Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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Thinking of Madam Huo, it seemed she didn’t want her to appear in public often.
However, Yu Huayuan also sent a nanny to summon her, so Yu Linlang had no choice but to reluctantly go.
When Yu Linlang arrived, Yu Pianpian was nestled on a cushion at the old lady’s feet, telling jokes that made the old lady laugh.
Yu Qiuping sat quietly to one side, a smile on her lips, her eyes serene and composed.
Yu Zhihua sat beside Aunt Su, and when she saw Yu Linlang enter, she slightly tilted her head and glared at her before turning her face away in a huff.
Aunt Cui was dressed particularly festively today, in a brightly colored silk robe, her head adorned with dazzling jewels.
Upon seeing Yu Linlang, she went over to greet her warmly, waving her handkerchief. “Miss Linlang, you’ve finally arrived! The old lady and the others have been waiting for you for a long time.”
“Linlang is here,” the old lady nodded with a smile. “Since everyone is here, please come with me to the flower hall next door.”
“It’s a family reunion dinner today, so there’s no need to be so formal,” the old lady said, gently patting Yu Pianpian’s small hand and smiling at everyone.
Yu Linlang glanced around discreetly, only then noticing that besides Aunt Ma, Aunt Su, and Aunt Cui, there were three other beautiful concubines she had never seen before.
Aunt Ma looked the most weathered and miserable.
She was old and had no money to take care of herself, so naturally she wasn’t as beautiful as the younger and more attractive concubines like Aunt Cui.
Moreover, she didn’t like to talk and her presence was usually very low.
Aunt Su still had a scholarly air about her. After sitting down next to Yu Zhihua, she smiled and nodded at Yu Linlang, who was sitting beside her.
Governor Yu helped his elderly mother to her seat at the head of the table, a rare smile appearing on his face as he looked at everyone. “Today, thanks to the generous gift from the old lady, our family is enjoying a reunion dinner. This meal has no distinction of rank or status, only the gathering of close relatives. Please sit down, everyone. There’s no need for formalities.”
As soon as Concubine Cui sat down, she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said in a coquettish voice, “Master, you look so tired. You should get more rest tonight.”
Madam Huo scoffed, “Master has important official business to attend to. Those urgent matters can’t be put aside so easily.”
“Madam, that’s not what I meant.”
“Alright, eat more and talk less.” Madam Huo glanced at her and personally placed a piece of braised fish on Governor Yu’s plate. “Master, eat more fish.”
“Thank you, Madam.” Governor Yu nodded with a smile, then looked at his son sitting on the other side of the old lady. “Boyan, how are your studies this year? What did your teacher say?”
“The teacher said that with my current knowledge, if I want to take the exam, I can try this year. If I pass, that would be great; if not, I can try next year or the year after.”
Governor Yu smiled with relief. “My son has indeed not disappointed me.”
Madam Huo also felt proud and smiled. “The teacher means that at Boyan’s age, there’s no need to rush. Boyan, what are your own plans?”
“Grandmother, Father, Mother, I want to take the exam this autumn.”
“Good, good, good.” Governor Yu’s weary expression vanished, replaced by joy. “It’s said that the court intends to change the imperial examination system, and there might not be a special examination next year. Boyan wanting to take the exam this year is a good thing.”
“I will definitely work hard.” Yu Boyan smiled.
Madam Huo’s eyes were filled with pride. She then put down her chopsticks and said, “Master, you don’t know yet, do you? Pianpian also got a top score at the end of the year.”
“Really?” Governor Yu was even more pleased.
“Yes, as expected of my Bo Yan’s sister, the two siblings are just as clever.” Madam Huo chuckled, covering her lips with her handkerchief.
Everyone glanced silently at Yu Linlang.
They saw that Miss Yu was looking down, her gaze fixed on the plate of braised pork hock[1] in front of her…
Governor Yu quickly raised his chopsticks and said with a smile, “Everyone, please start eating, eat, eat.”
Yu Linlang picked up a small piece of pork hock and put it in her bowl, taking a slow bite.
But then Governor Yu smiled and said to her, “Linlang, you’ve been working hard lately. Take whatever you like, eat more.”
Yu Linlang remained silent and continued eating, not even sparing Governor Yu a glance.
Seeing that she ignored him, Governor Yu coughed casually. “Oh, right, Linlang, your mother mentioned to me that after the Lantern Festival, she’ll send you to Shuyun Girls’ Academy to study.”
“I’ve already spoken to Headmaster Yang, so there shouldn’t be any problem. When you have time, go to the accounting office and get five hundred taels of silver. Go and buy the writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, musical instruments, chess sets, embroidery supplies, and, oh, the riding gear.”
“Buy everything at once. Shuyun Girls’ Academy has a lot of things to teach, so I might not have considered everything.” Governor Yu turned to Yu Pianpian. “Pianpian, make a list of school supplies for your sister Linlang. You’ll be studying at the same academy, so please help her out.”
“Don’t worry, Father, I will definitely take good care of my sister Linlang.” Yu Pianpian turned and smiled gently at Yu Linlang.
Unfortunately, this tenderness was misplaced. Yu Linlang didn’t look up at all, just silently eating the food in her bowl.
Seeing Yu Linlang’s noncommittal and silent demeanor, Madam Huo felt a surge of anger.
She wiped her mouth and said calmly, “Didn’t you already give her five hundred taels? How much is your annual salary, Master? You’ve only spent a thousand taels in total. Do you really need so much to buy some writing materials?”
Yu Linlang lowered her eyes and replied calmly, “Yes, if you don’t have the money, don’t give it to me. Otherwise, the whole family won’t be able to eat, and you’ll blame me for bringing misfortune to my parents and causing the whole family to starve. I can’t bear that accusation.”
The table fell silent, glancing at the First Madam, whose chest heaved with anger.
Miss Linlang really dares to say anything! She’s truly a master of sarcasm. Could it be that she wanted to make the Madam faint again at the family reunion dinner…?
“Yu Linlang,” Madam Huo gritted her teeth. If it weren’t for the sake of the Old Madam, she probably would have already slammed her fist on the table.
“Oh, Madam,” Governor Yu hurriedly tried to smooth things over with a smile, “Who can I support with my meager salary? It’s all thanks to the properties you’ve acquired, Madam. Linlang is starting school for the first time, so we need to buy quite a few things. Just a decent zither alone would cost several hundred taels, wouldn’t it?”
“She’s just a beginner, why buy anything fancy? A regular one costing a few dozen or a hundred taels isn’t unusable.”
Yu Linlang shook her head. “I won’t buy a zither, and I won’t play it. My hands can’t touch the zither. You cancel this zither lesson for me, sir, but everything else is fine.”
Madam Huo couldn’t help but slam her hand on the table. “You’re being picky about learning? You think you can just quit the zither lesson like that?”
Governor Yu quickly tried to put out the fire for his wife, then turned to his daughter. “Why can’t Linlang touch the zither?”
“Because my zither will only be used to kill.” Yu Linlang raised her eyes, gazing intently at Governor Yu.
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