"But why forever eighteen?" Lady Yu, while moved by Madam Lu's sentiment, also expressed some confusion and doubt.
Madam Lu couldn't help but glance at Wen Ye. Though she knew Wen Ye had a way with words, when those words were directed at her, she found herself at a loss to refute them.
After Wen Ye mentioned that the cake was made by her own hands, Madam Lu's mind kept picturing a small figure crouching by the stove, covered in soot but still stubbornly persisting. After more than ten days of effort, the little figure finally succeeded and burst into tears of joy.
It was both amusing and heartwarming.
Wen Ye was well-prepared. She explained, "In the Great Jin Dynasty, girls come of age at fifteen, marry at sixteen, and at the latest by seventeen. Once married, most women lose the carefree happiness they had as young maidens.
So I chose the age of eighteen. Those extra two years are borrowed from heaven, and today I gift them to you, sister-in-law. I hope that in the decades to come, besides your birthday, you can also experience the joy of being a young maiden again on any day. After all, two years amount to over seven hundred days."
Though it sounded somewhat unconventional, everyone present couldn't help but feel moved and yearn for such a sentiment. They lacked neither money nor status, but what they truly missed was such a sincere heart.
Compared to being a married woman, being a young maiden was undoubtedly more comfortable and free.
Where did Lu Yao find such a sweet-talking sister-in-law?
Fourth Lady Meng was thoroughly impressed. Her gaze at Madam Lu was filled with both envy and admiration, though mostly relief.
She glanced at Wen Ye, who stood obediently beside Madam Lu, and sighed, "I couldn't match you when we were maidens, and later I didn't marry as well as you did. Now it seems I'm going to lose to you again."
Hoping for her sisters-in-law to get along peacefully was as likely as expecting her son to become a prodigy overnight.
Madam Lu and Fourth Lady Meng had a history of clashing before becoming friends. Even as friends, their tone hadn't changed much. Madam Lu said with a touch of pride, "With me around, you can settle for second place." Lady Zheng and Lady Chen covered their mouths, stifling giggles.
This was the first time Wen Ye had seen Madam Lu so radiant. It was truly wonderful to have genuine friends by her side.
After being moved, Madam Lu still remembered to whisper to Wen Ye, "Did all this cost a lot of money?"
Places like Yufang Restaurant and Furongji charged five to ten taels for ordinary pastries, and the portions weren't generous. The massive cake before them, which could feed ten people and was a completely new creation after more than ten days of experimentation, must have cost a fortune.
Wen Ye didn't intend to lie. She replied honestly, "It was just some milk, flour, eggs, sugar, and a few sweet fruits." While these might be considered luxuries for common folk, they were everyday items for the prestigious Duke Xu's household. Madam Lu didn't believe her, "You don't need to comfort me. I have an idea. Come to the main courtyard tomorrow after lunch. I have something good for you."
Wen Ye wanted to say, "It really isn't necessary..."
But Madam Lu had already turned away.
After finishing the cake, the elder aunt and Madam Xu tactfully retired to the adjacent room to rest, leaving the younger generation to themselves. After presenting her birthday gift, Wen Ye, under the complex gazes of the others, gracefully exited, taking Lady Yao with her. It was a rare day for Madam Lu to reunite with her friends, so they should have their time to chat.
Wen Ye and Lady Yao went to the lakeside, taking a bowl of fish food from a maid. They fed the fish sporadically, and after a while, Lady Yao couldn't hold back her curiosity.
She leaned in and asked, "Second sister-in-law, could you tell me how to make that cake?" She wanted to try it herself.
Wen Ye scattered a handful of fish food, watching a swarm of koi swim toward her. She turned to Lady Yao and said, "If you like it, I'll have someone write down the recipe for you later. It's not too difficult."
Though it does require some effort.
Lady Yao was grateful and thought to herself that her mother-in-law's birthday was in the autumn. By then, they would have returned to Ling City. She decided to prepare a unique birthday celebration for her mother-in-law.
She didn't expect to win over her mother-in-law as thoroughly as Wen Ye had with Madam Lu, but she hoped to move her enough to offer help in managing the household.
Was such a small wish too much to ask?
★
The three-tiered cake wasn't fully eaten, and quite a bit remained. Initially, Madam Lu planned to keep three small pieces and share the rest with Qingxue and the others.
But Fourth Lady Meng asked to take two pieces back for her daughters to try.
She also inquired about how to preserve the cake.
Wen Ye replied, "Since the weather is cool now, it can be kept for a while longer. If you want to eat it tomorrow, you can use ice to keep it fresh." Upon hearing this, Fourth Lady Meng immediately suggested to Madam Lu, "In that case, why don't you and Wen Ye each keep three pieces, and we'll divide the rest among us?"
Madam Lu generously said, "Take as much as you want. I can always have more whenever I feel like it," and glanced at Wen Ye.
Fourth Lady Meng: "...Qingxue, help me cut a larger piece."
In the end, each family took three small pieces, including Madam Lu and Wen Ye.
After seeing off her friends, Madam Lu returned to the waterside pavilion with a smile on her face.
Wen Ye hadn't left yet, and Madam Lu called out to her, "Don't forget what I told you. Come to the main courtyard tomorrow."
To secure a strong ally, sincerity and creativity were crucial, but honesty was equally indispensable.
Wen Ye didn't want Madam Lu to misunderstand the effort behind the cake. She emphasized again, "I'll prepare the recipe for the cake when I return. Then you'll see I wasn't lying."
Madam Lu dismissed the idea without hesitation, "What would I do with the recipe? If I want to eat it, won't you make it for me?" Seeing such a perfect opportunity, Wen Ye quickly denied, "I'll make it for you whenever you want."
Madam Lu glanced at her and chuckled, "Then why give me the recipe?" Wen Ye seemed to understand something and paused before saying, "As you wish, sister-in-law."
Madam Lu coughed lightly, feigning nonchalance, "Alright, you've been busy all day. Go back to the west courtyard and rest." Wen Ye smiled faintly, feeling as though she had discovered a hidden side of Madam Lu.
Even after returning to the main courtyard, Madam Lu's smile didn't fade much. Nanny Xi hadn't gone to the waterside pavilion, but Qingxue and Bai Mei had been by Madam Lu's side all day.
Seeing her mistress so happy, Nanny Xi called her daughter Qingxue over to inquire about the situation. After learning everything, she too was delighted for her mistress. Having a sister-in-law who didn't stir up trouble was already rare, and the second lady from the west courtyard seemed to be even more than that.
Madam Lu instructed Nanny Xi to store the cake properly so that it could be served at dinner when the young master and second young master returned. The day had been spent with friends, and the evening was for family.
Nanny Xi happily complied, thinking that among the noble ladies of Sheng Jing, none had married as well as her mistress. This small birthday celebration was proof enough.
Duke Xu and his two sons returned to the mansion at the end of the afternoon.
On their way back to the main courtyard, Duke Xu reminded his sons, "Today is your mother's birthday. Don't upset her, understand?"
Xu Jingrong, tired of the constant reminders, glanced at the food box in his father's hand and couldn't help but ask, "Father, why do you buy jewelry from Liuyunzhai every year?"
Duke Xu gave him a look that said, 'You wouldn't understand,' and replied, "Your mother loves Liuyunzhai's jewelry." He had placed the order three months in advance.
Xu Jingrong pouted, "Even if she likes it, sending the same thing every year isn't very surprising."
Beside him, Xu Jinglin, holding a box of pastries, said innocently, "The pastries from Yufang Restaurant are the best. I bought some for Mother. She'll be so happy when she sees them!"
He then turned to ask, "Elder brother, what did you prepare?"
Xu Jingrong puffed out his chest slightly, "I scored well in the recent exam and received praise from the teacher. That's my birthday gift to Mother."
Xu Jinglin shook his head, "Mother will definitely like my pastries the most!"
Duke Xu coughed and said, "Just because you like it doesn't mean your mother will. She'll definitely like the jewelry I bought the most."
The father and sons continued their friendly competition as they returned to the main courtyard.
When Madam Lu saw them, she showed no surprise and greeted them casually, "You're back."
Duke Xu dismissed the servants and placed the gift box in front of Madam Lu, urging her, "Open it and see."
Xu Jingrong and Xu Jinglin, the two brothers, eagerly presented the gifts they had prepared, speaking in unison, "Mother, look at mine first!"
Madam Lu was in no hurry to open them. After glancing at each one, she remarked, "Jewelry, pastries from Yufang Restaurant, and Jingrong's must be that 'excellent' essay of his?"
Her expression remained indifferent as she added, "It's the same three things every year."
The father and his two sons:
★
Wen Ye returned to the west courtyard with three small pieces of cake, just as the clock struck one in the afternoon.
Xu Yuxuan had spent his morning in the west courtyard watching Nanny Ji kick shuttlecocks, having lunch with his father Xu Yuejia, and then taking a cozy nap in the side courtyard. Finally, he had waited long enough for Wen Ye to return.
"Mother!" Xu Yuxuan, who had just come from the side courtyard and was about to fetch a small stool to continue his vigil by the door, spotted Wen Ye's figure outside the courtyard. He immediately dropped the stool and rushed toward her, half-running, half-walking.
Seeing the child, Wen Ye suddenly realized she hadn't seen Xu Yuxuan for several days. To prevent him from noticing anything and accidentally revealing it later, she had kept him out of the courtyard for the past few days.
Xu Yuxuan stopped abruptly a few steps away from Wen Ye, his hands clasped behind his back, his round little belly exposed. He turned his face away, cheeks puffed out, and began to huff and puff as Wen Ye approached.
Wen Ye raised an eyebrow, stepped past the sulking child, and continued walking leisurely. She casually glanced around and asked, "Who's upset here?"
Thinking Wen Ye hadn't noticed him, Xu Yuxuan grew anxious. He quickly turned around, chasing after her and calling out, "It's Xuan'er!"
Nanny Ji, who had just come forward, thought to herself: It hasn't even been a moment, and the young master is already being led around by Second Madam again.
Wen Ye walked extremely slowly. Once Xu Yuxuan caught up, she stopped and looked down at him, her eyes feigning surprise. "I brought Xuan'er some delicious cake. Is that why you're upset?"
Xu Yuxuan's little mouth opened wide. "Delicious?" The mention of cake immediately caught his attention.
Wen Ye reached out, and Tao Zhi handed her the cake box. Wen Ye bent down, opened the box in front of Xu Yuxuan, and the sweet aroma of the cake filled the air. Xu Yuxuan's eyes widened in delight as he tilted his head up and asked, "Is it sweet?"
Wen Ye slowly closed the lid and asked, "Still upset?"
Xu Yuxuan's gaze remained fixed on the now-covered cake.
He shook his head vigorously. "Not upset anymore."
Mission accomplished, Wen Ye handed the cake box to Nanny Ji, instructing her, "Don't let the young master eat too much. One piece is enough."
Nanny Ji nodded. "Understood."
Seeing the cake now in Nanny Ji's hands, Xu Yuxuan quickly moved closer, flashing a sweet smile. "Nanny~"
Nanny Ji: "..."
That smile felt oddly familiar.
Xu Yuejia: Are the other two pieces for me?
