287 Visitor from the Palace
Nanny Xu’s eyes suddenly turned red. “Thank you, Eldest Miss. The fragrant bead necklace you made looks very good.”
Back then, when she entered the Yu Residence, she had also hoped that she could develop a relationship with her and have a good time in the future. However, she did not expect that after spending two to three months together, she would unknowingly be so close to her.
At this moment, after receiving the gift from Yu Youyao, she suddenly sighed with emotion. Not every sincere relationship in this world could be repaid.
She was so lucky to have met Yu Youyao.
This young lady would never let anyone down.
At this moment, Qing Xiu came over. “Eldest Miss, someone from the palace is here. It’s Aunt Shen, who walks in front of the Empress Dowager. Old Madam wants you to change your clothes.”
Yu Youyao’s heart tightened, and she quickly agreed.
After returning to her room, Nanny Xu was very busy. Not long after, she helped Yu Youyao change into a silver-embroidered camellia and a high-waisted dress. She combed her hair with a single conch and decorated it with a string of flowers.
As Nanny Xu helped Yu Youyao put on jewelry, she explained, “Miss Shen is the aunt in charge of Shouyan Palace. She has been serving the Empress Dowager since she was young and is a trusted aide of the Empress Dowager. When you see Aunt Shen, you don’t have to be so deliberate. You just have to be polite.” At this point, she paused for a moment and pondered for a moment before saying, “Yesterday, the Empress Dowager punished Seventh Miss Cao. Today, she sent Aunt Shen over. You will probably be rewarded and comforted. Just accept it.”
She was not surprised that the Empress Dowager had interfered in the matters of the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence.
However, she was a little surprised by Aunt Shen’s sudden visit.
It was obvious that the Empress Dowager really took Yu Youyao seriously. It was also because Yu Youyao was still young, so it wasn’t appropriate for her to reward her generously, so she only sent her aunt over.
This way, Yu Youyao would also become a very respected young lady in the capital.
In the future, those who interacted with her would probably become the daughters of noble families.
In less than ten minutes, Yu Youyao was already dressed neatly. Her simple and dignified outfit made her look fresh and generous, making her look even more delicate.
Nanny Xu followed Yu Youyao to An Shou Hall.
Aunt Shen was sitting in the hall drinking tea. She was wearing a purple robe with purple patterns and had her hair combed into a bun. There was a long hairpin with red and gold patterns on her head. She was also wearing red and gold jewelry. Although the style was simple, the quality could not be better. She exuded an aura from head to toe. Two young palace maids stood behind her with their heads lowered.
Yu Youyao greeted Old Madam Yu first.
Old Madam Yu smiled and said, “This is the in-charge of the Empress Dowager’s palace, Aunt Shen.”
Yu Youyao quickly turned to Auntie Shen. She crossed her hands and lowered her eyes, squatting down obediently. “Hello, Aunt Shen!”
Aunt Shen saw that her every move exuded an indescribable delicateness. When she squatted down and bowed, her skirt was piled up under her feet, making her look as light as a camellia. Her appearance was also good as she waited. She had thin eyebrows, sleeping phoenix eyes, a small mouth, and a jade face. There was nothing that wasn’t delicate.
However, she was really beautiful.
Aunt Shen took a look at Auntie Xu, who was standing at the side with her eyes lowered. Then, she carefully sized up Yu Youyao. Her bearing, manners, etiquette, and temperament were all excellent. She was indeed a delicate person who had been personally taught by Auntie Xu.
Aunt Shen put down her teacup and chuckled. “There’s no need to be so polite!”
“Thank you, Aunt.” Yu Youyao bowed.
Aunt Shen stood up and walked up to Yu Youyao. The little palace maid followed behind her with a golden eagle lacquer plate.
“The Empress Dowager praised Eldest Miss Yu’s name.” Auntie Shen saw that Yu Youyao was standing obediently, and her entire body was neither servile nor overbearing. She lowered her head, but her thin shoulders were stable and did not collapse. Her thin back was upright, neither bent nor crooked. Her waist was pressed down, and she revealed respect. It was obvious that she had really developed a strong character. “You’re name means that you’re young and pure. You’re also clean and honest, and good at observing and smiling. You’re kind and graceful. Yao Yao is worthy of her name. Old Madam has really raised you to have morals.”
The Empress Dowager had asked her to say what she should say and how much she should say. It all depended on Yu Youyao’s performance. If she performed appropriately, she could say 70% of what she said. If she added 30%, it would be 100% the message.
Her performance was unsatisfactory, and she held back most of what she was about to say.
Old Madam Yu’s eyes lit up as she sat in the hall. She couldn’t help but twirl her prayer beads a few times.
There was also a requirement for praising people.
When she met someone she was familiar with and saw someone else’s sister, it was inevitable that she would praise her. The problem was how to praise her.
Anyone could say ordinary words.
For example, cleanliness and integrity.
This was the Empress Dowager’s praise for Yao Yao. The former had borrowed Yao Yao’s name and praised the Yu Residence’s style, while the latter praised Yao Yao’s looks, talent, and personality.
Her family was also praised accordingly.
In the future, no matter where she went, these words would become Yao Yao’s standard.
When Yu Youyao heard this, she quickly squatted down to greet her again. “I’m flattered by the Empress Dowager’s praise.”
As soon as she did so, she squatted so deeply that her legs bent down. She did not look superficial at all. Aunt Shen smiled and personally helped her up again. She carefully sized up her eyebrows and her smile deepened. “You’re indeed a jade-like person.”
Nanny Xu saw this scene.
She looked at her and praised her. It was obvious that she had taken Yu Youyao seriously. She had sized her up too many times, even though she had only met her once. In front of the Empress Dowager, she would say even more.
Yu Youyao said shyly, “Aunt, you flatter me.”
Aunt Shen glanced at a little palace maid following behind her.
The little palace maid quickly took a step forward with the golden eagle lacquer plate. Aunt Shen opened a long box on the lacquer plate and took out a palace token.
As soon as the palace token appeared, even Old Madam Yu sat up straight and stared at it, unable to hide the joy in her eyes.
There were two small yellow and green beads on the yellow-green knot. Below them was a jade cicada carved from a Lantian jade. Its color was light yellow to golden, and it was smooth and beautiful, like old fat. It was opaque, but extremely bright.
Below the jade cicada was a jade lock that looked like a carved peony. This jade lock was also Lantian jade. Its color was light green, but it was emerald-colored and sparkling.
The jade cicada was light yellow to golden, beautiful and noble.
The peony-patterned jade lock had a light green to yellow color, making it look elegant.
There were holes under the jade lock, and there were small tassel beads of different lengths. They were yellow, green, and white. There was also a yellow-green tassel tied to the side.
Yu Youyao did not dare to look at it too much and lowered her eyebrows. The Great Zhou Dynasty had a token that was bestowed by a noble in the palace and was worn. Therefore, the righteousness represented by the palace token was a little extraordinary.