Chapter 12: Siblings

Yueyao, holding Brother Zheng's hand, entered the room, opened the trunk, and started searching for a set of clothes for Brother Zheng to change into. However, after a long search, she found no satisfactory clothes. All the clothes were either too short or made of extremely poor material, and were rough to the touch. It was not only the attendants taking care of Tingzheng who were negligent, but also the maids and old nannies in the sewing room who were miserly. From this, it was evident how much Lady family neglected Tingzheng.

Yueyao stared blankly at the old clothes in the trunk. At that moment, Hua Lei brought some water over, and Yueyao took the handkerchief, dipped it in the water, and wrung it out to clean Tingzheng's face and hands thoroughly.

Yueyao, looking at the clean Brother Zheng, was taken aback again. Gazing at Brother Zheng, she always felt a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, it struck her that Brother Zheng's features might indeed resemble hers. No wonder Lady family did not want her to see Brother Zheng; would she have taken him to heart if he looked similar to her as he grew?

Seeing Yueyao staring at him, Brother Zheng grew somewhat scared, "Sister?"

Yueyao came to her senses and took Brother Zheng's small hand, "Come with sister."

Though not clever, Brother Zheng was sensitive. Hearing Yueyao say this, he cautiously asked, "Sister, do you mean for me to go with you?"

Yueyao, feeling very sorry, touched Brother Zheng's small face, "It was sister's fault before. Sister failed to take care of you properly, which made you suffer so much. From now on, with sister here, no one will dare to bully you."

Brother Zheng amiably held Yueyao's hand, showing his willingness to go with her. But just as they were leaving the yard, they saw Maternal Aunt You dressed in a lake-blue outfit approaching. Maternal Aunt Yue had styled her hair in a hanging horse hairbun and pinned a silver hairpin, embellished with two exquisite silk flowers at her temples.

Maternal Aunt You, although not applying rouge, did not have a trace of sadness. Her life seemed rather comfortable. Of the three Maternal Aunts, the other two had been dealt with by the eldest uncle when they were in Jiangnan. Only because Maternal Aunt You was a family-born servant and was with Brother Zheng had she been spared, or else she would have been dealt with too.

Yueyao's eyes flashed with a sharp glint, but she quickly returned to normal, so quickly that no one noticed the change in her expression. Her father had not been dead for three years, yet Maternal Aunt You had such fine tastes. Yueyao remembered that not long after Brother Zheng, Maternal Aunt You remarried, reportedly becoming a legitimate Madam outside the Capital City, and she was living well.

When Maternal Aunt You saw Yueyao, scared, she immediately bowed, "Maidservant did not know that the young lady was here. Maidservant begs forgiveness, miss." She even glanced at Yueyao holding Brother Zheng's hand shakily. Her heart trembled, wondering what Third Young Lady was up to, was she planning to take Brother Zheng away?

Yueyao pretended to look casually at Maternal Aunt You and said indifferently, "Brother Zheng is my father's only son, and I will take good care of him. These past years, it must have been hard on Maternal Aunt You." Although as a legitimate daughter she needn't talk so much nonsense with a Maternal Aunt, the necessary courtesies still had to be observed.

Maternal Aunt You's legs weakened, but she soon lifted her head and said, "Miss, you are still young. Keeping Brother Zheng by your side might tire you. Having Brother Zheng with her brought many conveniences. Brother Zheng was a young master with a handsome allowance, and when he grew up, he would be able to show her filial piety."

Yueyao coldly replied, "Brother Zheng is my brother, and educating my brother is my responsibility, where does the question of being tired come in? It seems Maternal Aunt has had quite a good time here too! You have certainly gained more weight since coming to the Capital City." In ancient times, elder sisters were like mothers, personally educating their brothers was commonplace, especially as the second branch now had only two people left. Yueyao in Jiangnan was quite well-known as a talented lady, which was why the Old Madam immediately agreed with Yueyao. The reason was clear; Yueyao was indeed capable of handling this task.

Maternal Aunt You, frightened by Yueyao's words, felt her heart nearly leap out of her chest. Yueyao mocked her, saying her days were very good and she had even gained weight. Being overweight implied that she was not grieving for the Second Old Master and Second Madam's deaths. With such a huge accusation put on her, she could end up with nowhere to bury her body. Maternal Aunt You did not understand why the Third Young Lady had become so sarcastic and biting. Hurriedly, she defended herself, "Miss, I am wrongly accused. This maidservant has been praying daily for the Old Masters and would never dare to slack."

Yueyao's eyes showed sarcasm. Praying daily, yet not knowing where half the day is spent, and still claiming to pray daily. What a joke. Yueyao, not wanting to waste time watching her act, took Brother Zheng's hand, preparing to leave.