Chapter 106 A Second Visit
Zhang Zhaodi did not stay at Shengyuan for lunch. Before leaving, Sheng An stuffed a bolt of bright red silk into her arms: "We don't need this fabric at home, so it's perfect for making your wedding dress."
Touching the smooth fabric, Zhang Zhaodi knew it was expensive. Without thinking, she declined, saying, "My mother bought me a red cloth to make my wedding dress. You can keep it for yourself and use it to make clothes for your children later."
Sheng An pretended to be angry: "If you don't accept it, you're looking down on me!"
Zhang Zhaodi looked touched: "An'an, this is too precious."
Sheng An waved his hand: "No matter how valuable it is, it's still meant to be worn. You're my best friend, so giving you a piece of fabric to make your wedding dress is nothing. If you feel it's too much, give me two of the cat and dog figurines you've knitted. The display shelves upstairs are still empty."
Zhang Zhaodi readily agreed.
After the siblings left, Grandma Sheng remarked with emotion, "Zhao Di is a blessed child. Da Kui is much better than her previous fiancé."
Sheng An nodded: "Da Kui is honest and kind-hearted, he won't mistreat Zhao Di."
Moreover, her sister-in-law is a good person and not the kind of mother-in-law who would mistreat her daughter-in-law, so Zhaodi's life after marrying into the Zhang family will not be bad.
Sheng An was busy preparing food in the main kitchen to serve two tables of guests at noon today.
Not long after, Shuqi rushed over to report: "Master, a Miss Tan has come over and says she is your friend."
Sheng An immediately guessed it was Tan Qingrou, and took off her apron and walked to the front yard.
Tan Qingrou was drinking tea when she saw Sheng An. She put down her teacup, smiled, and came up to her, taking her hand: "Sister, it's been so long! I'm so happy to see you!"
The last time they met was at a banquet at the Ye family's residence. After that, Madam Tan from Jinling fell ill, and Tan Qingrou returned home to take care of her. The two had not had a chance to meet again since.
Looking at the tired-looking girl, Sheng An asked with concern, "You must be exhausted these days. Is your mother feeling much better?"
Tan Qingrou quickly replied, "I'm not very tired. My mother is fine now."
My mother fell ill from anger caused by my father. The reason for his anger was that my younger brother, born to my concubine, showed a talent for studying. My father wanted to send my brother to Qingzhou to study under Master Jiang.
My brother was able to become a disciple of Master Jiang because of the legacy of my maternal grandfather. Naturally, my mother was unwilling to use the favor left by my maternal grandfather again for the sake of a younger brother who was not born to her.
Unfortunately, the father didn't understand the mother's thoughts. He felt that the younger brother and older brother were blood brothers and that they could support each other and help the Tan family go further in the future.
The reason I stayed in Jinling during this time was because I was worried that my father and mother would have another conflict. If my mother got sick from the anger, my brother would inevitably become estranged from my father, which would affect my brother's future.
Sheng An, unaware of the Tan family's affairs, pulled Tan Qingrou towards the main kitchen, saying, "I'll be making lots of delicious food later, so you can really taste my cooking."
Tan Qingrou's eyes lit up: "Then I'm in for a treat! I've been craving my sister's roast chicken all this time."
She was in such a rush when she went back to Jinling last time that she didn't have time to bring any back, which she regretted.
As the two walked and talked, Tan Qingrou recalled the gossip she had heard from her trusted maid who had stayed in Qingzhou when she returned yesterday:
"I heard that Li Xinhui brought a group of people to Shengyuan to cause trouble before, but they failed and spent half a year's worth of monthly allowances. Now she stays at home every day coaxing her elders, just so they can come to Shengyuan to taste her sister's cooking. Is this rumor true?"
Sheng An asked in surprise, "You even know this?"
Tan Qingrou smiled shyly: "I've had someone keeping an eye on Li Xinhui."
She knew Li Xinhui's personality; if she lost face in front of her sister, she would definitely try her best to get it back.
Therefore, before leaving, she specifically instructed her trusted maid that if Li Xinhui really went to Sheng Garden to cause trouble and Sister Sheng couldn't handle it, she should quickly go to her brother for help.
Fortunately, her older sister was more capable than she had imagined. Not only did she not let Li Xinhui gain any advantage, but she also made a lot of money from Li Xinhui.
The group of people who came to Shengyuan with her all raved about Shengyuan and Sister Sheng.
The playing cards and billiards that spread from Shengyuan attracted the attention of most of the young ladies and gentlemen in Qingzhou City.
In short, Li Xinhui deserves much credit for Shengyuan's rapid rise to fame.
Seeing the little girl's adorable and innocent appearance, Sheng An's hands were itching to pinch her pink cheeks: "Xiao Rou is so good to her older sister!"
Tan Qingrou was stunned for a moment, her face turning bright red: "My sister is also very good to me and my brother."
Last night, as soon as her brother got home, he deliberately tempted her, listing all the delicious food he had eaten at Sister Sheng's place. As a result, she dreamed of a table full of delicious food, but she couldn't eat any of it.
The two went to the large kitchen, where the four children were busy working.
Seeing the unfamiliar Tan Qingrou, they didn't even have time to give her a second glance, but secretly guessed Tan Qingrou's identity.
Sheng An led Tan Qingrou into the kitchen and personally served her a bowl of freshly cooked mutton soup: "It's cold, eat this to warm yourself up."
Tan Qingrou doesn't like eating meat, but she especially likes the meat dishes that Sheng An makes.
Smelling the mutton soup, which had no gamey smell at all but was full of fragrance, she eagerly took the chopsticks and spoon: "Thank you, sister!"
Worried that Tan Qingrou might find the food too greasy, Sheng An specially prepared a plate of side dishes to help cut through the richness.
Tan Qingrou ate with great joy, her little face beaming with the satisfaction of having her appetite fulfilled.
Sheng An was busy cooking, but that didn't stop the two of them from gossiping.
Tan Qingrou, however, remembered something else and said excitedly:
"Sister, my grandparents have decided to come to Jinling for the New Year. My brother and I don't need to go back to our hometown. When you and Brother Jinnian come to Jinling for the New Year, be sure to remember to come and visit me!"
Sheng An was surprised: "In such cold weather, and with such a long journey, can your grandmother's health withstand the travel?"
Tan Qingrou explained, "My aunt's family is traveling with us, and they set off early, so there shouldn't be any major problems."
At this point, a hint of worry appeared on her face: "My grandparents don't like my mother. This year, with everyone gathered together, I don't know how 'lively' it will be."
In particular, my aunt wanted my brother to marry my cousin, which my mother would definitely not agree to.
As a result, the grandparents will become even more dissatisfied with the mother, and the father will also hold a grudge against her.
Sheng An could imagine the chaos and turmoil at the Tan family's home and had no desire to join in the fun. So, he said very tactfully, "My husband and I won't be staying in Jinling for more than a few days. We will definitely pay you a visit when we have time."
Tan Qingrou was a smart girl and instantly understood Sheng An's meaning. She felt regretful but also very understanding: "It all depends on what my sister and Brother Jin Nian arrange."
The two tacitly changed the subject, but after chatting for a short while, Shuqi rushed to the main kitchen again to report:
"Master, the same Master Song who came with Master Ding and Young Master Ding when Shengyuan first opened has come again and specifically asked to see you. He is currently waiting for you at Fengmian Residence."
Sheng An had a good memory and immediately remembered who Master Song was.
Song Wanjun of the Song family of Jinling.
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