Gu An'an didn't tell Jiang Mingzhu about Zhao Qianqian. She had returned late from her archery and horseback riding practice the day before, and felt tired afterward. She took a shower and went to bed early.

However, the commotion at the courtyard gate still made Gu An'an come out to see what was going on.

Seeing Zhao Qianqian adorned with pearls and jade, she belatedly realized that she hadn't reminded Zhao Qianqian where she was going, and that this outfit might not be appropriate.

"It's great, this outfit suits those persimmons very well."

Zhao Qianqian felt that the mother and daughter's words were full of mystery, but she also found it very amusing. "Sister Gu, you and Sister Zhu'er don't seem like mother and daughter, but more like sisters."

The little girl is very good at flattery.

Gu An'an had to admit that even though she was very young now, she was still old compared to Jiang Mingzhu, who was so young and fresh.

"Alright, Pearl, go ahead and get busy. We'll go together when you get back."

Jiang Mingzhu nodded in agreement, "Then I'll go first."

She glanced at Zhao Qianqian again, her gaze becoming much kinder.

There was no real grudge between the two girls, and now that Zhao Qianqian and her family have made peace, Jiang Mingzhu naturally won't hold it against them.

After watching the person leave, Zhao Qianqian couldn't help but exclaim, "Sister Zhu'er is so beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven."

"You're not bad either." Compared to Jiang Mingzhu's delicate and charming beauty, Zhao Qianqian has a slightly plump beauty, but she's not bad either.

"I'm far from it. Sister Zhu'er is a celestial being descended to earth, while I'm a celestial being descended to earth with my face down. But the fortune teller said that I was born with a life of wealth and honor, and I can't keep it off if I don't gain some weight."

When it comes to self-comfort, Zhao Qianqian and Jiang Mingxu are equally adept; they probably have a lot in common.

Why does Sister Pearl need to practice martial arts?

"She was physically weak, so she wanted to learn some martial arts to improve her health."

Zhao Qianqian sighed deeply, "I had thought about it before, but unfortunately I'm the laziest person, and I drove away the martial arts master my dad hired for me."

Gu An'an laughed, "Have you had breakfast?"

"I've eaten, I've eaten." But as soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Qianqian's stomach growled.

The Zhao family's daughter looked a little embarrassed. "I just didn't eat much, and I feel hungry again."

"Then I'll go cook. You can sit here for a while."

Gu An'an is the only one at home right now.

A few days ago, a new courtyard was set up for Sun Hanzhou. Jiang Mingyi also has a place to live in that courtyard, and naturally, Bao'er will also have a room.

Next year, Jiang Mingyi will be taking the next exam to try his luck at becoming a scholar. He has been working hard lately, taking Bao'er to study with Sun Hanzhou, and only returning home once every three days.

Anyway, Jiang Mingyi is good at taking care of people, so Gu An'an has nothing to worry about.

After simply frying a few pre-marinated meat patties, Gu An'an started cooking porridge in the pot.

By the time Jiang Mingzhu returned, the porridge would be ready.

People who exercise should eat more protein; eggs and beef are essential every day.

The meat patties that Gu An'an fried were made of beef.

This is a simplified version of steak.

Jiang Mingzhu ate with great pleasure. "Mother, Bao'er has made great progress in her calligraphy these past two days. Mr. Sun praised her."

"That's amazing. I'll praise her when Bao'er gets home."

Jiang Mingzhu laughed happily, but when her gaze fell on Zhao Qianqian, the smile faded somewhat.

She didn't know how her mother and Zhao Qianqian had become so close, and Jiang Mingzhu chose to wait and see.

While eating, Zhao Qianqian sized up Jiang Mingzhu. She still thought Jiang Mingzhu was more beautiful, just like her name, Mingzhu, Mingzhu, the most dazzling existence.

"My parents didn't give me a good name."

Zhao Qianqian's sudden remark surprised both Gu An'an and Jiang Mingzhu.

How does it have anything to do with names?

"If they had given me a good name, I might be as pretty as Pearl now."

These words made Gu An'an laugh. "You're doing pretty well now."

Being complimented on her good looks, especially by such a young lady from a wealthy family, Jiang Mingzhu lowered her guard.

Once in the carriage, he started chatting with Zhao Qianqian. Although he didn't smile much, his tone was soft, clearly indicating that he was trying to befriend her.

Gu An'an lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

The day before yesterday, I met Jiang Yong'an in Jiangjia Village. The man told me that none of these children were his biological children.

This made Gu An'an have new doubts about the identities of these children.

Especially Jiang Mingzhu.

But it wasn't mentioned in the book. Could it be that she skipped a chapter and missed something?

It's no wonder Gu An'an didn't finish the book; it would be strange if she could read a novel with several thousand chapters without missing a single word.

If I had known I would transmigrate into a book, I would have memorized that Mary Sue novel by heart.

We can only take it one step at a time now.

As Gu An'an lowered the carriage curtain, Zhao Qianqian had already grabbed Jiang Mingzhu's hand and touched Jiang Mingzhu's wrist, saying, "Slender and boneless, Zhu'er, your wrist is so beautiful."

Look at her wrists, so round and plump, like little pig trotters. It's true what they say, comparisons are odious.

Jiang Mingzhu was a little uncomfortable with such intimacy, and her smile was somewhat stiff. "I'm still practicing. Dad... also said before that I don't have enough arm strength, so I easily miss the target when shooting arrows."

"Oh, how are you going to train then? I think you shouldn't. Look how good you are now. You'll definitely be a beauty when you grow up. Why do you have to train yourself into a female warrior?"

Jiang Mingzhu smiled upon hearing this, "Being a female warrior is great." She wanted to be a female warrior because she could protect her mother and Bao'er.

What's so good about being beautiful? If you're beautiful but lack the ability to protect yourself, you'll only end up hurting yourself.

Zhao Qianqian didn't dwell on the issue too much, because the carriage had already arrived at Jiangjia Village.

At the foot of the mountain, Zhao Qianqian looked at the rolling mountains and couldn't help but take a breath. "Are we going to climb the mountain? Didn't we come here to pick persimmons?"

Gu An'an carried the small bamboo basket on her back, and handed the other one to Jiang Mingzhu.

"We're here to pick persimmons, persimmons from the mountain. Otherwise, why do you think those persimmons taste so good?"

Zhao Qianqian then realized how rare delicious persimmons were. "Should I go up the mountain too?"

"You don't have to go, but then you won't get to experience the fun of picking persimmons."

Gu An'an was trying to attract tourists, but Zhao Qianqian wasn't stupid.

"But I think the joy of picking persimmons is more painful than going up the mountain."

She did climb to a high place to enjoy the view during the Double Ninth Festival.

But the small hill they climbed was only about ten feet high.

Unlike now, this mountain is so high, she felt that if she really climbed it, she would probably lose half her life.

Jiang Mingzhu was understanding of Zhao Qianqian's reluctance, "Then you can stay down the mountain, and my mother and I will go up to pick persimmons."

"No, I want to go up the mountain with you. That's what good friends do."

The Zhao family's daughter said very seriously, "I want to pick the persimmons myself and eat them; that's the most delicious way to eat them."

Half an hour later, Zhao Qianqian looked at the persimmon tree growing on the cliff and felt a sting in her face.

Is it okay if she doesn't pick them herself?