"Miss, what's wrong? Do you have something on your mind?" Zui Tao saw her wake up and poured her a cup of tea.
Liu Yushu gave a faint smile, took the tea and took a sip. "No. I'm just so idle that I feel a bit bored."
"Miss, there's something..." Zui Tao hesitated, looking rather embarrassed.
"If you have something to say, just say it. It's just the two of us, mistress and maid. You don't need to think so much when talking to me. Just tell me the truth." Liu Yushu handed the teacup back to Zui Tao.
Zui Tao was straightforward and couldn't keep things to herself. Seeing her tangled expression, Liu Yushu wondered if there was another trouble.
After being repeatedly provoked and secretly harmed by Concubine He and Concubine Sun, she had developed a psychological shadow.
Forget it. She shouldn't think about the future for now. Everything required an opportunity. Without it, all ideas would come to nothing. At present, Emperor Yong was still in his prime, and it was still a long way before a new emperor ascended the throne. She should just live in the moment.
Zui Tao looked a bit annoyed. "It's that Mu Chan in Miss Yu's courtyard. She said she wants you to take her over quickly. She doesn't want to serve Miss Yu anymore. She blocks me in the kitchen every day and asks me to pass the message to you."
Liu Yushu pursed her lips and thought for a while. "In that case, tell her I'll talk to the old lady in a few days. Ask her to wait. Don't let her pester you anymore."
"Miss, are you really going to let her serve you?" Zui Tao was a bit unhappy. "She's Miss Yu's personal maid. She must have been involved in all the dirty things Miss Yu did. You can't keep such a person by your side."
Liu Yushu of course understood this.
"I know. I also know you're concerned about me. You can tell her like this tomorrow. I just don't want her to keep bothering you." Liu Yushu was amused by Zui Tao's angry expression.
Why did Mu Chan want to serve her? Liu Yushu couldn't figure it out. But one thing was certain: Mu Chan was by no means a loyal servant. Keeping her in the courtyard would surely be a hidden danger.
If Mu Chan could betray Liu Yuyu today, she could betray her tomorrow.
Before she knew it, it was evening. After dinner, the old lady asked her to come to her room for a chat.
"Madam Zhang of the Marquis Xianping's Mansion is going to hold a tea party at her place tomorrow. She specially sent me an invitation, saying that the young ladies in our mansion are also welcome to go and have some fun." The old lady said with a beaming smile. This meant she wanted Liu Yushu to go.
The Marquis Xianping's Mansion had been trying to win over the powerful and influential families in recent years. Although they kept a low profile in the circle of the capital's nobility, the Marquis Xianping was highly regarded by the current emperor. Whenever the emperor had something good, he would always send a share to the Marquis. It was obvious that the Marquis held a special position.
"Then I'll go tomorrow, Grandmother. Do you have any instructions for me?" Liu Yushu was worried that tomorrow's event might not be as simple as just tasting tea and enjoying the flowers.
"You're such a clever girl." The old lady pinched her cheek. "When you get to the Marquis Xianping's Mansion tomorrow, just do your part. If Madam Zhang asks you anything, just say you don't know. If there's anything you can't get out of, just push it onto me."
The old lady's words made Liu Yushu even more confused. "We're not familiar with Madam Zhang. What could she ask me?"
The two families only visited each other during festivals and had little contact on other occasions. Out of respect for the queen, Madam Zhang showed great deference to the old lady.
"What else could it be? She's probably concerned about your marriage." The old lady sighed softly. Looking at her with warm and loving eyes, there was also a trace of worry in them. "You should have been discussing marriage a few years ago. But since you grew up by my side, my granddaughter's husband must be a outstanding man. He has to pass my test."
Liu Yushu nestled softly into the old lady's arms and whispered coquettishly. "Granddaughter trusts your judgment."
After the wrong marriage in her previous life, she now knew better what she wanted and what kind of person she wanted to marry.
That person must be whole - hearted towards her, willing to do anything for her, never let her down, and have the courage to fight against the world for her. He shouldn't be too vulgar and should share her ideals and beliefs.
There were very few people in the world who could meet these criteria. Maybe she would never meet such a person in her lifetime.
Thinking of this, Liu Yushu couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed. She was worried that she would end up alone. But it was better to be alone than to marry the wrong person.
"The youngest son of the Minister of War and the youngest son of General Wu, who just moved to the capital, will also attend the tea party tomorrow. There's no doubt about the children of the Zhao family. The eldest son has good moral character. Just like his father, he's a man of integrity. He was supposed to discuss marriage with you a few years ago, but Zhao Zhui said he already had someone he loved and would marry no one else. He flatly declined the marriage with you. With such an elder brother, his younger brother Zhao Qin won't be bad either." The old lady said earnestly.
"Grandmother, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to Zhao Qin?" Liu Yushu asked in surprise.