Yuchen lived in the side room to the left of the upper courtyard, and the three rooms were all hers.
As soon as Yuxi entered, she saw the zitan wood long table in the center of the room. In the middle of the table was a cloisonné incense burner with three legs, from which a sweet fragrance was slowly wafting.
Yuxi's eyes fell on the thick wool carpet laid on the floor, about two inches thick, with beautifully embroidered patterns. It was truly exquisite. Just this wool carpet alone was worth a fortune.
The maid Shishu raised the golden silk and red lacquer bead curtain, allowing the two of them to enter.
Yuxi looked around the room at the furnishings. Aside from the rows of huanghuali wood furniture and the invaluable decorations on the display cabinet, even the writing tools on the desk were not ordinary. It's said that sons should be raised in poverty, while daughters should be raised in luxury. Yuchen was indeed raised in true luxury. Compared to Yuchen, Yuxi's courtyard seemed so shabby that it could make one cry. The first time Yuxi saw Yuchen's room in her past life, she cried for a long time afterward. However, now, she regarded these external possessions with indifference.
Yuxi was particularly drawn to the double-sided embroidered screen placed in the room. One side depicted a beauty admiring flowers, while the other side showed the national treasure-like peony flower. "It's beautiful," Yuxi said. The only skill she could proudly display in her past life was embroidery, and after marrying into the Jiang family, embroidery was the only hobby she had.
Yuchen saw the light in Yuxi's eyes and smiled, saying, "If you like it, I'll give it to you."
Yuxi was delighted, "Really?" If she could take it and study it, she could learn the technique of double-sided embroidery herself.
Shishu, the maid behind Yuchen, became anxious. How could such a precious item be given away? She had hoped the fourth miss would refuse, but seeing her current expression, she knew that wouldn't happen. "Miss, this is something the madam left for you."
Yuxi's excitement immediately faded, and she shook her head. "Third sister, this item is too valuable, I can't accept it."
Yuchen still wore a faint smile. "It's for you, take it."
Yuxi didn't refuse this time, smiling as she said, "Thank you, Third sister." She accepted the gift, planning to study the embroidery technique later and create a better piece for Yuchen in return.
Yuchen's room not only had exquisite decorations, but even the writing tools on the desk were of superior quality. Yuxi glanced at the unfinished calligraphy on the desk and couldn't help but sigh. Yuchen was only five years old, yet her handwriting was already so good. In her past life, Yuxi's own handwriting was probably no better than that.
Seeing her gaze, Shishu immediately spoke up, "These Qing jade tea flower writing tools were gifted by the old madam to our young miss."
This implied, "Don't even think about these items."
Yuxi's face stiffened, and she said to Yuchen, "Third sister, I still need to go and pay respects to my grandmother. I'll go see my grandmother later." She didn't want to be treated like a thief.
After Yuxi left, Yuchen glanced at Shishu. "Who gave you the courage?"
Shishu's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly knelt, saying, "Miss, it was my fault. I was only concerned because the embroidery was something the madam left for you, and I was anxious."
Yuchen gave a slight hum. "I'll overlook it this time since it's your first mistake. But if it happens again, don't blame me for being harsh. No matter what, the fourth miss is still a member of this household."
Shishu was terrified and immediately knelt, not daring to speak further.
Yuxi, unaware of this confrontation, continued on to the main courtyard. The National Duke's wife resided in the most magnificent part of the Duke's residence. It had five main rooms, with wings and side rooms on either side, forming a grand and majestic layout.
When Liu Yin saw Yuxi, she approached with a smile. "The fourth miss has arrived. Madam is waiting inside." She then led Yuxi in.
Qiu Shi, wearing a casual home outfit, was plump and had a kindly smile on her face, making her seem like an easy-going person.
Without speaking, Yuxi knelt and offered three kowtows to Qiu Shi, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Aunt, for saving my life." These three kowtows were not only for the recent smallpox incident but also for Qiu Shi's kindness to her in her past life.
Qiu Shi was taken aback. After realizing what was happening, she quickly went over and helped Yuxi up, chiding her, "What are you doing, child? Saving your life is just what an aunt should do."
Yuxi said gratefully, "Aunt, I know, if it weren't for you, I would have died long ago." Not only that, but her survival and growing up safely in her past life were also thanks to Qiu Shi.
Qiu Shi felt comforted and gently patted Yuxi's head, speaking softly, "It's also your good fortune. You made it through."
Just as Yuxi was about to speak, a maid announced, "Madam, the eldest miss has arrived." The eldest miss, Yuru, was born to the lady-in-waiting who accompanied the Duke's wife as a dowry maid, but her mother passed away shortly after giving birth.
Yuru was dressed in a pale lotus-colored outfit with a simple double-ring bun, wearing two jade hairpins. With delicate brows, big eyes, and a bright smile, she looked like a natural beauty.
Yuru entered, greeted Qiu Shi, and then turned to Yuxi. "Fourth sister, I heard you're better now. Congratulations!"
Yuxi returned the greeting. "Thank you for your concern, eldest sister."
Qiu Shi smiled. "The two sisters are being so polite."
Just then, a housekeeper came with a message, and Yuru gracefully excused herself. Before leaving, she said to Yuxi, "If you don't mind, come visit my room sometime."
Yuxi was surprised. First Yuchen, now Yuru; she remembered that after her illness in her past life, no one had treated her like this. "Alright!"
At the age of eight, girls in the Duke's residence had their own independent courtyards, unless there were special circumstances, like with Yujing, who still lived with Concubine Rong.
Yuxi entered the room and saw a pair of shoe tops in the embroidery basket. The stitches were so dense and meticulous that it was clear a lot of effort had gone into them. Yuxi smiled and asked, "Eldest sister, are you making shoes for Aunt?"
Yuru smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm embroidering them for my mother."
Yuxi smiled broadly, "Aunt will definitely like them." In truth, Aunt, as the National Duke's wife, had everything she could wish for. Yuru's actions were likely meant to win her favor.
Yuxi, however, couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. Aunt had taken care of her for over ten years, but she had never done anything for her. In that moment, Yuxi reflected on her own shortcomings.
Yuru was somewhat surprised, but still pleased by the praise. "I'm not skilled enough for such compliments."
Yuxi smiled. "It's your filial piety, eldest sister. Aunt will certainly appreciate it." Aunt was a very kind person, and although Yuru was a concubine's daughter, she was treated well.
After talking for a while, Yuxi returned to her courtyard.
Yuru watched Yuxi's retreating figure, deep in thought. Her maid, Qingxuan, asked curiously, "What are you looking at, miss?"
Yuru lowered her voice and said, "Fourth sister has changed a lot." Yuxi, who used to be gloomy, had become much more cheerful. Yuru knew that Yuxi's improvement might not necessarily be good for her.
Qingxuan didn't know how to respond.
When Yuxi returned to her room, her maid, Fang Mama, came up to her. "Miss, the third miss sent a gift — a piece of embroidery. I couldn't refuse it. What should we do?"
Yuxi entered the room and saw the double-sided embroidery. "This was sent by Third sister." She planned to carefully study it later.
Fang Mama became anxious. "Why would Third Miss give such an expensive gift to you?" She was worried that the old madam might not be pleased.
Yuxi shook her head. "I don't know. But since it's here, I won't refuse it."
Before Fang Mama could say more, Liu Yin arrived with a gift from Qiu Shi. It wasn't just supplements like bird's nest and ginseng, but also two pieces of brocade fabric — one in rosy pink and the other in onion green.
After Liu Yin left, Fang Mama was overjoyed. "Now we can make a few more clothes for the miss."
Mojun opened the box of bird's nest and exclaimed, "Wow, it's blood bird's nest!" The best kind of bird's nest was the rarest.
Yuxi felt a little dazed. She remembered that in her past life, after she recovered from her illness, Aunt had sent her some tonics, but there had never been such a precious item like blood bird's nest. Why was it different this time? Yuxi fell into deep thought.
Before Fang Mama could enjoy her happiness, a maid from the Old Madam's side, Cuiyu, arrived. Cuiyu didn't come with gifts, but instead with a message from the Old Madam: "Fourth Miss, the Old Madam says you should take good care of your health and don't need to visit her for greetings every day."
Fang Mama's face changed. What did this mean? The Old Madam was telling her not to visit anymore? That was too harsh.
The Old Madam's message clearly indicated that she didn't want to see Yuxi. In her past life, hearing such words made Yuxi feel deeply hurt, and she even fell ill because of it. But now, it didn't stir any emotions in her. However, she still pretended to be affected, "Please tell Sister Cuiyu that I will take good care of my health."
Cuiyu nodded. "I will pass your message along."
Fang Mama was worried Yuxi might be upset, so she quickly comforted her. "Miss, your health is improving, and the Old Madam is only concerned about you. She doesn't want you to overexert yourself."
Since Yuxi had started becoming more cheerful, Fang Mama thought it was better for her to stay busy and not dwell on any negative thoughts. This way, she wouldn't feel upset or depressed.
Yuxi smiled bitterly and quickly changed the subject. "I saw Eldest Sister making shoe tops for Aunt today. Fang Mama, I'd like to learn embroidery as well and make shoes for Aunt!"
Fang Mama immediately responded, "Good, Miss. If you want to learn, I'll teach you." Keeping the Miss busy with something constructive would prevent her from thinking too much, which was a good thing.