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This was a father who truly doted on his daughter.

She recalled that she had been seriously ill previously. When her fever was still high, her father had asked Nanny Liu to invite him over to take a look at her after leaving the government office. After that, she had not seen him any more.

Yu Youyao pursed her lips and walked out of the room. Her embroidered shoes made a soft sound on the limestone floor, but he did not notice it until she was behind him.

Seeing that her second uncle was looking at the tree in a daze, Yu Youyao asked, “Second Uncle, do you like this tree very much?”

Every time her cousin returned to the Jade Courtyard, he also liked to sit beside the tea table in the study and look out at the trees.

Yu Zongshen’s back moved slightly before he turned around with a smile on his lips. “It’s rare to see a tree that’s already seven to eight hundred years old. It’s a little rare.”

Yu Youyao was stunned for a moment. “Second Uncle, how did you know that this tree has been around for seven to eight hundred years?”

Her cousin had said that he wanted to use this tree to make a zither for her. She then ran to An Shou Hall and asked her grandmother about the age of this tree.

Her grandmother only said she didn’t know.

Even Grandmother wasn’t sure. How did Second Uncle know?

Surely his mother hadn’t told him!

Yu Zongshen was caught off guard by her question.

Back then, he and his eldest brother had yet to separate from the family, so saw Xie Roujia a lot. Once, when they bumped into each other at the Lotus Lake, Xie Roujia said that she wanted to repair the courtyard. “Your eldest brother despises my stench of copper and said I don’t know how to be elegant. He doesn’t even have the patience to talk to me. Hurry up and give me an idea. How should I repair this courtyard? I have a farm in Tongzhou. There’s a parasol tree growing on the mountain. I heard that it’s seven to eight hundred years old. The parasol tree is an elegant item. I plan to move it into the residence and plant it in the courtyard.”

It was tall and straight, with the intention of rising higher.

The green leaves were so thick that they covered the sky.

The leaves were sparse on the branches, and when the autumn leaves fell, they looked even more elegant.

The tree had lived for a thousand years without dying. It had the significance of longevity.

Even though the tree was withered but not rotten, it also had the meaning of immortality.

Parasol trees were auspicious trees, and the older they were, the better. Many wealthy families liked to plant parasol trees in their courtyards.

Yu Zongshen retracted his thoughts and smiled faintly. “I happened to hear your mother mention it. It’s a bitter summer, and it’s very hot and humid in the capital. When she was cultivating in the Jade Courtyard, she even asked for the opinions of many people in the residence.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “I see!”

Yu Zongshen changed the topic and frowned slightly. “Did you cut the branch on top of the Green Parasol tree?”

When Yu Youyao heard this, she immediately beamed with joy. “Cousin wants to teach me zither skills, so he cut off the top branch from the tree to make a good zither for me.”

Yu Zongshen was silent for a moment.

When he thought of the usual correspondence between his family and Zhou, he inevitably knew that Zhou was a rare talent in the world. He could read at the age of three, read at the age of five, read at the age of seven, and play the zither at the age of nine.

He also had his doubts about Zhou Linghuai’s sudden arrival in the capital. He had used the family banquet to test Zhou Linghuai and confirmed that he was indeed an extraordinary talent. Only then did he dispel his doubts.

Although there were many talents in this world, there were only a few prodigies. There were very few geniuses like Zhou Linghuai and Song Mingzhao.

Yu Zongshen glanced at Qing Wu again and asked, “Is your second sister feeling better? This girl really gives me a headache when she makes a fuss.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “She cried so much in the afternoon that I was shocked too. She’s fine now. She’s pestering Nanny Xu to teach her how to divide and whisk tea. I saw that Second Sister was extremely interested in tea art, so Second Uncle should find a tea master to teach her. She doesn’t like learning a dry skill like embroidery.”

Yu Zongshen smiled and nodded. “This girl has been spoiled by her mother. She doesn’t care much about anything and only knows how to live a carefree life. However, she’s not as sensible as you. I’m afraid you’ll have to take credit for her dedication to tea.”

Yu Youyao pursed her lips and smiled, but said nothing.

Yu Zongshen looked at her. After losing weight, her appearance had also grown. She really looked like her mother, Xie Roujia.

“In the blink of an eye, Yao Yao has already grown so big.” Yu Zongshen felt a little emotional. He took a step forward and raised his hand to touch the top of her head, but the hand he raised was as heavy as a thousand gold coins. He gently put it down. “You’re only half-grown, but you still have to learn from Nanny, go to school and help manage the household. If you have any difficulties, look for me and your second aunt.”

For some reason, Yu Youyao’s heart ached. She quickly lowered her head. “Thank you, Second Uncle.”

Second Uncle had always treated her well. Whatever Yu Shuangbai had, she would definitely have a share. When her father scolded her, he would also speak up for her if he knew.

When she was young, she was insensible and always secretly thought, “If only Second Uncle was her father.”

Therefore, she had always envied Yu Shuangbai.

Yu Zongshen patted her shoulder lightly. “Since Shuangbai is fine, I’ll go back first. Let her stay in your courtyard today.”

Yu Youyao nodded. “Second Uncle, take care.”

The next day, Yu Shuangbai refused to leave the Jade Courtyard. She wanted to pester Nanny Xu to learn tea techniques, so Yu Youyao heartlessly chased her back.

After the commotion yesterday, Madam Yao had also thought it through and called her daughter to the secondary room. “If you don’t want to learn needlework, then don’t. However, you have to learn the rules. You can’t make a fuss anymore.”

Yu Shuangbai threw herself into her mother’s arms and said coquettishly, “Mother, I know I was wrong. I didn’t mean to cause trouble with you. I have to be patient when learning needlework. It takes an hour to sit down. How can I sit still? Isn’t this asking for my life? I can’t learn such a dry thing.”

Seeing that her daughter had taken the initiative to admit her mistake and was as close to her as before, Madam Yao pinched the tip of her nose and teased, “If you can’t learn it, how did your big sister learn it?”

Yu Shuangbai leaned into her mother’s arms. “Big Sister isn’t as lucky as me. She doesn’t have a mother who dotes on me as much as you do. In the past, she had to brace herself and learn even though her hands were covered in bloody holes. If she doesn’t learn well, won’t she suffer even more? I’m only like this now because you’ve spoiled me.”

She had only understood these principles this morning.

Big Sister got out of bed at dawn and walked in the courtyard for an hour.

Big Sister had a special blue and white plate on her head, which was filled with a thin layer of water. When she walked, she couldn’t let the water splash out.

Eldest Sister fell twice. Nanny Liu helped her up and took a sip of tea before letting her continue walking.

She clearly saw a bruise on Big Sister’s wrist.

Yu Shuangbai told her mother about what had happened this morning. Madam Yao’s heart ached when she heard this. She sighed softly. “Mother won’t force you anymore.”

No matter how much Old Madam doted on Yu Youyao, how could she dote on her more than a mother?

However, she could not bear to see her daughter suffer like this.