From the first to the tenth day of the first lunar month, she was either hosting banquets at home or attending them elsewhere. Yu Mingyue didn't gain weight; instead, her small face visibly thinned.
Banquets were full of rules, and everyone had different tastes. Moreover, children tended to run around and didn't eat much when they got together, which is why Yu Mingyue lost weight.
However, her height had increased significantly. Some clothes tailored before the New Year were already too short to be worn.
The days flew by, and it was already the twelfth day of the first lunar month. She didn't have to attend any banquets today, so Yu Mingyue finally had time to study the book Xie Jia'an had given her.
Since Yu Mingyue was staying home today, her hair was simply styled into two buns without excessive adornment. She was dressed in comfortable, everyday clothes, and was now leaning on the couch, feeling very relaxed and at ease.
Chi Dan brought in several pastries. Feeling a bit hungry, she picked one up and ate it.
"The taste is different from usual. Did Mother change the cooks in my courtyard?" Yu Mingyue's palate had been pampered by Cui Shi, and she could tell the difference with just one bite.
"Fourth Master sent a few cooks to the capital. He said that as Old Madam is getting older and her health is not as good as before, he cannot be by her side to show filial piety. Therefore, he sent cooks to specifically prepare meals for Old Madam to tend to her health," Chi Dan replied.
Old Madam was touched by Fourth Master's filial piety and found the food delicious, so she specifically sent a few plates for her young lady to try.
She hadn't intended to bring them, but she was afraid Old Madam would inquire about them later, and then her young lady would be subjected to her schemes.
"Oh?" Yu Mingyue's "oh" carried a hint of meaning. She then smiled and said, "Fourth Uncle is indeed very filial. He is a role model for us juniors."
Sending a few cooks to be in Old Madam's presence daily was a constant reminder that he was not in the manor. Fourth Uncle was afraid Father was having too good a time.
Although Yu Mingyue said this, she didn't take a second pastry. It seemed Fourth Uncle was eager to return to the capital.
In that novel, Fourth Uncle's return to the capital and his seemingly glorious arrival at the Duke's manor was actually the beginning of his downfall.
Yu Mingyue held the book, but her thoughts wandered.
In reality, although the position of Tongpan was below that of a Zhizhou, it held considerable power, allowing direct reporting of local prefectural affairs to the Emperor.
Furthermore, the prefecture where Fourth Uncle was stationed, though not as prosperous as Jiangnan, was still a wealthy region. As the Fourth Master of the Duke's manor, the local prefecture would naturally defer to him, making his life there more carefree than in the capital.
Yet, Fourth Uncle did not cherish such a desirable post, but instead desperately sought to return to the capital. In fact, his return to the capital was not impossible.
Father was too soft-hearted with his own family and couldn't be ruthless. However, sometimes indecisiveness leads to greater trouble.
"Chi Hua, who is your brother working for now?" Yu Mingyue closed the book decisively.
"Sigh," Chi Hua sighed, a headache coming on when she mentioned her brother.
Chi Hua's grandfather was a trusted attendant of Old Madam Cui. Later, when Cui Shi married, their family followed Cui Shi to the capital.
Chi Hua's grandfather and father were both head shopkeepers managing businesses. It was expected that Chi Hua's brother would follow suit.
However, Chi Hua's brother disliked working in the shops. He was always out and about, and he only knew unreliable street ruffians. Chi Hua's father worried about him a lot.
"I have a task that might suit your brother. It requires a trip out of the capital. See if he's willing to take it. If he is, he can work for me from now on, specifically running errands for me outside," Yu Mingyue said.
Chi Hua's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "My brother would naturally be willing to do the young lady's work, but my brother is restless and might mess up the young lady's business."
"Have him come over. If he truly messes up, then it's my poor judgment of people," Yu Mingyue said. She had an impression of Chi Hua's brother.
In the novel, when the Yu family fell into decline, her uncle whom she had never met, rushed back to the capital. By his side, serving him diligently, was Chi Hua's brother, Li Fu.
Chi Hua's father, upon hearing that his son was to work for the young mistress, put down his work and scoured the streets to find his son, dragging him by the ear to Yu Mingyue.
Li Fu appeared honest and upright, but he was actually quite sharp-witted at heart.
"Greetings, my lady." Li Fu bowed.