"Aunt Wu, I've come to see you."
"It's Yin Zheng! Come in quickly."
Yin Zheng handed over the pastries he was carrying, and Madam Wu smiled and said, "You came all this way, why did you bring things?"
"This is a little something to show my respect to you. It's a traditional recipe, so please give it a try."
"I'll definitely eat carefully what you brought." After saying that, she looked at Jia Yue.
Yin Zheng hurriedly introduced, "This is Xu Jiayue, the person I found to learn the art of tea brewing from you."
Jia Yue smiled gently and said, "Hello, Teacher Wu."
Madam Wu smiled and looked her over. Seeing that her eyes were clear and honest, she was satisfied. Then she said, "Young lady, you are pretty. You will learn to make tea with me. Just call me Aunt Wu, like Yin Zheng does."
Jia Yue didn't stand on ceremony and called out sweetly, "Aunt Wu."
Jia Yue began learning the art of tea brewing from Madam Wu. During the learning process, Madam Wu didn't talk much, only teaching her the art of tea brewing and not mentioning the past.
Jia Yue could understand this perfectly.
These days, living a life of enjoyment, or having once lived a life of enjoyment, is a disaster. Although Mrs. Wu had a good impression of Jia Yue, she only treated Pu as a teacher and student.
"Young lady, you're quite nimble and have learned well. Don't go back at noon, stay for lunch!" Although Madam Wu didn't intend to get to know her better, it was normal for her to invite her to lunch.
"Alright, I've been learning from you for so long, it's time for you to try my cooking."
At noon, Jia Yue cooked two dishes, and Madam Wu made a soup.
As soon as the food entered her mouth, Madam Wu was taken aback, then looked at Jia Yue and asked, "Is your cooking skill something you learned in your family?"
Jia Yue nodded: "I learned a couple of simple recipes from the family recipes. Aunt Wu, do you like them?"
Mrs. Wu's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia: "Of course I like it."
The kitchen in the Prince's Mansion was staffed by people from the Imperial Household Department. Although it wasn't exactly imperial cuisine, the taste was pretty much the same. Over the years in the palace, the menu would expand, but the traditional flavors remained largely unchanged.
Madam Wu used to serve the princess. Although she was a servant, she was treated like a mistress. She could eat the same things that the princess ate.
Suddenly remembering something, Madam Wu asked her, "The pastries Yin Zheng brought last time, you didn't make them either, did you?"
Jia Yue nodded: "I only know a few things, so I'm afraid I'll make a fool of myself in front of you."
Mrs. Wu smiled and said, "The pastries are very good. I also know how to make quite a few pastries. When we have some free time, let's study them together."
At this moment, Madam Wu unconsciously began to feel closer to Jia Yue.
She was usually alone and lonely, but her body couldn't withstand long hours of work, so she retired. Because of her own experiences, she couldn't get along with many people, and most of the people she could talk to were either far away or had already passed away.
Jia Yue's timing was perfect.
"As long as Aunt Wu doesn't think I'm dull, I'd naturally like to learn more skills from her."
Although Jia Yue is young, she is neither arrogant nor impatient. Madam Wu has never asked about her family background, but from her demeanor and behavior, she can sense that she comes from a well-educated family.
Jia Yue learned to brew tea from her, and they would make snacks together on weekdays, and occasionally knit sweaters, which made the quiet courtyard more lively.
When Chief Zhang returned, he heard laughter and talking coming from inside the house. Surprised, he asked the guard, "Did someone come to visit?"
"It's a female comrade that Comrade Yin Zheng brought along to learn how to make tea from his wife. The two of them are making desserts now."
Chief Zhang, also known as Zhang Tianping, and his wife were devoted to each other. His wife was his benefactor and his guiding light in life. However, they lost their child, and he rarely saw a smile on her face.
The last time I heard my wife laugh like that seemed to be before our son's accident.
What's that woman's name?
"Xu Jiayue, Comrade Xu."
Zhang Tianping nodded: "He's a good comrade." If he can make his wife happy, then at least the first impression isn't bad.
He then added, "The people that kid Yin Zheng brought are definitely fine. Go and check who's in her family."
It wasn't that he was worried about Jia Yue having any problems. He felt that if it could make his wife happy, and this Comrade Xu had a clean family background, it would be fine to become his godparent.
"Yes, sir."
After receiving his instructions, Zhang Tianping went straight inside.
Sensing someone coming in, Aunt Wu and Jia Yue looked up together.
Jia Yue quickly stood up and said solemnly, "Greetings, Commander."
When Madam Wu saw it was him, she didn't stop what she was doing and said with a smile, "You're back."
Then he said to Jiayue, "Jiayue, this is home, there are no leaders here, just call him Uncle Zhang."
Zhang Tianping smiled and said, "Yes, just call me Uncle Zhang."
The couple are both over fifty years old. They got married late and had children late. Their child is of the same generation as Yin Zheng, so it's not wrong for Jia Yue to call him uncle and aunt.
Jia Yue smiled and greeted, "Hello, Uncle Zhang."
"Okay, okay, you're making desserts! I'll go wash my hands and come help."
Madam Wu smiled and said, "Go ahead."
Jia Yue observed that although the two men didn't exchange many words, they had a great understanding. It was clear that Chief Zhang treated his wife very well and didn't have the idea that a man shouldn't cook.
"Aunt Wu, Uncle Zhang is really approachable."
"We come from the people, so we should keep the people in our hearts. As for those who act like officials, that is the worst thing we can do."
Jia Yue nodded in agreement, saying, "Whoever puts the people in their heart, the people will hold them high."
Zhang Tianping, who had just washed his hands and came in, overheard these words. His eyes lit up, and he looked at Jia Yue with more appreciation: "The leader often says that only leaders who put the people in their hearts will be lifted up by the people. Xu girl's understanding is very insightful."
Jia Yue smiled and said, "It's all thanks to the good leadership of the country and the organization."
The three of them started making desserts, chatting as they went. Zhang Tianping noticed that Jia Yue was articulate and eloquent, which fueled his growing interest in her.
"Who are the family members in the girl's family?"
When this topic came up, Jia Yue had to suppress her smile: "I'm the only one left in my family."
Neither Zhang Tianping nor Madam Wu expected things to turn out this way.
Madam Wu glared at Zhang Tianping, but didn't say anything.
Jia Yue explained, "Actually, it's all in the past. My mother passed away relatively early. Not long ago, my father was accidentally killed by my stepmother. The child my stepmother gave birth to wasn't my father's. Now I'm the only one left in the family."
Uncle Zhang, Aunt Wu, please don't feel sorry for me. Actually, my dad and stepmother weren't that good to me. Before and after the accident, my mom was even planning to send me to the countryside to be a free wife for her nephew.
Now I have a job, and my life is much better than most people's, but I still think about the past occasionally.
Zhang Tianping and Madam Wu both understood the ways of the world and human nature, and they didn't think there was anything wrong with her thinking that way.
It can only be said that not all parents are suited to be parents.
"You're a good child. If you ever encounter any problems in the future, come and find your aunt. Don't be afraid of the trouble."
"Thank you, Auntie. I'll definitely let you know if I need anything."
They were well aware that orphaned girls were easily bullied. The couple had a good impression of Jia Yue, and since neither of them had any relatives or descendants, they were naturally willing to help out a junior they found agreeable.
Human relationships are just human nature!
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