Just when Yan Qiushu was excitedly and nervously experimenting with what she had in mind.

On the other side, they were discussing her.

Mrs. Xiao has been living in seclusion since her son, son-in-law, and daughter met with accidents one after another. Her health has not been very good. She wakes up habitually in the morning, and before she has even taken two bites of breakfast, she feels a blockage in her chest. She asks someone to take away her breakfast and takes a walk in the yard.

Over the years, she knew every blade of grass and every tree in this huge yard, but she didn't want to go out.

The young lady of the Xiao family came over specially. Seeing her mother wandering around in the yard again, she smiled helplessly and went forward to support her: "Mother, I heard that you didn't eat a bite this morning?"

Mrs. Xiao's serious expression softened a lot when she faced her daughter-in-law, and she said softly, "I have no appetite."

"That can't be the case!" Xie Qingyun said unhappily.

Mrs. Xiao begged for mercy: "Okay, I will eat more tomorrow."

"You are coaxing me again, Madam Huang, bring the tonic soup over and I will feed it to my mother myself." Xie Qingyun said directly.

Waiting for her to say tomorrow will never happen.

Mrs. Xiao has had a poor appetite for many years. If it weren't for the tonic soup, she would have collapsed long ago.

However, due to her status as the eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xiao would lose some of her resistance when facing her. Therefore, when Xie Qingyun said she wanted to feed her soup, she would not refuse even if she was reluctant.

Resigned to her fate, she drank half a bowl. After drinking more, Mrs. Xiao felt uncomfortable for a while. Her face turned pale and she said hurriedly, "That's enough!"

"Okay, but you have to finish this bowl in half an hour." Xie Qingyun instructed Madam Huang with a firm attitude.

Mrs. Xiao glared at her angrily but said nothing against her.

Huang Ma, who was specially in charge of serving Madam Xiao, smiled, nodded and wrote down: "Madam, you heard it, it's not me who is torturing you." She was not afraid of Madam Xiao's rolling eyes, and turned around to sigh: "The young lady still has a way."

"What can I do? My mother still loves me." Xie Qingyun said with a smile.

Huang went downstairs to continue simmering the soup. Fearing that she would remember something, Madam Xiao forced herself to eat and changed the subject, "What are you doing here? Aren't you busy?"

"I'm done." Xie Qingyun said with a smile, "My daughter-in-law came to tell mother about Miss Yan who moved in yesterday. She said she wanted to visit you. If it's not convenient for you, she can send some food over."

Mrs. Xiao pursed her lips tightly, seeming to be somewhat repulsed: "I haven't seen guests for many years, so I'd better not see them."

Xie Qingyun said, "But my daughter-in-law wants my mother to see her."

Mrs. Xiao was surprised: "Why?"

"This Miss Qiu is different." Xie Qingyun smiled mysteriously, "Sixth brother brought a girl back home the first time he met her, and said she was his sister. But I waited for him to come back yesterday, and specifically suggested that he hold a family recognition banquet, but he refused. What do you think he meant by that? Not only is the girl beautiful, but Aunt Xu also said that she can cook for herself. Sixth brother, apart from other things, loved to eat when he was a child. I estimate that soon, we will have a second-level relationship. You must attend this banquet and pay attention to it."

Mrs. Xiao had been "secluded" for many years and had not been exposed to the outside world for a long time. Her mind was not as fast as when she was young, so she had never thought of this. When her daughter-in-law reminded her, her eyes lit up and she became more energetic. Her serious expression full of distance was broken: "Really?"

Xie Qingyun raised her eyebrows, her dignified face becoming a little more nervous: "Then what do you think he meant by this? If not for this, who would be willing to let him bring their beloved daughter back?"

The people of the Zhou Dynasty were open-minded, especially those from military families. Although the Xie family was also a high-ranking family, they also had military families, so such pre-marital contact was within the permitted range.

When Xie's father returned to Beijing to report on his work, Xie Qingyun followed him. Because she had no mother to take care of her, she was taken in by Mrs. Xiao to live with her for a long time. It was in this way that she became acquainted with the eldest son of the Xiao family, and later they were engaged.

So both Xie Qingyun and Mrs. Xiao felt that this was true, especially since they had met this girl yesterday and she did not seem like someone that could be raised by an ordinary farmer.

It's just that Laoliu kept it a secret, and as the eldest sister-in-law, she didn't expose it, but she still had to do what she had to do.

Madam Xiao's tightly pursed lips revealed a faint smile, and then she nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll get ready."

Xie Qingyun said angrily, "What else does mother need to prepare? It would be best if you could just eat one more bite."

Mrs. Xiao suddenly felt embarrassed and did not dare to reply.

When she didn't feel like eating, she couldn't eat a single bite, but she forced herself to eat, which made her feel uncomfortable all over, and she would vomit it out afterwards.

Yan Qiushu soon received a notice that Mrs. Xiao asked her to come over.

She actually didn't know what was going on inside the Xiao family. She just heard that when Xiao Waiting returned home yesterday, Mrs. Xiao didn't come out to greet him. Maybe she was really seriously ill.

She didn't have much hope. Who would see guests when they were sick? But Yan Qiushu and Xiao Huaiting had a deal, so she had no choice but to go and ask. She didn't expect that she would be invited over.

Success or failure depends on this time!

Of course Yan Qiushu had to bring some gifts when she went as a guest, such as money and jewelry. The old lady must have been used to it. Besides, she didn't have anything good, so the only thing she could bring was her best cooking skills.

What would an elderly person who has been ill for a long time like to eat?

Yan Qiushu could only ask Shui Yu for help: "Do you know what Madam Xiao likes to eat?"

Shui Yu thought about it seriously and shook her head: "I don't know, but Madam's appetite has been poor in recent years. I heard that the kitchen is racking their brains, and Madam usually only tastes a few bites, so Madam's body has become weak. A few years ago, when the master and others were fine, Madam Xiao even went to the battlefield! The doctor said that Madam's dislike of eating is a heart disease. Miss, you can just cook something casually, Madam usually won't eat it."

After Yan Qiushu heard this, she thought for a moment and said with a smile, "I need to go out for a while."

Mrs. Xiao looked like she had anorexia.

But from Shui Yu's description, he can still eat a few bites, which means it's not the worst yet. The old man suffers from anorexia and cannot get enough nutrition, so he will definitely be weak and sickly.

No wonder Xiao Wai Ting needed her to come over and cook.

In her previous life, Yan Qiushu might not have known that being a good cook is not absolute. Many anorexia patients in the later stages of their lives want to eat but cannot.

But this time she has a golden finger!

The lighted position just corresponds to the symptoms. If you still can't do this well, then you're really wasting your time!

Xiao Family Main Courtyard

Fresh fruits were already placed on the round table, and servants were busy coming and going. One of the servants accidentally dropped a teacup in his hand, causing a sudden commotion.

The manager was startled and cursed in a low voice: "Were you a thief last night?! Be careful!"

The servant who had done something wrong hurriedly lowered his head and accepted the apology, trying to please the steward, and only then the matter was resolved.

"Pay attention!" The steward waved his hands and told him to continue his work. But when he saw that he had really left, he said angrily and amusedly, "Really? How long has the training lasted? He can't even do such a small thing. It would be bad if Miss Qiu thought that no one in our house has rules!"

"Well, he didn't mean it." The maid in charge of managing the maids said kindly, and teased: "Don't always look so fierce, you are obviously very happy in your heart. I guess the child was scared by you."

"Is there?" the steward touched his face and asked.

Mammy rolled her eyes at him: "Isn't it?"

The steward was silent for a moment, but still smiled: "I am really happy. Maybe there will be a wedding in our house. Happy events are good! Happy events are good..."

Apart from the birth of the two children, there were no happy events in the family over the years, only funerals. As a result, the children's full-month banquets were not grand because they were in mourning for their father. The family just had a simple meal together.

The atmosphere at home was so depressing that he had no energy to stay there.

Now things are good, the Sixth Young Master has brought back a girl!

Now the lady who never sees guests is willing to see this girl. How could she not know what this signal means?

When Yan Qiushu arrived, she was greeted by Madam Xiao's personal nanny, Madam Huang.

However, not long after they sat down, Xie Qingyun also arrived. As the eldest sister-in-law and the current hostess of the Xiao family, she looked generous and gentle. She was afraid that Yan Qiushu was uncomfortable, so she pulled her aside to talk.

Next came two children, a seven-year-old girl, the daughter of Xiao Huaiyu, the third daughter of the Xiao family, and a five-year-old boy, the posthumous son of Xiao Huaiwu, the fourth daughter of the Xiao family. When she was pregnant, her husband died in the battlefield, so she gave birth to the child alone, and after she recovered, she joined the army, vowing to kill the enemy who had left her child without a father.

But she did not succeed, because in the following years, the emperor did not want to fight a war that would waste manpower and money, so he refused to send troops. This time when Xiao Waiting went out to fight, the opponent was not the same as before, so she did not go.

Because she left early and returned late, Xiao Huaiwu had not returned at noon. The nanny who came with her son Dongdong smiled and said, "I heard that the lady was having a party here, so I took the initiative to bring the young master here."

The Third Miss was a quiet person, and the child didn't say much either. They just called out "Mrs. Xiao" and sat aside, as if they were just acting as a mascot.

"Dongdong, come here and let your aunt hug you." Xie Qingyun liked him very much and immediately opened her arms when she saw him.

"Aunt, I miss you so much!" Dongdong was also a passionate child. He immediately rushed over, hugged her and called her affectionately, as if they hadn't seen each other for a long time.

Yan Qiushu was a little confused, but she just watched quietly.

The next person to come was Xiao Waiting.

The young general was not wearing armor today. He changed into a long gown of light moon color. His fierce look disappeared and he looked gentle and refined. His handsome features also softened in the company of his family.

It also reminded Yan Qiushu of the original owner's memory, when Xiao Huai Ting won the top prizes in both civil and military examinations two years ago. At that time, the original owner was also curious, so she coaxed her elder sister to go out and watch when the top scholar was parading in the streets.

The Yan family was so angry at the time that they exclaimed that a mere warrior had gotten the top spot. No one in our generation can do that!

Afterwards, the original owner's brothers were tortured miserably for a month.

Mrs. Xiao came out last.

Yan Qiushu really didn't expect that she just came to see Mrs. Xiao, and everyone came. She was quite flattered. But when she saw Mrs. Xiao, her heart sank.

She was thinner than she thought.

Mrs. Xiao was in her fifties, which is actually considered middle-aged or elderly in modern times. Some people who took good care of themselves could look no different from people in their thirties. But Mrs. Xiao may have been on the battlefield, so her posture was a little hunched. The consequence of long-term anorexia was that she was extremely thin. She was quite tall, so she became even thinner, her face was sallow, and her eyes were lifeless.

The clothes were indeed luxurious, but even though they were made according to her size, they felt too big, especially around the waist, which felt empty.

Especially when she looked serious, with her lips tightly pursed and deep lines around them, and was supported by someone, she looked like a stubborn old lady.

When they met for the first time, she scanned the area and her eyes landed on Yan Qiushu's face. They were particularly sharp and made her feel uncomfortable.

"Mom!" Xiao Huaiting shouted, interrupting Mrs. Xiao's gaze.

The latter seemed a little unhappy, but said nothing and just looked at him.

Xiao Huaiting was used to his serious mother. He smiled and said flatteringly, "This is my adopted sister, Miss Yan Shuyan. You can call her Ah Shu."

Yan Qiushu followed suit and called out obediently, "I've met Madam Xiao."

Mrs. Xiao looked at her son, then at the little girl. She had big eyes, a clear gaze, and a chubby face. She looked pleasing, but a little thin. She nodded and said, "Call me aunt."

Xie Qingyun, who had been waiting for her to speak, immediately smiled and said, "Mother really likes Miss Yan. Miss Yan, mother may look serious, but she is a very kind person. Don't be afraid."

Yan Qiushu breathed a sigh of relief. As long as she was not disliked, she smiled sweetly and said in a crisp voice, "Hello, Auntie!"

Mrs. Xiao pulled the corners of her mouth, probably wanting to smile, but she hadn't smiled for so long that the corners of her mouth were stiff. Finally, she forced a weird smile and said, "Sit down, everyone."

Hearing this, several people nodded and sat down one after another.

Considering that Yan Qiushu was brought back by herself, Xiao Huaiting specially invited her to have lunch together. Mrs. Xiao said slowly: "I don't eat at night, so let's have a simple meal together now. Please don't mind, Ah Shu."

"Of course not." Yan Qiushu stood up, looked at them, and said with a smile, "Ah Shu has nothing, and I thought that you must be used to seeing good things, so I didn't want to waste my efforts, so I made some drinks and food by myself to show my appreciation."

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere around them became a little tense. Just when Yan Qiushu was puzzled, Xie Qingyun said apologetically: "This is a good idea, but I'm sorry for the trouble."

"It's not tiring. I like doing this." Yan Qiushu said.

Xie Qingyun smiled and said, "Ah Shu, you don't know that mother has lost her appetite in recent years and eats very little. I'm afraid I'm going to let you down."

This time, before Yan Qiushu opened her mouth, the young man sitting beside her said, "Sister-in-law, it's okay. Miss Shu won't mind. Besides, mother is willing to come out. She will definitely try what Shu made. What if she likes it? It would be good for her to eat a few more bites."

The young man spoke in a clear voice and looked at his mother with slightly nervous eyes, as if he was afraid that she would not give him face.

Xie Qingyun shook her head, covered her mouth and smiled as she looked at Madam Xiao, jokingly saying, "Mother, since the sixth son has said so, you must taste it all later, otherwise your son will be angry and your daughter-in-law will not be able to control him."

Mrs. Xiao nodded calmly: "Yes."

Xie Qingyun breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Yan Qiushu: "Then let us take a look. I wonder if there is a share for us?"

"Of course there is." Yan Qiushu said hurriedly, signaling the two maids Shuiyan and Shuilu to bring up the food boxes.

The first dish served was sour plum soup.

The pot was full, and after pouring a cup for each person, there was still a lot left. After the water was poured, he stepped back and stood aside to serve.

Yan Qiushu introduced in a clear voice: "This is sour plum soup, sour and sweet, drink a cup before dinner, it is very appetizing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Huai Ting picked up the cup and said, "Mom, sister-in-law, Ah Shu's cooking skills are amazing. I was amazed when I tasted it for the first time. You should all try it. I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

After saying that, he drank it in one gulp, as if to prove that what Yan Qiushu made was excellent.

However, I didn't expect the soup to be so sour!!!

He seldom ate sour things, and had never drunk anything so sour. Because he was caught off guard, the sour taste made his whole handsome face wrinkled.

Yan Qiushu: “…”

The Xiao family, who were full of anticipation after hearing what he said, said: "..."

The only two children actually liked the smell and were ready to drink it, but Xiao Wai Ting was one step faster and showed this expression, which scared the two children so much that their cups were at their lips and they didn't dare to drink it!