This seemingly unremarkable tea actually exuded a refreshing sensation that made every pore on her body feel relaxed.
“I added a little mint leaf,” Su Xuerong said with a smile.
Chen Siyi suddenly realized.
Despite being shielded from the summer heat by the flowering trees, Chen Siyi still broke out in a sweat while drinking the freshly brewed hot tea.
Once the sweat comes out, the heat in the body dissipates, and you feel much more comfortable.
Xiuchun then brought over several plates of delicate pastries.
Su Xuerong smiled and said, "I made them all myself, you should try them."
Looking at the pastries, whose shape and color were in no way inferior to those of imperial cuisine, Chen Siyi became even more curious about them.
She could tell that although Su Xuerong's clothes were very simple, her every move exuded a subtle, dignified, and noble air.
Such a demeanor cannot be cultivated without a certain number of years of experience.
Chen Siyi couldn't help but ask, "Why did Madam Su choose to settle in Hangzhou?"
Su Xuerong smiled and said, "After my late husband passed away, there was frequent war in the north. I heard that the Jiangnan region under the jurisdiction of the Prince of Fenyang was a paradise on earth, so I brought the whole family here."
From the woman's outspoken words a few days ago, she learned that Chen Siyi had moved into the Fenyang Prince's Mansion with her mother.
If nothing unexpected happens, she will likely become the princess consort of the Prince of Fenyang.
What exactly caused the different endings for Chen Siyi and her daughter compared to their previous life?
Su Xuerong couldn't figure out why, but she wanted to seize this opportunity to get to know Chen Siyi.
Ling Qingxue certainly has a chance, but who can compare to Xiao Yuan's bedmate?
If she could become friends with Chen Siyi before Xiao Yuan started his rebellion, she wouldn't have to worry about not having a chance to make a fortune in the future.
Therefore, in Su Xuerong's eyes at this moment, Chen Siyi was a shining gold mine.
Chen Siyi, however, felt that Su Xuerong was full of things that attracted her curiosity. It was truly rare to have such a close friend in Hangzhou, a place where she knew no one.
After learning that Su Xuerong was a newly widowed woman with a six-month-old daughter, Chen Siyi felt completely at ease with her.
Xiao Yuan would never marry a woman of such status into the royal palace.
She could only wait until Fang Mingzhu passed away before entering the Prince's mansion, but in the meantime, no other woman could capture Xiao Yuan's attention.
Cui was right. She used to be the Princess of Xiangyang, and there was no way she could become someone's concubine.
But now that she's in Hangzhou, the only person in Jiangnan she'd be willing to marry is Xiao Yuan.
Thinking of this, a look of loneliness appeared in Chen Siyi's eyes.
She had no feelings for Xiao Yuan, but had no choice but to marry him.
Otherwise, once Xiao Cheng discovers her whereabouts, he will find her no matter what...
Seeing the sadness in her eyes, Su Xuerong pushed a plate of crystal-clear, snow-white pastries in front of her: "Try this."
Chen Siyi snapped out of her daze, took a small bite, and was immediately delighted by the lingering fragrance: "Yam?"
"Yes, these are dumplings made with yam, milk, and glutinous rice."
Chen Siyi suddenly realized that anyone would like the woman in front of her.
She is stunningly beautiful, has a graceful demeanor, is skilled in the art of incense and tea, and also possesses excellent culinary skills.
No wonder Xiao Yuan couldn't forget her, and Liu Qiao'er was consumed by jealousy and hatred.
It's a pity that someone of her status could only be a concubine.
Chen Siyi suddenly felt a sense of kinship with Su Xuerong: "A woman like you deserves to be loved..."
Su Xuerong smiled calmly and said, "After my late husband passed away, I never thought about getting married. I will find a husband to marry into my family when the opportunity arises in the future."
Chen Siyi was taken aback.
Then I realized that what she said wasn't wrong.
With my own abilities, why should I demean myself by relying on a man to live?
The two chatted for a while longer, and then Su Xuerong brought out the specially made incense balls and beads.
"If your mother is unable to sleep at night because she misses her deceased loved one, this fragrance would be more suitable for her."
"These are fragrant beads made from the same spices. If your mother wears them, they will also have a calming effect."
Chen Siyi was extremely grateful and said she would meet again in the future before leaving.
After she left, Xiuchun couldn't help but ask, "Wife, why did you have to talk about your private matters in front of her?"
She was talking about her deceased husband and the matter of taking him in as a son-in-law.
Su Xuerong smiled faintly: "Dispel her concerns."
To prevent her from becoming like Xu Wanjing, worrying that she might steal her man.
In this world, many women take men as their heaven, and their entire lives are imprisoned in a small world, never able to escape the shackles of worldly conventions.
But they don't understand that women in this world can also be their own masters and don't have to live under the control of men.
Xiuchun wanted to say something, but fell silent after seeing Su Xuerong's expression.
Is my wife's current state a case of the proverb "beauty is often short-lived"?
Su Xuerong remained calm. Soon after, she carried the sleeping Yuanjie out to cool off, fed her some yam dumplings, and then helped her learn to walk on the ground.
A few playful strands of hair hung down on either side of her bun, her sleeves were rolled up high, and her slender, snow-white arms held the little girl's hand. The mother and daughter cast pretty shadows on a wisteria tree.
When Ling Qingxue arrived, this was the scene she saw as soon as she entered the courtyard.
At that very moment, somewhere deep within his heart, a gentle ocean began to surge, and countless threads of emotion blossomed instantly.
Su Xuerong didn't see the person standing at the courtyard gate at all until Xiuchun came out of the small kitchen and exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Ling!"
She looked up and saw that tall, thin, yet energetic figure.
Especially those eyes, which held a burning intensity when they looked at me.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com