Chapter 58: The Storm at Yunfu (5)

  "Foolish child, get up quickly!" Cloud Old Lady hurriedly bent down and personally helped her up, tightly grasping her hand. Her lips trembled for a moment before she sighed, "Your mother... Alas! Never mind, let's not mention past matters again. Your grandmother truly cares about you both, don't have any misunderstandings or worries because of today's events. If anything happens, just think of your grandmother and I'll be at ease!"

  "Hui'er understands!" Yao Cun Hui nodded with tears in her eyes, feeling a warmth in her heart.

  Yao Cun Jia also came out from behind the screen, and the three siblings accompanied Yun Lao Tai Jun to talk for a while, comforting the old lady before helping her in with Zhen Zhu and Hu Po to rest and recover.

  From that day on, the Yun household treated Yao Cunhui and her siblings with even more respect and courtesy. No one dared to be lazy or neglectful around them. Yao Shizan continued to play with Yun Jinge as usual, and Yun Jinge's new wet nurse seemed much more honest and proper than He Yiniang. Yun Zhi, Yun Fang, and Yun Ru looked at Yao Cunhui with even greater admiration, often seeking her out to talk, while Yun Ru felt a bit uneasy, and Yun Fang was especially flattering. Yao Cunhui continued to treat them with the same calmness as before, only adding two more parts of closeness and intimacy.

  After staying for three more days, Yao Cun Jia smiled and mentioned to Cloud Old Lady the matter of returning to the manor, "Having been out for a long time, it's also time to go back! Since we're all in the capital city anyway, let's come visit our great-grandmother again when we have some free time!"

  Yun Lao Tai Jun thought so too, after what happened that day, her sisters were able to endure their temper for three more days before mentioning going back, this tolerance was already not easy!

  "It's true, staying with my wife every day has indeed restricted you! After all, the Yao Mansion is your home, and it's time to go back and show filial piety to your parents and bring joy to them!" Cloud Old Lady smiled and replied, then carefully instructed them again. She told Pearl and others to help Hong Lian and Lu He pack their luggage, and also told them to go to the Third Uncle and Aunt's place to bid farewell, and they would leave early the next day.

  The three of them agreed, and then Yao Cun Jia led his younger brother and sister to start from their eldest uncle and aunt's place, bidding farewell one by one to the three uncles and aunts as well as their cousins.

  "How can you leave so soon? It's been many years since you've come, and it's only right that you stay for a few more days!" Madam Yun smiled, genuinely trying to persuade the siblings to stay.

  Yao Cun Jia couldn't help but smile and be polite for a while, and Yun Da Furen also knew not to force the issue. She was as warm and gentle as Yun Lao Tai Jun, instructing them in a soft voice that if they needed anything, they should just call someone over. Seeing no outsiders around, she gave a subtle signal and had Yun Zhi bring Yao Cun Hui and Yao Shi Zan to sit in the ear chamber, while she herself spoke with Yao Cun Jia about some private matters.

  Yun Zhi also reluctantly bid farewell to Yao Cun Hui, holding her hand and smiling: "Hui'er, when you have time, be sure to come visit me. We've only just gotten familiar with each other, and it's not easy for us to talk more. You're leaving again!" She sighed softly as she spoke.

  "If Second Aunt wants me, can't she just come and live with me?" Yao Cunhui smiled.

  "You're right, I'm not being polite with you. When I have time later, I'll definitely go! Don't think I'm bothering you!"

  "How could this be? I've been begging for a table sister!"

  The two of them looked at each other and smiled, their expressions very intimate.

  For a moment, they bid farewell to everyone and returned to the Qingning Institute. They saw Zhenzhu and Hupo leading a group of young maidservants arranging piles of gifts that had been stacked up like mountains. The two sisters were startled and hastily made excuses to Old Lady Yun.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun smiled and said, "These were all sent by your three uncles, aunts, and the respected housekeepers and stewardesses at home. Mine haven't been prepared yet! You are guests, and it's been so many years since you came, why be so polite? Listen to me, just accept them! Take them back and use whatever is useful, or give them away as rewards!"

  Yao Cun Jia and Yao Cun Hui exchanged a glance and no longer declined, bowing to thank Old Lady Yun.

  Not to mention the various gifts sent by Yun's family, three houses and the managers, Mrs. Yun alone selected many good things to give away, with everything needed for eating, wearing, using, and playing, including a set of jade inlaid gold and a set of pearl inlaid treasure point jade, which were high-quality goods that could not be bought even with money. The four treasures of the study prepared by Mrs. Yun for Yao Shizan were also left by Mr. Yun and treasured by Mrs. Yun.

  Yun Lao Tai Jun was meticulous, apart from the top-grade ones for her sisters, she also prepared many different types of handbags and medium-grade fabrics, hair flowers, and hairpins, letting Yao Cun Hui's sisters take them back to reward people. The following Hong E, Lu He, Wu Jin brothers were rewarded with first-class ones at that time.

  Yao Cunmei didn't fall behind either and also prepared a gift, of course not as valuable as the one for her sister Yao Cunhui, but still decent according to etiquette.

  At night, when people were quiet, Old Lady Yun gave the two sisters three thousand taels of silver notes again, telling them to keep them well and use them in their daily lives. If there was an urgent need in the future and it was not enough, they could just call someone to come and say so.

  Yao Cunhui's sister thanked and accepted the money. Yao Cunhui felt a surge of emotion, thinking that her maternal grandmother was indeed sincere in her love for her three siblings, even considering their trivial daily needs. By giving them this silver, wasn't she worried that they would be shortchanged by Madam Ma and not have enough to spend? In the household, everyone's survival depended on it, wanting to live a comfortable life, every aspect required some expenditure, even buying fresh vegetables required extra money, where didn't they need silver?

  No silver is given as a reward, and no sweet treats are given to the lower classes. Such masters will be looked down upon by their subordinates, let alone being obeyed!

  The next morning, Yao Cunhui and her sister got dressed and had breakfast with Yun Lao Taijun. After finishing their meal, they bid farewell to the Yun family and left the house. The three madams of the Yun family, including Yun's wife and sisters-in-law, personally escorted them to the second gate, where they tearfully said their goodbyes. Yun Jinzhong, following Yun Lao Taijun's orders, personally accompanied Yao Cunhui and her brother back to the Yao residence.

  When Yao Cunhui's sister and brother returned to the Yao residence, Old Master Yao had gone to the rice shop, leaving only Madam Ma in the house.

  Yun Jinzhong naturally went to pay his respects to Madam Ma, conveying a few polite words from Old Lady Yun. He personally handed over a gift that Old Lady Yun had given to Yao Cunmei to Madam Ma. At first, Madam Ma was surprised, then delighted and pleased, instructing Qiao Mama to take it, laughing politely: "Old Lady is really too kind, how can we accept this!"

  Yun Jin Zhong sat for a while before bidding farewell and leaving. As she was about to leave, she again reminded Yao Cun Hui of many things.

  Ma's heart felt relieved, and she also had the intention to tease her kind mother, so she smiled and said to Yao Cun Jia and the others: "After all, you're back! You must be tired too, take a rest today, no need to come over for dinner this afternoon!"

  Yao Cunhui's sister agreed and left, each returning to their own courtyard.

  The gifts sent by Yunfu were numerous, and for the time being, they couldn't be sorted out. After returning to the mansion, all of them were moved to Yao Cunjia's courtyard, waiting for her to sort them out and then send some to Yao Cunhui and Yao Shizan.

  Yao Cunhui bid farewell to her sister, sent Yao Shizan back to Mingfeng Hall, and carefully asked the maid who was left behind about the situation during this period. After entrusting a few words, she returned to her own courtyard.

  After dressing up, Yao Cunhui rewarded the people who stayed behind, including Rong Ma and Hong Zhi. Rong Ma was experienced and capable, so Yao Cunhui didn't take her to Yun Fu this time, leaving her to guard the Yao residence in case someone tried to cause trouble.

  Hong Lian followed Yao Cun Hui's instructions and gave the people in the yard a reward, then pulled Hong Zhi aside to chat. The two hadn't seen each other for many days, and they had a lot to talk about, both publicly and privately. Yao Cun Hui went inside with Rong Ma to speak.

  "What's been going on in the mansion these days? How is Third Sister?"

  "Miss, don't worry, I've been keeping a close eye on everything here. Everything is normal in our courtyard!" Yuen's mother carefully poured tea for Yao Cunhui and handed it to her, smiling: "Third Miss, that day when you and the master and mistress went out to dinner, Third Miss made a big fuss, and one of the maids was hit on the head. The steward was in a hurry and called for a doctor! Later, the mistress came back and took a look at her, but I don't know what she said, and it didn't seem like anything was wrong. Oh, right, two days ago, someone came to visit, wanting to enter Miss's room, but I blocked them in the courtyard. I told them Miss wasn't here, and I was afraid of not being able to entertain them properly, so I didn't let them in! She looked around the courtyard for a while, and her eyes landed on a pot of orchids that Miss had been raising. She said she wanted to borrow it back to admire it, so I had no choice but to give it to her."

  Yao Cun Hui smiled faintly, "It's just something for people to see, she can take it if she wants!" Yao Cun Mei was unhappy in her heart and deliberately wanted to pick a fight with her, but she didn't need to bother with such trivial matters.

  "Also, there's something else," Mother Rong remembered and said with a serious expression: "A few days ago, I heard from the people on Madame's side that it seems to be Master's intention to assign two more servants to serve in the young ladies' courtyard, saying that previously there were too few people and it didn't look good. This old servant saw that Jo Mama seemed to be selecting people these past two days!"

  "Is that so?" Yao Cunhui's expression didn't change, but she secretly took note. After visiting the Yun family, where her three siblings were spoiled by Old Lady Yun and her father was delighted, she thought of this possibility. Since Yao Shizan already had a young servant by his side, and Old Master Yao was on guard against maids seducing his son after being reminded by Yao Cunhui, he wouldn't add anyone else to his son's side, but rather thought about adding someone to her own sisters' side.

  Mr. Yao was kind-hearted, but when it came to adding people to the household, it was Mrs. Ma who took charge. Could she find someone suitable for Yao Cunmei and also for them?

  One red stick is enough, if two more come, it will be unbearable.

  "Second Miss, with so many people around, it's inevitable that there will be gossip and rumors. Although Master is kind-hearted, I think it's better to decline the offer," said Nanny Rong, apparently thinking along the same lines as Yao Cunhui.

  "You and I understand each other, but Father has already spoken out. How can Mother let go of this opportunity? It's a bit difficult to reject it outright! Let me think carefully, later we'll go to Big Sister's place and sit for a while, listen to what Big Sister thinks!" Yao Cunhui said with a smile.

  "Why don't we go over for dinner then? We can have dinner together with Big Sister!" suggested Mama Rong with a smile.

  "It's fine, just come back early then!" Yao Cunhui smiled slightly and subconsciously pinched the small piece of paper in her sleeve. It was Mingxia who had secretly handed it to her when she saw them off at the Ma family house, with a note that said "I have something to ask for tonight after dark".