Chapter 54: Visiting the Xiao Manor
Yan Ruyu woke up before dawn to freshen up. Last night, she had asked someone to send a visiting card to the Xiao Manor. The Xiao Manor naturally agreed. Although it was expected, Yan Ruyu still could not hide her excitement.
This former Princess Consort of the Yan Family, the current mistress of the Xiao Family, was a legendary figure in the history books. Before she got married, she was not famous. Who knew that she would marry a man like Prince Yan?
When Prince Yan was alive, he was once the most intelligent and handsome man in the Great Li Dynasty. It was rumored that Prince Yan had a smile that could topple a country and his three smiles could topple the world.
In this Capital, there was no woman who did not dream of marrying Prince Yan.
Unexpectedly, Shangguan Yan succeeded.
Her family background was good. Her grandfather was a minister of three dynasties, and her maternal grandfather was the richest man in Jiangnan. She had power and money. When she grew up, she had married a husband who was the dream of all women in the world.
Such a woman was born to make people jealous.
After Prince Yan passed away, everyone thought that this delicate flower was finally going to wither. Who knew that in less than a year, she would marry into the Grand Marshal Manor as his first wife?
If there was any man in the entire Great Li Dynasty who could compare to Prince Yan, it would be Grand Marshal Xiao.
Although Xiao Zhenting was not as handsome as Prince Yan, he was a real warrior on the battlefield. He planned and won battles. Since he was thirteen years old, he had killed the head of the Turkic King. In the twenty years of his military career, he had never suffered a defeat.
He was the well-deserved God of War of the Great Li. Wherever he was, it was a cemetery for rakes!
Such an unyielding man had actually bent his back for a widow. It was really a pity for the world.
“Miss, I heard that the Princess Consort’s reputation isn’t very good. Back then, she and General Xiao…” The accompanying maidservant whispered.
Yan Ruyu interrupted her coldly. “Is the Princess Consort someone you can criticize? Watch your tongue!”
The maidservant cowered and shut her mouth.
Two hours later, the carriage arrived at the Xiao Manor.
Yan Ruyu’s identity was special. Knowing that she was coming, someone was already waiting outside the door.
A quick-witted maidservant led Yan Ruyu’s carriage into the corner gate. When they reached the second gate, the carriage stopped and Yan Ruyu alighted. The maidservant led her into the luxurious backyard.
Along the way, there were pavilions and corridors. It was quite like the scenery in Jiangnan.
In order to maintain her dignity, Yan Ruyu did not dare to look around. She quietly followed the maidservant to the main courtyard.
“Nanny Fang, Miss Yan is here,” the maidservant said to a decent nanny standing outside the courtyard.
That nanny was about the same age as Aunt Lin, but her aura was far from Aunt Lin’s.
“Miss Yan.” Nanny Fang greeted her kindly.
Nanny Fang was of a certain level, so there was no need for her to bow to Yan Ruyu. Instead, Yan Ruyu bowed to her. “Hello, Nanny Fang.”
Nanny Fang supported her. “We’ll be family sooner or later. Miss Yan, you don’t have to be so polite.”
Yan Ruyu smiled shyly.
Nanny Fang took her hand and led her into the heated pavilion. She gestured for her to sit down on the cushioned bed.
Yan Ruyu sat down on the right.
A maidservant served tea and snacks.
Nanny Fang sat down on the left. Between the two of them was a small rosewood table.
The moment Nanny Fang sat down, Yan Ruyu’s gaze paused. She was here to see the Princess Consort. Logically speaking, that seat should belong to the Princess Consort. Since Nanny Fang sat in the host’s seat, it meant that the Princess Consort would not come.
Nanny Fang smiled and said, “The Princess Consort has gone out. Please sit for a while, Miss Yan.”
The Princess Consort knew that she was coming, but she made her wait for nothing. She had underestimated her future daughter-in-law. Although she muttered this in her heart, she did not show it on her face.
“Did I disturb the Princess Consort?” Yan Ruyu said gently. “I should have expected it since it’s the end of the year. The Princess Consort must be tied up with work. I shouldn’t not have picked a day.”
Nanny Fang said, “You’re being too polite. The Princess Consort is very happy to hear that you’re here.”
Yan Ruyu smiled. “I came today to thank the Princess Consort for helping my brother get a good job.”
Everyone in the room knew very well that this was just compensation for the Yan Family being “humiliated” by Yan Jiuchao on the day of the banquet. Yan Ruyu rushing to visit and thank them on such a busy day was probably not really for this.
As expected, after Nanny Fang praised the Princess Consort for having high hopes for Yan Xie, Yan Ruyu said hesitantly, “To be honest, there’s another matter.”
Nanny Fang smiled at her.
Yan Ruyu took out a jade pendant from her purse, looking like a little girl who was angry and aggrieved. She said, “That night… Young Master Yan accidentally left this behind. I originally planned to return it to him in person, but after thinking about it… I’ll have to trouble the Princess Consort to pass it to him.”
Nanny Fang took the jade pendant. “This is the wedding gift His Highness personally gave to the Princess Consort on the night of the wedding. After His Highness passed away, the Princess Consort put the jade pendant on Brother Chao… Eh?”
“What’s wrong, Nanny?” Yan Ruyu asked.
“The tassel’s gone,” Nanny Fang said.
“Tassel?” Yan Ruyu was stunned.
Nanny Fang nodded. “The tassel was personally woven by the Princess Consort. There are spindles and beads on them.”
Yan Ruyu clenched her fists under her wide sleeves. “I left in a hurry and only picked up the jade pendant.”
“Maybe it’s broken,” Granny Fang said. “That tassel has been around for many years. You don’t have to blame yourself. It’s already good enough that you can find the jade pendant. You should hand it to Brother Chao yourself.”
Nanny Fang returned the jade pendant to her.
“But…”
Nanny Fang patted her hand and said, “The Princess Consort knows about the Young Master’s matter. You have suffered. The Princess Consort is also a mother, so how can she not understand that such young children can’t leave their biological mother? Don’t worry, the Princess Consort has already personally gone to the Young Master’s Manor. She will bring the Young Master over.”
She had wronged the Princess Consort. It turned out that the Princess Consort did not neglect her, but sincerely wanted to help her.
Yan Ruyu took out her handkerchief and shed tears of gratitude. “I thank the Princess Consort!”