yueyao, “You must definitely take these ho with you.” Mingzhu was quite generous with people she acknowledged.
Yueyao had no intention of taking Mingzhu’s jewelry and replied with a smile, “Forget the jewelry, I seldom wear it anyway. If you really want to give sothing, just return that painting I made at the Water Pavilion last ti.” Yueyao had long wanted that painting back.
Mingzhu wondered, “Why take back the painting after giving it away?” There’s no reason to take back a gift once it’s given; nobody is that stingy.
Yueyao was at a loss for words. Did I ever say I was giving it to you? You were the ones who intercepted it. But Yueyao didn’t voice this thought, knowing it would only ruffle Mingzhu’s feathers. Instead, Yueyao said with a smile, “I need that painting for sothing, but if you like it, I’ll paint an even better one for you later. How does that sound?”
Mingzhu wasn’t particularly attached to the painting, so since Yueyao needed it, she was willing to give it back. With a grand gesture, she declared, “Alright, since you need it, take it back! But the painting is one thing, and other gifts are another. I haven’t given you a gift yet, so you must accept these two jewelry boxes.”
In the end, Yueyao couldn’t resist Mingzhu and chose a jade necklace from the selection. The necklace was made of one hundred and eight jade beads, each of the sa size, glowing with a lustrous green sheen. Taking the jade necklace, Yueyao said, “I really like this necklace, let’s go with this one!”
Mingzhu felt one piece was too little and insisted on adding a pair of mutton fat jade bracelets. Her justification was solid: “Last ti my sister-in-law gave you a pair of bracelets, I saw how much you liked them. You must accept these bracelets, or else I’ll be upset.”
Yueyao was speechless; it had been the Heir’s Wife who had pushed the bracelets onto her, and if it weren’t for her cousin-in-law’s approval, she would not have wanted them. She had no idea where Mingzhu got the impression she had been overjoyed at the ti.
Bai Yi said with a smile, “Miss Lian, this is a token of our young lady’s affection, please accept it.” Her mistress was very generous to people she approved of.
Yueyao no longer declined and let Xi Yu take it.
Zhi Qin and Zhi Hua breathed a sigh of relief. Although the gifts they gave away this ti were also valuable, compared to previous occasions, it was nothing significant.
On the way back, Xiang Wei said to Yueyao, “Li Guoxing got a promotion, a half-rank increase.” A half-rank increase ant he held the sa grade but shifted to a position that made further promotion more likely.
Yueyao smiled; Uncle Li’s promotion was good news.
Xiang Wei then cautioned, “Don’t celebrate too soon. If I’m not mistaken, Li Guoxing’s half-rank promotion might indicate that the higher-ups have other plans for him?”
Yueyao curiously asked, “A promotion is always good,” even if there were other plans in place.
With a raised eyebrow, Xiang Wei realized she had overestimated Yueyao. Though clever, Yueyao knew little of external affairs. Deciding not to beat around the bush, Xiang Wei explained, “Li Guoxing’s promotion might not be good for you. If I’m right, it’s very likely preparing for his assignnt outside the capital next year.”
Yueyao’s smile froze as she questioned, “Sent away?”
Originally reluctant to elaborate, Xiang Wei thought of Yueyao’s previous concern for Tingzheng and disclosed, “As for why I suspect Li Guoxing will be sent away, you don’t need to know.” Knowing the outco was enough; she wouldn’t tell Yueyao the rest.
Yueyao was naturally happy about Uncle Li’s potential promotion, but the thought of him being sent away and the likelihood of Tingzheng returning to the Lian family made her shudder with trepidation.
With a reassuring smile, Xiang Wei said, “Don’t worry too much. If Li Guoxing really regards Tingzheng as his own child, as you say, he will surely make arrangents for him. Even if Li Guoxing doesn’t and Tingzheng has to return to the Lian Mansion, he’ll be eight after the New Year, which is the age to go to school. Then, Tingzheng will only co ho for a few days every month, so there’s nothing to be concerned about.”
However, Yueyao was not as optimistic as Xiang Wei. Having only studied for two years, Tingzheng wouldn’t be able to get into a good school, and Yueyao wouldn’t want him to attend a poor one. This solution wouldn’t work.
Though troubled, Yueyao knew worrying wouldn’t help. She asked Xiang Wei, “Can you share with any news you hear from the outside? I want to be more inford about external matters; otherwise, I might be walking blindly.”
Xiang Wei was initially taken aback but chuckled, “I’m now confined to the Inner Courtyard, not stepping beyond. What could I possibly know?” Seeing Yueyao’s disappointed face, she considered further then said, “Bai Yi is well-inford. If you visit Marquis Jingning’s Residence more often, I can ask him.” Xiang Wei was encouraging Yueyao to make more trips there.
Yueyao nodded in agreent, having already prepared herself to not stay long. But visiting three or four tis a month was manageable and would also help her stay updated with outside news.
Returning to the Lian Mansion, Xiang Wei saw Yueyao with the painting and asked, “Miss, are you going to burn this painting?” When they were in the mountains, Yueyao often burned unsatisfactory paintings, which Xiang Wei found regrettable.
Yueyao shook her head, “Keep this painting for now.”
Believing Yueyao’s artworks were quite good and it would be a sha to destroy them, Xiang Wei suggested, “Miss, actually, your paintings are really nice. If you sold them outside, each could be worth dozens of silver.”
Yueyao said with a laugh, “My skills are not yet perfected. Let’s talk about it in a few years.” Yueyao was waiting for Mr. Yu Shan’s approval. Until he acknowledged her readiness, she would not sell her paintings. But once she had his approval, her work would certainly sell for more than just dozens of silver.
Xiang Wei shook her head and didn’t pursue the matter further.
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