Chapter 12: Siblings

Yuexiao led Zheng Ge'er into the room and opened the chest, preparing to find a set of clothes for Zheng Ge'er to change into. However, after searching for a long time, she couldn't find any clothes that satisfied her. All the clothes were either too short or made of poor quality fabric, feeling rough to the touch. Not only did the people taking care of Ting Zheng slack off, even the maids in the needlework room were stingy. From this, it can be seen how neglectful the Mo family was towards Ting Zheng.

Yuexiao stared blankly at the old clothes in the chest. At this moment, Hua Lei brought water over, and Yuexiao took the cloth and dipped it in the water, then wrung it out to wipe Zheng Ge'er's face, washing his little face and hands clean.

Looking at the clean Zheng Ge'er, Yuexiao was taken aback again. Looking at Zheng Ge'er, she always felt a sense of familiarity. After a moment, she suddenly realized that Zheng Ge'er's features were not similar to hers. No wonder Mrs. Mo didn't want her to see Zheng Ge'er. If Zheng Ge'er looked like her, it would be troublesome.

Seeing Yuexiao staring at him, Zheng Ge'er felt a little scared and said, "Sister."

Yuexiao came to her senses and took Zheng Ge'er's hand, saying, "Come with sister."

Although Zheng Ge'er was not smart, he was very sensitive. When he heard Yuexiao say this, he asked cautiously, "Sister, do you want me to go with you?"

Yuexiao gently touched Zheng Ge'er's face and said with heartache, "I didn't take good care of you before, which made you suffer. With sister here, no one will dare to bully you in the future."

Zheng Ge'er obediently held Yuexiao's hand, indicating his willingness to follow her. However, as soon as they left the courtyard, they saw Aunt You, dressed in a lake-blue outfit, walking over. Aunt You had a coiled bun and a silver hairpin in her hair, with delicate silk flowers pinned at her temples.

Although Aunt You didn't wear makeup, there was no trace of sadness on her face. She was living a comfortable life. The other two aunts had been dealt with when they were in Jiangnan, leaving only Aunt You behind because she had a son, Zheng Ge'er. Otherwise, she would have been dealt with as well.

Yuexiao's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness, but she quickly regained her composure. No one noticed the change in her expression. Father had not yet completed the three-year mourning period, but Aunt You seemed to be in high spirits. Yuexiao remembered that not long after Zheng Ge'er arrived, Aunt You remarried. It was said that she became the head wife outside and lived a good life.

Aunt You was startled to see Yuexiao and immediately bowed, "I didn't know that Miss had come. Please forgive me, Miss." After speaking, her eyes couldn't help but glance at Yuexiao holding Zheng Ge'er's hand. Her heart trembled. What was the third miss doing? Did she want to take Zheng Ge'er away?

Yuexiao casually glanced at Aunt You and said indifferently, "Zheng Ge'er is my father's only heir, and I will take good care of him. You have worked hard over the years, Aunt You." Although as the legitimate daughter, she didn't need to say so much to a concubine, some courtesy was still necessary.

Aunt You's legs went weak, but she quickly raised her head and said, "Miss, you are still young. Having Zheng Ge'er by your side will only burden you." Having Zheng Ge'er by her side would bring her many conveniences. Zheng Ge'er was the young master and had a considerable inheritance. In the future, when Zheng Ge'er grew up, he would also be filial to her.

Yuexiao coldly said, "Taking care of Zheng Ge'er is my responsibility, not a burden. It seems that Aunt You has been living quite well here! Aunt You has gained some weight since coming to the capital." In ancient times, the eldest sister was like a mother and personally taught her younger brother, especially now that there were only two people left in the second household. Yuexiao was a well-known talented woman in Jiangnan, which was why the old lady immediately agreed to let Yuexiao take on this task.

Aunt You was terrified by Yuexiao's words. Yuexiao mocked her for living well and gaining weight. It meant that she didn't feel sad about the deaths of the old master and the second madam. With such a heavy accusation, she would have no place to die. Aunt You didn't understand why the third miss had become so sharp-tongued. Aunt You quickly defended herself, "Miss, it's a misunderstanding. I have been reciting scriptures for the old master and madam every day. I dare not slack off."

Yuexiao's eyes revealed a hint of mockery. Reciting scriptures every day, yet she didn't know where she had been for most of the day. It was a joke. Yuexiao couldn't be bothered to watch her act and waste time. She took Zheng Ge'er's hand and prepared to leave.

Unexpectedly, Aunt You grabbed Zheng Ge'er's clothes and cried sorrowfully, "Zheng Ge'er, you are Aunt's lifeblood. You can't leave Aunt. What will Aunt do if you leave?"

Zheng Ge'er didn't hesitate, but held onto Yuexiao's hand tightly, as if he was afraid that Yuexiao would let go and give him back to this woman.

Yuexiao reassured Zheng Ge'er and then looked at Aunt You with a cold smile. She didn't respond to Aunt You's words, as arguing with a father's concubine would tarnish her own status. Yuexiao looked at Mama Zheng, who had been silent the whole time, and said, "Mama, please take care of this." After that, Yuexiao didn't even look at Aunt You and left with Zheng Ge'er.

Mama Zheng was shocked by Yuexiao's behavior from start to finish. When did Miss become so assertive? Or was it that Miss had been too grief-stricken and immersed in scriptures, so everyone thought the third miss was easy to talk to? In fact, the third miss was naturally assertive.

Mrs. Zheng had heard before that the third miss was a bit bookish, and she had thought the same for the past half year. She didn't expect her to change so much now. It seems that reality is different from rumors!

Thinking of this, Mrs. Zheng immediately shouted to the maidservants who followed, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and make way!" The third miss was the legitimate daughter of the mansion, and although her parents were gone, the old lady treated her like the apple of her eye. Now that the third miss was assertive, she didn't dare to offend her.

The maidservants immediately went to fetch Aunt You.

Mrs. Zheng saw Aunt You holding on tightly and muttering something unclear. Her expression changed: "Aunt You, the old lady has promised to personally teach Master Ting Zheng by the third miss. Aunt, having grown up in the mansion, should know the rules." When the old lady spoke, not even the master and mistress dared to say a word. If anyone dared to cause trouble again, the old lady would directly sell them off, and no one would dare to say a second word.

Aunt You had originally thought it was just a whim of Yueyao's, not expecting to have the old lady's permission. In the mansion, the old lady's words were as effective as the emperor's edict. No one dared to disobey. She immediately let go.

Yueyao successfully took Master Ting away. As they walked, Yueyao noticed that Master Ting was walking slower and even furrowing his brow. She stopped and asked softly, "What's wrong? Is your foot hurting?"

Master Ting shook his head.

Yueyao wanted to carry him, but she was weak herself and not very old, so she couldn't lift him. Muqiu wanted to carry him, but he didn't want her to. When Hualei tried, he still refused. He just held onto Yueyao's hand, afraid that if he let go, she wouldn't want him anymore.

Yueyao saw the panic in his eyes and felt his fear. She squatted down, took off his shoes, and saw a long cut on his foot, which was bleeding.

Yueyao held Ting Zheng, tears falling rapidly. Ting Zheng had died young in his previous life due to the neglect of these people. It was her fault, and she truly felt sorry for her parents in the afterlife. Yueyao thought she had cried all her tears in her previous life, but she didn't expect to have so many tears left. Being able to cry meant she still felt pain and had hope for the future.

Ting Zheng wiped Yueyao's tears with his hand and said softly, "Sister, don't cry. I'm not in pain. Sister, don't cry." Although he said not to cry, tears welled up in his own eyes.

Hualei and Muqiu didn't understand why Yueyao was so sad, so they could only try to comfort her.

Yueyao stopped crying and said softly, "Since you don't want them to carry you, how about I carry you?"

Muqiu wanted to stop her, but Hualei stopped her. Hualei whispered to Muqiu, "Although it's a bit unconventional, this will strengthen the bond between the siblings. If Ting Zheng gets close to his sister, he will protect her in the future."

Muqiu stood still.

Ting Zheng, who had initially refused, saw Yueyao squatting in front of him and obediently lay on her back, one thin hand around her neck, his head against her neck. He whispered, "Sister, I'm better now."

Yueyao was touched and felt guilty. What kind of nonsense had she done in her previous life? Even if Ting Zheng wasn't born well, they were blood relatives. How could she have abandoned him in her previous life? How could she not have taken care of him properly?

Before Yueyao could speak, Hualei said, "Master Ting, let me carry you so that Miss can rest for a while. Don't worry, Miss will always be by your side."

Ting Zheng didn't know why Yueyao was crying, but he wiped her tears with his small hand and said, "Sister, I'll let her carry me."

Yueyao nodded, she really couldn't hold on any longer. If she continued carrying him, she might faint. It didn't matter if she fainted, what mattered was that she was afraid her grandmother would think she was not healthy enough to teach Zhengge. Now in the front yard, without a reliable person, she was worried.

After Yueyao put down Zhengge, Huali carried Zhengge on her back, Muqiu helped Yueyao, and the group quickly returned to Lanxi Courtyard.

The little maid guarding the courtyard was very surprised to see Yueyao bringing back a young boy. But when Huali said he was the young master Tingzheng, everyone was not surprised anymore. Huali immediately ordered, "Go and tidy up the wing room."

When Old Mama heard the news, she thought Yueyao just did so impetuously. When she came out of her room and saw that Yueyao really brought Zhengge back, her face turned pale with shock.

Yueyao looked at Old Mama's uncertain expression, thinking that it was because she had always been talking about Zhengge's humble background and his dull and stupid nature in her ear. Because of these words, she looked down on Zhengge from the bottom of her heart. Later, Huali mentioned it to her a few times, but because of her disgust, she still ignored Zhengge. Zhengge's premature death had half the responsibility of this greedy and wicked woman.

A fierce glint flashed in Yueyao's eyes. She really didn't want to see this obsequious thing by her side anymore. It seemed that she had to take action quickly.

Muqiu instructed from the side, "Go and get some hot water."

Yueyao thought for a moment and said, "Dongqing, bring out that piece of green satin. You guys immediately make some clothes for Zhengge. His current clothes are not fitting." It was summer now, so the clothes were simple. Several maids could make one or two sets in a day.

Yueyao had two senior maids by her side, Muqiu and Huali; and four junior maids, Dongqing, Dongmei, Xijuan, and Xiyu. All six maids were carefully selected by Mama Ma for Yueyao.

Dongqing hurried to the storeroom to find the fabric. Mama Ma's dowry and the contracts for the fields were all in the hands of the old lady. But the rest of Mama Ma's dowry, such as the satin and jewelry, was kept in Lanxi Courtyard, indicating that Yueyao could look after them herself.

Yueyao personally took Zhengge to bathe with the help of Xijuan and Xiyu. Muqiu, Huali, and Dongqing, as well as other junior maids, genuinely welcomed Zhengge. Miss Yueyao, who did nothing all day and only focused on her grief, had been increasingly unwell, and had fainted twice. She made them all worry. Now that Young Master Tingzheng had come, Miss Yueyao had to take care of him, which diverted her attention and reduced her grief accordingly.

While Yueyao was talking to Zhengge, she heard that Mo Shu was coming.

Yueyao went out to greet Mo Shu personally and saw that Mo Shu had changed into a lilac butterfly grape-patterned jacket and a plain brocade skirt. Her face was filled with a kind smile, like a bodhisattva.

Yueyao bowed to Mo Shu and said, "Aunt."

Mo Shu walked over, full of kindness, "My child, why are you still so polite to aunt? If there's anything, just tell aunt."

Yueyao had to force herself to suppress the disgust in her heart and said shyly, "Auntie has to manage the mansion, which is already very hard work. How can I, Yueyao, bother auntie with such trivial matters? I would be unfilial." If she was really concerned, why didn't Tingzheng have fitting clothes. Everyone here were as insignificant as servants, if Mo Shu really cared, Tingzheng wouldn't have to endure this. In fact, she fell into a misunderstanding in her last life, and many details showed that Mo Shu was not really kind-hearted.

The word "filial" made Mo Shu's face twitch. It sounded good, but her words were awkward. "Filial piety" is generally a word used only for one's own parents. Mo Shu was not worthy of being addressed in this way by her niece.

Mo Shu patted Yueyao's hand and said with a smile, "I know you are a filial and sincere child. But no matter how busy aunt is, I can't neglect your matters. Yueyao, tell aunt the truth, has anyone bullied you these days?"

Yueyao shook her head, "With the care of grandmother and auntie, who would bully me? Besides, no one in the mansion has the courage to bully the owner." This was indeed the truth. Before the Shen family's marriage withdrawal, even if she was stripped of all her money, no one had dared to blatantly neglect her in the mansion. As long as there was still utility, Mo Shu wouldn't mistreat her.

Mo Shu, seeing that Yueyao was speaking from her heart, hesitated. Since Mother-in-law had spoken, she just wanted to test Yueyao's attitude.

Mo Shu couldn't understand why this girl would suddenly want to keep this fool by her side. She, Mo Shu, did not like Tingzheng at all. He was stupid and walking next to him was embarrassing. The always proud and aloof Yueyao's behavior was inexplicable. Maybe it was instigated by someone around her. But that shouldn't be the case! Mo Shu couldn't figure out Yueyao's intention.

Yueyao saw Mo Shu's pensive expression, thinking that Mo Shu deliberately came here because she was afraid that bringing Tingzheng to her side would cause trouble. She thought of ways to move Tingzheng out. She had not yet placed anyone she trusted to be beside Tingzheng. The two siblings had just met, and she would not let Tingzheng go.

Yueyao squeezed her hand, with a sad look on her face, "Aunt, when I saw that servant bullying Zhengge just now, I was very sad. As his older sister, I didn't know that my little brother couldn't even eat his fill every day, had to go hungry, and was scolded and even beaten by the servants. It's a good thing that Mother brought me a dream. Otherwise, if something happened to Zhengge, father's only bloodline would be gone. No matter how much filial piety I copy, what use is it?" Tears fell without the need for external stimuli.

Mo Shu was taken aback.