Chapter 63: Chapter 27: Family Gifts
Lian Dongfang saw that his suggestion did not receive a response from the Old Madam and cautiously asked, "Mother, is there something inappropriate? If it's not suitable, just let whomever you prefer stay by your side."
Yueying felt very disappointed inside.
The situation took an unexpected turn. After listening, the Old Madam, though her expression did not lighten, responded, "Since you, the Eldest, think Yueying is the best choice, then it shall be Yueying!"
Yueying forgot to hide the joy on her face and said to the Old Madam, "Yes, Grandmother."
Lady Mo's expression darkened slightly. Maternal Aunt Chen's face showed joy, as the Old Madam's favor towards the Eldest Miss was more than welcome for her.
Yuebing was indifferent; firstly, she knew nothing of the undercurrents in the room, and secondly, she was certain she would not be chosen. Yuehuan, on the other hand, wore a look of confusion as if she had not heard what had been said in the room.
The only one unperturbed was Yueyao. From the beginning, she never thought the Old Madam would choose her. The reason was simple—if they wanted to nurture her, they should have taken her in upon her return, instead of letting Lady Mo arrange for her to live in her father's courtyard. Now that she was also tutoring Young Master Zheng, it was even less likely that she would be chosen.
After some laughter, the Old Madam waved her hand, "I am tired; you may all leave."
Yueyao returned to Lanxi Garden. Brother Zheng anxiously took Yueyao's hand and said, "Sister, does Uncle not like me? Sister, did I embarrass you?"
It had been over half a month since Brother Zheng came to Lanxi Garden. During this half month, Yueyao constantly followed Doctor Tang's orders to nourish Tingzheng's health. With no need to mention Tingzheng's improved complexion, the key was his appearance, which worried Yueyao. Yueyao and Tingzheng's facial features were similar, both delicate, but after nurturing him for half a month, she found his skin was as soft and pale as mutton fat jade. Paired with those sparkling, peach blossom eyes, if a five-year-old child was already this captivating, who knew what he would look like grown up?
Although entering the civil service required good looks, being too attractive could be a curse rather than a blessing. Yueyao was lost in worried thoughts. Well, at least she was relieved that Brother Zheng was a boy, not a girl. Yet while a girl could still be hidden away at home, a boy, alas, Yueyao was so worried that her mind was tied in knots.
Yueyao squatted down, touched Tingzheng's forehead with a smile, and said, "No, Uncle doesn't dislike you. He is just always stern; Brother Zheng, don't take it to heart. In fact, you did very well today, your sister is very pleased."
Brother Zheng asked in disbelief, "Really?" He felt a sense of dislike from Uncle. Others didn't like him either.
Children are very sensitive, and Brother Zheng, who had always been ignored, was particularly so.
Yueyao thought for a moment and then said, "It doesn't matter whether Uncle likes Brother Zheng or not. Remember, no matter what, your sister will always like you."
Then, Brother Zheng finally showed a smile on his face. He was most afraid that his sister wouldn't like him as Uncle was very distant towards him. Yueyao sent Brother Zheng back to his study to continue his efforts.
Yueyao, on the other hand, returned to her room and sat on the couch. Hua Lei brought water for Yueyao to wash her hands and changed her outerwear.
Yueyao pondered in bed over the meaning behind Grandmother's actions today. The Grandmother would not do things without reason. She might not understand now, but she could take her time to think and learn slowly.
After a while, when she still couldn't figure it out, she called for Nanny Deng and asked her to give her opinion.
Nanny Deng smiled and said, "If this old servant hasn't guessed wrong, the Old Madam had chosen the Eldest Miss from the start. The questions were just a formality." After speaking, she brought over the ginseng tea that Qiao Lan had just sent in and said to Yueyao, "Miss, drink this first! Worrying like this can harm your spirit."
Yueyao looked at the Jade Bowl Nanny Deng was holding, carved with iris patterns. It was her mother's favorite bowl.
Seeing the sad expression on Yueyao's face, Nanny Deng consoled her, "If Lady saw how much you were grieving for her every day, she would not rest easy even in the netherworld."
Yueyao nodded, stirred the soup with a white porcelain spoon, and took a taste. It was just right. She finished the entire bowl of ginseng soup and then, putting down the Jade Bowl, asked, "Was it also sent to Brother Zheng?"
Nanny Deng replied with a smile, "If Miss has had hers, how could Young Master Zheng be forgotten?"
Yueyao trusted Nanny Deng completely. She and Brother Zheng relied on each other for survival and she would need to depend on him in the future. Nanny Deng surely understood this and would not treat Brother Zheng unfairly.
Yueyao calmed down and said, "Nanny, why do you say that Grandmother initially favored my eldest sister? Even if she brings the Eldest Miss to her side, what then? Could the Eldest Miss really restrain the Lady Mo family? Even if Grandmother promotes Maternal Aunt Chen, our Lian family, being a scholarly family, would not favor concubines over the wife." If it really could restrain her, that would be a joke. A daughter born of a concubine in the Lian family is far inferior to the legitimate daughter and dares not challenge the lady of the house, or else they would meet an even worse fate. Furthermore, the Eldest Miss's marital fate is still in Lady Mo's hands. Unless Lian Yueying is tired of living, she wouldn't dare to confront Lady Mo. In my previous life, Yueying's fate wasn't good either; she likely suffered because of Maternal Aunt Chen.
Nanny Deng was pleased with Yueyao's sharp response, "Miss, the Old Madam's move indeed favors the Eldest Miss and Maternal Aunt Chen, but it is not about favoring the concubine over the wife."
Yueyao didn't understand.
Nanny Deng explained, "The Old Madam only wants to temporarily suppress Lady Mo. Now that the Eldest Young Master is fifteen, he will participate in the spring imperial examination next year. If he becomes a Palace Graduate, he can marry well. At that time, when the Eldest Young Madam enters the family, she will take over the management of the household, and Lady Mo, even as a mother-in-law, will not be able to go too far." If she hasn't guessed wrong, the Old Madam will surely choose a formidable granddaughter-in-law. If Lady Mo does not wish to relinquish power, a struggle between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would be welcome.
Yueyao, however, thought Nanny Deng was being too naive. How could a daughter-in-law suppress a mother-in-law? A gentle one could, but Lady Mo was a vicious woman; there was nothing she wouldn't do. Just her status alone could utterly suppress the future Eldest Young Madam.
Yueyao couldn't help but think back to the affairs of Eldest Young Master Lian Tingli. Lian Tingli ranked first in the second class in next year's examination, and afterward, he was matched with the legitimate second daughter of the Peng family from the Left Deputy Minister of Personnel. The Peng family's ancestors were peasants, and Lord Peng's father was merely a scholar candidate in imperial examinations. They did not have the depth of the Lian family. Of course, if it weren't for Elder Cousin Tingli gaining Lord Peng's favor on his own merits, the Peng family wouldn't have considered him even if he came from a scholarly family.
Madam Peng was gentle and generous, and because she wasn't the legitimate eldest daughter, she was raised differently and had a touch of naivety. Since she had a strong background and Elder Cousin's career depended on the Peng family, Madam Peng got along well with the usually cunning Lady Mo.
Yueyao actually wanted to cause some mischief, but she just thought about it and did nothing. Knowing that Lord Peng was willing to marry his legitimate daughter to them, how could Great Uncle Lian Dongfang allow anyone to ruin this marriage? It was such a good match and it concerned his son's future.
Seeing Yueyao dismiss the matter indifferently, Nanny Deng opened her mouth to ask, but then feared it might upset Yueyao. It was fine as long as Miss knew what she had in mind.
Yueyao calmed herself and said, "Perhaps Grandmother chose my elder sister as a last resort." It seemed that among the granddaughters, Yueying was the only suitable choice. The others did not fit.
Nanny Deng shook her head.
While Yueyao was musing, she heard that Great Master had sent gifts. Yueyao straightened her clothes and personally saw the gift bearer.
In the main hall, her conduct was somewhat inappropriate, but fortunately, she did not offend her uncle directly. Her behavior at that time could be blamed on her affection for her younger brother. Others could not say much. Given the previous incident, she needed to be more respectful.
Yueyao accepted the items and generously rewarded the bearers. Eight out of ten of these people were opportunists. If you don't give them Silver, they call you stingy. When you give Silver, the praise comes in floods. She remembered in her previous life, she was too proud and regarded money as dirt. Despite having a large sum of Silver, she was still said to be raised by the main branch. This life, with money in hand, she was coveted for it. So, she would spend money lavishly, better to buy herself a good reputation than give it to others.
Yueyao looked at the two gifts that had arrived. She opened Brother Zheng's first. Brother Zheng's gift was a complete set of the Four Treasures of the Study, all quite decent. Brother Zheng had just started reading and writing, so the gift was quite appropriate.
The gift Lian Dongfang sent Yueyao was a carved ivory Purple Hair Painting Brush, which looked of very fine quality. Yueyao was stunned for a moment. In her previous life, she did not recall receiving anything so nice! Was it because she served Old Madam well?
Aside from the Purple Hair Painting Brush, Yueyao also received a Blue Glazed Painting Brush. Yueyao's painting skills were known throughout the Lian family. Sending painting brushes was appropriate.
Yueyao looked at the gifts given to her, certainly far surpassing Brother Zheng's set of the Four Treasures of the Study. It was clear that the Lian family looked down on Brother Zheng from their very bones. No, after the New Year, she would send Brother Zheng out to study elsewhere. Such an atmosphere was detrimental to Brother Zheng's growth.
Yueyao returned to the study and suddenly remembered something: "Nanny, please have someone inquire if there is joyous news in the main branch."
Nanny Deng quickly nodded and went out.
Yueyao looked back at the Four Treasures of the Study received by Brother Zheng, her eyes lighting up. She could use the excuse of going out to buy books for Brother Zheng to take a trip outside. The thought had just arisen when it was extinguished. As a young lady of a good family, she couldn't show her face publicly, much less visit a Money Shop without an escort. Otherwise, wouldn't it let Lady Mo know she had deposited Silver in the Money Shop? This matter required careful planning!
Ah, how much easier it would be if she were a man; as a woman, everything was inconvenient.
Nanny Deng quickly returned with news, saying that Great Uncle Lian Dongfang had indeed been promoted. He had risen one level, from Fifth Rank to the full Fifth Rank position. It was naturally a great celebration for the Lian family.
Yueyao nodded, it seemed history was repeating itself.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone