Chapter - 21

After returning, the matriarch pondered for several days, but in the end, she couldn't come to a decision. She could only find her grandson to ask about his marriage with Duke Jingguo.

Yu Pinyan played with his teacup, his attitude somewhat absent-minded, "Old Ancestor doesn't know, but grandson was young and impulsive. I once privately sought out Chang Yafu and asked her if she was willing to marry me."

The matriarch leaned forward and asked, "What did she say?"

"She said, wait until I become the Marquis of Yongle before asking her." Seemingly finding these words very amusing, Yu Pinyan laughed softly.

The matriarch couldn't laugh at all. Hearing such selfish and heartless words, how did her grandson feel at that time? His father had passed away, his mother was indifferent, and there was even a group of uncles who wanted to take his life in the open and in the dark. His fiancée, who was supposed to go through thick and thin with him, had coldly watched him struggle in the sea of bitterness.

What kind of price did he pay to get to where he is today?

The matriarch felt as if a knife was stabbing at her heart. The pain was unbearable.

"Old Ancestor, what kind of expression is that? I'm fine. " Yu Pinyan put down his teacup and patted his grandmother's slightly trembling shoulder. He said with a smile, "Now that I'm the Marquis of Yongle, there are some things I don't want to ask. Old Ancestor, do as you see fit. "

"Alright, I'll take care of this matter in less than three days." The matriarch nodded, her expression somewhat unkind.

Who would have thought that the old Duke Jingguo would fall critically ill the next day, causing Duke Jingguo's estate to become a pot of porridge. At this time, canceling the marriage was akin to hitting a man while he was down, so the matriarch could only restrain herself.

After a few more days, the old Duke Jingguo's condition didn't get better. Instead, it became even more serious. One night, he finally breathed his last. White banners fluttered everywhere in Duke Jingguo's estate, making it even more difficult to talk about canceling the marriage.

Chang Yafu had to observe mourning for three years. If the marriage wasn't canceled, her grandson would be nineteen in three years. In other families, her great-grandson would already be able to run, jump, and shout. What a waste of effort! Old Madam Fu held her breath, but she couldn't let it out. She felt extremely uncomfortable in her heart. Turning around, she began to look for a concubine for her grandson.

A few years ago, Yu Pinyan had been secretly harmed by a maidservant by his side. Later on, he was set up by his fiancée. It could be said that he hated women to the core. He casually tossed the person sent by the old lady into the courtyard and went out on an errand. He didn't return home for more than half a month.

On this day, Yu Xiang woke up early. While humming a tune, she faced the bronze mirror and painted yellow flowers. 'Yu Xiang' had a very good foundation. After several months of nourishment, her facial features had grown a little. Her appearance was becoming more and more beautiful day by day. Gradually, her appearance coincided with Yu Xiang's appearance in her previous life. This change was a good thing for her. Anyone would be horrified to see a completely unfamiliar face in the mirror.

Tao Hong came in with breakfast and asked, "Miss, are you in a good mood today?" Ever since Little Master Hou left, his mistress had not smiled like this.

"Yes, I dreamed that my brother came back." Yu Xiang motioned for Liu Lu to push her over to eat. She said briskly, "Today, I'll give you all a day off. Go home. By the way, Xi Qiu, who is in charge of cleaning, Nanny Rong, who is in charge of washing, and Pang Fu, who is in charge of carrying water and chopping firewood, all of you can go home. Just be back before five o 'clock. "

Tao Hong didn't feel happy at all. Instead, he was worried. "Miss, if we all leave, who will take care of you?" These were the real people in the courtyard. Under the instigation of Cui Ping and Cui Xi, the rest of them all dropped their duties and hid away all day long. They only showed up when it was time to collect their monthly salary.

After a few months, they became more and more unscrupulous. Even if they passed by Miss, they would pretend not to see her. They often angered Tao Hong and Liu Lu, but Miss never took it to heart.

Yu Xiang said while eating porridge, "You can push me outside later. I have my own plans for today. When you come back, this courtyard will be quiet. "

Tao Hong wanted to persuade her again, but Liu Lu gently pulled him. Only then did he reluctantly agree.

After breakfast, the two pushed Yu Xiang out of the courtyard.

"Here, it's quite windy." Yu Xiang took off her cloak and smiled. "You can put this away. I don't need it."

It was late autumn. When she breathed, she could see wisps of white fog. If she didn't wear a cloak and sat in the wind, wouldn't she get sick from the cold? Tao Hong was anxious and insisted on putting it on her.

Liu Lu already knew the inside story. She folded the cloak and put it in the room. Then she took out a medicine bottle and squatted down. "Miss, take one of these Dispelling Wind and Cold Dispelling Pills first. We'll go now. Take it easy. "

Yu Xiang took out the pill and put it in her mouth. She pointed at her with her finger and smiled. "Don't forget to tell Mama Ma what I taught you." Because Tao Hong had everything written on his face, he didn't entrust this matter to her. On the other hand, Liu Lu had some plans in his heart.

Liu Lu pursed her lips and nodded. Tao Hong was at a loss. The two of them pulled each other and walked away.

Soon, the courtyard quieted down. Only the sound of leaves rustling in the cold wind could be heard.

Yu Xiang closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. Half an hour later, she hugged her shoulders and shouted, "Someone, I'm cold. Bring me a set of clothes!"

Everywhere was quiet. She waited for a moment and then began to shout again. She shouted until her throat was dry, but no one responded. Cui Ping and Cui Xi were hiding in the east room. They were playing cards with a few servants and laughed as they listened to her shouting.

"No one is allowed to respond! Let her drink the northwest wind! "Cui Ping spat out a few pieces of melon seed shells.

The servants nodded. Yu Xiang's leg was broken, and she was weak and easy to bully. After a few months, they didn't treat her as their master. Instead, they felt like they were trampling on the first daughter of the Marquis Family. It had to be said that bullying the weak was a bad habit that most people couldn't get rid of.

Only one servant asked worriedly, "She's shouting so loudly. What if someone outside heard her? If it gets to Little Master Hou, we'll be finished! "

"It's fine, it's fine." Cui Xi waved her hand impatiently. "This place is so far from the main courtyard. No one will come. Madam doesn't care about her life or death. The Old Lady must be doing her morning prayers in the temple. How could she have the time to care about her? It's fine. She's just a person who looks strong on the outside but is weak on the inside. She's always shouting and acting all high and mighty. Once she's bullied by us, she'll wilt. She won't dare to complain to Little Master Hou. She's very afraid of me and Cui Ping! "After saying this, she smiled complacently.

The servant thought that it was true and continued to play cards with peace of mind.

Yu Xiang continued to shout outside. She was so angry that her voice sounded like she was roaring. The two servants who were in charge of chopping firewood and carrying water for the West Wing passed by and quickly ran to the window to ask Cui Ping what to do.

"You guys go ahead and play. Don't worry about her. If anything happens, I'll take care of it. "Cui Ping waved her hand.

The two servants were used to slacking and pushing all the work to Pang Fu. Seeing that Pang Fu wasn't there, they thought that he went to carry water and didn't think much of it. After flattering Cui Ping a few times, they slipped away. Everyone continued to play cards, but the shouting outside didn't stop. It was clear that she was going against them. After half an hour, Yu Xiang's voice was so dry that it sounded like dried branches scraping the ground. However, it still didn't stop there. It was really annoying.

Cui Ping threw the cards in her hand on the table and shouted, "It's so annoying! Let's go. We'll find a quiet place somewhere else and let her shout until she's satisfied! "

"Yes, I'll put the cards away." An old woman immediately agreed.

"If we leave, what if someone comes to the courtyard later?" The little girl frowned and asked.

"Little Master Hou isn't here and The Old Lady is doing her morning class. Who would come! You're too timid! I asked Liu Lu and she said that she went with Tao Hong to buy Quan Fu Ji's rice cakes for the cripple. They'll be back soon. It's already so late and they should be here soon. They'll naturally take care of the cripple. There's nothing for us to do. Let's go, let's go. "Cui Xi urged.

Everyone no longer hesitated and swaggered out of the courtyard in front of Yu Xiang. Cui Ping and Cui Xi walked in front of her and picked their ears. When they saw her livid face and angry eyes, they covered their mouths and giggled. After a few months of indulgence, they had already forgotten what their names were.

"Come back here! Come back quickly! " Amidst Yu Xiang's shouts, the group of people gradually walked away. The cold wind blew, blowing up a few withered yellow leaves.

Yu Xiang's angry expression instantly disappeared and a malicious smile slowly bloomed on her lips. She whispered, "If God wants to destroy, he must first make them crazy. You who have signed a contract to sell yourselves may have forgotten that I, Yu Xiang, am essentially your God. "

She took out a piece of rice cake wrapped in oil paper from her sleeve and slowly tore it open to eat. The wind was very strong and constantly pulled at her skirt. Her exposed skin was cold and gradually lost its color. Half an hour passed. The sun passed through the dark clouds, sprinkling a patch of sunlight and then withdrawing it. The temperature was still as cold as ever.

Two magpies landed on a branch, chirping and playing. It was exactly the same as the scene in her dream. Her heart strings were gently plucked, telling her that the familiar person was approaching.

The magpies playing on the branch should be returning home. She crumpled the oil paper into a ball and threw it far away. Then she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Someone come, I'm cold, someone come quickly!" Her voice was completely hoarse and sounded like a broken bellows.

Yu Pinyan finished his work a few days in advance. He dismounted from his horse and went straight to the west wing. When he was at home, he didn't feel anything, but when he was outside, he couldn't help but think of Xiang'er. He wondered what she was doing at this moment, whether she was taking medicine properly, eating properly, whether the silver charcoal he bought had been delivered to her room, whether she had changed into the thick clothes and fur coat he bought, whether she still liked them.

He was running around everywhere, but his heart was always on her.

But what did he see? His sister, whom he couldn't bear to touch even a single strand of her hair, was sitting in the courtyard wearing thin clothes. Her face was as white as paper, her lips were dry and chapped, and her voice was hoarse from shouting. When he wasn't here, that group of servants took care of her like this? Left her to fend for herself?

That's great!

A strong murderous look appeared in his dark eyes. He quickly walked over and held his sister, who had begun to cry when she saw him, in his arms. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her cold and stiff body. Then he kicked the wheelchair and quickly went back to the room.

He sat down on the soft couch with Yu Xiang in his arms and ordered the two Changsui standing outside the door, "Burn a pot of charcoal and come over quickly. Find everyone in the courtyard and bring them back within fifteen minutes. "

"Brother, Tao Hong, Liu Lu, Xi Qiu, Nanny Rong and Pang Fu are all good people. I saw that they had been working hard for days, so I gave them a day off. I didn't expect that after they left, there would be no one in the courtyard. Brother, don't give them a hard time, "Yu Xiang said weakly.

"I know. Don't worry. " Yu Pinyan put her cold hands into his clothes and lovingly rubbed her pale lips.

Yu Xiang buried her face in his chest, took a deep breath, and smiled slyly. She couldn't walk, so she didn't have the energy to control the servants who had bad intentions. After a few months of indulgence, she knew who was loyal and who was evil. She didn't want to play the trick of killing the chicken to warn the monkey. She couldn't subdue them for a while, so she might as well leave with Cui Ping and Cui Xi. No one would be lucky enough to stay!