The Crown Prince in the Jade Pendant

Chapter 1:The Daughter Returns (Part 1)

Chapter 1: The Daughter Returns (Part 1)

It was after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the twentieth year of Jian Xing. The New Year’s mood had disappeared, and each family and household had put their minds together to make living arrangements for the entire year. Those who were working for large households also quickly cleaned up and returned to their master’s family.

In the Residence of Marquis Chang Xing, a girl wearing a peach coloured Ruyi pattern top over an indigo pleated skirt with a double bun hairstyle, pushed the curtains open. The jovial smile that was previously seen stagnated upon seeing the approaching person.

But Qiu Ye was one that interacted in the inner courtyard, thus was able to quickly conceal her true reactions, and quickly greeted the oncoming person courteously and kindly.

“Fifth Young Lady, you are very early today. Quickly come in, it is cold outside!”

Chu Jin Yao did not enter immediately. She put up the appearance that she had secretly learned and gave Qiu Ye a greeting before straightening up, “Greetings to Older Sister Qiu Ye. Is Mother inside?”

Chu Jin Yao was a Young Lady after all. Even if Qiu Ye was the first ranked maid of Marquis Chang Xing’s Furen, there was truly no need to be this polite. Nodding her head to greet was actually enough.

But Chu Jin Yao did not know, and even if she knew, she would not know how to nod or how to greet. The things that were as natural as drinking water to the young ladies of the inner courtyard, were just too difficult for her.

In fact, Chu Jin Yao should be the Fourth Young Lady as the second daughter of the official wife, Madam Zhao, of the Residence of Marquis Chang Xing. However, her fate was somewhat bumpy. When she was just born, Tatars invaded the borders and Madam Zhao gave birth outside. The wrong daughter was carried back. That girl was brought back to the residence and given the name Chu Jin Miao. A few days ago, Chu Jin Yao was brought back. But Chu Jin Miao had stayed in the Marquis Residence for thirteen years and had a deep relationship with Mother and servants. ZhuMu, Old Chu Furen, also could not bear to send back the granddaughter that was doted upon for thirteen years. She then called the shots and allowed both young ladies to stay, with Chu Jin Miao continuing to be Fourth Young Lady and Chu Jin Yao lining up behind Chu Jin Miao, becoming Fifth Young Lady.

Chu Jin Yao grew up in a peasant family and did not have any knowledge of noble household etiquette. She feared being others’ joke and secretly observed how others behaved and spoke before figuring out herself and learned it. As such, she made many mistakes unknowingly, just like today’s greetings.

Qiu Ye accepted Chu Jin Yao’s greeting and returned a greeting before quickly welcoming Chu Jin Yao. As soon as the heavy marten rat curtain fell, it blocked the cold winds, the temperature of the main hall increased, and it was no longer filled with the cold wind. Qiu Ye exhaled before speaking, “The wind is sure strong today. If the curtains were opened for a long time, it might not matter to us but it would be bad if Furen felt cold.”

Chu Jin Yao did not expect it and quickly said, “I did not mean to. I did not expect…”

“Fifth Young Lady must not speak like so. You are the master and no matter how great the fault is, it is the servants and maids that did not serve well.” As Qiu Ye spoke, she scowled and looked at the people behind Chu Jin Yao, “You two hussies. Fifth Young Lady has just returned but did both of you just return too? If there is such negligence again, be careful of your skin!”

Ding Xiang and Shan Cha, who were standing behind Chu Jin Yao, quickly admitted their mistakes. Qiu Ye scolded a few more times before calming down, “All right. It is good that one can correct after making a mistake. You should be more attentive in your job!”