Chapter 423: Several Bolts of Shu Brocade

Chapter 423: Several Bolts of Shu Brocade

Given her regard for Cen Yueyi, Wei Pozi treated Cen Yuehua quite well, even having a maid fetch a gold bracelet with shrimp whisker filigree as a New Year's gift for the younger generation.

Cen Yuehua’s eyes lit up with vivacity and charm as she immediately put the gold bracelet on her wrist and said sweetly to Wei Pozi, "Grandmother Wei, I came to return the holiday gifts, and yet you’ve given me such a precious present. It almost seems like I’m here to snatch your treasures."

She then raised her wrist to show Wei Pozi, "Doesn’t it look lovely on me?"

Wei Pozi, who usually adored young girls, only revealed a hint of something deeper in her eyes upon seeing Cen Yuehua's lively and innocent demeanor, without showing much affection—after all, Xingxing had told her everything that happened when she and the Dowager Marchioness Weibei went to the Marquis of Jiangtai's residence to propose the marriage.

Wei Pozi smiled faintly, "Yes, it looks nice."

Cen Yuehua, unaware, thought Wei Pozi was very fond of her.

She sat close to Wei Pozi, tilting her face up adoringly, her eyes glistening as if with tears, "My grandmother passed away a few years ago, and seeing you reminds me of her kindness."

Wei Pozi was slightly uncomfortable, unsure how to respond to the marquis’s daughter.

Moreover, with the New Year approaching, it wasn’t proper to compare a living person to a deceased grandmother.

Wei Pozi cleared her throat and turned to ask the maid beside her, "...Didn’t I hear earlier that the small kitchen was preparing butterfly pastries? Are they ready?"

Before the maid could reply, Cen Yuehua exclaimed delightedly, "Grandmother Wei, how did you know I love butterfly pastries?"

Wei Pozi: "..."

The maid hesitated before replying, "Madam, the butterfly pastries are done. The young miss took them to the seventh young master."

Before Wei Pozi could speak, Cen Yuehua chimed in warmly, "Grandmother Wei, don’t take it to heart. Sister Yu is still young; it’s natural for her to enjoy snacks..."

Wei Pozi looked at Cen Yuehua in disbelief. Her darling girl enjoying a plate of pastries at home was being called greedy?!

A flicker of anger crossed Wei Pozi’s face, and she suddenly decided to stop being polite to Cen Yuehua.

She spoke coldly, "Second Miss Cen, life at home must have been difficult for you, hasn’t it?"

Cen Yuehua, who had been thinking of how to win Wei Pozi's favor, was taken aback by the sudden question and the unclear expression on Wei Pozi's face.

But she quickly thought of something and immediately put on a pitiful look, "...How did you know, Grandmother Wei? My sister is the eldest, so I usually defer to her..."

Wei Pozi didn’t want to hear Cen Yuehua subtly disparage her future granddaughter-in-law and interrupted directly, "What I mean is, Second Miss Cen must have had a tough time at home, otherwise, why would you think eating a plate of butterfly pastries is greedy? ...Did your parents not give you snacks? Poor child, should I have the maids pack some pastries for you to take home?"

Wei Pozi's tone was icy, and even someone as overly confident as Cen Yuehua could sense the displeasure in her words—her face flushed red, and she forced a smile, "No, that won’t be necessary."

Wei Pozi, now impatient with dealing with Second Miss Cen, stood up with the maid's support, her expression indifferent, "I’m getting on in years and feeling a bit tired. I won’t keep you company any longer, Second Miss Cen."

The maid stepped in front of Cen Yuehua and gestured politely, "Second Miss Cen, this way, please."

Cen Yuehua could only rise reluctantly.

As she walked halfway down the corridor, Cen Yuehua realized why Wei Pozi had suddenly turned cold—it must have been her comment about being greedy that upset her.

Thinking of this, Cen Yuehua grew even more resentful toward Xingxing.

Was she wrong?

After all, that country bumpkin doesn’t understand manners!

Cen Yuehua wasn’t willing to leave the General of the Western Garrison's residence just yet. She paused and asked the maid, "Earlier, I noticed several pavilions and towers in your residence that were quite beautiful. May I take a look around?"

The maid was reluctant, but before she could say anything, Cen Yuehua deliberately added, "My sister is to be the young mistress of your household, which makes our families in-laws. Surely it’s not too much to ask you to show me around the garden, is it?"

Having brought up the in-law relationship, the maid couldn’t refuse and could only hesitantly agree.

"I’ll take you for a short walk nearby," the maid said hesitantly.

Cen Yuehua tilted her chin up slightly. "Lead the way!"

The mansion had been carefully renovated by the Ministry of Works before it was bestowed by the emperor to Yu Yonghuai. After the Yujia family moved in, they spoiled Xingxing, allowing her to renovate the estate according to her preferences. Every corridor and eave was meticulously designed.

Cen Yuehua was so busy looking around that she almost collided with Xu Ge'er, who was playing with Xingxing in the corridor.

Xu Ge'er had just celebrated his birthday a few days ago and was barely three years old. Running and playing with Xingxing in the empty corridor, how could he have noticed someone suddenly appearing around the corner?

Xu Ge'er tried to stop abruptly, but being so young, he couldn’t stop in time. His little hands grabbed onto Cen Yuehua’s skirt, and he fell to his knees on the stone floor of the corridor.

Cen Yuehua was startled!

She turned pale as she pulled her skirt from Xu Ge'er’s grasp, feeling annoyed. She glared at Xingxing, who was not far behind Xu Ge'er, growing more annoyed with her.

Cen Yuehua’s face was dark, but her voice remained sweet. "Miss Yu, you ought to be more careful with the child’s safety."

The maid behind Xu Ge'er hurriedly helped him up, giving Cen Yuehua an unhappy look.

Who does she think she is!

If she hadn’t suddenly appeared, her young master Xu wouldn’t have fallen!

But since Cen Yuehua was a guest, the maid didn’t dare say anything and could only seethe in silence.

Xingxing stepped forward, first checking Xu Ge'er’s condition. Seeing that he was fine and asking if his knees hurt, she only turned to Cen Yuehua after receiving a negative response. "...Second Miss Cen, I apologize for startling you. I noticed that your dress is made of Shu brocade. Coincidentally, I have a few bolts of it in my storeroom. I’ll have someone bring one to your residence as an apology."

Cen Yuehua felt insulted by Xingxing’s words!

Shu brocade was as precious as gold. It was only by luck that their Marquis of Jiangtai household had obtained half a bolt, and she had begged her mother for a long time to have this dress made.

And here was Yu Xingxing, nonchalantly mentioning she had several bolts in her storeroom and offering to give her one!