They had originally planned on holding Little Shitou’s birthday celebration before the metropolitan civil service examinations as a family. This would also allow him to relax a bit and avoid him from becoming too nervous and not balancing himself between work and rest.
Xiaocao planned on inviting Grandfather Zhao’s family, her godmother’s family, and a few of her good friends. In addition, she wanted to invite Little Shitou’s master, Great Scholar Yuan, and a few of his good school friends. However, her only mistake was in assuming that this would be a simple matter. She had thought that holding the banquet at the Medicinal Cuisine House would be enough.
In general, the rooms at Medicinal Cuisine House needed to be reserved at least a week in advance. Xiaocao had quickly estimated the number of people and decided to reserve three rooms. That would have been more than enough space to cater her own family, Grandfather Zhao’s family, her godfather’s family, the guests that Zhu Junyang wanted, her own good friends and their husbands, as well as Little Shitou’s schoolmates and teachers.
She didn’t expect that once word got out at the Imperial College that things would change that much. Now, even the teachers who were invited were enough to fill one whole table. As for the students who got the invitations, they would be able to fill three rooms until they burst. Then there were the students who were usually mere acquaintances with Little Shitou who turned up without being invited; they ended up filling another table.
Somehow, the news that the Yu Family was getting food catered from the Medicinal Cuisine House had also reached the ears of the emperor emeritus and a few of the imperial princes. That was it! These old men, who loved food, had all scurried over with gifts along too. Then there were a few families who had good relationships with the Fang Family; all of them also appeared at the Yu Residence. It was so busy that the Yu Family and Fang Family’s people had no time to deal with it all!
Fortunately, Xiaocao had taken all of the private rooms back from the Medicinal Cuisine House in advance. Otherwise, this banquet would become a farce that everyone would laugh at.
Their master’s younger brother was having his birthday celebration, and it was turning out to be a big event. Thus, the chefs and servants from the Medicinal Cuisine House did their best. Every single dish was made to complete perfection. This meal was so delicious that those old gluttons ended up stuffing themselves silly. It could be said that both the hosts and guests at this celebration were immensely satisfied by this event. Before they left, every person also got a box of pastries as a gift. However, one shouldn’t look down on this mere box of desserts. In the Yu’s Western-Style Desserts Store, this tiny little box cost at least a few dozen taels!
There was only one shop in the entire capital, even the entire Great Ming Empire, that sold western-style desserts. As for those old dessert shops, like Daoxiang Village, who sold traditional style desserts, they were all incredibly happy that the ‘Yu’s Businesses’ hadn’t extended their reach into their territory. Otherwise, they would have no road left to live.
The manager of Daoxiang Village had once tactfully inquired Yangliu whether The Yu’s planned on making traditional style desserts. When she reported to Xiaocao, her answer back was enough to set their hearts at ease——within the next twenty years, The Yu’s only planned on making western-style desserts. This allowed all of the old and famous dessert shops to let out a big sigh in relief. Many things could change in the span of twenty years. Who knew what things would be like twenty years later?
After his birthday celebration passed, Little Shitou discovered that his relationships with other people had improved immensely. Within the Imperial College, whether it was the teachers or students, everyone would show him a genial smile whenever they saw him. Those who were closer to him would even come over and greet him! When the students were debating, many of them would go and find him to exchange thoughts and ideas. It truly helped him to refine his own thoughts. Thus, at the college, Little Shitou was maturing at a breakneck speed.
When Yuan Sinian began quizzing his little disciple, he discovered that the youth’s ideas and thoughts had matured greatly and that his essays had become more rigorous. If one had to compare, prior to entering the Imperial College, Yu Fan was like a young eagle who had just left the nest. Although he was quite dynamic, he was also a bit young and tender in his thoughts. Now he had already matured into an adult eagle, able to fight with the winds and soar the vast skies with complete ease. He had a long-term vision and loads of potential and was just waiting for his opportunity to fly up into the clouds.
Great Scholar Yuan didn’t show much of his thoughts on the outside but when he returned back home, he was quite cocky and boastful in front of his son. Prime Minister Yuan felt quite helpless by this. ‘Yes! You managed to obtain a good disciple! He has the talent to become the top scorer of the Imperial Palace Examinations. He has the potential to become one of the legendary scholars who got the top score in all three rounds of the palace examinations! What does any of this have to do with me, huh? For the sake of your good disciple, my younger disciple brother, I even needed to resign from the spot of the top examiner. Did you have to come over and flaunt this in my face ah? My dear father, have you forgotten that you have a grandson who is also going to participate in these exams? In your eyes, in your speech, in your heart, do you only have your precious disciple now? Did you displace your young grandson ah? Then what is my placing in your heart now, as the father of your grandson, ah?’
Fortunately, his youngest son’s personality was like his and didn’t depend on the attention of others. Everyday, his son would follow his usual routine and go to the Imperial College to study, then go back home to meditate and review his schoolwork. In addition, he would even sometimes ask for guidance from the little genius, Yu Fan. Hard work could make up for a lot of things, so he was confident that his son would be able to get a good placing in the metropolitan civil service examinations!
The days passed by one after another. In the blink of an eye, the capital had already entered the season of wind and snow. In the past, winter at the Yu Residence had a different atmosphere than it did this year. This was the last New Years that their youngest daughter was going to spend with their family. Thus, Yu Hai and his wife became busy at the start of the twelfth month as they wished to give their youngest daughter a perfect memory of this last holiday as an unmarried lady.
As the eldest sister-in-law, Liu Huifang had also come to the capital with the Yu Family. In the past, she had once come to the capital after getting an invitation from her good friend, her future younger sister-in-law, Xiaocao. The Yu Family’s residence in the capital wasn’t much different than the one they had in Dongshan Village. The only difference was that the furnishings were a bit more delicate and fine.
After Liu Huifang entered the capital, she began to learn how to manage a large residence from her mother-in-law and her younger sister-in-law’s godmother. On the day of her younger brother-in-law’s birthday, she had gained quite a bit of experience and had come into contact with a lot of upper class maidens in the capital. Although she was a bit reserved and restrained when interacting with them, she had slowly learned how to conduct herself. During the preparations for the New Year’s celebrations, she had continued to help her mother-in-law and had come up with many good ideas and proposals.
Liu Huifang had grown up with Xiaocao and had personally witnessed the Yu Family’s journey from rags to riches. She knew that Xiaocao was the one responsible for the sudden rise in the Yu Family’s fortunes. It could be said that, without Xiaocao, they wouldn’t have the current Yu Family.
After she married over, her husband had often mentioned that all of the businesses in the capital were the result of his youngest sister’s hard work. As the eldest brother, he couldn't help her with much, so he naturally wouldn't be so shameless to ask for a piece of the pie there. In fact, even the Yu Family’s properties in Tanggu were all a result of his youngest sister’s efforts in setting up a good foundation. Their Tanggu seed breeding farm and fruit and vegetable business, as well as those prosperous shops at the harbor, all had the shadow of his youngest sister in them.
As the family’s eldest son, he naturally needed to stay in Tanggu to keep an eye on the Yu Family’s ancestral home and foundations. No matter how wealthy or prosperous the capital was, he wasn’t the least bit envious. The size of one’s head dictated the size of one's hat. Yu Hang was very well aware of his own abilities and was clear-headed enough to recognize his limitations.
He was afraid that a person’s heart could change once money was brought into the picture. Thus, he would, from time to time, mention certain things in front of his wife in a deliberate manner. Liu Huifang naturally knew the worth of the properties and businesses of the Yu’s in the capital. Every single one of them could be described as bringing in gold every day.
But what did that matter? She wasn’t a royal princess and wasn’t someone favored by the emperor like Younger Sister Xiaocao. Even if these businesses entered her hands, how long could she keep them there? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that one could throw a stick and end up hitting a few nobles on any street in the capital. How could there not be any envious and jealous people eyeing these businesses? Wasn’t the only reason why her younger sister was able to do so well because she had a powerful backing? If any one else tried, who could do it?
That being said, one needed to be content with one’s situation. Huifang was already quite satisfied with her current life. She had grown up in times where things were lacking, where her family went hungry between meals and the only thing they could afford to eat were flatbreads made of coarse grain. She could still remember those days as if they had just happened. If it weren’t for Younger Sister Xiaocao, her father, the pillar of their family, might have died long ago during that harsh winter. Without the Yu Family as a business partner, even if their family decided to raise chickens and ducks, they may not have been able to find a good market…
Now, she was married to the eldest son of the Yu Family and was the envy of all of the young maidens in the village. She was living the leisurely life of a young matron in a wealthy family. Why did she need to get her panties in a bunch and let greed blind her own two eyes?
Thus, when her mother-in-law began to prepare her younger sister’s dowry list and had called the whole household to her rooms to discuss this matter, she was able to view the long list of items and estates with a peaceful heart.
“Mother, I want to leave this wine brewing workshop to Older Brother. Take it off! This candied fruit and canned fruits factory is for Xiaolian ah! This newly bought farmstead only plants out of season fruits and vegetables and this refrigerated storage building is for Younger Brother…also, this, and this…take them all off the list!”
Yu Xiaocao had noticed that all of her industries in the capital had been written on her dowry list. Furthermore, the valuable items and properties in the Yu Family’s treasury had all been added to her dowry too. Although she was extremely touched, she didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry at this——her parents were truly too much. They were giving everything away from the family for her dowry, so what would they do in the future?
Madam Liu took the list out of her hands but didn’t take anything off like she had hoped for. Instead, after thinking a bit, she added a few more precious items.
“As for hair ornaments and jewelry, we should go to a few famous shops tomorrow in the capital and see if there are any new varieties to be had so we can add some more for Cao’er. At Exquisite Garments, are the clothing sets we ordered ready to be picked up ah? Ah, that’s right, I think Precious Shining Fabrics has gotten a new shipment of satins and damasks. Your godmother told us that we should get some bright cloud brocade…” Madam Liu chattered on for a long time and had her youngest son write everything down. That way she could avoid forgetting things in the bustle and mess of the end of the year.
“Mother! Did you hear a single word I said ah?” Yu Xiaocao had been ignored for a long time and helplessly opened her mouth again.
Madam Liu raised her head to look her in the eye before she lightly sighed, “Those businesses were all established by you after a lot of hard work and effort. Although they are under the name of the Yu’s, who in the capital doesn’t know that they are owned by Royal Princess Jinan? Your intentions are good in that you want to add some income to your brothers and sister, but if they took them, how would other people view them? Especially your younger brother. In the future, he is going to enter court and become an official. How will his colleagues view him then?”
Yu Hai also agreed with her, “Don’t worry about the family anymore! As your father, I can’t help but feel upset when I remember how you took on the responsibilities of the family at such a young and tender age. In the blink of an eye, it’s now time for you to get married. The family’s circumstances now compared to then are as different as the sky and the earth. No matter how good the relationships are between siblings, after they get married, they need to rely on themselves to eat and live. What’s the point of relying on others all the time? Listen to us, your parents. Other than the Yu Residence in the capital, you need to take everything else!”
“Second Older Sister, the Yu Family has me and Older Brother! You just need to live your own life in a comfortable manner. If Imperial Prince Xu ends up hurting you, feel free to come back to our home. The Yu Family’s gates will always be wide open for you.” Just as Little Shitou finished his words, two palms had hit the back of his head.
“Stinky brat, can’t you say something nice for once?” Yu Hai and his wife took their hands back and glared at their youngest son.
