After all, thinking back on their daily lives, she didn't need to give Jing'er gold hairpins or anything; he would kiss her anyway, unlike Fourth Master, tsk tsk, who needed to bribe Jing'er with fine jade pendants and other such things.
Thinking about it this way, Jiaming stopped being jealous. Now, she hoped the guy would keep up the good work and take everything of value from Fourth Master, this big spender. Ideally, he should take all of Fourth Master's valuables, tsk tsk, making even the big spender feel the pinch.
But thinking about it, it was impossible. There couldn't be a shortage of good things in the Prince's mansion's treasury, and she didn't believe that the Fourth Prince wouldn't have a treasury.
Just as Jiaming had thought, Fourth Master was rich and extremely wealthy, so he was exceptionally generous when teasing Hongjing with gifts.
As time went by, not only did the Fourth Prince enjoy teasing the boy with gold and jade, but Hongxuan, the older brother, also liked to imitate his father's teasing of Hongjing.
After returning to Taoyuan from the front courtyard, Hongxuan teased Hongjing as usual.
Jiaming looked at the things Hongjing was holding, which were being weighed down by his two fat legs, and then recalled the two large boxes of valuables she had helped him pack. Comparing them to her own wealth, she felt a pang of frustration. If things continued like this, it wouldn't be long before he was richer than her.
Oh no, he's already richer than me. It's just that those two big boxes of stuff are really valuable, while my stuff, although more numerous, isn't worth that much.
"Sigh, it's my fault for not having anyone to give me money!" Jiaming couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Mother, what money are you talking about?" Hongxuan, who was closest, couldn't hear clearly and looked at Jiaming in confusion.
Jiaming blinked and lied, "Ah, Mother, you don't need to be like your father. Your father is rich and has a salary, so he can afford to entertain your younger brother. Once you give all those things to your younger brother, they're gone. You're growing up now, and you'll need these things someday."
Upon hearing this, Hongxuan paused in teasing Hongjing, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
After hearing her explanation, Jiaming continued, "Why don't you take your things back first?"
Upon hearing this, Hongxuan immediately refused: "No, it belongs to Lindi, so how can I take it back?"
Jiaming still wanted to do something, but after meeting Hongxuan's persistent gaze, she gave up.
Although Hongxuan rejected Jiaming's suggestion, he did take her words to heart. However, he had no intention of "cutting costs" but instead had the idea of "opening up new sources".
He had mentally calculated his own possessions and realized he didn't have much left. He had already failed to appease his younger brother Hongjing several times, so he should start thinking about making money.
But how can I make money? There are very few opportunities to go out.
Hongxuan's face immediately scrunched up, looking extremely troubled.
"Okay, what are you thinking about?" Jiaming asked, puzzled.
Hongxuan blurted out, "I'm thinking about how to make money."
"Making money?" Jiaming was puzzled at first, but then her eyes glanced at Hongjing and she understood. "Don't be like your father and always tease him with things. He's so greedy for money, you can't spoil him like this. When he's older and more sensible, you have to teach him that being greedy for money is okay, but what kind of money is acceptable and what kind is not."
After hearing this, Hongxuan gave a perfunctory "hmm," but his thoughts were clearly still lingering on "making money."
A short while later, Green Willow, who had been instructed to check on the meal preparations, returned.
Jiaming patted Hongxuan on the shoulder and said, "Alright, stop thinking about it. It's time to eat. You can continue if you want after you're done."
Upon hearing that it was time to eat, Hongxuan touched his stomach and realized he was indeed a little hungry, so he replied, "Mmm!"
After dealing with Hongxuan, Jiaming bent down and approached Hongjing to take what he was holding. But the guy held on tightly and wouldn't let go, his big, dark eyes fixed on Jiaming as if he was wary of her taking his things.
Jiaming: "..."
Seeing this, Hongxuan burst into laughter, saying to Hongjing, "Little brother, Mother isn't trying to take your things away. She just wants you to put them down and come eat with her."
Hongxuan spoke deliberately slowly, and Hongjing seemed to understand something after hearing what Hongxuan said. After a moment of silence, he tilted his head and uttered three words: "Eat, rice?"
Hongxuan nodded, "Yes, let's eat," then pointed to the things in Hongjing's hand, "Put them down and go eat."
Hongjing immediately put down what he was holding, turned around and asked Jiaming to hold him, while calling out, "Egg, Vegetable."
After a moment of silence, Jiaming picked up Hongjing and replied, "Okay, there's steamed egg custard and green vegetables."
Hongxuan's lips twitched, and he said speechlessly, "Mother, my little brother likes vegetarian food too much! Although Father also likes vegetarian food, he doesn't like it as much as my little brother!"
Indeed, I really love eating vegetarian food.
Sure enough, when they arrived at the table, there was a table full of colorful, fragrant, and delicious dishes. But the boy's eyes were fixed on a few vegetarian dishes and steamed egg custard. As for the meat dishes, he didn't even glance at the sweet and sour pork ribs, which most kids like.
Seeing his drooling over vegetarian dishes, and recalling his money-grubbing nature, I couldn't help but blurt out, "So greedy, yet he likes to eat vegetarian food. Does he have to be so frugal?"
Hongxuan, who was eating, was amused by Jiaming's words.
As a result, he tragically choked.
"Ugh," Hongxuan choked, his face turning bright red.
Jiaming was quick-witted and nimble-fingered. Before Hongtao and Lvliu, who were serving her, could react, she had already brought a bowl of soup to Hongxuan. Hongxuan quickly took it and drank a couple of mouthfuls of soup before he felt better.
Seeing that Hongxuan was better, Jiaming lowered her head, scooped up a spoonful of steamed egg custard, and fed it to Hongjing. After feeding Hongjing, she could still find time to pick up her chopsticks and eat some food herself.
The movements were fluid and natural, not chaotic at all.
Clearly, she managed to eat while feeding Hongjing, and also kept an eye on Hongxuan in between.
"Mother," Liao Hongxuan replied, looking at Jiaming with a mournful expression, "When you're making funny remarks, give me some preparation time!"
Jiaming blinked, looking quite innocent, and said, "It just slipped out; I couldn't prepare for it."
Hongxuan felt a bit speechless. He muttered, "My son thinks the rule of not talking while eating or sleeping makes a lot of sense."
Jiaming immediately put on her dramatic act, on the verge of tears, "Xuan'er, do you think your mother is vulgar and doesn't follow the rules?"
Hongxuan was truly exasperated. He knew perfectly well that his mother wasn't really sad; she was just pretending.
He couldn't help but rub his forehead helplessly and said speechlessly, "Mother, Xuan'er didn't mean that. Peach Garden isn't outside. Xuan'er also thinks it's nice to chat about everyday things during meals."
"That's good to hear!" Jiaming said, instantly returning to normal. She then picked up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks and gave it to Hongjing before eating the vegetables herself.
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