289 Good-heartedness
Old Madam Yu took a look and smiled. “The osmanthus incense beads you made smelled so good. How can you be so capable? Everyone says that you’re indeed worthy of being raised by me. I wasn’t as capable as you when I was young.”
When she was young, she was just like Yao Yao. She had been raised to be very pampered and angry. She didn’t know how to do this or that. Her mother couldn’t do anything to her, so she could only let her read a few more books and teach her more about how to behave.
It was also because of this that she had indulged Yao Yao in the past.
It wasn’t until Yao Yao fell sick that she suddenly realized.
Yao Yao was different from her!
She had been protected and raised by her mother since she was young. Even when she saw her mother doing things for others, she could still be influenced and secretly learn many principles.
However, Yao Yao’er had no mother since she was young, and her health wasn’t good, so she didn’t have much energy. She often was taught by people by her side step by step, and Madam Yang was in charge of the household. There were many principles that no one had taught Yao Yao.
Therefore, Yao Yao was already nine years old, but she was still ignorant.
It had only been two to three months since Nanny Xu had arrived, but Yao Yao seemed to have changed completely.
Yu Youyao leaned against her grandmother. “When it’s summer, I’ll make a cooling bracelet for Grandmother to wear. This is an incense recipe that Nanny Xu has concocted herself. It’s made of fragrant medicinal herbs. The fragrance of the incense bead can avoid filth, refresh the spleen, and relieve heat. If it’s too hot and you’re afraid of catching a heatstroke, you can also take off the incense beads and use them to cool down. Grandmother, summer is tough. With the cooling beads, you’ll definitely feel much better.”
Old Madam Yu laughed so hard that her wrinkles appeared. “Oh my, how can my little darling be so considerate like you?”
The grandfather and granddaughter chatted a lot.
Nanny Liu listened with a smile.
At this moment, Yu Youyao took out the red string necklace that she had made previously from her sleeve and handed it to Nanny Xu. “Nanny, this wooden osmanthus incense bead necklace is for you to wear.”
Nanny Liu took it happily. “Eldest Miss, you have to make more things in the future and show filial piety to Old Madam. I can also benefit from it a little.” As she spoke, she lowered her head to smell the incense beads and said happily, “When you smell this incense, it enters your brain and its really good.”
When Old Madam Yu heard this, she glanced at her from the corner of her eye. “You’re still pretending to be obedient after taking advantage of me. That’s what I mean.”
This old fellow was getting more and more mischievous.
At this moment, the news that Aunt Shen had come to the Yu Residence and rewarded Yu Youyao had already spread throughout the east and west residences of the Yu Residence.
Not long after, Yang Shuwan brought Yu Jianjia and Madam Yao to An Shou Hall one after another.
The entire family gathered around Yu Youyao to admire the palace token around her waist.
Madam Yao held Yu Youyao’s hand and praised her with a smile, “Cleanliness is good, and Yao Yao is kind. In all my life, this is the first time I’ve heard the Empress Dowager praise any girl so much. Our Yao Yao is really amazing.” As she spoke, she stared at the palace token on Yu Youyao’s waist. She couldn’t help but feel a little envious. The smile in her eyes faded a little, but the smile on her lips did not fade at all. “Oh, look at this palace token. It’s really exquisite. It’s made of Lantian jade.”
There was nothing more dignified than this.
Yu Youyao had been a smart child since she was young, but in the end, she had not been taught by her mother. She was afraid that she wouldn’t be doted on. The older Old Madam was, the kinder she was. She was also very indulgent towards her. She was only an eight or nine-year-old child, but Old Madam still doted on her.
Compared to the third daughter of the main family, Jia Jia, she was very obedient and sensible.
However, who knew that after Yu Youyao’s illness, she had almost lost her life? Old Madam realized this and found a capable nanny to teach her.
In just two to three months, she had changed completely. It was as if she had become a different person.
Yesterday, at the flower festival, she had seen Yu Youyao’s maturity. Every word and sentence was like a knife, cutting into the Marquis of Changxing’s wife and Seventh Miss Cao.
It wasn’t the blood and flesh of a person that were cut.
It was a reputation that the Marquis of Changxing’s Residence had earned through generations of meritorious deeds. In addition, the Marquis of Changxing had bled and sweated in Youzhou and risked his life.
The Marquis of Changxing’s Residence had also lost face in the palace. The Flower Festival had become a joke and a laughing stock.
There was no one better than Yu Youyao.
Yu Shuangbai held Yu Youyao’s arm. “I saw Seventh Miss Cao yesterday. She also has a palace token tied around her waist. It’s made of red agate and has the same color and tassel. It’s as if no one can see it. She can really show off. However…” She giggled, sincerely happy for Yu Youyao. “Hers isn’t as dignified as yours.”
Yu Shanyan, Yu Shanxin, and Yu Shanli also praised her.
Yang Shuwan was sandwiched in the middle. No matter how unhappy she was, she had to say a few polite words. “Our Yao Yao is really a blessed child. Not only did she receive the Empress Dowager’s praise, but she also received a reward…”
As a result, Yu Youyao had become a noble lady. Be it at home or outside, Jia Jia was not only a head shorter than her, but had a lower status than Yu Youyao.
She suddenly tightened her grip on her handkerchief, and even the smile on her face stiffened.
Yesterday, Jia Jia had slipped and lost her balance at the flower festival, making a fool of herself. She had even sprained her ankle. When she reached home, Yu Youyao had even caused her to be scolded by her father. She had suffered.
However, that little b*tch, Yu Youyao, had stepped on her and her mother. Not only did she gain a reputation, but she also had dignity. Today, she had even received praise and rewards from the Empress Dowager.
There was really no justice!
Yu Jianjia’s face was pale as she smiled faintly. “Big Sister has received the Empress Dowager’s reward and praise. It’s the Yu Residence’s honor and fortune to have you as a daughter.”
Now that Yu Youyao had a good reputation, the Yu Residence also had a reputation for being “well educated.” The young misses in the residence would also be valued outside.
A girl’s upbringing was the most important.
Education emphasized character and virtue, followed by talent and beauty.
This was the first time Yu Youyao had left the house. When she was outside, she had fought for a good reputation for herself. She had also received a sentence from the Empress Dowager—cleanliness, integrity, and kindness!
She was clear-minded.
This referred to her talent and appearance.
Integrity was a virtue.
Yao Xin was a kind and outstanding person.
Those with outstanding upbringings had good virtues.
“Congratulations, Big Sister!” After Yu Jianjia finished speaking, she couldn’t help but lower her head and cover her mouth to cough.
She could almost imagine how glorious and honorable this matter would be as soon as Aunt Shen left the Yu Residence.
After Yu Jianjia finished coughing, she couldn’t help but glance at the palace token that Yu Youyao was wearing at her waist.
The palace token was very exquisite, and the carving was very elegant.
Lantian jade was rare and precious. Even though the jade pillow in her room was made of Lantian white jade, it was also given to her by Old Madam because Lantian jade regulated her yin and yang, blood and qi. It would help to improve her illness.
However, in the Great Zhou Dynasty, Lantian jade was respected by yellow and green, but it was not as noble as the Lantian jade on the palace token.