Chapter 48 Having enjoyed the blessings of the Jia family, it's time to do something for them. "This..."
Mu Chuan sent people to Jiangnan, not just to buy candied fruits and pastries, but mainly to inquire about the Lin family.
After his men took Deng Fayuan out, Yan Ye said, "Old Mo and his family have settled down in Suzhou. Before they left, I found out that all the servants of the Lin family had been sold off, and they had nothing left of their shops and property. Their ancestral home and graves are still there, but the guards have been replaced by people from the Jia family."
Mu Chuan sneered: "They certainly know how to cut the weeds without leaving any trace."
Yan Ye added, "In addition, the Lin family still has several distant relatives, but they live in other provinces and are all ordinary people. They haven't had any contact for many years. As for whether they came to pay their respects when Lord Lin passed away, we really couldn't find out. Old Mo said that if we could find the gift list from that time, we might be able to tell, but it would be difficult to find it in a short time. So many years have passed, it's hard to say whether the gift list is still there."
"Understood. Take a good rest and enjoy the New Year," Mu Chuan instructed. After thinking for a moment, he went to fetch his horse and headed towards the Marquis of Dingnan's residence.
Mu Chuan first paid his respects to his adoptive father, then went to check on how well the Li family disciples were practicing their basic skills, and finally went to find Li Chengwu.
"Fourth Uncle," Li Chengwu said with a hint of resentment, "My family says I'm getting old and have an official position, so it's time for me to take charge. ... I never realized it before, but the New Year is really tiring!"
Mu Chuan laughed and said, "This proves that your grandfather is ready to let you go. He wants you to take care of yourself so you won't be caught off guard later."
Thinking about it that way, it's actually quite good. Living at home, everyone above can control him, which is rather stifling.
Besides, at his age, who doesn't have a house? He can't exactly bring his cronies home and cause trouble, can he?
"Come on, let's go to my house. I have something to discuss with you."
Li Chengwu happily followed along.
Back at the Marquis of Zhongyong’s residence, Mu Chuan had a guest room prepared for Li Chengwu. He then tested Li Chengwu’s martial arts skills and asked him some basic questions about military affairs. He was quite satisfied with Li Chengwu’s abilities and said, “After the New Year, you will take up your post as my adjutant.”
Li Chengwu was so surprised he was stunned: "Fourth Uncle! You really are my fourth uncle! Even closer than my own father!"
Mu Chuan laughed and said, "I could never have a son as big as you with anyone! Speaking of which, are you free tomorrow? Come with me to the Rongguo Mansion."
"Hehehehe." Li Chengwu chuckled twice: "Are you going to say hello to Fourth Aunt?"
"Don't call her Fourth Aunt to her face," Mu Chuan instructed. "Your Fourth Aunt is easily embarrassed."
Although his original plan was to wait until February when the weather was better and he could travel, and then introduce some promising young men to Lin Daiyu for comparison, things were progressing too smoothly now. They had already discussed in-depth topics, especially the engagement, so the plan naturally had to be brought forward. He wasn't a dogmatic person.
Li Chengwu happily went to the training ground to see the weapons that Mu Chuan had collected.
Before long, the people who had accompanied Deng Fayuan to the Wuyue Guild Hall returned.
“The three sons are still watching. I’ll come back first to report so the general won’t worry. The snacks need to be made overnight. The cloud cakes don’t keep well either. Deng Fayuan said that the capital is dry, so there’s no need to let them sit for a whole day. He estimates that they will be ready around 9 am tomorrow.”
The timing is quite right. Mu Chuan nodded: "Take the boxes from our own residence, don't use the ones from the Wu Yue Guild Hall."
Mu Chuan was thinking of sending some of his daughter Lin's favorite snacks and treats when Jia Zhen and his wife from the Ningguo Mansion were talking about Lin Daiyu. Or rather, Jia Zhen was talking about Lin Daiyu, while You Shi knew nothing about it.
"It's just in time for the New Year. I heard that the old lady is going to the palace this year. There are many people and things going on next door, so I'm afraid she won't be able to take care of everyone. If you have nothing to do, go and help look after her. Also, take Peifeng and the others to visit the Grand View Garden."
This sounded like she wanted to pass a message to the neighbors, but she didn't know who to pass it to. Lady You was a second wife, and Jia Zhen was a man of his word, so she didn't ask a single question, only saying "okay."
After Jia Zhen finished speaking, he left. You Shi respectfully saw him off. Although she was a little unhappy, she thought about it again and realized that even the master's beloved concubine, Pei Feng, was just a front. The real messenger was her maid, Xiao Jin'er. So You Shi felt no resentment.
Jia Zhen returned to his study and summoned his maid Jin'er.
Jin'er was just over twenty, and although she looked honest, she was quite clever. Jia Zhen felt it was a pity, but also somewhat fortunate.
"These next few days, you and your grandmother should go to the Rongguo Mansion, stroll around the garden often, and chat with people, especially near the Xiaoxiang Pavilion. Ask the Earl of Zhongyong why he hasn't come to propose marriage yet."
Jin'er nodded hurriedly in agreement, and then took the opportunity to ask for something: "Master, it's the dead of winter, and it's windy and cold in the garden."
"I know you well enough," Jia Zhen chuckled. "Go pick out a fox fur and make you a little jacket."
Jin'er was overjoyed and knelt down to kowtow before leaving.
With no one in the study, Jia Zhen sighed.
What he disliked most was how the Rongguo Mansion next door was so indecisive and hesitant in doing things. They even had women managing the household, and that was how they behaved. They valued appearances and grandeur above all else.
Ever since the eldest master of Rongguo Mansion was ordered to move out of the main hall and was no longer entitled to any share of the family business, he lost all his spirit and spent his days doing only three things: drinking, listening to music, and sleeping with his concubines.
The second master was even more... hehe, he called his steward "Fan Chen Shi Wu" (meaning "worldly affairs").
As a result, the entire Rongguo Mansion fell into the hands of the Wang family.
The old man only knew how to feign compassion, but secretly drove his maid to her death.
The younger one only wants others to say she's capable and good, but now she's all alone and everyone's waiting to see her fail.
Jia Zhen despised the two rival mother-in-law and daughter-in-law next door the most. They had a lot of good cards in their hands, but in the end, they ruined the baby.
When the young lady next door was first made a concubine, he said that he should take this opportunity to find a good marriage for Yingchun and get some new relationships and support.
As a result, the old lady said that the girl was still too young and that it was inappropriate to arrange a marriage so early, as it would make the Rongguo Mansion seem short-sighted.
The second wife's reasoning was even more blatant: she said that since the second daughter was from the first wife's family, it was inappropriate for her, as an aunt, to overstep her bounds.
To put it bluntly, isn't it just that they don't want the first wife to have a good life?
No wonder, just by looking at how the Imperial Concubine handles things, you can tell what kind of person this Second Madam is.
If a man doesn't invite his half-brother to a family visit, and even on a major holiday he says his half-brother can't solve a riddle and doesn't give him a reward, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be peace in the family in the future.
The root of the problem was already planted when the eldest son was driven out. Now, why suppress a half-brother, whose mother is a concubine? He can't possibly cause any trouble. If you're going to suppress him, just suppress him firmly. Leaving him around will only create more problems.
Jia Zhen, as the clan head, said this several times, even using himself as an example: everyone in the Jia clan who didn't have a job could get things from him. Did he like all these people? Did he act based on his own likes and dislikes?
It was all for naught.
Now, all the girls in the neighboring house have reached marriageable age, but because they've kept it so well hidden, no one asks about it anymore.
No one in the Rongguo Mansion was worried; they were all living a life of debauchery, completely oblivious to what tomorrow would bring.
Especially since the Earl of Zhongyong returned to the capital this time, and Rong'er was working in the Imperial Guard and knew several powerful and influential families, after a few visits and inquiries, she learned how favored the Earl of Zhongyong was.
The key point is that both the emperor and the retired emperor liked him.
And what happened? He couldn't even find an opportunity to befriend the Earl of Zhongyong; the Rongguo Mansion was pushing him away.
How many times has Uncle Zhongyong come? He's taken Miss Lin out to play a few times too. They actually believe Uncle Zhongyong using this as an excuse? Don't they know that among all the brothers in our Jia family, which one of them would accompany their sister in such foolishness?
Looking across the entire capital, he didn't recognize a single brother like that.
Take his younger sister, Xichun, for example. The last time they met was at the master's funeral.
Jia Zhen spat, his contempt for the Rongguo Mansion growing even stronger. Was he really just playing dumb? He kept saying that the Earl of Zhongyong couldn't possibly have any connection with Lin Ruhai, yet he remained unmoved by the Earl's daily visits to Miss Lin. Did he really expect the Earl of Zhongyong to speak first?
Your second master's official position is still tied to him.
Jia Zhen sneered, "If I weren't the clan leader, I wouldn't care whether you live or die!"
He thought that Grandmother Jia was just being pretentious and trying to save face for the Rongguo Mansion, but in reality, there was a slight misunderstanding.
Jia Zhen had no idea how much property the Rongguo Mansion had brought back from the Lin family, because this was what Grandmother Jia had told him:
"The Lin family's extended family fought fiercely, and in the end, they even took 30% from the government to barely bring her back. There was also Min'er's dowry and the dowry for her. If we hadn't brought her back, who knows how those people would have tormented her. I couldn't bear it, I really couldn't bear it."
This reasoning was perfectly reasonable for Jia Zhen, the clan head. As long as there was one patriarch, not a single copper coin would fall into the orphan girl's hands; to be given a dowry was already an immense favor.
But he also seemed to have a recollection that there were hardly any people left in the Lin family.
However, Qin Shi had just died at that time, and he was heartbroken, so he didn't ask too many questions. But in the past two years, he had tried to probe a few times and had drunk with Jia Lian several times.
Although Jia Lian's extravagant spending suggests he has received many benefits, probably... and likely more than just his dowry, how much more could it be?
Therefore, in his eyes, it was absolutely true that the Rongguo Mansion was Miss Lin's benefactor.
"Since we have enjoyed so much good fortune from the Jia family, it is time to do something for them."
Jia Zhen thought through all the opportunities that the Rongguo Mansion had missed over the years, feeling both regret and mockery.
"Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, Teacher, you are just a maternal grandmother, barely managing to be considered a relative. If we really ask the Marquis of Zhongyong to ask His Majesty for a marriage decree, do you still expect any affection? Married women don't even have much contact with their maternal families, let alone a 'maternal' grandmother like you?"
Jia Zhen complained to Grandmother Jia for a while, which calmed him down a bit. Then he went to look at the New Year's preparations.
It wasn't that he was afraid to speak to Grandmother Jia face-to-face, it's just that if he tried to talk to an old lady about these things, she would pretend not to hear him if things didn't go his way, which was incredibly annoying. Besides, he had been trying to persuade them for years, and they wouldn't listen to a word he said; if he went to try again, he would be a fool.
With only two days left until the New Year, Lin Daiyu woke up one morning to hear her maid report, "Mother Zhou has arrived."
"She comes quite frequently," Lin Daiyu said, lifting the covers. "Isn't there anything else? She stays in my room all day long."
Lin Daiyu wanted to cover her face again after speaking. Had she already gotten annoyed after only a few days?
But it wasn't really that she was annoyed; she just wanted to show off. She even wanted to tell her third brother not to let Zhou Rui's family go to Pingnan Town so soon, because she now thought Zhou Rui's family was great in every way.
She speaks pleasantly, works diligently, and is in charge of things. Whatever you ask her to do, she can do it immediately. She is much more useful than Baoyu.
After Lin Daiyu finished dressing and dressing, Zhou Rui's wife came out and greeted her with a smile, saying, "The old lady instructed that after breakfast this morning, several young ladies should accompany you to offer incense to the young lady and her husband. I have specially prepared the finest incense, which I obtained from the Lama Temple."
Although she knew that the Lama temple in the capital was not the same as the Lama of the chieftain, Lin Daiyu still felt a little disgusted by the thought of using people as sacrifices.
"No need for lama incense, just find some ordinary incense."
Zhou Rui's wife cursed her inwardly for causing trouble, but her smile never stopped: "I'll do whatever you say, Miss."
She was also afraid that Lin Daiyu would embarrass her in front of everyone, so she asked, "We have chosen winter dates and winter pears as tributes, as well as four kinds of pastries. Do you think you would like to add anything else, Miss?"
“That’s fine,” Lin Daiyu said.
Zhou Rui's wife bowed again and backed out.
After breakfast, Grandmother Jia said, "Go and offer incense to your aunt and uncle."
Having been informed beforehand, no one said anything unpleasant. Wang Xifeng was the first to stand up and said, "I've heard that my aunt is a good person, beautiful, and eloquent, and is the old lady's favorite. It's a pity I married in late and haven't met her yet. Grandmother, shall I go with her?"
This explanation pleased Grandmother Jia greatly, and she laughed, "Why are you asking me? Ask your Lin sister."
Wang Xifeng then looked at Lin Daiyu, who curtsied and said, "Thank you, Sister Feng."
Wang Xifeng stepped forward and took her arm, saying, "I'm feeling a bit better these past two days, but I can't walk too fast. Let's walk slowly."
Shi Xiangyun also pulled Xue Baochai out, and Xue Baoqin followed suit, taking the opportunity to come out as well. The reason was simple: it was too awkward to stay in Grandmother Jia's room.
When she first arrived, Grandmother Jia liked her so much that she was almost afraid of her, but now she's become distant. Although she thinks this is normal, she has nothing to do in the room. She's supposed to keep Grandmother Jia company and keep her entertained, but the truth is…
"Go and look at some books. I have a big bookcase in my study. See if there are any you haven't read before."
Isn't this clearly a way of not wanting her to get closer?
Shi Xiangyun caught up and was about to speak when Lin Daiyu said, "You, Sister Bao, and Sister Baoqin don't need to go. Grandmother said that Aunt and Uncle will go."
Shi Xiangyun breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a pang of unease before she could speak. She smiled and said, "I love you, brother—"
“He’s going,” Lin Daiyu interrupted Shi Xiangyun. “If you want to play with your beloved brother, wait until he’s finished offering incense.”
Xue Baochai immediately pulled Shi Xiangyun away with an apologetic look: "I've been busy these past two days and haven't been able to keep Yun'er company much. She didn't mean it."
Tan Chun looked at the two of them differently.
Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Brother Bao, come quickly. You go first and block the wind for us."
Shi Xiangyun found it boring. Whether she realized it or not, she was a person who loved excitement. After hesitating for a moment, she chased after them again.
"I'll just look around from below the mountain gate; I won't go up."
As the group made their way to Longcui Nunnery, Wang Xifeng's presence ensured that the conversation was never dull.
"What do our aunt and uncle like to eat? What dishes should we offer them for the New Year? I'll ask them to prepare them separately."
Lin Daiyu said, "Miaoyu is inside too, so just offer her some vegetarian and light dishes."
My third brother once said that any time is a good time to worship our ancestors.
She felt that this statement made a lot of sense. Her parents wanted her to live a good life, and she was doing very well now, with her third brother by her side. This was the best possible outcome.
Upon arriving at the Green Bamboo Nunnery, Wang Xifeng considerately pulled Lin Daiyu to a stop, and then called to Jia Baoyu, "Brother Bao, go up and knock on the door."
After saying that, he said to Lin Daiyu, "Let's go up after they're ready."
Jia Baoyu had accompanied her all the way, wanting to comfort her but not knowing what to say. Now he was finally able to say a few words: "Sister, rest a bit before you go up. Be careful of the slippery road."
Lin Daiyu stood there waiting, and couldn't help but compare it to the last time she went to the Great Buddha Hall with her third brother.
Last time I visited, the monk in charge of the guest ceremony was waiting at the mountain gate in advance. The sedan chair was carried all the way up, and the side room was also separate. The temple was quiet and peaceful.
It is indeed more comfortable to go out with Third Brother, but Rongguo Mansion... this is probably the best they can do... right?
Before Baoyu came out, Lin Daiyu turned to Xue Baoqin and said, "Your sister Bao said she wanted me to compete with you to see who can eat more delicacies from different places. I didn't mean that. We can talk about this, but there's no need to compete. What do you think?"
Xue Baoqin used all the self-control she had ever had to avoid turning her head to look at Xue Baochai, and she actually did say it!
"Sister Lin is right. Speaking of which, the pan-fried buns this morning weren't sweet enough. They would have tasted even better if we added some sugar."
Xue Baochai found it hard to describe her current feelings. She had originally planned to wait until the competition started before trying to curry favor. She hadn't expected to be so easily exposed; she wasn't like that at all.
Tan Chun chuckled, gave Shi Xiangyun a special look, and then said, "That's right. If you want to do something or say something, you have your own mouth and hands. There's no need to let others do it for you."
It's unclear whether Shi Xiangyun understood or not. Just as she showed a thoughtful expression, Jia Baoyu poked his head out from the mountain gate: "Sister Feng, Sister Lin, you're ready, come up."
The group went up the steps, passed through the mountain gate, and arrived at the clean room of Longcui Nunnery.
Miaoyu accompanied them, but Lin Daiyu did not ask her to do it for her. Instead, she stepped forward, lit incense sticks on the candles, and handed them to them one by one.
When it was Jia Baoyu's turn to be last, Lin Daiyu instructed him, "You order it yourself."
Jia Baoyu didn't think much of it, but Wang Xifeng, who knew some of the inside story, couldn't help but look at her more closely and think about it more.
Outside the Green Bamboo Nunnery, Xue Baoqin regretted coming out, because her cousin had started talking nonsense. It wasn't entirely nonsense, but she wished she hadn't heard it. Xue Baoqin quietly moved to the side.
"Lin Yatou is dressed a bit too flamboyantly, with red on her body, flowers in her hair, and a gold chain with jewels on her wrist, a gift from the Earl of Zhongyong."
Xue Baoqin actually thought it was fine. She couldn't very well wear a plain outfit to the Rongguo Mansion during the New Year, could she? Besides, three years had passed, and people weren't so particular about these things anymore. And besides, it was just a few scattered decorations; in the dead of winter, who would expose their wrists? She didn't know how her cousin had seen it.
But Shi Xiangyun got excited as soon as she heard this.
“I always felt something was off. When I was at home, my uncle and aunt would fast, bathe, and change clothes beforehand to worship my father and mother. The whole family would change into mourning clothes before they could offer incense.”
Xue Baoqin moved to the side again, thinking that this Miss Shi's uncle and aunt must have treated her very well, otherwise she wouldn't have developed such a... headstrong personality.
But it seems that he wasn't taught how to conduct himself in a very deep way.
It is said that the title of the Shi family originally belonged to this Miss Shi's father, but after her father died, it was passed on to her uncle.
Anyone would have to hold a grand and solemn ceremony for this kind of thing, especially if others could see it, otherwise gossip would spread.
“She’s only staying here temporarily,” Xue Baochai advised earnestly. “Don’t talk about sincerity. You’re in your own home, so naturally it’s not the same as yours.”
Shi Xiangyun wanted to say something, but Xue Baochai interrupted her: "Don't say anything. If someone hears you and it gets out, aren't you afraid of offending Lin?"
"What's so scary about that?"
Xue Baoqin panicked. Although she had a maid with her, she was the closest to her!
Based on her understanding of her cousin, she knew that the news would definitely spread afterward, and it would certainly be related to her!
We need to save ourselves! We need to find a way to save ourselves and not get involved in these messy things!
"Speaking of which..." Shi Xiangyun deliberately paused for a moment, then smiled easily and said, "I heard that Sister Lin was raised as a boy from a young age. Doesn't that mean that Aunt and Uncle Lin actually wanted a son?"
For a moment, even Xue Baochai felt a sense of horror. How could such words be said?
If word gets out, it won't cost you your life; it's all because Lin girl is too soft-hearted.
"Stop talking!" Xue Baochai lowered her voice and scolded sternly, "You've become too bold. I've always indulged you, which has only harmed you. If you say such things again, I'll pretend I don't have a sister like you."
"Sister Bao!" Shi Xiangyun cried out in fear, clinging to her arm and shaking it wildly. "I won't do it again, I'll never say it again."
Xue Baochai looked around. The maid was too far away to hear, but her cousin must have heard it.
"Baoqin," Xue Baochai said sternly, "Yun'er's mistake was unintentional. You won't go around telling everyone, will you?"
Xue Baoqin didn't dare to look in that direction, and only shook her head, saying, "I didn't hear what you were saying? You're telling me not to say anything?"
Xue Baochai was relieved: "We women should speak and act with composure and not gossip."
Before she could say a few words of admonition, everyone had already offered incense and left the Longcui Nunnery.
Xue Baochai pulled Shi Xiangyun up to greet them, and a woman hurried over from a short distance away: "Miss Lin, the Marquis of Zhongyong has arrived. He said he brought you something and asked you to go to the front yard."
She had just lit incense to thank her father for buying candied hawthorns for Uncle Zhongyong years ago, and now he had come, as if her father were truly blessing her from heaven.
Lin Daiyu smiled and said, "I'll be right there."
After she left, the remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment. Wang Xifeng saw that Jia Baoyu looked sullen and thought to herself, "He really doesn't understand anything. He even told me to light the incense myself. What more do you want?"
"Alright, everyone go back." Wang Xifeng glanced at the sky. "There's still some time before lunch. Tanchun, I'll have Xiaohong bring over the menu for the New Year's banquet in a bit. You all check it with the old women in the main kitchen and see if anything is missing or not prepared. It's possible to overlook something and change it in advance. Don't wait until the day comes to say that there isn't enough food."
Tan Chun excitedly agreed, then glanced triumphantly at Xue Baochai before pulling Ying Chun and Xi Chun towards Qiu Shuang Zhai.
After giving this instruction, Wang Xifeng looked at Jia Baoyu with a half-smile and said, "Good, my Bao-brother, you should go back and pack your things. I'll talk to the old lady and the madam later and tell them to have you go to the front to receive guests this year, instead of always staying in the back. You're getting older, and there are some things you should learn."
Over there, Lin Daiyu had already arrived at the front courtyard. She went into the main hall and saw that besides her third brother, there was another man there.
Lin Daiyu quickly lowered her eyes and slowed her pace.
Mu Chuan's gentle voice rang out, tinged with amusement: "This is my nephew, you've met him before."
Li Chengwu stepped forward, bowed, and greeted her with a smile, "Auntie."
Lin Daiyu returned the greeting, feeling a little embarrassed, after all, Li Chengwu was in his early twenties, several years older than her, and tall and strong.
Mu Chuan thought she looked quite pretty. He had seen Daiyu shy when they first met, but now that they were more familiar, it was rare to see her riding on her third brother's neck and acting arrogantly, but she was indeed very quiet and gentle.
"Alright, you can go out now. I need to say a few words to your aunt."
Although he seemed to be using him and then discarding him, Li Chengwu didn't care about that, because this was his own fourth uncle!
My fourth uncle is even closer than my own father!
After Li Chengwu left, Mu Chuan said to Lin Daiyu, "He's just over twenty and is already a third-rank commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, although it's a nominal position. But I'll take him with me when I take office after the New Year, starting as a fourth-rank deputy general."
"Third Brother!" Lin Daiyu blushed. "How can you be so improper?"
Mu Chuan said, "I just wanted to show you that he used to be a spoiled brat, but after a year in the army, he changed for the better. I think you can trust me to teach Jia Baoyu a lesson."
Lin Daiyu wanted to go back and slap herself; she had actually misunderstood her third brother.
"I'm sorry," Lin Daiyu apologized readily. "I thought—"
"He can't. That's not what I meant either." Mu Chuan laughed, "He calls me Fourth Uncle, do you want to call me Fourth Uncle too?"
Lin Daiyu blushed, remembering how she had called him "Third Uncle" for an entire afternoon when she was young and ignorant. She turned her head away and chuckled twice, changing the subject: "On New Year's Day, Third Brother came to see me, and you didn't come empty-handed?"
Mu Chuan picked up the food box wrapped in cloth on the table and said, "These are some snacks I brought for you. Try them and see if you like them."
Lin Daiyu opened it and, just by looking at it, knew it was a genuine Suzhou pastry. Especially the one in the middle—
"Cloud cake?" Well, this is the first time in a long time that her third brother has given her something she doesn't like.
Lin Daiyu deliberately took a slice first and said with a surprised smile, "It looks pretty good, each slice is a piece. Let me try it."
After tasting it, she ate another piece.
Mu Chuan was delighted: "It was only cooked at 9 am. The chef said it tastes best when it's freshly made. The chef also said that the glutinous rice flour needs to be dried out six months in advance. This time we used glutinous rice flour from Wu Yue Guild Hall, but next time we'll use our own."
"After listening to him for half a year, I knew he was a master craftsman." Lin Daiyu was a little hesitant to ask where the craftsman came from, but she guessed he was probably a local from Suzhou.
"For the next six months, let's use the ingredients from the Wuyue Guild Hall. I think they're quite delicious; they really taste the same." Lin Daiyu handed over a piece. "Third Brother, would you like to try some?"
It's not really appropriate to just catch it with your mouth right now, is it?
Mu Chuan hesitated for a moment, then obediently reached out and took the cloud cake.
Lin Daiyu sighed, "Some people think that the 'cloud' in 'cloud cake' refers to its whiteness, but actually, a good cloud cake really does taste like a cloud."
Have you ever eaten clouds?
"Don't interrupt," Lin Daiyu scolded, then suddenly frowned again: "Third Brother, where's the Thousand Character Classic?"
Mu Chuan cleared his throat and stood up: "Since you think it's delicious, I'm relieved. I still have to go to the palace to send some to His Majesty as well."
"Third Brother, do you know why the Thousand Character Classic is called the Thousand Character Classic?"
It's terrifying! Her cold face, raised eyebrows, and squinting, mocking demeanor are so captivating that they make your heart race.
The contrast between softness and fierceness is something you could look at forever without getting tired of it.
"There will definitely be some next time, I've been busy these past two days. There will definitely be some next time I come, actually I've already started copying, but I haven't written much yet."
"Then should I have Shen Mama bring it over this afternoon?" Lin Daiyu pressed. "Just a few words are fine, I just want to see your strokes and the structure of your characters."
Mu Chuan nodded solemnly, then seemed reluctant to leave: "Then shall I go to the palace?"
"Does Third Brother want me to deliver it?"
"It's been cold these past few days, and the open space in front makes the drafts whistle. Don't be so polite." Mu Chuan then called Li Chengwu in to say goodbye.
After they all left, Lin Daiyu suddenly smiled, slowly closed the lid of the food box, and then carefully wrapped and tied it with a cloth. She even reached out and lifted it; it was quite heavy.
"I won't give this to anyone else."
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