The sun slowly rose from the east, hanging high in the sky. Sunlight streamed in through the window, only to be blocked by the pale blue curtains.
Li Shiyue sat up, and before she could even lift the curtain, she heard Chunling's voice: "Is Miss getting up?"
"Okay, get up."
Perhaps the windmill was indeed useful, as it slowly generated a cool breeze throughout the night, and when I woke up in the morning, the sticky sweat on my body was gone.
After getting ready, she stepped into the courtyard of Shousong Hall and immediately saw Xu Yunci, who had already walked to the corridor.
The handle of the round fan she held in her hand was made of Hetian jade, which was warm to the touch and carved with bamboo-like patterns. She couldn't help but grip it tighter, and a tingling sensation came from her palm.
"Miss Cousin."
Li Shiyue stepped forward and looked at Lianchun who was coming to greet her: "You are outside, but Granny Chang is inside."
Lianchun replied, "That's right, the old lady just got up. Please, Miss Lianchun."
Li Shiyue nodded in agreement and walked to the corridor. Xu Yunci was watching her approach with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. She lowered her eyes and softly called out, "Cousin."
"Grandmother just got up, let's go in together."
Xu Yunci stepped inside first, and Li Shiyue glanced up and followed.
Breakfast was laid out on the round table inside the room, and the side dishes looked appetizing. Li Shiyue glanced at them and then looked away. With her sharp eyes, she noticed a figure moving behind the screen. She walked over and smiled, and sure enough, it was Granny Chang helping Old Madam Xu out.
She habitually reached out to support Old Madam Xu's right side, and together with Granny Chang, followed Old Madam Xu's slow steps to the table. Once Old Madam Xu was seated, Li Shiyue sat down beside her.
Seeing her sit down, Xu Yunci lifted his robe and sat to the left of Old Madam Xu, glancing at Li Shiyue without making a sound. Clearly, his little cousin's attention was not on him.
The Xu family also had no rule about talking while eating or sleeping.
The atmosphere was quiet, with only the sound of spoons stirring. For many days, Li Shiyue had been having breakfast with Madam Xu by herself, and sometimes Xu Lingzi would come over.
Moreover, Madam Xu did not teach her daughters-in-law the proper etiquette between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. They could pay their respects to each other at dawn and dusk according to their own wishes. However, people from all four branches of the family would come over during festivals.
Today is different. Xu Yunci, standing before her, is like a majestic mountain peak, sitting upright on the other side of Old Madam Xu.
Every time Li Shiyue looked up, she could see his delicate white fingers holding a spoon, slowly savoring the soup from that evening.
Today, the kitchen made pumpkin porridge, which is one of Old Madam Xu's favorites. Li Shiyue also usually enjoys the refreshing side dishes that came with it, but today she ate much slower, only slowly putting the pumpkin porridge into her mouth.
Madam Xu put down her spoon and took the handkerchief handed to her by Granny Chang. Her gaze fell on Xu Yunci, and she subtly sized him up before looking away.
After Granny Chang took away the handkerchief, Old Madam Xu's gaze fell on Li Shiyue. She wasn't old and senile, just getting on in years, but she still had the judgment she should have.
These two people seem to be acting strangely today.
After breakfast, Li Shiyue and Xu Yunci got up and helped Old Madam Xu to sit on the wooden couch, one on each side. Li Shiyue habitually let go and then squatted down to lift Old Madam Xu's legs up on the couch.
Xu Yunci glanced at it and placed the cushion behind her so that Old Madam Xu could lean back more comfortably.
"Grandmother, I've come today to discuss Sixth Sister's marriage."
Madam Xu was not surprised. Xu Yunci's position was almost always busy, so his early arrival must mean he had something to say.
"You didn't attend the morning court session today."
Xu Yunci wasn't in a hurry: "I didn't go. The Emperor ordered me and several other officials to investigate how much the Earl of Yunyang was involved in the affairs of Huayuan County."
Madam Xu sighed and looked at Li Shiyue beside her. Her expression was calm, and she did not seem to notice Xu Yunci's words at all.
"What is your opinion on the matter of the Marquis of Yunyang?"
Xu Yunci looked at Li Shiyue, who happened to be looking over as well. Perfect timing, let's talk about it now. My little cousin trusted me before and hasn't asked about me these past few days, but she must still be thinking about me a lot.
"It's actually quite simple. The currency flowing from Huayuan County to the capital was manufactured before the new year, and each silver ingot has a special mark. However, the Earl of Yunyang entered the capital after the spring. Huayuan County and Yunzhong County are thousands of miles apart, and the background of Yunzhong County is simpler and not difficult to investigate."
Madam Xu sighed and took Li Shiyue's hand: "Although your father was really a scoundrel and owed you and your mother a lot, this is his retribution."
"That's true, but he's still your father. We haven't officially severed ties. We can't let you stay out of it for too long. Gossip can break you down."
Li Shiyue originally wanted to say that her cousin had his own plans, but then she thought that she knew these things in her heart, and saying them out loud would inevitably cause misunderstandings.
Xu Yunci glanced at her: "Grandmother is right. The Earl of Yunyang will be released in the next two days. If he is obedient, he should return to Yunzhong County as soon as possible. The capital is not a place for him to stay."
Madam Xu snorted coldly, holding Li Shiyue's hand tightly, and instructed, "You should know your limits. It's good to teach Uncle Yunyang a lesson and to vent your anger for Jiaojiao and your aunt. Don't let outsiders say she's cold-blooded and heartless, or I'll make you regret it."
"It's fine that your aunt passed away early, but Jiaojiao is not yet married. You must remember to be careful with your actions. Teach that old bastard Yunyang a lesson and let him remember that even after Jiaojiao gets married, no one can disturb my peaceful life."
Xu Yunci lowered his eyes, remembering Old Madam Xu's words: "Grandmother, don't worry."
Madam Xu sighed: "What do you think of Sixth Sister's marriage?"
"What does Grandmother think of Guo Xun, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?" Xu Yunci thought highly of Guo Xun, firstly because his family was simple and he came from a poor background. He rose to power and became an honest and upright official, and was able to become a favorite of the emperor. He must be capable.
The main reason is that he surrendered to Chonghua Palace and pledged allegiance to his legitimate master.
"He has no parents and was raised by his uncle and aunt since childhood. Now, besides himself, the Guo family also includes his uncle, aunt and cousin's family, so the population is small."
"His second uncle hasn't accomplished much. He taught at the academy a few years ago, but now he's retired and occasionally works as a tutor to pass the time. His cousin is a playful person. He's been with Wulang and the others for a year, but we haven't had any contact with the others."
The family is small; there are no parents, so even if she marries into the family, she won't have to worry about whether her mother-in-law will be easy to get along with. The only question is whether her aunt will be easy to deal with.
"Alright, I was planning to take Sixth Sister and Jiaojiao to Zhaode Temple in a few days, but let's postpone it for a few days. Let's hold a banquet and invite Aunt Guo over as well."
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