Chapter 11: Father and Son Reunion

Lady Yu received her noble title, naturally bringing great joy to the entire Yu Family. The news of Lady Yu's dream prediction that day quickly spread like wildfire, and many people truly regarded Yu Li as a "lucky star" for the Yu Family. They also knew that he had gained favor in Lady Yu's eyes and should not be underestimated.

Madam Yu naturally felt the most pleased, as she waved her hand and rewarded Yu Li with half a year's worth of monthly allowances, stating that it was to make up for the silver he lacked while in the Guangming Temple. Yu Li naturally would not refuse. He understood very well that if he wanted to survive in the Yu Mansion, win people's hearts, and compete against the main madam, he absolutely could not be without silver.

As the master of the Jade Palace, Yuzhang Ci naturally knew about the prophecy of Yuli, so he finally came to see Yuli.

At that time, Yu Li was writing by the window when she saw a servant come in to report that the master had arrived. Upon hearing this, she paused, set down her pen, and a perfectly timed expression of delight and a smile appeared on her face as she got up to greet him.

Yu Zhangci was dressed in plain clothes, lacking the imposing official authority befitting a high-ranking chancellor, but exuding the elegance of a scholar. His facial features were refined and his beard well-groomed, although not rugged. However, due to his long-held high position, there was a certain air of dignity in his demeanor, making him not entirely approachable.

"Father!" Yu Li stepped forward and greeted with delight, "I've seen father! Father, you're always so busy with official duties, how do you have the time to come and see Li'er?"

Yu Zhang took his leave and noticed that Yu Li bore a striking resemblance to his departed concubine. He couldn't help but feel slightly moved, so he took a seat at the head of the table and spoke in a gentle tone, "Have you adapted to being back home after these few days? Can you still manage living here?"

Yuli replied respectfully, "In response to Father's question, Yuer is doing well and has adapted to the living environment."

Yuzhang responded with a soft "Hmm," but had nothing more to say. He turned his head and caught sight of the words he had been practicing on his desk. The characters on the paper were elegant and magnificent, portraying a hidden grandeur within their composure. They exuded an air similar to that of Yan Zhenqing, instantly catching his attention. Yuzhang asked, "Did you write this?"

"Yes, my son is bored in his free time, so he practices calligraphy to pass the time."

"Oh?" Yuzhang Ci picked up the rice paper and saw that the ink on it was still wet, indicating that it had just been written. Curious, he asked, "While you were in the temple, did anyone instruct you in reading and writing?"

"No one taught him, he learned it all on his own." Naturally, this was impossible. These excellent calligraphy skills were the result of his previous life's hard work and practice. He didn't have time to study, so he couldn't write poetry, compose essays, or play musical instruments and chess. What should he do? Wouldn't it be embarrassing for Xiao Jinyan? After careful consideration, he finally thought of practicing calligraphy. This was a skill that could yield results with the most ease through diligent practice. Therefore, he sought guidance from a master calligrapher named Fu Qishi under the identity of Lady Jing'an Marquis. Under Fu Qishi's guidance, he practiced calligraphy rigorously, writing dozens of pages every day. He wrote until his hand trembled, but he refused to stop. However, in the end, Fu Qishi told him that his practice only resulted in imitating Yan Zhenqing's style and his characters lacked vitality. Therefore, they couldn't be considered good calligraphy.

In this lifetime, it seems that his state of mind is different, and he can see through certain things. As a result, the characters he writes are not as reminiscent of Yan Zhenqing as they were in his past life, but instead possess a certain liveliness. They are much more pleasant to look at.

Yu Zhangci had some doubts, but he thought to himself, in this remote little temple, who could possibly give guidance to Yu Li? Therefore, he assumed that he had talent and replied contentedly, "So, have you studied anything there?"

Yu Li shook her head. "I only recognize a few characters, all of which are from the Buddhist scriptures."

Yu Zhang nodded and his expression remained calm as he said, "Then in a few days, go and study at the family school. Yu Chi Yu Yan, Yu Hai, and Yu Che are all there. One more person won't make much difference."

"Thank you, Father!" Yu Li had experienced the hardships of not understanding literature and poetry, so he knew that studying was of utmost importance. Even if he couldn't achieve first place or be a top scholar, he wouldn't be ridiculed and laughed at anymore. Many times, when people of the same age chatted and shared an allusion, everyone would understand and laugh knowingly, while he would be clueless. He had already experienced enough of these scenes in his previous life."

Moreover, he wanted revenge, he wanted to make a name for himself, and he had to rely on studying and taking exams to escape from the Yu clan and carve out a path together with Zhixue!

Yu Zhang's farewell to his son, Yu Li, was evidently not as heartfelt as his affection for Yu Xuan. He didn't seem to care as much, and after exchanging a few words, there was nothing left to say. He had no choice but to ponder for a moment and show some concern for his son's life, asking, "Has the person who serves you arrived?"

Yu Li honestly said, "Apart from the servant boy brought from Guangming Temple by my son, there is only a rough housemaid responsible for cleaning and a lackey serving by my side."

"This is also a bit less." Yu Zhangci furrowed his brows and said, "I will inform Madam and, just like Yu Chi and Yu Yan, have a few more servants selected to serve you."

"Thank you, Father!" Yu Li said, showing him a gentle and grateful smile.

When Yu Zhangci saw his face, he was reminded of his biological mother, Mrs. Liu. However, he also remembered some things from the past, and his gaze gradually became cold. He said, "Then study well, and spend more time with your grandmother. Father will leave first."

Yu Li then bowed and said, "Yes, son respectfully bids farewell to Father."

On the third day after that, housekeeper Feng An led three people to his place.

The three servants were a maid named Bisheng, a mother named Wang, and a young servant named Sanzi. Feng An said that these three individuals were all hardworking, obedient, and well-behaved in the mansion, which was why they were sent to the Third Young Master's residence.

Yu Li had long known that the Qin family would send someone to deceive him, so he had no doubts and smiled as he replied, "Thank you, Housekeeper Feng. Thank you, Mother, for worrying about me."

Feng An also thought that he knew nothing, so he returned home very satisfied.

Yuli led the three individuals into the room. As per customary, these three had to pay their respects to the new master, thus they knelt down on the ground obediently, waiting for him to speak.

Yuli looked the three individuals up and down, unable to resist the urge to laugh in his heart.

These three people, aren't they the three people Qin Shi gave him in his past life? Of these three, only Bisheng is trustworthy, Mama Wang and Sanzi are both Qin Shi's people! In his past life, he was framed many times, and these two had a hand in it! The reason he didn't refuse them is because he wants to see how they will help Qin Shi act as a go-between, but in this life, he will never let them frame him again! He wants them to dig their own graves!

But while Bisheng can be trusted, he didn't have a good outcome— he returned home at the age of fourteen in July, but on a day after August, he nearly drowned in the moonlit pool in the backyard. It was Bisheng who exhausted all his strength to save him, pulling him up, but Bisheng himself never resurfaced again...

This little girl, who is only one year older than him, followed him for only a month and entrusted her life to him!

Yu Li's eyes were slightly moist, but he calmed himself and said to the three of them, "You are all sent by Mother, so naturally, I have nothing to worry about. Even if you make mistakes, it would be like slapping Mother's face. I believe you wouldn't dare."

The three individuals quickly responded, "This servant (meaning "I") wouldn't dare!"

"However, I already have Zhi Xue, a personal servant by my side. Therefore, the only thing missing in the room is a maid to attend to dressing, washing, and tidying the bed. Bi Sheng will stay in my room to serve, while the courtyard will be entrusted to Wang Mama and Sanzi," Yu Li said. Seeing Wang Mama's face displaying a look of dissatisfaction, she added, "Wang Mama has been in the mansion for a long time, so naturally she is more reliable in her tasks compared to the other servants. Therefore, except for Zhi Xue, everyone else in this courtyard must obey Wang Mama's commands. I also give authority over this domain to Wang Mama. Have you all understood clearly?"

The three of them quickly said, "Listen carefully!"

"Alright, you all go about your own business," Yuli said, looking at Bisheng's unfamiliar and bewildered expression, and smiled at her.

In this lifetime, I will never let you pay the price of your life for my foolishness again, never!