Chapter 52 Going Together
Xiao Yuxuan stood up, bowed again, and then said solemnly:
“The Princess invited me late at night, and Yu Xuan was afraid of disturbing her mother’s rest, so she did not inform her mother in advance. Yu Xuan is at fault for this, and I will accept her mother’s punishment.”
"If Mother does not wish for Yuxuan to serve her every day, Yuxuan will send someone to inform the Princess that she has refused this task."
Madam Xiao frowned. She was indeed unhappy, but the fact that her daughter was favored by the Princess would bring her honor if word got out. Why should she risk offending the Princess by refusing?
"That's not what I meant. After all, the Princess is a person of the highest esteem. If you offend her by breaking the rules, our Xiao family cannot afford to suffer the consequences."
She still couldn't figure out what the princess saw in Yu Xuan.
Besides her outstanding appearance among girls her age and her so-so demeanor, what other merits does Yu Xuan have that she doesn't know about?
It wasn't that she was biased; now that both girls were by her side, she looked them over and still felt that Yuyao was better in every way.
If we were to guess who the eldest princess would be interested in, it should be Yuyao.
Xiao Yuyao noticed Madam Xiao's gaze on her and gave a graceful smile:
"Mother said this because she was worried about Fifth Sister. If we could find a way to satisfy both sides, so that Fifth Sister could go there to serve as the Princess instructed, and someone could keep an eye on her and make sure there are no mistakes, that would be the best."
Xiao Yuxuan glanced at her, her words practically implying that she, Xiao Yuyao, was also going to follow.
However, Madam Xiao did not say what Xiao Yuyao expected:
"Yes, we still need to think of a way."
"Alright, you can go now. Remember the etiquette and rules I taught you: speak less, do more, and never be arrogant in front of important people..."
Seeing that Madam Xiao had already begun to give instructions on how Xiao Yuxuan should behave in the Princess's residence, Xiao Yuyao became somewhat anxious.
She's made it so obvious, how come my mother still can't figure it out?
If someone like Xiao Yuxuan could catch the eye of the Eldest Princess, why can't I?
She had met the Princess before through Princess Wenyue's introduction, but there were too many young men and women present at the time, and the Princess only spoke to her for a few words before her attention was drawn to other people.
Xiao Yuyao thought to herself that if she could get to know the eldest princess better and gain her favor, she would have no worries about becoming the fourth prince's wife.
Right now, isn't this like a pillow being delivered to someone who's sleepy?
As for Xiao Yuxuan?
Hmph, since I have the ability to win the favor of the Xiao family, I naturally have the ability to win over the Princess. Xiao Yuxuan can only be my stepping stone for the rest of her life!
"Alright, I'm a little tired too. You two can go back now."
After finishing her long-winded explanation, Madam Xiao wearily pinched the bridge of her nose.
Xiao Yuxuan bowed and took her leave, but Xiao Yuyao stayed behind.
"Mother, Yuyao has a foolish plan that might prevent Fifth Sister from making any mistakes in front of the Princess, and also bring the Princess closer to our Xiao family..."
After listening, Madam Xiao pondered for a moment before dismissing the servants and lowering her voice to say:
“Yuyao, it’s not that your mother didn’t think of this.”
"Yu Xuan is fine. You grew up pampered by my side. How could your mother bear to let you do servant work? Besides, you should know that noble people are not so easy to serve. The princess is born into the royal family and has lost her son and husband. I'm afraid her temper won't be very good."
Everyone in the capital knew about the princess's plight, especially the noble ladies from those families who were considered to have harmonious and happy lives. Which one of them didn't outwardly show respect and awe, but gossip behind her back?
To put it nicely, she was a widow living alone at home; to put it bluntly, she was destined to be a lonely star, cursed by misfortune, which led to the deaths of several of her children and husband.
If such a woman were born into an ordinary family, she would be someone that people would respect but keep at a distance.
However, because she was the eldest princess and the emperor's elder sister, she was able to live a life of luxury and honor on the surface, and even have a job at Yuxiu Academy.
Xiao Yuyao's eyes immediately filled with tears, and she spoke in a tone of self-sacrifice:
“Mother, Yuyao is not afraid. Fifth Sister’s personality is probably hard to change in a short time. I’ve already let it go since she used to beat and scold me at home, after all, I owed her…”
“But if she makes a mistake in front of the Princess, it will be a disaster for the entire Xiao family. Yuyao is fortunate to have been in the Xiao family for so many years. Thanks to the love of her father and mother, she can stay and serve the Xiao family. Yuyao is willing to do anything for the Xiao family. Why would she worry about such things?”
Seeing that Madam Xiao still looked hesitant, Xiao Yuyao simply knelt down and earnestly said:
“Mother, please let me go with Fifth Sister. No matter how harsh the Princess is or how difficult Fifth Sister is, I will do it willingly and without any complaints.”
"Please, Mother, give Yuyao a chance to repay the Xiao family."
Upon hearing Xiao Yuyao's words, Madam Xiao was deeply moved.
Sure enough, even though Yuyao and she were not related by blood, they shared the same sense of consideration for the greater good, which is the epitome of a noble lady.
She asked Li's mother to help the person up, and finally nodded in agreement.
"Alright, with you going, I feel much more at ease. But Yuyao, please don't wrong yourself..."
The mother and daughter were having a private conversation when Li's mother's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
No matter how well they put it, they should at least ask the Princess and the Fifth Miss for their opinions. The Madam also said that the Fifth Miss acted first and then reported to the Emperor. In her opinion, the Madam herself is also someone who likes to act first and then report to the Emperor.
You'd think they were mother and daughter.
As for the fourth daughter... Madam Li kept her eyes closed and her mind at ease, only feeling that this child's temperament was becoming increasingly unpredictable.
The next morning, Xiao Yuxuan went out early and saw a group of people loading things onto a carriage.
Surrounded and served by several maids, Xiao Yuyao covered her mouth with a handkerchief and yawned slightly.
Before, when she was the only girl in the Xiao family, even though she had to pay her respects to her parents every morning and evening, she had never gotten up this early to dress up. Now that Xiao Yuxuan has come, everything has changed.
Xiao Yuyao was secretly blaming Xiao Yuxuan when she saw her walk over. Remembering that she was going to steal the princess's attention today, she put on a confident smile.
"Fifth Sister, why are you up so late? What if you're late and it's time for you to serve the Princess?"
In front of a group of maids and servants, Xiao Yuyao smiled gently, as if she had already planned to go to the Princess's residence with Xiao Yuxuan.
Hongzhu, who was originally following behind, narrowed her eyes when she saw Xiao Yuyao's appearance.
Something's definitely fishy going on here. What kind of trouble is Xiao Yuyao up to this morning? Just seeing Xiao Yuyao makes her want to vomit.
Xiao Yuxuan gently grasped Hongzhu's hand.
She had originally planned to bring Hongzhu to the Princess today to make an appearance and then naturally restore Hongzhu's princess status.
It seems Xiao Yuyao is about to interfere.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com