Yu Miaoling clearly wasn't accustomed to her two sisters' enthusiasm, lowering her head shyly.
Yu Mingyue's return gifts were also generous; she gave Second Mistress and Third Mistress a jade bracelet each.
These jade bracelets were a matching pair, perfect for them to wear.
The gift for Yu Miaoling was a calligraphy copybook from a master. While Fifth Sister's calligraphy was good, it lacked guidance and the grand aura of a master. This copybook was very suitable for her.
"That copybook was a gift from your maternal uncle, Uncle Cui. You're quite willing to part with it."
"Such a good copybook should naturally be given to someone suitable. Fifth Sister is its destined recipient. Besides, my brother has given me plenty more, I'm not lacking."
It was better to give away such troublesome things early.
Chi Dan understood Yu Mingyue's meaning and chuckled, covering her mouth.
"Second Mistress and Third Mistress have never had much interaction with you, Miss. Today's gifts are quite substantial; these medicinal herbs are all precious," Su Mu said after inspecting the herbs and confirming there were no issues before storing them in the storeroom.
"Haven't you figured it out yet? They want my mother to take them out more often, to be seen more by those madams, to make a good impression for matchmaking," Yu Mingyue said, lounging on the couch with her legs crossed, looking quite at ease.
Second Mistress and Third Mistress were only a little over two months younger than First Mistress, and would turn fifteen next year. Second Madam was busy with First Mistress's wedding and couldn't attend to them, while Lian Yiniang couldn't leave her chambers. These gifts were simply an attempt to curry favor with Cui Shi.
"It's best for you, Miss, not to meddle in the affairs of the second branch," Chi Dan advised.
With the Second Master's inaction, the second branch was in chaos. It was either the young ladies squabbling or Second Madam and the concubines fighting for favor, a daily drama.
Therefore, despite being legitimate offspring, even the muddled old madam looked down on the second branch.
"I'm still a baby, I don't understand anything. Besides, if Mother were willing to manage them, they wouldn't be trying to get things through me," Yu Mingyue said with a sly smile.
Thus, she had also returned generous gifts. Those matching bracelets had quite a history.
Yu Mingyue's leg injury this time had genuinely made her decide to practice martial arts diligently. Her attendants couldn't protect her twenty-four-seven; there would always be times when they were too late, like that day.
Zhu Yu was naturally happy to hear that her young lady wanted to practice martial arts with her every day. Since Chi Dan and Chi Hua usually took care of the young lady more, she was eager to spend more time with her.
Yu Mingyue had missed many banquets and much excitement.
However, it didn't prevent her from knowing what was going on.
"Do you know, Yao Dama and Yao Sanniang got into a fight? Yao Sanniang scratched Yao Dama's face so badly that even Noble Consort was alerted. She sent the best imperial physician from the palace. I heard she might be disfigured."
Gu Youyou sat on the couch, her feet dangling by the side, swinging them idly as she vividly recounted the entire incident.
"To strike with such force, and Yao Dama is her own cousin," Yu Mingyue knew Yao Sanniang's temper would flare, but she hadn't expected her to be so vicious.
"Who would have thought? With a woman like that, who would dare to marry her? She's practically a demoness," Gu Youyou shook her head, unable to imagine it.
"Did you come by yourself today? Didn't Tingyun Gege accompany you?" Yu Mingyue changed the subject.
"How could I? Without Gege, I wouldn't be allowed out. He and Mingjing Gege went to Jiayan Gege's place for a poetry gathering. Did you know Jiayan Gege just moved next door to your house?" Gu Youyou said.
"Is he planning to stay in the capital for a long time?"
"Yes, Uncle Xie was personally appointed as an academician of the Imperial Academy by His Majesty and will take office after the New Year. He'll be residing in the capital from now on."
"Uncle Xie is a renowned scholar from Hedong, with vast knowledge. His Majesty learned he was passing through the capital and repeatedly asked him to stay, which is why Uncle Xie remained."
"My father also said that His Majesty intends for Uncle Xie to tutor the Seventh Prince."
Gu Youyou was a chatterbox and spilled everything she had heard from her father.