After washing up, Yu Youyao brought Chun Xiao back to the Jade Courtyard.
Nanny Xu asked the servants to prepare breakfast. “Everyone in the residence knows that you were quite frightened in Duke Rongs Residence. You had a nightmare at night.”
The incident at the Flower Festival caused a commotion in the city after the Duke Rongs Residence was stripped of its title.
Fortunately, this matter had happened in public. Almost all the Madams and Madams who had participated in the Flower Festival knew what had happened. In addition, the outcome of the Duke Rongs Residence was too tragic and Yu Youyao’s reputation was not damaged.
Only some people who had heard rumors would inevitably gossip.
It was still not good for Yu Youyao’s reputation.
Yu Youyao threw herself into Nanny Xu’s arms and smiled. “Thank you,
Auntie.”
“I’ve already said it. We have to put on a full show.” Nanny Xu stroked her hair. In the past, she used to like to throw herself into her arms and wheedle. She was already so old, but her delicate habits could not be changed.
When she first entered the Yu Residence, she was worried that since she was from the palace, it would be difficult for Yu Youyao to get close to her if she called her Auntie. That was why she asked Yu Youyao to call her Nanny.
In the past two years, the servants of the Yu Residence had also gotten used to calling her “Nanny.” On the other hand, Yu Youyao was getting more and more used to calling her “Auntie.”
Yu Youyao nodded obediently.
Nanny Xu looked at her obedient expression. “At this point, the capital and even the Yu Residence have become troublesome places for you. You…” She sighed slightly and reminded her, “It’s better to make plans early.”
Even Imperial Consort Xu coveted Yu Youyao’s money. It seemed that the others in the harem had also targeted her.
What about the Yu Residence?
Yu Zongzheng had the heart of a dragon. What exactly gave him such confidence?
Yu Youyao pursed her lips. “I know. The Flower Festival at Duke Rongs Residence is just the beginning.”
The dowry that her mother had left her was already very large.
A few years ago, her grandmother had returned the 20% of the profits that her mother had given to the Yu Residence before she died with interest.
Although she couldn’t get back 30% of the profits that she had given to the clan, her grandmother didn’t let her suffer. Last year, she had gone to the clan to discuss with the elders and picked out some calligraphy, paintings, ancient books, and so on that the clan had accumulated and gave them to her.
Yu Youyao could understand the elders’ decision.
The Yu Clan was a large clan. The clan needed a huge amount of resources to rise through the ranks and become officials. Money was indispensable.
A good son did not seek ancestral property!
Since ancient times, only unfilial descendants who had fallen from grace would be calculative with the ancestors of the family. The families valued relationships and inheritance, so this was especially important.
These antiques had been left behind by their ancestor. Unless it was absolutely necessary, it was not good to give them up.
Even if they gave it up in exchange for money, how were they going to split it?
They were all descendants of their ancestors. It was difficult for anyone to allocate the resources.
It was better to give it to the juniors who had contributed to the family to encourage them. Not only would their reputation be good, but they would also look outstanding.
Madam Xie’s contribution to the clan was unquestionable.
Moreover, Madam Xie’s 30 0/0 profit was clearly given to the clan. It could be completely in the hands of the elders as a resource to nurture future descendants, and there would not be any unreasonable disputes.
Back then, after Madam Xie passed away, Old Madam Yu had personally gone to the clan. She had already made it clear that the money was not given to the clan for nothing. Not only did the clan have to owe Madam Xie a favor and take care of Madam Xie’s daughter, but they also had to acknowledge Madam Xie’s contribution to the clan. They could not take advantage of the clan and juniors for nothing.
This was written in the contract. As long as the clan still cared about their reputation, they would not deny it.
The Yu Clan was also a clan that had lasted for a thousand years. Although the clan was down and out, its foundation was still there. Most of these calligraphy, paintings, and ancient books were antiques that were difficult to measure in value. She had benefited greatly from them.
Previously, her grandmother had even transferred most of her assets to her name. In order to avoid being unclear with the Yu Residence, she had even gone to the government to make it official. It was enough to prove that these assets belonged to her grandmother and did not belong to the Yu Residence, let alone the clan. Old Madam Yu had the right to deal with them.
Perhaps because she wasn’t by their side to take care of, the Xie family always felt a little guilty towards her. They couldn’t help but be generous to her in terms of money, and they were always worried that she would suffer.
After more than ten years, the Xie family had given Yu Youyao a lot of assets. They had even given her a merchant ship without blinking. In total, they were no less than her mother’s dowry assets.
This was on the surface.
In secret, the “Happy Heart” escort business under her name had already become famous with legitimate and underground businesses. The escort business had also expanded in scale. It sold goods from the south to the north.
After that, after establishing the foundation of land transportation, she started river transportation. She also began to move private goods such as salt, tea, cloth, and porcelain that were banned by the Imperial Court. It could be said that she had made a lot of money.
Fortunately, when she was establishing the escort business, she had been more careful and asked the Xie family to help create an identity as a side family member. Otherwise, if someone found out that she was the owner of the escort business, it would be even more eye-catching.
In recent years, her cousin had been secretly hoarding supplies through the escort business. Due to the special nature of the escort business, it was very convenient to transport goods without attracting the attention of the Imperial Court.
In addition, the maritime trade she and her cousin were working on was also very smooth because of the Xie family’s involvement.
Yu Youyao did not dare to say that she was as rich as a country, but she was definitely richer than the dog emperor. The dog emperor even cared about the Duke Rongs Residence, so there was no reason for him not to care about her and the Xie Residence.
Drought was everywhere, and the country was in trouble. The hunter would shoot the bird that sticks out.
Not long after breakfast, Qing Xiu rushed over. “Young Miss, Eldest Master has returned to the residence. He said that an imperial edict has been issued by the Imperial Court and asked the family to prepare to welcome him.”
Yu Youyao held her breath. The Duke Rongs Residence had just been stripped of its title yesterday, and the imperial edict from the palace had arrived at the Yu Residence the next day. It was obvious that it was directed at her.
She was the daughter of an external minister and had almost been schemed against by her relatives. After suffering grievances, the palace would definitely reward her to appease her.
Usually, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager would step in to reward the women of the officials. If it was personally given by the emperor, it would not be just a reward.
An imperial edict came from the palace, and Yu Youyao’s room was in chaos.
The maidservants in the room dug out Yu Youyao’s best clothes, jewelry, and so on. However, they did not know what to do.
In the end, Nanny Xu rushed over and helped Yu Youyao pick out a yellow dress with pomegranate flowers. She personally helped to comb her hair into a single bun and even opened the cosmetics box. She picked out a layer of nude make up and applied a thin layer on her face. She added lip powder made of pomegranate flowers.
Dong Mei watched from the side. The young miss, who looked rosy just a moment ago, had now become a weak and pitiful little girl after Nanny Xu’s torture. Her fresh clothes made her look even more haggard. The key was that Nanny Xu’s makeup skills were too good. When she leaned closer, it was difficult to tell that she had applied makeup.
The imperial edict from the palace could not be neglected. Nanny Xu had also chosen silver flowers, making her look exquisite and expensive..