Jiang Muyu frowned and said, "Okay, Jiang Muxue, just tell me what your purpose is."

"I just want to ask for your forgiveness, sister." Jiang Muxue covered her lips with a handkerchief, "Sister, why don't you believe me?"

"Uh..." She sighed helplessly, "If you were a little more honest, I would still respect you as a man. But you come here under the guise of asking for forgiveness. I don't know what ulterior motives you have. This makes me despise you even more."

Jiang Muxue gritted her teeth and said, "I..."

"Alright, I don't believe a word you say, so stop wasting your breath." Jiang Muyu lowered his eyes slightly and said, "You said you came to give me a birthday gift, and I'm not that unkind. Just leave the things and go."

The maidservant beside Jiang Muxue was obviously unhappy when she heard this, "Princess, how can you accept a gift and not let someone in? No family in the capital has such a rule."

"I already have it now." She then turned around and stopped looking at Jiang Muxue. "You can do whatever you want."

Jiang Muyu turned around and walked back to the mansion.

A moment later, Yun Xuan came up with a brocade box in her hand. "My queen, this is a birthday gift from Jiang Muxue. I checked it and it's a longevity lock."

"You should check the things she sent you. They might be smeared with poison. I am responsible for her current situation. Given her personality, I am afraid she hates me. I am afraid she would make a doll to curse me to hell every night before going to bed."

"Uh...I understand." Yun Xuan put the brocade box aside and said, "Then I will keep this thing for now. I will give it to you after I have checked it thoroughly."

"Well, but...if nothing is found, throw it away. If something is found..." At this point, she curled her lips and smiled, "then return it."

"yes."

…

Jiang Muyu returned to the West Guest House and started the banquet.

Today, Mrs. Dong and Mrs. Lin brought the children back.

Jiang Chenyi and Dong had three sons. The eldest son was already fifteen years old and was preparing for the imperial examination the following year, but he was still present. The second son was twelve years old, and the youngest was seven years old. They were both studying at Huixian Academy in Beijing.

Jiang Chenan and Lin have two sons, the eldest son is twelve years old and the second son is nine years old, both of whom are studying at Huixian Academy.

Although Jiang Chenwei and his wife were not present today, their eldest son was brought by Mu. The little baby, who was less than two years old, was chubby and could hardly walk steadily.

Jiang Chenwei was a far-sighted man. He intended to give his son to the Mu family to raise, hoping that he could be named a legitimate son in the future.

As Mu grew older, the affairs of the mansion were basically handed over to Dong and Lin. She enjoyed her leisure time and was willing to have a little baby by her side to relieve her boredom.

Naturally, men and women sat at separate tables at the banquet, with men sitting in the main room and women sitting in the side room. There was also a separate table for children next to it.

When they had almost finished eating, Mu looked at the group of children chatting and laughing over there. Among them was a little girl with an unusually delicate appearance. Her face was cold and expressionless, which was out of place with the festive and lively atmosphere around them.

He asked, "Is that child the daughter of some nobleman in the capital?"

Jiang Muyu followed her gaze and smiled, "No, she is the little girl that Tangtang rescued a while ago. The prince is planning to adopt her as his adopted daughter."

Mu frowned, "Looking at her appearance and temperament, she doesn't look like a girl born to ordinary people. Have you found out her origins?"

"Mom, don't worry. We know what to do. Nanxing is just a half-grown child. We took her in because we felt sorry for her. Besides, Tangtang likes her very much, so it would be nice to let her keep Tangtang company."

"Just keep it in mind. After all, it's not convenient for me, an outsider, to interfere in the palace's affairs." Mu paused and asked in a low voice, "Are you still in contact with the bastard of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?"

Jiang Muyu said helplessly: "That happened eight hundred years ago. It's long gone. Now Xie Cheng and I have both started our own families and we don't have much contact anymore."

Mu obviously didn't believe it, and said, "Last year you worked hard for his promotion, and I even heard that you had a conversation in front of the Royal Academy a while ago. I think you are so stubborn that you just can't get over this."

"Mom." Jiang Muyu said, "I must have been kicked in the head by a donkey before, so I fell in love with that Phoenix man. Now I have changed my ways and plan to live a peaceful life with the prince."

"Phoenix man?" Mu was puzzled.

"Uh... it's not a nice word anyway."

"Okay, it's best if you think so. Xie Cheng is indeed not someone you can trust." Madam Mu patted the back of her hand gently and said, "Zhao Zhao, I know you didn't obey the order at first, but you had to obey for the sake of the Marquis's Mansion. I have seen how good the prince has been to you over the years. Although he has no love for you, he is a responsible man. You won't suffer if you follow him."

It turns out that Mu had already seen that Liang Qingchen had no love for Jiang Muyu. No wonder Mu was able to stay in the Marquis' Mansion for so many years. Even though she had several concubines, she still managed them all. Her methods were evident.

Jiang Muyu looked at Mu Shi with such love in her eyes that she almost burst out. She smiled and said, "Thank you for your teaching, mother."

“What are you saying thank you or not…” Mu’s eyes dimmed as he looked at her. He held her hands with both of his hands, stroking them gently for a long time.

After everyone finished their meal, Jiang Muyu asked the maid to bring up the cake. She put a small red candle on the cake and then organized the children to sing the birthday song.

It was the first time for the children to hear such a song and they thought it was cheerful and interesting, and they all sang along at the top of their lungs.

"Okay, Tangtang, now you can close your eyes and make a birthday wish, then blow out the candles and your wish will come true."

"Okay!" Tangtang clasped her hands together excitedly, closed her eyes, and said, "I hope my grandma, grandpa, dad, mom, brother, sister Nanxing, and my eldest and second cousins..."

She read the names of all the people and finally said, "I hope everyone is safe, healthy, and lives a long life."

After saying this, she opened her eyes and saw that the candle had burned out completely. She quickly leaned over the table, pouted, and went over to blow out the last bit of flame.

Jiang Muyu looked at this scene and hated himself for not having a cell phone to record it. Tangtang was so adorable.

Mu stood beside Tangtang and said with a smile, "Why didn't our Tangtang include herself in her wish?"

Tangtang smiled sweetly and said, "I am the little lucky star. I want to protect everyone."

Mu rubbed her little head and said, "Yes, Tangtang is our lucky star."

Jiang Muyu asked Yunyan to come over and cut the cake into pieces. "Just do it the same way I did yesterday."

Yun Yan bowed, "I understand."

She specially made a big cake today, and after sharing it among the children, there was still some left to share among the Mu family members.

"Everyone, have a try. This is... a new pastry developed by Chef Liu. He used to work in the kitchen, and he is quite good at making snacks."

As she spoke, she told the maids to distribute the cakes that Yunyan had divided up and put on plates to Mu, Dong, and Lin.

Several people followed suit and tried it, and all nodded in approval.

Seeing that there was still some left, she ordered Yunyan to take the maid to the main house to let Liang Qingchen and the others have a taste. Yunyan was smart and imitated Jiang Muyu's words to introduce the cake.

Liang Qingchen heard this and followed her meaning and said, "Father-in-law, please try it. Master Liu's cooking skills are always good."

Marquis Jing'an didn't like sweets, so he had to taste it obediently after hearing what he said. Unexpectedly, the pastry was soft and sweet but not greasy, which made him unable to resist eating a few more bites.

After eating and drinking, Jiang Muyu led everyone to the garden.

Several female relatives sat in the pavilion, while the children played among the flowers in the garden.

The maids brought snacks. Mrs. Dong saw two plates of sunflower seeds full of seeds being served on the table. She was stunned for a moment and asked, "Are these sunflower seeds?"

Jiang Muyu nodded and said, "The one on the left has a milky flavor, and the one on the right has a caramel flavor. Try them and see how they taste."

The three of them stared at each other without moving.

Most people in this dynasty liked to eat pumpkin seeds, and fewer liked sunflower seeds. However, these seeds were small and difficult to peel, and these noble ladies from aristocratic families always found it troublesome and were afraid of hurting their fingers.

Jiang Muyu thought about the relationship and said with a smile: "Let me teach you how to crack melon seeds."