The grand concubine noticed the faintly smug expression on Wen Ye's face and couldn't help but glance at her daughter-in-law.
Lady Yao: "..."
Could she pretend she didn't understand anything?
Her mother was really putting her in a difficult position. How could she ever compare to her cousin-in-law?
The grand concubine was the first person Wen Ye had met here who was completely on the same wavelength as her, and chatting with her was incredibly relaxing and enjoyable.
Before they knew it, it was time for lunch.
Wen Ye joked, "I had the kitchen learn a few dishes from Ling City, but they were just thrown together last minute. If they don't taste good, please don't say anything."
The grand concubine didn't mind at all and instead cheerfully replied, "I'm actually tired of Ling City dishes. It's been a while since I've had authentic Sheng Jing cuisine."
Lady Yao also looked expectant and said, "I've often heard my mother talk about it, and now I finally get to try it."
Lady Yao wasn't originally from Ling City. When she was very young, she had visited Sheng Jing with her father, but the flavors from her childhood had long since faded from memory.
After her father passed the imperial exams, her mother, along with her siblings, followed him to his postings.
At first, they weren't in Ling City, but they ended up staying there the longest.
As they spoke, the maids began serving the dishes one by one.
However, the last item brought to the table was a paper bag of snacks, and the tray also held a few empty porcelain plates.
Xu Yuxuan, sitting obediently on his stool, leaned against the dining table. When he saw the paper bag on the table, his eyes lit up.
Both the grand concubine and Lady Yao looked puzzled. The former asked, "Wen Ye, what's this?"
Wen Ye briefly explained what had happened a few days ago and then patted Xu Yuxuan's round little head, saying, "He's still fascinated by it, so I have no choice but to keep indulging him."
The grand concubine burst into laughter and said, "I never thought of that! My cousin Zitan was also a picky eater when he was young!"
Back then, her husband had just passed away, and as the eldest daughter-in-law of the Shen family, she had a string of younger siblings to take care of, which meant she inevitably neglected her son a bit.
The nannies looking after him were overly cautious and gave him whatever he wanted. Within a year, he developed a bad habit of being picky and spoiled.
It took her a lot of effort to correct his behavior back then.
Lady Yao listened intently, picturing her husband's face in her mind. She couldn't imagine what he would have looked like as a picky eater.
/
Wen Ye paused for a moment and replied, "It's delicious. They sprinkled a bit of ground chili powder on it, making it fragrant and spicy."
The grand concubine looked at the table full of delicacies and said with regret, "I really want to try it."
Lady Yao immediately chimed in, "That's easy. I'll have someone go catch some small fish later, coat them in batter, and fry them up for you to satisfy your craving."
Lady Yao thought this was a great idea, but after she finished speaking, she was met with two very similar looks.
The grand concubine glanced at her daughter-in-law, her face clearly conveying the words "you don't get it," and then sighed, "I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but it's the middle of winter. Don't send people to the lake to catch small fish."
Lady Yao was confused. "But didn't you say you wanted to try it?"
She looked to Wen Ye for an explanation.
Wen Ye just smiled without saying anything.
The reason was actually quite simple. Fried battered fish wasn't a complicated dish, and they could easily make it at home with the same taste.
The grand concubine, like Wen Ye, wasn't necessarily craving the dish itself but rather the experience of eating it from a street vendor.
There was a difference between eating something made at home and something bought from a street stall.
Wen Ye explained, "The fried battered fish was bought by Tao Zhi from a street vendor. The vendor is going home for the New Year, but once they return and set up shop again after the holiday, I'll have Tao Zhi buy a bag for you."
The grand concubine immediately agreed, "Then it's settled."
The grand concubine planned to stay in Sheng Jing with Lady Yao until spring before returning to Ling City. Her son had been a county magistrate for five or six years, and based on his accumulated achievements, he was likely to be promoted in a year or two.
The grand concubine's decision to return to the capital this year was also partly to help pave the way for her son's future.
Even if he couldn't return to the capital, she hoped he could be transferred to a prefecture closer to Sheng Jing.
With a little over two months until spring, she was sure to get her taste of the fried battered fish.
The grand concubine and Lady Yao stayed in the west courtyard until almost dusk before reluctantly leaving.
Before they left, the grand concubine said to Wen Ye, "If I had known you were so easy to get along with, I would have come over first thing in the morning."
Wen Ye replied, "If you ever want to visit the west courtyard again, just send word ahead of time. You're always welcome here."
Then she smiled and saw them off.
To Wen Ye, the grand concubine was no longer just her "aunt." Finding a kindred spirit was rare, especially here, and she cherished it deeply.
In the evening, after finishing her dinner alone, Wen Ye was sipping tea when Xu Yuejia returned to the west courtyard.
With New Year's Eve just a couple of days away, Wen Ye was curious to see him return in his official robes and couldn't help but ask, "Did you really have official business today?"
She had thought it was just an excuse.
Before heading into the inner room to change, Xu Yuejia briefly explained, "I had to go to the palace."
By the time he changed out of his official robes and came back, Wen Ye had already arranged for fresh, hot food to be served.
It was a rare act of thoughtfulness.
Xu Yuejia gave her a strange look.
Wen Ye asked, "What's that look for?"
Xu Yuejia hadn't eaten yet, so he sat down and asked, "You're in a good mood?"
Wen Ye raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"
Xu Yuejia didn't answer but simply glanced at the food on the table.
Wen Ye followed his gaze and, realizing what he meant, couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry, just enjoy it. I'm simply in a good mood today."
Xu Yuejia wasn't worried that she had some ulterior motive. He picked up his chopsticks and began eating.
Since it was still early, Wen Ye stayed at the table, sipping tea and watching Xu Yuejia eat. It had to be said, good-looking people were pleasing to watch even when they were eating.
After eating until he was half-full, Xu Yuejia looked up at her and asked, "Did things go well with the grand concubine?"
Wen Ye was surprised. "Did you bribe one of my maids or something?"
As she spoke, she pretended to seriously scan the maids standing nearby, Yun Zhi and Tao Zhi.
Tao Zhi quickly declared her loyalty, "I would never! I'll always be loyal to you, Madam!"
Since Xu Yuejia was still there, Yun Zhi wasn't as bold as Tao Zhi, but when Wen Ye's gaze fell on her, she also put on a look of utmost loyalty.
Wen Ye laughed and said, "I was just joking. Look how scared you both are."
Then her gaze slowly returned to Xu Yuejia and lingered there.
Xu Yuejia's expression remained calm and composed as he said indifferently, "I just happen to have a good understanding of both the grand concubine's and your temperaments."
Wen Ye feigned realization and said, "No wonder you tolerate me so well."
She had originally thought it was just his natural ability to endure.
Xu Yuejia: "..."
Thick-skinned, yet self-aware.
Time flew by, and soon it was the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month. This was Wen Ye's first New Year's Eve in the Duke Xu's residence after leaving the Wen family, where she had lived for twenty years.
/ The people around her had changed, and the feeling was inevitably different.
The New Year's Eve dinner was to be held in the main courtyard, and Wen Ye arrived early in the morning. The place was bustling with activity.
Xu Jingrong and Xu Jinglin were playing with Xu Yuxuan on the heated kang in the warm pavilion.
Xu Jinglin and Xu Yuxuan were still quite small, so they were running back and forth on the kang.
Xu Jingrong, on the other hand, was having a harder time. He took after Duke Xu, tall and broad-shouldered, standing at least half a head taller than other boys his age.
Xu Jinglin insisted on playing "Eagle Catches Chicks," with himself as the chick, Xu Yuxuan as the mother hen, and Xu Jingrong as the eagle.
The three boys were laughing and shouting as they played on the kang.
Pretending not to catch anyone was exhausting, and Xu Jingrong knelt on the kang, moving left and right to keep up with his younger brothers.
Madam Lu scolded them a few times, but none of them listened. Eventually, she decided that since it was New Year's Eve, she would let them have their fun and stopped trying to control them.
She just had the maids and nannies stand around the kang to keep an eye on them.
Not long after Wen Ye entered, Xu Jingrong collapsed onto the kang and gave up, saying, "I'm done! I'm done! And Xu Jinglin! Stop pulling my pants!"
Xu Jingrong clutched his waistband, so flustered that he even used Xu Jinglin's full name.
Wen Ye couldn't help but smile at the scene, thinking to herself, "This poor kid is already experiencing the hardships of babysitting at such a young age."
At that moment, Madam Lu called out to the boys on the kang, telling them to come over and greet Wen Ye.
Before the three boys came forward to greet her, Wen Ye also bowed slightly to the eldest aunt, who had already arrived at the main courtyard.
Since no one from the Shen family was in the capital, the eldest aunt and her daughter-in-law stayed at the Duke's residence to celebrate the New Year together.
After Xu Jingrong paid his respects, he asked, "Auntie Wen Ye, I heard you’ve been making delicious food lately. Why didn’t you call me to the west courtyard?"
"Where did you hear such rumors?" Wen Ye replied. It wasn’t just recently; her west courtyard kitchen had been preparing tasty treats every day.
Xu Jingrong tilted his chin toward the warm kang and said, "Xu Yuxuan told me. He said he ate fried fish at your west courtyard."
Wen Ye met the gazes of those present and calmly explained, "Those were just steamed buns shaped like little fish, made with a mixture of corn flour and wheat flour."
The first time she had managed to pass off such a simple dish, but the second time wasn’t as easy. So, Wen Ye had instructed the kitchen to make a small plate of fish-shaped buns whenever they steamed regular ones.
The eldest aunt chuckled softly, "You certainly have a knack for coming up with clever ideas."
/
Madam Lu looked helpless. When she had heard about it, she too had been impressed by Wen Ye's ingenuity.
Xu Jingrong wasn’t ready to give up. "What about the spicy rice cakes?"
"That was just thick omelet strips made with egg whites, cut into pieces, and dipped in fruit jam," Wen Ye explained.
Since Xu Yuxuan didn’t know what "spicy" meant, Wen Ye added, "If you want to try it, I can have the kitchen make some for you today."
Xu Jingrong made a complicated expression and said, "No need. I suddenly don’t feel like eating it anymore."
Poor Xu Yuxuan, being played around by Auntie Wen Ye like this.
But Wen Ye wasn’t about to let him off the hook. She smiled and asked, "Have you finished the homework your teacher assigned?"
What do children fear most during the New Year? Of course, it’s being questioned about their studies.
Sure enough, Xu Jingrong’s face stiffened, and he stammered, "Auntie Wen Ye, you..."
He had been writing furiously these past few days, but he had only managed to complete half of it.
His plans to have one last hurrah before the start of spring were completely dashed.
Xu Jingrong slumped in defeat.
Wen Ye, however, looked at him with gentle eyes and a kind expression.
Madam Lu interjected, "Your auntie cares about you. Show some respect."
Xu Jingrong felt that his mother didn’t quite understand Auntie Wen Ye.
She wasn’t showing concern for him; she was deliberately poking at his weak spot.
After the Emperor ascended the throne, he canceled the annual New Year’s Eve palace banquet, saying that such a joyous occasion should be spent with family.
Since they no longer had to attend the palace banquet, the Duke’s residence prepared their New Year’s Eve dinner early.
The whole family gathered around the table, and the feast was lavish, filled with dishes Wen Ye had never heard of or tasted before.
Madam Lu had taken care to cater to everyone’s tastes.
That evening, Wen Ye also drank a few cups of peach blossom wine, brewed by Madam Lu herself. There were only five small jars in total, and two were brought out that night.
Wen Ye sipped the wine and nibbled on the dishes, and before she knew it, she was full.
Though she couldn’t spend New Year’s Eve with her mother and younger sister, watching Xu Jinglin scoop meatballs from his older brother’s bowl wasn’t so bad.
Wen Ye poured herself another cup and noticed someone’s gaze on her. She turned to see Xu Yuejia and casually filled his cup as well. "Husband, care to join me?"
Xu Yuejia rarely drank, only making exceptions during festive occasions.
Up until then, he had only had one cup that evening.
After a brief pause, Xu Yuejia raised his cup and clinked it with Wen Ye’s.
Wen Ye looked at the slight curve of his lips and smiled, "Happy New Year’s Eve, husband."
It seemed she was bound to Xu Yuejia for the rest of her life.
Sitting between them, Xu Yuxuan looked left and right before eagerly raising his little cup of water, trying to clink it with theirs.
In a childish voice, he said, "Me too!"
Wen Ye looked down at Xu Yuxuan, who had water stains around his mouth, and laughed, "I almost forgot about you."
She clinked her cup with his and signaled Xu Yuejia to do the same.
Xu Yuejia complied.
After the New Year’s Eve dinner, everyone stayed in the main courtyard to wait for midnight, when they would eat dumplings.
In the meantime, the eldest aunt handed out red envelopes filled with golden peanuts to the children, while Lady Yao received silver melon seeds.
Then it was Madam Lu and Duke Xu’s turn. Duke Xu kept it simple, placing a silver note in each envelope.
Madam Lu’s gifts were similar to the eldest aunt’s, but instead of peanuts, they contained golden pine nuts.
However, for Xu Yuxuan, the envelopes were filled with little golden pigs.
Xu Yuxuan opened his envelope, saw the many golden pigs, and immediately ran over to Wen Ye, holding out the envelope. "Mother, for you!"
All eyes turned to her.
Wen Ye: "..." This was awkward.
Fortunately, Wen Ye remained composed.
She patted Xu Yuxuan’s head and said, "I appreciate your filial piety, but you can keep the golden pigs."
Xu Yuxuan, though confused, insisted, "Mother, you like them."
Wen Ye: "...Actually, I prepared a New Year’s gift for you. Would you like to see it?"
She had originally planned to give it to him on his birthday, the fifth day of the New Year, but Xu Yuxuan’s gesture had forced her hand.
The word "gift" immediately caught Xu Yuxuan’s attention. He nodded eagerly, "Yes, I want to see!"
Wen Ye instructed Tao Zhi to fetch it.
A moment later, Tao Zhi returned with a tray holding a golden "pig."
The eldest aunt asked curiously, "What’s this?"
The others were equally puzzled.
Wen Ye explained, "This is a golden piggy bank I had specially made for Xu Yuxuan."
/
Madam Lu also said, "You’ve put a lot of thought into this."
Wen Ye smiled slightly and glanced at Xu Yuejia beside her. "He calls me mother, so it’s only right."
After all, she hadn’t spent her own money on it. The saying goes, the wool comes from the sheep’s father.
Xu Yuxuan understood and, looking at the golden pig that was bigger than his head, pointed at himself excitedly. "For me?"
Wen Ye confirmed, "Of course."
She pointed to the small pig-shaped slot on the pig’s back. "Try putting the golden pigs from your envelope into this slot."
She even shook the piggy bank, which already had a few golden pigs inside.
Following Wen Ye’s instructions, Xu Yuxuan carefully inserted each golden pig into the slot.
With every successful insertion, he called out, "Mother!"
Finally, Wen Ye asked him, "Do you like it?"
She had initially planned to make the slot coin-shaped, but then she thought it would be a waste to use a golden piggy bank for copper coins.
So, she had altered the design.
Xu Yuxuan repeatedly touched the large golden pig, nodded vigorously, and said happily, "I like it!"
He had never seen such a big pig before.
The only problem was that the golden pig, now filled with smaller golden pigs, was quite heavy.
Xu Yuxuan tried to lift it, his little face turning red from the effort.
He managed to pick it up, but his legs wobbled, and he nearly fell backward.
Fortunately, Xu Yuejia caught him just in time.
