Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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The Yu family had many daughters, but only one son, Yu Boyan.
He was the eldest son of Huo Shi, over sixteen years old, and usually studied at Hengshan Academy, rarely returning home. This time, the academy was taking an early break due to the approaching New Year. As soon as Yu Boyan returned, the old lady’s Yuhua Garden became bustling with activity.
When Yu Linlang slowly approached, she saw a room full of people gathered around several large trunks, happily picking through fabrics.
Yu Boyan resembled Governor Yu in both appearance and build, with a slightly square face, short stature, and a rather strong build. He didn’t inherit any of Huo Shi’s beauty.
However, this didn’t diminish the old lady and Huo Shi’s affection for him; after all, he was the only eldest son of the Yu family, and the old lady had always been kind to him.
Yu Boyan was kind and polite. Although not outstanding in appearance, his speech was very refined and courteous.
The old lady looked at her eldest grandson with increasing satisfaction, and said with a smile, “Come and meet your sister Linlang. Linlang just returned home and has been busy with your father’s case these past few days. Your father said she’s been a great help.”
“Sister Linlang, you’ve worked hard.” Yu Boyan bowed gently, and Yu Linlang returned the bow respectfully, calling him “Young Master.”
Yu Boyan was taken aback by the distant address, then smiled and said, “The New Year is almost here, Sister Linlang, why don’t you go and pick out some fabrics you like?”
Yu Linlang replied, “Thank you,” but didn’t immediately go to choose.
The old lady looked at the laughing and joking women, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes, “I wonder if the eldest son can finish all those matters before the New Year.”
“Grandmother, look at this fabric, it’s so soft and smooth, it’s perfect for making a cover-up for you. If there’s any leftover fabric, I’ll make you a headband.” Yu Pianpian squeezed next to the old lady, teasing her, holding a piece of brownish-red fabric.
The slight worry that had clouded the old lady’s eyes immediately dissipated, and she smiled as she gently poked Yu Pianpian’s forehead with her finger. “You.”
Yu Pianpian said coquettishly, “Grandmother, do you not trust your granddaughter’s embroidery skills?”
“I do, I do, I do! Your embroidery skills have been highly praised by Master Li.”
Madam Huo smiled and took a sip of tea, whether intentionally or unintentionally speaking to Yu Linlang or to all the women in the hall, “Pianpian got an excellent grade at the end of the year, and her grades in all subjects are excellent. Master Li is the embroidery teacher at their Shuyun Girls’ Academy, and she values Pianpian’s embroidery skills very much.”
Yu Zhihua, who had been happily picking out several pieces of fabric she liked, immediately looked downcast upon hearing her stepmother’s praise of Yu Pianpian.
“Ping’er has been embroidering her wedding clothes in her room these past few days. Pianpian, you should also pick out a few good pieces to send over to her.”
“Yes, Grandmother.” Yu Pianpian stood up, glanced at Yu Linlang standing to the side, and immediately smiled.
Yu Pianpian flew to her side like a colorful sparrow, reaching out to grab Yu Linlang’s wrist. “Linlang, why are you just standing there without choosing anything? These are New Year’s gifts that our elder brother specially prepared for the women of our household. Come and pick some out, see if there’s anything you like.”
Yu Linlang quickly dodged her overly familiar hand, her delicate brows slightly furrowed as she said indifferently, “I’m not familiar with you, don’t come any closer.”
Yu Pianpian’s hand stiffened, she paused, and took a half-step back, her face immediately showing a hint of grievance.
She truly hadn’t expected that Yu Linlang could be so unceremonious in front of her grandmother and mother, completely revealing her dislike.
Seeing her beloved daughter humiliated, Madam Huo raised an eyebrow and slammed her hand on the table in anger. “Yu Linlang, what kind of attitude is that? Your sister kindly invited you to choose fabrics, aren’t you wrong about that?”
Yu Linlang silently took out a veil from her sleeve and put it on, coldly saying, “She smells terrible, a strong, unbearable stench of perfume. If she comes any closer, I’ll have her beaten. Madam, you should really discipline your daughter. Not everyone you like has to like you back.”
“You, you!!” Madam Huo stood up abruptly in anger. “Do you really think I can’t handle you??”
“Mother!” Seeing the situation was getting out of hand, Yu Boyan quickly stepped forward and bowed. “Mother, please calm down. Today is a joyous day for your son to return home. Please don’t be angry.”
“Linlang is still young and has lived on this small estate for many years, so it’s normal for her to have many things she’s not used to. Mother, please don’t take it too seriously, lest you upset yourself.”
Yu Pianpian was weeping to herself, wiping her face with a handkerchief as she cried, secretly sniffing the rich fragrance clinging to it.
Where was the stench? It was clearly Yu Linlang’s malicious words, deliberately fabricating stories about her!
The old lady frowned, pulling Yu Pianpian into her arms and comforting her softly.
“Linlang, your sister meant well, why hurt her like this?” The old lady looked at Yu Linlang’s deep black eyes behind her veil and couldn’t help but sigh softly.
Remembering the child’s somewhat pitiful background, she immediately stopped talking.
“Alright, if you really don’t want to choose, I’ll have Mama Hu pick out a few good pieces and send them to your room later.”
Yu Linlang curtsied and turned to leave.
Because she was in the old lady’s courtyard, Huo Shi refrained from smashing cups and bowls, but her beautiful face filled with anger.
“Hey, wait a minute!” Yu Zhihua chased after the old lady from her room, running out of Yuhua Garden to stop Yu Linlang.
The little girl was twelve or thirteen years old, barely reaching Yu Linlang’s neck.
Even with her hands on her hips, she still had to look up at Yu Linlang, making her feel instantly inferior!
Yu Linlang raised an eyebrow at her.
Yu Zhihua rubbed the handkerchief in her hand, looking slightly flustered, and said, “Come here for a moment, I want to talk to you.”
Yu Linlang ignored her and continued walking past her.
Yu Zhihua grew anxious and took a few steps forward, calling out, “Hey, didn’t you hear me tell you to stop? I have something to say to you, come with me.”
Seeing that Yu Linlang still ignored her, Yu Zhihua hurriedly reached out to grab her sleeve.
However, before she could even touch Yu Linlang, she was swatted away with a flick of her sleeve.
Yu Zhihua stared wide-eyed in disbelief, muttering, “Are you a hedgehog covered in thorns, impossible to touch? I just wanted to say a few words to you.”
“You don’t want everyone in the manor to hate you, do you? You’ve made an enemy of Yu Pianpian now. She’s incredibly vengeful; though she smiles on the surface, she hates you terribly inside.”
“She’s only not moving now because the time isn’t right. Once it is, see how she’ll destroy you.”
Seeing Yu Linlang’s unwavering pace, Yu Zhihua could only jog to catch up, saying as she ran, “If you’re willing, we can actually form an alliance.”
“We can support each other and deal with Yu Pianpian together. I can help you… Oops… Can you stop for a second!” Yu Zhihua almost twisted her ankle running too fast.
She stopped her small steps, glaring resentfully at Yu Linlang’s retreating back, stomping her foot angrily.
“What kind of person is she?” The handkerchief in Yu Zhihua’s hand was almost twisted into a pretzel.
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