Shen Xiyin followed the sound and saw that it was Aunt Cui carrying a large pile of things to the clinic.

Chunsheng and Situ Nan also heard the commotion and rushed over: "Grandma Cui!"

"Hey, hey!" Aunt Cui patted their heads and said with a loving expression, "Grandma brought you some delicious food. Try it while it's hot."

The two thanked him and then exchanged New Year's greetings.

Seeing that everyone had returned safely, Chu Tao Ning and the others finally felt relieved.

Chunsheng was still young and didn't hold back much when he spoke. While eating the fruit she had brought back, he asked her bluntly, "Grandma, I went to look for you several times yesterday, but you weren't home. Where did you go?"

"My mother-in-law went to visit relatives."

"But Sister Chu said that she has never seen you interact with anyone before."

Aunt Cui smiled and said, "We're distant relatives. We don't see each other often, only during holidays."

Chunsheng said "Oh" and didn't ask any more questions, but he said in a mature tone, "Grandma, next time you go out to visit relatives, please remember to tell us."

"You have no idea where you went yesterday. My senior brother was even thinking of reporting you to the authorities."

Aunt Cui nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, "Okay, okay, I'll remember to tell you next time I go somewhere."

Chu Tao Ning placed the breakfast on the table and said, "Da Zhuang just made breakfast, Auntie, please sit down and have some."

"good."

Aunt Cui didn't stand on ceremony, took the bowl and chopsticks, and ate with them, chatting and laughing.

Those who don't know the situation would just think they're a family.

A faint smile played on Shen Qiyin's lips, her eyes showing an unusual tenderness.

She took a bite of the fruit that Aunt Cui had brought them, and the familiar taste made her pause in surprise.

She then looked up at the kind old man across from her, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

Perhaps because her gaze was too focused, Aunt Cui seemed to notice and looked over at her, then smiled and put some food on her plate, asking, "Er Ya, what's wrong?"

"...It's nothing." She smiled slightly. "This fruit is delicious."

Upon hearing this, Xianglan silently lowered her head and swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

She was just about to say that the fruits that Aunt Cui brought tasted exactly the same as the ones that Lord Xiao gave to her young lady!

Honeysuckle had obviously figured it out too, but she didn't point it out. Instead, she asked, "Auntie, where did you buy this fruit?"

Aunt Cui waved her hand and said, "I didn't buy it, I got it from a relative's house."

"I see."

"These are all made by their own chef; the ones you buy outside don't taste the same."

"It truly leaves a lingering fragrance in your mouth."

After saying this, Ren Dong and Shen Qiyin exchanged a glance, both understanding what the other was thinking.

The pastries Xiao Yan gave them were all made by the imperial kitchen. So, Aunt Cui is actually from the palace?!

Shen Qiyin had originally planned to ask Xiao Yan about it when she saw him again, but he didn't come to see her for several days in a row.

Qianxing's injuries have healed, and she only needs to rest and doesn't need to change her dressings. Therefore, she no longer needs to go to Qiying Pavilion. Before long, the two of them hadn't seen each other for several days.

This is very unusual.

This is not in line with Xiao Yan's usual style of doing things.

It's still mid-year, and he's on leave. He also said on the fourth day of the new year that he's at the Duke's mansion and hasn't gone anywhere else.

Before, I would get upset if I didn't see him for a day. How come you've changed your mind now?

The novelty has worn off, and I'm getting tired of it?

Shen Qiyin had no experience in this area either, so she thought she would wait and see. If he still didn't come to see her in a few days, she would ask Chu Si to send him a message.

That day, she had just finished her work at the clinic and returned home when Li Zhenzhu arrived.

Li Zhenzhu had been married into the Shen family for some time, but this was the first time she had set foot in the Haitang Courtyard of Shen Xiyin.

Shen Xiyin's marriage was also quite unexpected.

"Is there something you need, Madam?"

"Of course, I wouldn't bother looking for you if there was nothing wrong."

He reached out his hand to Chenxi.

Li Zhenzhu asked, puzzled, "What are you doing?"

"Give me back my sunflower seeds."

"..."

It was during the New Year that Shen Qiyin gave her some melon seeds that Dazhuang had roasted.

It's not even the end of the first month of the lunar calendar yet, and she's almost finished it all.

Hearing her ask for it back, even though she knew it was a joke, Li Zhenzhu still glanced at her and said, "Why are you so stingy?"

"I came here to tell you that your sister has been taking care of the old lady lately, and she keeps whispering with your father, I don't know what they're discussing."

"You'd better be careful, or they might trick you without you even realizing it."

"Don't say I didn't warn you!"

Shen Xiyin was not surprised when she heard this.

There are only a few people left in this family now, so it's time for Shen Mengyin to take over.

She's wanted to make a move against me for a long time, but she just hasn't found the right opportunity.

Now that the old lady is ill, that's the perfect excuse.

She just couldn't understand why it was Li Zhenzhu who told her all this.

She asked in confusion, "Why are you helping me?"

Li Zhenzhu glanced at her, giving her an expression that said, "How can someone as smart as you not understand this?" Then she grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the plate, cracked them open, and said, "Of course it's for this!"

Shen Qiyin: "..."

What did Xianglan say about this lady the other day? Oh right, a foodie!

You know what, it's actually quite fitting.

Seeing that Shen Qiyin didn't stop her from eating her melon seeds, Li Zhenzhu said unhurriedly, "Since I have nothing else to do anyway, I'll keep an eye on them for you."

"If you're going to thank me, why don't you tell me the recipe for roasted melon seeds?"

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