Chapter 53: An Unparalleled Blessing

When Yuan Fuqing saw her return, his eyes lit up immediately, but as soon as he raised his head, he seemed to remember something and turned his head away in a huff.

With her little hands crossed, she perfectly captured the image of someone sulking.

Yuan Siyin curled the corners of her mouth, completely disregarding him, and even reached out to pinch his little face in a fake force: "What are you angry about?"

"Ah Qing hasn't seen her older sister for quite some time!"

Didn't I just see her at her coming-of-age ceremony a few days ago...?

Just as Yuan Siyin was about to speak, she saw Yuan Fuqing's eyes were wet, and he lowered his head, biting his lip and remaining silent.

He lost his mother at a young age, and his father was stationed in the border region year-round. As a half-grown child, the only person he could care for was his older sister.

Yuan Siyin's heart softened, and she softened her touch, instead rubbing his fluffy head.

"Missing your older sister?"

Yuan Fuqing nodded, looking aggrieved.

"Isn't your older sister back to keep you company? Okay, come inside quickly, it's too hot standing outside."

Yuan Siyin patted his back and coaxed him gently for a while until the child calmed down.

However, he still looked somewhat listless and unhappy.

Knowing Yuan Fuqing's temperament best, she called out to the outside.

The maidservant at the outer gate quickly lifted the curtain, her red sleeves tucked into her hands, and entered with a smile.

"I understand. The Four Happiness Meatballs from Juxianlou are essential, especially Qing-ge'er's favorite. I've already sent my servants out; they should be back in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

As soon as Miss returned, she gave the order: dinner would be Dong'an chicken with shredded meat and hot sauce; steamed assorted preserved meats with rice, sprinkled with finely chopped scallions; and pan-fried crab roe buns, steamed together with vermicelli.

It's hot and you can't eat too much rich food, so why not have a loofah and crucian carp soup? It's simmered until it's white and smooth, and it's so delicious.

Now that the last bit of warmth has faded, it's not good to let Qing-ge'er eat too much cold food, so we won't go to the ice cellar to get ice to make crispy mountain dessert. I just wonder if Miss would like ice cream or a sweet bowl of melons and fruits?

Fortunately, they were all iced desserts to cool off in the summer, and there wasn't much to it. She waved her hand and told Hongxiu to make them.

"I see the osmanthus flowers in the courtyard are in bloom. If I have the time, I'd like to make some osmanthus-based desserts, like osmanthus cake or osmanthus-flavored lotus root. I just want something fresh to eat."

"Well, we've made it just in time. I just picked some today and told the maids not to tell you, Miss."

As she spoke, she smiled and waved, and a maidservant from the outer gate quickly brought in a plate of osmanthus cake.

Yuan Siyin nodded repeatedly. This time, not only was Yuan Fuqing happy, but she was happy too.

She had two personal maids, one was Ziyuan, and the other was Hongxiu.

Hongxiu initially worked as an assistant in the kitchen. It was said that before entering the mansion, her father had been the head chef of a restaurant, and she had learned excellent cooking skills from him since childhood. She could cook everything that swam in the water and ran on the land, and her desserts were especially exquisite.

Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, in order to support her parents and two younger siblings, she sold herself into servitude to the Yuan family.

In addition, she was a real foodie, which led to Yuan Siyin making an exception and promoting her.

It wasn't the original owner who suggested it; it was she.

Because of this, countless people below are envious.

I've never heard of a young lady having her personal maidservant taken from the kitchen; this is an incredible blessing.

But considering that it was the unpredictable eldest daughter of the Yuan family, it seemed normal.

Hongxiu didn't care. She didn't shun the people below who rushed to curry favor with her, nor did she make things difficult for those who didn't. She continued to happily take care of Yuan Siyin's three meals a day, just like before.

The personal maids in the other mansion have a lot of trouble. They have to serve their masters in fear and trembling at all times, and they have to smooth things over and accommodate others. They just suffer a lot.

It's always easier to serve one's own young lady.