Qi Huan tentatively suggested, "The Jinyu Building is crowded and not convenient for talking. Why don't we send the housekeeper to buy food and bring it back, so we can celebrate grandfather and uncle's safe return at home?"
She feared encountering Li Yuanxiu at the Jinyu Building again, and also worried about returning late and keeping Li Shuchen waiting.
This approach was also more prudent for the Song family. It would prevent Old Master Song and Elder Master Song from being criticized for enthusiastically dining out at a restaurant during a national crisis.
After she finished speaking, Elder Madam Song voiced her concern.
"The Jinyu Building is quite far from our home, and it's cold now. The food will cool quickly. If we bring it back, won't the taste be compromised?"
At this moment, Song You'an gently tugged at her sleeve.
Elder Madam Song turned around, her gaze softening as it fell on the silk hat atop Song You'an's head.
Just as she was about to change her mind, Old Lady Song had already spoken.
"Food is inanimate, people are alive. If it gets cold, can't you just ask the cook to reheat it?"
"Amin is pregnant, it's not safe for her to go to crowded places. Besides, your father and Heer just returned, they need to rest properly."
Old Lady Song's words might sound harsh, but her actions were heartwarming.
She knew it wasn't easy for her daughter-in-law to manage the household, and she was also aware that the sickly Che'er was like a money pit, with monthly medicine costs consuming a significant amount of silver.
She heaved a long sigh and gave Nanny Wu a meaningful look.
"I'll cover the cost of this meal. Take this silver. If it's not enough, let me know."
Elder Madam Song accepted it with delight and asked, "What if there's some left over?"
Hearing this, Old Lady Song gave her an exasperated look, thinking to herself: No wonder she gets along so well with Heer, they're both equally foolish.
With this thought, Old Lady Song had no choice but to spell it out, "You can keep the excess."
It's to supplement your expenses, so you won't have to skimp on even a roast duck.
Holding the heavy money box, Elder Madam Song's plump face was filled with genuine joy, "Mother, you're so kind!"
"Oh, stop it. You're too old to be acting coy," Old Lady Song feigned annoyance, but the laugh lines at the corners of her eyes betrayed her.
In this light and joyful atmosphere, Qi Huan couldn't help but curl her lips into a smile.
It was wonderful that Old Master Song and Elder Master Song had returned safely.
The Song family was still whole and harmonious.
She secretly arranged for extra roast ducks to be bought, some to reward the hardworking maids in the courtyard, and some to be secretly sent to Song Jingche, to thank him for "rescuing" the Song father and son despite his "serious illness."
In Qingfeng Court.
Ximen Ye took a bite of a duck leg and thought to himself: How did little cousin know I hadn't eaten all day?
Is she that concerned about me?
Does she like me that much?
Alright then, she can be the Pavilion Master's wife.
But why didn't she come personally? She only sent a chatty little maid...
The chatty little maid - Tao Su - was currently crouching next to Zhu Yan, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at... the duck leg in his hand.
Zhu Yan quickly licked the duck leg all over, afraid she might snatch it.
"......"
Tao Su swallowed her saliva and ignored him. She repeated in her heart: Zhu Yan is so annoying!
Although the County Princess had also rewarded Qinghuan Court with roast duck, she knew Yan Qing could eat a lot, so she claimed she needed to maintain her figure and gave her portion of duck meat to Yan Qing.
She hoped Yan Qing would eat more and grow stronger, to better protect the County Princess.
However, she really wanted to taste the duck leg...
Taking a big bite must feel so satisfying!
How about exchanging it for the walnut pastry she bought today?
Seeing her silence, Zhu Yan suddenly felt the roast duck in his hand wasn't so appetizing anymore. He held the duck leg to Tao Su's mouth and said, "Here, take it!"
Tao Su, startled by the duck leg suddenly thrust at her, quickly backed away.
"Ugh, no way! You've already licked it!"
Rejected, Zhu Yan got up and went back to the room, borrowed a duck leg from the Pavilion Master, and handed it to her.
"This one is clean, for you."
"......"
The evening breeze fluttered their clothes as they crouched together under the corridor, feasting heartily.
After finishing, Tao Su gazed at the moon and sighed, "Roast duck is so delicious!"
"I'll name my future child 'Duckling'!"
Her mother had said walnut pastry was delicious, so she was named Tao Su.
Since she thought roast duck was delicious, it wouldn't be too much to name her child 'Duckling', right?
Zhu Yan's mouth twitched as he objected, "Zhu Duck doesn't sound very good......"
"Zhu Duck?" Tao Su was surprised at first, but quickly realized.
"You... you... you..."
"How dare you try to steal my name! I thought of it first, it's for my future child. Find another name for your child!"
Zhu Yan shook his head, "Don't want to change. How about we share a child together?"
It seemed to make sense, but something felt off.
Tao Su's cheeks turned crimson. She took out her handkerchief, wiped her mouth, and mumbled, "We'll see about that."
After finishing the meal, she ran off.
Watching her retreating figure, Zhu Yan grinned foolishly.
Suddenly, he realized why he always wanted to bicker with Tao Su.
......Because he was looking for excuses to talk to her more.
Ever since meeting Tao Su, his heart would often race, and his ears would burn.
Previously, he suspected he had been poisoned. He rushed back to the Misty Rain Pavilion in the middle of the night, dug the medicine master out of his bed, and asked him to check his pulse.
The medicine master, with his hair in disarray, reluctantly placed his hand on Zhu Yan's wrist and solemnly told him, "Young man, this is a love pulse."
"It's the pulse of someone in love, in short: a love pulse."
He responded with an "Oh," and continued to ask, "What medicine should I take for this illness?"
"......" The medicine master opened the door and told him to get out.
In the courtyard, his lone figure seemed to melt into the night as he walked away.
The medicine master felt a twinge of sympathy.
Zhu Yan was different from other assassins; he was the Pavilion Master's personal attendant. Perhaps he might have a good ending.
The medicine master finally called out to him.
He told him that in such matters, one should first ask about the girl's feelings. If she likes you too, then marry her. If she doesn't like you, then forget about her. ...Most importantly, don't take random medicine!
Zhu Yan swallowed the antidote pill he had just put in his mouth and nodded.
But he still hadn't figured out how to ask Tao Su......
Meanwhile, Tao Su returned to Qinghuan Court, touching the walnut kernel on her bracelet, and murmured, "Mother, I've met someone who wants a future with me."
"But he's greedy and talks too much......"
"His only good point is that it's easy to be around him."
Recalling the day's events, Tao Su added, "It turns out I have an older sister. But you never mentioned her......"
"Could Aunt Shuang be fooling me?"
Just as Tao Su was full of doubts, there was suddenly a knock on the door outside.
"Tao Su, the County Princess is calling for you."
"Alright! Coming!" Tao Su quickly put aside her jumbled thoughts and hurried towards the main room.
Inside the room.
Qi Huan had redone her makeup and attire.
A woman adorns herself for the one who delights in her.
Thinking that Shu would come in the evening, she carefully selected her clothes and applied makeup.
Tao Su was puzzled, only feeling that the County Princess looked exceptionally beautiful tonight.
Did the County Princess call her just to admire her stunning beauty?
