When Yu Siyu got closer, she realized that her older brother was also in the room. He was holding Yu Xiang with one hand and had a gentle expression on his face that she had never seen before. She was clearly a bastard child, but she was able to secure her position as the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Household. Moreover, the Old Ancestor and her older brother seemed to dote on her even more. Yu Siyu looked on coldly. She really couldn't understand what kind of witchcraft Yu Xiang had used on the two of them.
Although she couldn't figure it out, without Yu Xiang's financial support and the loathing of her mother and grandmother, her recent days had been really difficult. The servants in the courtyard had all been changed, and she was no longer able to use them. The Lin Clan had even specially sent over a fierce-looking old woman. Wherever she went, the old woman would follow and keep a close eye on her.
Her every word and action was under someone else's control. This kind of oppressive feeling could drive her crazy. But what made Yu Siyu feel even more hopeless was that the Old Ancestor hadn't taken her out to socialize for more than two months. She was now twelve years old and should be taken out more often to let the womenfolk see her. Only then would there be hope for a good marriage in the future.
If the Old Ancestor didn't act as a matchmaker for her, she was just a concubine's daughter. Which noble family would want to marry her? The most likely outcome was that she would be casually married off as soon as she reached the age. A sixth-rank manager and a seventh-rank registrar was already the limit. In the future, she wouldn't be able to live a life of unparalleled wealth like the Marquis Household!
The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she felt. She could only thicken her face and try to curry favor with Yu Xiang again. Before she even got close, she heard her annoying laughter that sounded like a little hen's. She couldn't help but speak up for the girl. She felt that she wasn't in the wrong, but she was frightened by Yu Pinyan's cold glare.
So what if her leg was broken? Big Brother and the Old Ancestor were about to spoil Yu Xiang to the heavens! When the real Yu Xiang comes back, be careful not to fall to her death!
Yu Siyu thought to herself viciously, but she still had a gentle smile on her face. After greeting Yu Pinyan, she looked at Yu Xiang and said in an aggrieved tone, "As long as Little Sister is happy, it's fine. Big Sister spoke too much."
Yu Pinyan looked on coldly from the side. She had a lot of things to say, but it was not appropriate for her to say them now. She could only stand outside the window awkwardly.
Yu Xiang supported his chin with one hand and leaned against the window. He didn't take the initiative to ask her why she was here, nor did he invite her into the house. He just let her stand under the hot sun. The smile on his face was three parts lazy and seven parts evil. Cui Ping and Cui Xi had already shrunk to the bottom of the wall.
Yu Siyu took several deep breaths before she could calm herself down. She slowly said, "Today is the Thousand Autumns Festival. Her Majesty the Empress ordered people to make nine hundred and ninety-nine palace lanterns and hang them in Xihe Garden for people to admire. Big Brother just came back from a banquet in the palace. Did you see them?" The so-called 'for people to admire' was only limited to the most prestigious families. Marquis Yongle naturally had the qualifications, but she was afraid that Yu Xiang couldn't go. The Old Ancestor also wouldn't take her.
"You can only admire the lanterns at night." Yu Pinyan rubbed the little girl in his arms and asked, "Will Xiang'er go?"
"I'm not going!" Yu Xiang refused without hesitation. How could a few palace lanterns be more beautiful than neon lights? She also felt annoyed when there were more people.
"No, you have to go. Big Brother will come pick you up at seven in the morning. "Yu Pinyan made the final decision. He wouldn't allow Xiang'er to hide in this small courtyard for the rest of her life, living a lonely and lowly life. He hoped that she could live happily, ostentatiously, and freely.
Yu Xiang's mouth flattened. She was about to protest, but she saw Yu Pinyan get off the bed, put on his shoes, and leave without giving her a chance to speak.
Yu Siyu hurriedly chased after him and begged, "Big Brother, can you take me with you? Xiang'er's legs aren't well, so I can take care of her if I go with her. "
Yu Pinyan nodded slightly and quickened his pace.
Yu Siyu felt that there was no need to curry favor with Yu Xiang anymore. She stood at the door and smiled at her, then hurriedly left with the old woman. She had to hurry back and prepare her clothes for the evening. The lantern festival was set in Xihe Garden. The Empress had chosen the Crown Princess to host it, and all the womenfolk had come to support it. If she could gain the favor of some noble or make friends with a few noble daughters, it would be very beneficial for her future.
Seeing that the Eldest Miss and Little Master Hou had left, Cui Pingcui happily threw away the net and left without saying anything. Her eyes were full of resentment.
Tao Hong pointed at the two's backs and said indignantly, "Miss, they were so rude to you behind Master Hou's back. Why didn't you tell Master Hou!"
"There's no hurry. When I'm tired of playing, I'll naturally deal with them." Yu Xiang waved her hand. When she thought about going to the lantern festival in such a hot and stuffy evening, she immediately became dispirited.
-----
Although the Great Han Dynasty wasn't the Han Dynasty that Yu Xiang knew of, the social customs were very similar, and there were fewer restrictions on women. Unmarried girls could participate in large gatherings as long as they were accompanied by servants. There were restrictions between men and women, but it wasn't serious. It wasn't difficult for women to remarry, and some noble daughters with high status could even remarry until they found a good man.
At the end of the seven in the morning, Xihe Garden was packed with people of all ages. All the nobles gathered in the You Water Pavilion for a banquet. During the banquet, they chatted heartily and had no interest in admiring the lanterns. The noblewomen gathered in the main hall to pay their respects to the Empress and the Crown Princess while chatting about daily life. Most of the unmarried men, women, and children ran to the back garden where the lanterns were placed. It was the brightest and most lively place.
Yu Pinyan pushed Yu Xiang to the back garden's entrance and gently said, "Big brother has something to discuss with His Highness the Crown Prince. Be good and stay here. Big brother will come find you when he's done. Do you see, there are many beautiful lanterns over there? If you want to see them, you can call Tao Hong and Liu Lu to push you over there. "After saying this, he gave his sister an encouraging look and then strode away.
Encouraging your sister! (It's true) Do you think that I, Yu Xiang, am unwilling to come because I have low self-esteem, so you want to provoke me to take the initiative to interact with the crowd? My stupid big brother, you're looking down on me too much! I only dislike the lanterns here because they're not as pretty as the neon ones!
Yu Xiang inwardly ridiculed, then raised her chin and looked forward.
Many young boys and girls were gathered under the swaying lanterns, chatting and laughing. The air was filled with the smell of burning oil and a faint fragrance of incense. Children were frolicking around their feet, occasionally letting out bell-like laughter. The scene was very festive and lively.
Yu Xiang couldn't help but lean forward.
Yu Siyu, who was standing to the side, asked with a smile, "Xiang'er, do you want to go over? I'll push you. "
She forcefully pushed the wheelchair. Because the floor was paved with smooth marble, there wasn't much friction. The wheels gently slid forward, bringing Yu Xiang out of the shadows.
Many people heard the rumbling sound of the wheelchair turning and looked over from afar. Their eyes were filled with curiosity, interest, and disdain. There were even a few noble ladies who were pointing at Yu Xiang's legs, their expressions constantly changing. It was clear that she was the main topic of their gossip.
Yu Siyu smiled nastily and advised, "Xiang'er, come with me. Everyone hasn't seen you in a long time, so they must miss you. Today is a good opportunity to chat with them. "
If they really missed her, they would have visited the Marquis Household several months ago. There was no need to wait until now. Yu Xiang was used to her crippled body, but that didn't mean that she was willing to be admired like a monkey. These people expressed sympathy and sympathy for her on the surface, but secretly viewed her suffering as a hotbed to nourish their sense of pleasure and superiority.
She, Yu Xiang, didn't need such a deformed and morbid 'friendship.'
"You go ahead. I'll stay here." She turned her face and carefully admired the crepe myrtle flowers beside her.
Several noble ladies were waving at Yu Siyu. Their clothes and jewelry were all luxurious and noble. They must have come from prominent backgrounds. Yu Siyu didn't dare to delay. She left Yu Xiang behind and walked over.
"With a crippled sister like me as a topic of conversation, Yu Siyu will definitely be very popular tonight." Yu Xiang sneered and pointed to a quiet corner where the flowers bloomed the most beautifully. She ordered, "Push me over there."
Although Tao Hong and Liu Lu felt sorry for their master, they also knew that she was very strong and didn't need to be comforted. They silently pushed her over. The master and servant trio stayed in the corner and looked at the shadows of the crowd. Up close, the flowers were like brocade. It was very carefree.
After an unknown amount of time, the sound of footsteps came from the end of the dim path. Yu Xiang turned her head and saw a seven or eight-year-old chubby little girl slowly walking out from the shadows. She was holding a piece of pastry that she had taken a bite out of. Behind her was a stern-looking old mama.
The little girl had two buns on her head. She had a round little face, a round nose, and round eyes. Her cheeks with baby fat were wriggling non-stop. There were a lot of pastry crumbs at the corner of her mouth, which fell down as she walked. She clearly didn't notice that there was someone here. When she saw Yu Xiang, she was a little stunned. Her eyes widened even more, and her line of sight was fixed on Yu Xiang's legs that were covered by the blanket. There was no disdain or contempt in her eyes, only curiosity.
Aiya, where did this little ball roll from? It couldn't be any cuter! Yu Xiang's heart was about to melt from her cuteness, but she put on a somewhat arrogant expression. She fiercely said, "What are you looking at? Haven't you seen a cripple before?"
She liked to pretend to be a bad person to scare little children. She found it very amusing to see them cry out in fear or cry loudly with red noses. What kind of person is this!
However, she forgot that she was also a little ball right now. For several months, she had been lying motionless, only caring about eating and sleeping well. Coupled with the nourishment of good fortune, her thin and weak body had grown a lot of soft meat. Her skin had become white and tender, fresh and delicious. Her ordinary facial features had grown, like a white sketch that had been painstakingly painted with all kinds of rich colors, becoming gorgeous.
She bared her small white teeth, and her nose and eyes were squeezed together. Not only did she not look fierce, but she also looked somewhat comical.
The old mama was about to scold this impudent and rude little girl, but she heard her master giggle. More pastry crumbs fell from the corner of her mouth. She crisply said, "I haven't seen it before."
The old mama hurriedly shut her mouth and began to size up Yu Xiang. Her master had been secretly harmed when she was born. Not only had she been born three months early, she had also been born with some fetal poison that could not be removed. She could only walk when she was three years old and could speak when she was six years old. Other than her parents and direct older brother, she never spoke half a word to anyone else. When she saw strangers, she would take a detour. Her personality was very reclusive, and her only hobby was eating.
Today's palace banquet had been coerced and enticed in every possible way before she was willing to come. Who would have thought that she would actually take the initiative to talk to someone! The old mama's heart was filled with excitement.
The moment little ball arrived, she smelled a sweet fragrance. It smelled like her favorite lotus seed cake. She couldn't help but walk closer to the source of the fragrance, revealing a drooling smile.
Yu Xiang clutched her chest. Her heart almost melted into water. This little ball's smile was too silly and cute. It was so cute that she wanted to scream and fiercely rub her round head.
"Come here." She stretched out her sinful index finger and made a seductive gesture. "Elder sister will let you take a look at elder sister's crippled leg. Let elder sister rub it."
Little ball thought for a bit and cheerfully nodded. The old mama at the side didn't dare to breathe loudly as she stared at the two. She was conflicted whether she should scold this daring little girl or allow her to interact with her master.