Chapter 121 Xiao Qi's father is a popular figure

Lu Huai came to "Half a Cup of Floating Life" and asked Nian Xi to teach him how to make a simple drink.

"It's my grandmother's birthday. All my food and drink are given by my elders. Those external things can't show my filial piety."

Nian Xi smiled at him and asked, "Are you sincere or fake this time?"

Lu Huai's face turned slightly red.

Last time, he was mean and wary of Nian Xi and his father... He came here on purpose to say some sour words, but was scolded by Wang Muyi and lost face.

“This time it’s real.”

Considering that Lu Huai was too young, Nian Xi taught him the simplest drink.

The shop already has dried basil, cardamom, cloves and other spices. All you have to do is put them into boiling water, seal it for a while, and let the flavor come out before cooking.

"Cooked perilla water has the effect of promoting qi and soothing the stomach, and is most suitable for Madam's age. I will seal the roasted spices for you later, and you can go back and follow my instructions."

Her voice is gentle and unhurried, and her eyes are clear and gentle, bringing endless peace and comfort to people.

Lu Huai suddenly understood why so many people liked her.

Not just because of looks.

Although he was young, he had seen many stunning beauties, and Nian Xi gave people a different feeling from all of them.

She never compromised or agreed with him. There were many times when Lu Xiaoqi had to do things according to Nianxi's wishes, but he was willing to do so.

It seemed that making her happy was more important than anything else.

Being with her is comfortable and at ease.

"What are you looking at me like that for?"

Nian Xi saw Lu Huai was in a daze, so she waved her hand in front of his eyes and said with a smile, "Come back to your senses~"

"You are too young to make complicated drinks. You might as well make this herbal tea. I have an exclusive secret recipe for you."

She just thought that people from Lu Huai were cautious and looked down on simple boiled water.

Little did he know that Lu Xiaoqi's thoughts had already drifted away.

"My grandmother's birthday is the day after tomorrow. Will you come?"

Nian Xi nodded, "I have received the invitation. I will go with my mother then."

"My father's cough has almost healed. I told you he was in good health."

Lu Huai's words were incoherent and Nian Xi had no idea what he wanted to say. She happened to be busy with other things, so she just hummed as a response.

Seeing that she really didn't care about her father at all, Lu Huai felt a little unhappy.

Children are always competitive.

He didn't think his father was any worse than those with the surname Pei or Gu.

Then he continued, "Nianxi, can you play the guqin?"

“…Not bad.”

"My father played the piano very well. The great scholars of the time praised my father's piano music, saying that the sound of his music could be heard for three days without fading away~"

Ancient books and stories are always exaggerated. Nianxi just doesn't believe that there is any beautiful fairy music that can linger around the beams of a house for three days and three nights without stopping.

However, in order to take care of the little man's fragile self-esteem, she nodded and cooperated:

"Really? That's amazing!"

Lu Huai felt her perfunctory attitude.

He puffed his lips, looking a little angry.

"There are many girls who like my father. Last time, there was a Miss Jia who only saw my father once at a palace banquet, and she cried and made a fuss about marrying him, and was willing to be his concubine."

This finally aroused Nianxi's curiosity, "What happened next? Did you get what you wanted?"

"Of course not!"

Lu Huai puffed out his chest and said proudly, "There are many women crazy about my father! If they could enter my house so easily, wouldn't the Fuguo Mansion be overcrowded?"

Nian Xi smiled and looked at him without saying anything.

Lu Huai's fighting spirit had nowhere to display.

He didn't know why he was arguing about this.

But Nian Xi's indifferent attitude towards her father made Lu Huai feel frustrated.

Lu Huai had also seen Nian Xi and Zhou Yanli together.

Zhou Yanli is the nephew of his second aunt, and can be considered his cousin.

Don’t underestimate him because he is young. He has seen clearly what cousin Zhou is thinking since the beginning!

"Well...my father is so good, and so many people like him, don't you have anything to say?"

Nian Xi didn't know what happened to Lu Huai today.

But looking at Lu Xiaoqi's expectant eyes, she thought about it carefully and concluded:

"So...you should stay away from your father, who is such a popular figure, to avoid getting hurt?"

Lu Huai: ...

When a fish cries, the water knows. But when I cry, who knows?

Closed myself.

*

Madam Kang has celebrated her birthday. Your Majesty and the Queen have already sent us gifts in large quantities a few days ago.

On that day, there were many luxurious carriages and horses coming and going in front of the Lu Mansion. Because all the guests were distinguished guests, most of them were female relatives, Lu was afraid of collisions, so she closed the whole street early in the morning.

The horse-drawn carriages and sedan chairs that came to celebrate the birthday were connected end to end, filling the entire street; from a distance, one could see precious horses and carved carriages, so gorgeous and extravagant that it was difficult to describe.

Compared with the previous birthday celebration of Concubine Shu's mother, this was another kind of grand occasion.

In the previous life, the Wen family and the Duke of Fuguo had no connection, and Nianxi had never attended Madam Kang's birthday banquet.

This year, probably because of Lu Huai, Lu sent invitations to the Wen family early, inviting the female members of the Wen family to visit.

When they arrived at the door, Li and Nian Xi were welcomed in by their daughter-in-law. At the second door, Madam Zhou from the second room came out in person with her maids to greet them.

In the main hall, the lady was wearing a brand new brocade gown with a dark red longevity pattern, and a headband embroidered with gold threads and inlaid with various gems. She looked rich and elegant, with a kind look.

After Li's mother and daughter paid their respects, she smiled and said a few words, then turned her gaze to Nian Xi.

After taking a quick look, he smiled and said, "This is the sister Nianxi that Xiaoqi has been talking about every day. She is really a beauty. I was delighted the moment I saw her."

"I like the basil water you taught Qixiao to make," Mrs. Kang took Nianxi's hand and said to Li with a friendly look, "You have raised a good daughter."

There were many precious buildings and rooms in the Shoutang Hall, decorated with flowers and splendid decorations, and many noble ladies had arrived early. All of them were dressed in fine clothes, adorned with jewels and precious stones, and all were splendid and beautiful, but none of them was praised as such by the lady.

So for a moment, Nian Xi was stared at by many people.

Li hurriedly apologized a few more times.

As they were talking, a palace eunuch suddenly rushed in and reported that Prince Jing had arrived. The people in Quanshou Hall immediately stopped what they were doing and followed the lady to greet him.

The eunuch followed up with another sentence, "His Highness said that he came here only to celebrate the birthday, and he did not dare to trouble the Madam to come and welcome him in person."

The Duke of Fuguo is from a noble family, and Madam Kang is of respected status. She is also the biological mother of the Empress, so welcoming her or not is within the etiquette.

After a moment, a young man in a purple and gold brocade embroidered dragon pear flower robe strode in and bowed towards the main seat, "I wish the Madam a long and prosperous life!"

The lady smiled and helped him up.

The people in the birthday hall saluted him one after another.

Xiao Xun smiled widely and glanced at the people in the hall, his gaze inevitably fell on Nian Xi who was sitting in front of the lady's seat.

He nodded slightly, then said, "No need to be polite. I'm just here to celebrate my grandmother's birthday. No need to be so polite."

Nianxi was the closest to the main seat because she was talking to the lady just now. At this moment, she felt two pairs of eyes on her, and she did not raise her head, but just stood quietly aside with her head down.

Soon, that gaze moved away.

While everyone was talking, she quietly took a few steps back and stood in an inconspicuous place.

Lu Wensheng came with Xiao Xun to pay his respects.

All of Nian Xi's actions fell into his eyes.

A smile slowly emerged in his eyes, which were usually calm.

Lu Huai lagged behind by two steps and now reached his grandmother's side.

After saying a few amusing and auspicious words, the men went to the front hall.

Lu Huai was a small man, and he hadn’t seen Nianxi for a long time, as the women in Manshou Hall were all adorned with pearls and jade. Finally, he caught a glimpse of her near the doorpost, and he couldn’t help but shout with joy:

"Nian Xi, Nian Xi!"

Nianxi was talking and laughing with Cao Xitang with her head down, not paying attention to anything else. It was only after Miss Gu in front of her reminded her that she realized someone was calling her.

"Miss Wen," Miss Gu turned around and looked at Nian Xi, "Miss Wen, someone is calling you..."

Nian Xi looked up, but her eyes met with Xiao Xun who was walking out.

"Miss Wen?"

Xiao Xun thought of something and suddenly smiled playfully.