All Hail Cousin Brother

Chapter 558: A Request

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Yu Youyao’s hand that was holding her tea paused.

Xia Tao’s tone was excited. “There’s one in our clan who obtained 179th place. Heir Song of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence also took the first place and obtained the title Huiyuan. Heir Song took first place in the academy, township, and general examinations. I heard that there are only a handful of people like him in every dynasty.”

This year’s imperial examination was a little later than usual. It was only in late March that the examination officially began.

It was also a few days late for the rankings to be released. It had been delayed to March.

In the Yu Clan’s generation, other than Yu Shande and Yu Shanyan, the others who participated in the Spring Quarter Examination were not ranked too high.

Yu Shanyan was still young. He still had to wait three years for the next imperial examination to take place.

Yu Youyao was not surprised that one of the talents made it even though there weren’t many outstanding ones this year.

The results of the examination would be used as a reference for the second examination and the palace examination. The final ranking was 179th. This ranking was only medium but it was alright.

As for Song Mingzhao passing the imperial examination, this was expected. Yu Youyao did not care too much.

At the mention of Song Mingzhao, Xia Tao had endless things to say. “Next, it’s the second examination in front of the hall. Everyone is guessing that perhaps Heir Song will excel in all five exams. I’m afraid the title of the top scholar this time will belong to him. It’s already spreading like wildfire in the capital. Everyone is talking about how talented and promising Heir Song is…

Heir Song was already 18 years old and had long reached the age of marriage. He was originally a handsome and extraordinary talent. Now that he had shocked the world with a single brilliant feat in the imperial examination, he had even become the dream lover of the daughters of the various families in the capital. There were many families in the capital who were eyeing Heir Song.

Seeing Xia Tao’s excited expression, Yu Youyao frowned. “Go and see if the pastries in the kitchen are steamed. When they’re steamed, put out a plate of each and send them to Grandmother’s house. The rest will be sent to Cousin’s house.”

Her grandmother was old, so it was appropriate for her to nourish her.

One or two pieces a day was enough. There was no point in eating too much.

Xia Tao vaguely felt that Young Miss did not seem to like it very much. She felt strange at the mention of Heir Song.

The Song and Yu families were family friends. Since Young Master Song had done well in the imperial examination, Young Miss had to say a word or two. Why didn’t she even mention it?

However, as a servant, she naturally wouldn’t ask.

There was only one disciple in the clan who had been awarded a tribute. It was a rare opportunity, and the entire residence was filled with joy.

The family banquet had been prepared since morning.

At night, the men at home left the government office. There were hree tables for the two families of the Yu Residence, Yu Shande and the others, as well as the juniors who were participating in the imperial examination this time.

In the past two years, the Yu Residence had been keeping a low profile.

Even if someone in the clan passed the examination, they only had a closed door celebration. The family was lively and celebrated. The next day, at dawn, the residence returned to calm. They did what they had to do.

After being lively in the capital for a few days, it returned to calm.

The next day, after Yu Youyao accompanied her cousin for the acupuncture, she returned to the Jade Courtyard.

Chun Xiao came over to report, “Heir Song is here. Matriarch wants you to go over.”

Yu Youyao nodded calmly and returned to her room to change her clothes. Then, she brought Chun Xiao to An Shou Hall.

Song Mingzhao was probably really indebted to the Yu Residence for “saving his life”. He treated Old Madam Yu as half a grandmother to show filial piety. In the past two years, he had often come to the Yu Residence.

In addition, the court had not been peaceful in the past two years, and the relationship between family friends had become closer.

The relationship between the Song and Yu families was also better than before.

Yu Youyao watched from the sidelines and was no longer surprised.

However, Song Mingzhao was a guest, so someone in the family needed to greet him. Her grandmother was an elder, and Concubine Jiang had yet to be promoted. It was fine for her to represent the family outside and receive guests.

Her cousin was also a man and she accompanied him a lot. However, she still had to step in to take care of others.

On the surface, she was still in charge of this house. Since there were guests in the house, it was only right for her to step in.

Although she was old, she had also reached the age where men and women had to be wary of each other.

However, the Great Zhou Dynasty did not have the custom of hiding from outsiders and not showing their faces. It was also etiquette for men and women to be wary in front of their elders.

Even if they met outside, as long as they followed a nanny and did not interact privately, it was common for them to greet each other.

This was also why Yu Youyao was annoyed.

When they arrived at An Shou Hall, Zhou Linghuai had already arrived.

Yu Youyao looked at her cousin first before going forward to greet Song Mingzhao.

At this point, Song Mingzhao’s gaze darkened. Eldest Miss Yu was wearing a set of sky-green enamel. Her delicate figure was light at her waist, looking very much like a sky-green ruyao beauty bottle that he had accidentally obtained a few days ago.

It was extraordinarily beautiful.

Ruyao craftsmanship had already been lost. This beauty vase was rare and unique.

Song Mingzhao saw a yellow-green madder pattern rising from her flexible and slender waist. There was a yellow crab claw flower in front of her chest.

She was bright, pure, charming, and noble.

In a month or so, Eldest Miss Yu would turn 13.

Song Mingzhao lowered his eyes and gently rubbed the longevity knot on his wrist. “In this examination, the Imperial Court only mentioned ‘Jiangnan’. It’s obvious that the emperor’s tolerance for Jiangnan is almost over.”

As Old Madam Yu twirled her prayer beads, she sighed slightly. “This scene is so similar to three years ago?!”

Three years ago, the emperor, who had not been involved in the royal court for a long time, had for the first time mentioned the word “ruling the vassal state” on the palace examination question. This caused the descendants of the aristocratic families to immediately shrink back and not even be able to show their true standards. This was the prelude to King You’s case.

This shocking case implicated the entire court. It even involved Li Qiguang’s rebellion and Song Xiuwen’s case.

Now, “Jiangnan” was just the beginning. Next, there was Zhejiang.

There was also the extermination of pirates.

As they went deeper, this storm would be a terrifying smoke that would spread throughout the entire royal court. These peaceful days would probably not last long.

Old Madam Yu looked at Zhou Linghuai. “If Zhejiang threatens the Imperial Court with the navy again…

Zhou Linghuai said calmly, “After asking a tiger for its skin, they ultimately suffered a backlash. The capital of Zhejiang is no longer in control of the situation in Zhejiang. The chaos in Zhejiang is set to happen.” Old Madam Yu lowered her eyes and twirled her prayer beads.

The atmosphere in the room was a little heavy.

Song Mingzhao put down his teacup. “I specially came over today to ask for a favor.

Hearing this, even Yu Youyao, who was holding a teacup and looking down, couldn’t help but look up at Song Mingzhao. She was really curious.. What exactly had made Song Mingzhao come to the Yu Residence and ask for a favor?