boyutpedia Chapter 220 The Last Kindness
Chapter 220 The Last Kindness
Mei Hong followed Yu Qingli's footsteps and walked into Liuli Residence, while Xiluo stood at the door as usual, waiting for Yu Qingli's instructions at any time.
Yu Qingli took out the pair of jade bracelets that she had previously asked Xiluo to customize. Meihong's eyes lit up when she saw them. "Miss, is this also part of the dowry that the master bought?"
Yu Qingli shook her head, "Of course not! This jade bracelet is a thank you gift I prepared for Aunt Cui."
"To the Second Madam?!"
"That's right. I heard that the dowry this time was all bought by the Second Madam. Of course I have to give her another thank you gift."
"But Miss, the Second Madam has always been very close to the First Madam, and I'm afraid she won't accept your things."
Yu Qingli smiled faintly. She was afraid that behind this seemingly good situation, there were also unknown cracks, but the two sides had not torn their faces apart.
Besides, she had recently received some very interesting news, and it would be better to let Aunt Cui know about it.
"Come on, Meihong, take the gifts and let's go meet Aunt Cui."
Mei Hong responded and followed Yu Qingli towards Cui's courtyard.
After entering the courtyard, a maid soon came to greet her. Although she was a little surprised to see Yu Qingli, she still bowed respectfully and said, "Miss, the second lady is not in the courtyard. She heard that the second lady had returned, so she went to the West Garden to visit her."
Yu Qingli heard this and said, "It's okay. Since Aunt Cui is not here, I'll just wait here."
The maid was stunned. "Miss, are you going to wait here? But we never know when the Second Madam will be back. Sometimes when she's happy chatting with the First Madam, she'll just eat with her."
Yu Qingli glanced at the maid and asked, "What's your name?"
"My servant was a washerwoman."
"Washerwoman, just go do your own thing and ignore me."
As Yu Qingli spoke, she sat down directly on the stone bench in the yard, looking calm and composed, as if she really wanted to wait here.
The washerwoman was in a dilemma. What should she do? She immediately turned to another maid who was cleaning the courtyard and said, "Go and tell the second lady that the eldest lady is here."
The maid quickly put down the broom and hurried away. Before she reached the door, the washerwoman called out to her, "Report this quietly, don't let the mistress know."
The maid nodded to show that she understood. Yu Qingli couldn't help but think to herself that she was quite a clever maid.
Besides, at this moment in the West Garden, Yu Zhenzhen was lying on the bed with her big eyes open and lifeless, like a puppet without any feeling. Only the tear marks in the corners of her eyes showed that she was still alive.
Wang's face was also covered with tears as she sat there sobbing. In these ten days, she had shed more tears than she had in her entire life.
After settling Yu Zhenzhen down, Yu Zhengsha returned to the study, while Cui comforted Wang, "Sister, don't be sad. Didn't the imperial physician say that as long as Zhenzhen takes good care of herself, she will be fine."
"But when I think about the fact that Zhenzhen might develop some kind of illness in the future, I feel..."
"Don't worry, sister. The master will definitely find a way to cure Zhenzhen. Besides, the eldest young master has returned. I think there should be a way."
Wang's eyes were red as she looked at her daughter who had been lying on the bed without saying a word after suffering such a blow. Could it be that she would always be like this from now on?
No! No way! She absolutely doesn't want this to happen!
Wang sat down beside Yu Zhenzhen's bed, held her hand and talked to her. Cui wanted to say something, but suddenly she caught a glimpse of the little maid in her yard walking around outside Dangui Garden. She was about to call her in, but she vaguely felt that something was wrong.
Seeing that Wang didn't notice him at this time, he hurried out of the yard.
"What are you doing sneaking around?" Cui scolded in a low voice, "If you have something to say, tell me quickly."
The maid was scolded for no reason and felt a little aggrieved. "Madam, the eldest daughter is here and is waiting to see you in the courtyard. Sister washerwoman asked someone to ask what to do?"
"You said Yu Qingli came to see me?!" Cui was a little surprised. Why at this time?
Now the master and Wang have officially turned against Yu Qingli. If they were hiding it before, now they have revealed their cards completely.
Yu Qingli came to find me now, is she trying to use me?
Cui frowned. It seemed that she would have to have a good meeting with Yu Qingli!
She waved her hand to signal the maid to go back first, and then Cui returned to the room. Wang was still sitting beside Yu Zhenzhen's bed crying. Cui thought about it and decided to tell the truth directly, otherwise it would inevitably be used to make a fuss in the future.
Cui sighed and said, "Sister, a maid just came to report that the eldest daughter is in my courtyard right now. I think it's about the dowry. So I'll go back and take care of it."
Wang said, "Alright, then you can go back first."
When Cui returned to the yard, Yu Qingli was sitting under the osmanthus tree in the yard drinking tea, looking very leisurely.
Seeing Cui return, Yu Qingli slowly stood up and saluted, "Auntie is back?"
Cui was puzzled, but she put on a smile. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Miss. I just came back from my sister's place."
"I wonder how Sister Zhenzhen is doing now?"
"Thank you for your concern, Miss. The doctor said that there is nothing serious now. Just rest and recuperate."
"That's great." Yu Qingli said, lowering her head in disappointment. "Aunt Cui, I don't know why. Father and Aunt Wang both said that I harmed my sister. But when my sister was in trouble, I was with the eldest prince. How could I have done that?"
Cui was stunned and felt a little embarrassed. She naturally knew that the master was probably trying to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice. However, she did not have the courage to offend the master.
So, she smiled awkwardly and said soothingly, "Maybe it's just a misunderstanding. I believe the master will find out the truth as soon as possible."
"I hope so!"
Cui got straight to the point and asked, "I wonder why the young lady came to see me today?"
Yu Qingli then put away her sad expression and said with a smile, "Actually, I came here today to thank Auntie."
Thanks?! Cui always felt that there was something fishy going on.
"Meihong..."
At Yu Qingli's command, Mei Hong reluctantly took out a beautiful brocade box, opened it with her hand, and the things inside immediately dazzled Cui's eyes.
It’s a bracelet, a gold and jade bracelet!
The transparent green jade, coupled with the dazzling golden patterns, is so unique!
The satisfaction in Cui's eyes made Yu Qingli's smile deepen. Sure enough, she took the bait!
"This is a thank you gift for preparing my dowry. Although I haven't been in the mansion for too long, I already know who is good and who is bad. Aunt Wang and my sister are always against me, and even father... It wasn't like this when we were in Luoyang."
Yu Qingli spoke very sincerely, even with a hint of sadness, which even moved Cui.
"I'm afraid you, Aunt Cui, are the only one in this mansion who truly treats me well! My mother has passed away, but Aunt Cui, you make me feel like my own mother."
Cui's heart moved. Looking at the girl in front of her who was only in her teens, she thought carefully that her life was really not easy. She didn't know what the master disliked about her that made him so cruel.
At this moment, Cui was shaken. Somewhere in her heart, the remaining kindness made her suddenly speak, "Miss, have you touched the dowry?"
Yu Qingli was stunned. What was going on?! Then she shook her head in confusion, "It's still in my courtyard. Since it's a dowry, I plan to use it later."
Cui seemed relieved and said, "That's good. I suddenly remembered that some of the things in there are too shabby. I'll have the washerwoman go with the young lady to get them back later. I just bought some new jewelry here, which will be perfect for the young lady's dowry."
After she finished speaking, Cui emphasized, "Miss, please don't touch the dowry now. I heard that before the wedding, the bride cannot touch the dowry herself. It's unlucky."
Yu Qingli was extremely surprised. Was Cui's words meant to prevent her from getting involved with the problematic dowry?
Perhaps, this was the last bit of kindness left in Cui's heart. No matter why she suddenly changed her mind, it was precisely because of this that Yu Qingli also changed her mind. It would be better to keep Cui for the time being.
Yu Qingli took the brocade box from Mei Hong's hand and handed it to Cui. Before Cui could hold it firmly, Yu Qingli deliberately let go of it.
The brocade box fell to the ground without warning, and the gold and jade bracelet was instantly broken into pieces.
"Ah!" Cui's face was full of regret.
Yu Qingli quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry, Auntie, it's all my fault. But don't worry, Auntie, I'll send this bracelet to a jewelry store in a while. After all, it's gold inlaid with jade, so I think there should be a way to restore it!"
Cui smiled upon hearing this and said, "Young Miss is indeed very thoughtful."
Yu Qingli just smiled without saying anything. Cui might never know that the trace of kindness in her heart saved her life.
"Then, Qingli won't bother you anymore." Yu Qingli prepared to say goodbye.
Cui Shi tried to persuade her to stay, saying, "Young Miss, why don't you stay and have dinner before leaving? It's almost noon."
"No need, thank you for your kindness, Auntie."
Yu Qingli was about to leave, but suddenly stopped when she passed by Cui, "Huh?"
Cui was stunned and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"
"My aunt smells a little strange!"
Cui was stunned. Smell? What smell? She had originally thought Yu Qingli was teasing her, but looking at Yu Qingli's expression, it didn't seem like that. She couldn't help but wonder, could there really be some smell on her body?
Cui looked at Yu Qingli with a questioning look. Yu Qingli moved closer and, after sniffing carefully, looked at Cui with a strange expression, "How come there is a scent of musk and safflower on your body, Auntie?"
"What!" Cui was shocked. She had not been pregnant for many years and these two things were what she feared most. How could they be contaminated on her body?