Chapter 51: Paying Respects (9)

  Yao Shizan and Wu Jin were in the midst of their martial arts practice, when they heard Yao Cunhui's words and couldn't wait any longer. Immediately, she slipped down from Cloud Old Lady's side and smiled with a raised face: "Yes, yes, Grandmother, Zan'er originally planned to perform a set of long boxing for Grandmother's birthday, please grant Zan'er permission!"

  "Is that so? Then Grandma will have to take a good look, see how fierce our Zan'er's kung fu is!" Yun Lao Tai Jun immediately smiled with joy, throwing away the sulking from just now. Everyone else also laughed and joined in on the fun, waiting to see the excitement.

  Yao Shizan was very pleased, and with a bow and a curtsy, she made her way to the center of the flower hall, where she performed a small but sincere courtesy. The sight of this little girl's serious demeanor caused everyone to burst out laughing again, and they all applauded spontaneously, thinking to themselves that this child's appearance and behavior were so charming that it was impossible not to like her, no wonder Cloud Old Lady doted on her so much!

  Yao Shizan let out a loud whoop and started boxing, his movements as smooth as flowing clouds and water. The old lady Yun occasionally exclaimed and applauded, calling out "good!" The crowd was even more pleased, smiling and cheering, the flower hall was bustling with excitement.

  As soon as she finished, Yun Lao Tai Jun leaned forward slightly, stretched out her arms and smiled: "Quickly, come to Grandma's place! Good, our Zan'er is really great, really outstanding!"

  Yun Lao Tai Jun had Yaoshi Zan sit down next to her, and with great tenderness, she wiped the thin sweat from his forehead and face. She then ordered a maid to bring over some fragrant tea to quench his thirst, and smiled as she asked: "This Wu is not bad, I wonder what kind of book he has read?"

  Yao Shizan glanced at Yao Cunhui and saw her smiling and nodding slightly, so she smiled and said: "Father is currently looking for a teacher, saying that he will officially start his apprenticeship next spring. Now every day, he reads one or two articles on the Analects of Confucius and Mencius, and writes 50 big characters. Second sister says learning should be gradual, no need to rush."

  Yun Lao Tai Jun was very satisfied and relieved, smiling: "That's right, you've just recovered from your illness, you can't overexert yourself, you have to take it slow!" She glanced at Yao Cun Hui again and smiled: "You're willing to listen to your sister's words, that's great too!"

  In the past, Yun Shi was rarely able to return home, and Yao Cun Hui had only met Yun Lao Tai Jun a few times. She had older sisters above her and younger brothers below her, all of whom had captured Yun Lao Tai Jun's attention. As a result, although Yun Lao Tai Jun loved her out of familial affection, she didn't have any particularly special feelings for Yao Cun Hui. Especially after hearing that Yao Cun Hui spent most of her days hiding in her own room and refusing to see anyone, even the wet nurses sent by Yun Lao Tai Jun herself, Yun Lao Tai Jun felt a growing sense of displeasure towards her. Today, seeing Yao Cun Hui for the first time, although she secretly wondered if the rumors about her were false, she still didn't have much feeling for her. Later, after seeing Yao Shi Zan unintentionally reveal his affectionate expression towards Yao Cun Hui, Yun Lao Tai Jun finally began to take notice of Yao Cun Hui. However, she attributed this to Yao Shi Zan's childish nature and thought it was normal for him to be close to his own sister.

  Yao Cun Jia heard what Yun Lao Tai Jun said and saw an opportunity, so he smiled and said to Yun Lao Tai Jun: "Grandmother, you don't know that Zan Er and Hui Er are actually very close. My parents think Hui Er is meticulous, and since Liu Tai Yi gave Zan Er a prescription, Hui Er has been in charge of taking care of Zan Er's daily life! Zan Er's recovery today is all thanks to Hui Er's hard work!"

  "It's actually like this!" Yun Lao Tai Jun and the crowd couldn't help but be greatly surprised, and for a moment, countless gazes fell on Yao Cun Hui's body to scrutinize and investigate.

  It's no wonder that everyone is surprised. The situation of Yao Shizan was not only known to Yun Lao Taikun, but also to many people present. Yao Shizan is the only son of Yao Lao Ye, and Yao Cun Hui is still young. Under such circumstances, it's surprising that Yao Lao Ye would entrust his only son to Yao Cun Hui for care. If Yao Cun Jia hadn't said so herself, Yun Lao Taikun wouldn't have believed it!

  But soon, Yun Lao Tai Jun believed a little in her heart. Under the gaze of countless people's inquiry and measurement, Yao Cun Hui was still calm and composed, with a gentle face and a calm demeanor, and this elegant and outstanding temperament was not something that ordinary girls could have.

  "Sister, you're praising me so much, I'm getting a bit embarrassed! With Doctor Liu's prescription and the maids serving me, and Father, Mother, and Sister taking charge, all I did was ask a few more questions and keep Zan'er company every day. What effort did I put in?" Yao Cunhui smiled warmly, looking slightly embarrassed as she lowered her eyes.

  "This is also rare!" Everyone looked at each other, smiling in their mouths. With a stepmother at home, medicine, food, unexpected events and so on can be prevented from leaking, taking care of my brother carefully, can it be said that "worry" is just two words?

  Yun Lao Tai Jun naturally thought of the reason, and for a moment, she couldn't help but feel sad again. If her daughter were still alive, why would her grandsons have to suffer like this? It's all because heaven is blind!

  Yun Lao Tai Jun blinked her eyes and smiled lovingly: "Seeing you siblings getting along so well, Grandma is at ease!" She then turned to Yao Cun Hui with affection: "Hui'er is indeed very sensible, Grandma's heart is even more delighted. Good child, it's not easy for you!"

  "Grandma, you're being too serious. Zan is indeed Hui'er's younger brother, and taking care of her younger brother is something Hui'er should do anyway!" Yao Cun Hui smiled as she stood up to respond.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun smiled and nodded, wanting to say something but hesitated because of the crowd, so she thought for a moment and swallowed her words, gesturing for Yao Cun Hui to sit down.

  Yun Zhi smiled and said, "Grandmother, it's been a long time since we've seen our cousins. Why not let them stay for a few more days? I'd like to spend some quality time with my female cousins too!"

  Everyone listened and laughed, saying that the second young lady was thoughtful, it should be so. Next spring, Miss Yao will get married, who knows when they will meet again? They should take advantage of the lively atmosphere to stay a few more days.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun had this intention all along, so she nodded and smiled: "That's right, you still have several cousins, aunts, and uncles who are all busy entertaining guests elsewhere today. You can't get together properly, so stay for a few more days and get to know each other better!"

  Yao Cun Jia's sister got up and smiled in response.

  Yao Cun Jia smiled and said, "Jia'er and her sister embroidered a silk screen with the 'Mago offers longevity' picture as a birthday gift for their maternal grandmother. Please accept it, Grandmother."

  Yun Lao Tai Jun became more and more delighted, laughing: "You sisters are thoughtful, I know Jia'er's embroidery skills, but I don't know how Hui'er's is. Quickly, have someone bring it in for me to take a look!"

  On the birthday of Old Lady Yun, all sorts of precious and valuable gifts filled the hall, and Mrs. Yun directed more than 20 servants to move them into the warehouse in a flurry, with no time to spare. How could Old Lady Yun have the energy to examine each one carefully? She just glanced at them casually, but when it came to the gift from her dear granddaughter, she was different, and immediately ordered someone to bring it over.

  Yao Cunhui also smiled and said, "My embroidery skills are not comparable to those of my elder sister. I made a pair of shoes for my maternal grandmother as well, but I don't know if they fit properly. If they're not good enough, please forgive me, Grandmother!"

  "Something made by Hui'er herself, can't be bad!" This was the first time that Yao Cun Hui had personally made a gift for Yun Lao Tai Jun, and Yun Lao Tai Jun was even more delighted, ordering someone to bring over the shoes as well.

  Fortunately, the big girl beside Yun Lao Taijun was aware of her thoughts and had already put away the embroidery and shoes separately, knowing that Yun Lao Taijun wanted to see them. Upon hearing this, Shanhu smiled and went forward, soon bringing them back in her hands.

  Two little maids slowly unfolded the embroidery, displaying it before the crowd. The picture depicted Magu stepping on auspicious clouds, her skirt fluttering, holding a longevity peach and slightly looking up. Above her sat Queen Mother Wang, surrounded by many fairy maidens, with an elegant demeanor, surrounded by auspicious clouds, flying phoenixes, and an aura of immortality, vividly lifelike.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun saw a burst of laughter and praised, everyone also carefully praised once, praising Yao Cun Jia's craftsmanship was outstanding. At this time, Yun Lao Tai Jun looked at the embroidered shoes presented by Yao Cun Hui, gestured to Xiaoyu to take off her own shoes and try them on, walked a few steps on the ground, and also praised without stopping. Yao Cun Hui sisters were busy being humble, the whole house was joyful and harmonious.

  Mrs. Yu, the second lady of the house, came in with the housekeeper, saying that the prince's carriage was about to arrive, and everyone became busy at once, helping Old Lady Yu get dressed and getting themselves ready, supporting Old Lady Yu to the second gate to greet him.

  Apart from Yao Cun Jia and others who had already arranged marriages and avoided going, the rest such as Yao Cun Hui all followed together. Yao Cun Hui noticed that the remaining few sisters-in-law of the Yun family and Second Aunt Qi and Third Aunt Zhao had also come at some point, surrounding Old Lady Yun in a crowd.

  Here are all the ladies, the men have gone to welcome at the gate, only Yao Shizan is still by Cloud Old Lady's side and has not gone out, he is also young and does not count as impolite.

  "Zan'er? Zan'er? Quick, bring him over to me!" In the midst of all the commotion, Old Lady Yun still didn't forget about Yao Shi Zan.

  Mrs. Yundah, Pearl, Linglong and others were busy pushing Yaoshizan forward, Yaocunhui saw the situation and hurriedly stepped forward with a smile: "Zaner is young, what if he loses his manners and offends the prince? It's better for my granddaughter to take care of Zaner, please don't worry, Grandmother!"

  Yao Shizan is a member of the Yao family. The Crown Prince came to pay his respects to Old Lady Yun's birthday, and Old Lady Yun doted on Zan'er, who was not even her own grandson. She had her own biological grandsons waiting outside the main gate to greet him, and by her side were her own daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Although the old lady pitied Zan'er, if things went too far, it would be hard to avoid the women and children of the Yun family from growing resentful. Yao Cunhui had come seeking support, not to stir up trouble, so he stepped forward after hearing Old Lady Yun's words.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun lived a lifetime, what didn't she know? It was just that her heart ached for her grandson's momentary negligence. As soon as she heard Yao Cun Hui say this, she immediately came to her senses and threw a glance of approval and relief at Yao Cun Hui. Then, smiling, she said: "Since it's like this, you take good care of Zan Er from now on, don't squeeze him out!"

  "Yes, Grandmother." Yao Cunhui bowed and followed behind Yun Lao Taijun and Yun Da Furen with Yao Shizan.

  Everyone came out of Yun Lao Tai Jun's Qing Ning Yuan, walked along a long corridor, bypassed the wall shadow, and arrived at a large sky well. Seeing that the middle gate was wide open, they walked straight forward until they stopped at the second gate.

  Just as she was about to kneel down, two small eunuchs rushed over and transmitted the crown prince's order to support Yun Lao Tai Jun. The rest of the people naturally knelt on both sides of the road, hanging their heads in silence.