"I'm not angry because of that...that thing. You were rude, but I know you didn't mean any harm," she said, her face flushed.
"Then why don't you talk to me? You used to think I was a thief, and you even gave me money. You treated me much better than you do now..."
"How can that be the same? I felt sorry for you back then, but I never expected that you would not only lie to me, but also dare to give my sister-in-law a hard time."
"..."
Yao Zhijie didn't expect her to say that. He originally wanted to apologize, but he didn't expect Pei Shushu to be angry because of his bad attitude towards Jiang Shuwan.
He spoke cautiously, as if he had just thought of something.
"You respect Jiang... no, your sister-in-law very much?"
"Of course, my sister-in-law taught me how to manage a household, how to do things and how to be a person. My sister-in-law is the person I respect most besides my grandmother and mother."
Pei Shushu said with a serious expression that although more than half a year had passed, she still remembered who saved her after she was taken away by her father.
At that time, neither the old Marquis nor Pei Yanzhi were at home, and the person in charge of the household was Aunt Wen. If it weren't for Jiang Shuwan, her life would have been over long ago.
"I will never forget my sister-in-law's kindness to me. If anyone disrespects her, I will never let him get away with it!"
...
The Snow Appreciation Pavilion is located in the mansion's large garden, and the scenery is quite nice, with a calm pond opposite it.
In the depths of winter, a thin layer of ice has formed on the water's surface, and snowflakes gently fall upon it, as if inlaid with countless sparkling gems.
The weather has been cold lately, and the translucent icicles hanging from the eaves of the pavilion have not yet melted, shimmering with a mysterious light in the dim light.
In the distance, the trees, arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern, were also covered in white snow, making for a truly beautiful sight to behold.
"Young mistress."
As soon as Jiang Shuwan arrived, servants came over to greet her.
The Snow Appreciation Pavilion is not large, but it has been cleaned up and is now furnished with four tables arranged according to their importance.
The exquisitely carved low tables were neatly arranged, covered with brocade tablecloths embroidered with clusters of flowers, and a thick, soft futon was placed on the floor, so it didn't feel cold to sit on.
Each table has two small red clay stoves, with charcoal burning warmly, one for warming the wine and the other for setting up a pot of red oil.
Even in this freezing weather, with two stoves burning, it doesn't feel cold.
“That’s interesting. The Prince of Nan’an has to use a charcoal fire to open the window and enjoy the view. The charcoal fire is very expensive. But you don’t need much charcoal. You can enjoy the snow scene while eating in a warm and cozy atmosphere.”
Yao Jinshu walked in with admiration.
When the maids served the dishes, she looked on with an expression of learning.
"Could this be the hot pot that your second sister invented?"
Yao Jinshu looked curiously at the red pot bottom churning on the small clay stove.
In this era, there were no hot pots with chili oil made with beef tallow; only clear broth made with chicken bones, pork bones, or beef and mutton bones.
When we eat hot pot, we usually cut the meat into pieces and add vegetables, making it very light and simple.
Chili peppers are available. They have the effect of warming the meridians, dispelling cold and relieving depression, and have always been sold as a medicinal herb here.
Not long after Jiang Yao transmigrated, she replicated the hot pot that was popular all over the country in modern society.
However, Jiang Yao usually doesn't cook outside, so only a few people have eaten this hot pot.
"It's cold today, perfect for hot pot," Jiang Shuwan said with a smile, inviting Yao Jinshu to sit down.
With a wave of her hand, the maids and servants immediately brought in a lot of dishes, including sliced beef and tender mutton, all of which were good cuts of meat with alternating red and white stripes.
There were also several vegetables, all produced at the Houfu Hot Spring Estate on the outskirts of the capital, arranged neatly and freshly on a plate.
There are also some meat dishes such as duck intestines and tripe.
Officials and their daughters in this era valued elegance and refinement. Hot pot was delicious, but ingredients like duck intestines and tripe were considered rather unpalatable.
Duck intestines, in particular, are considered cheap and only eaten by the poor who can't afford to eat.
No matter how crisp and delicious duck intestines are in hot pot, these gentlemen, ladies, and young women won't even pick up their chopsticks. If they're served, they'll be scolded, and the kitchen will be punished.
However, Jiang Shuwan had known Yao Jinshu for a while and knew that she wasn't a picky person, so she asked the kitchen to bring over a few dishes.
"Try it. If you don't like it, I'll have the maid take it down."
She felt that Yao Jinshu should like to eat, but Yao Zhijie probably wouldn't, and might even use it as an excuse to pick a fight with her.
As Jiang Shuwan was about to sit down, Qingxing was already ready to help her when suddenly Yao Zhijie squeezed in.
He wore a luxurious light gold brocade robe embroidered with goldfish, and his face was plastered with a fawning smile that Jiang Shuwan had never seen before.
"The ground is slippery, sister-in-law, be careful."
As he spoke, he swiftly swept non-existent dust off the prayer mat with his sleeve and then gestured for her to proceed.
"Please sit down, sister-in-law."
Jiang Shuwan: "..."
Jiang Shuwan sat down with a lot of doubts, thinking that Yao Zhijie was going to do something strange again. Yao Zhijie picked up the warm wine pot next to him and filled Jiang Shuwan's cup, and then quickly poured himself a cup.
He held the wine glass in both hands, his expression serious and solemn.
"Thank you for your hospitality, sister-in-law. I'll drink this first to show my respect. Please help yourself, sister-in-law."
After speaking, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, then quickly turned to look at Pei Shushu sitting next to him, his gaze firm and sincere.
"Actually, I have long admired my sister-in-law. If anyone dares to oppose her, they'll have to step over my dead body!"
Pei Shushu: "..."
Yao Jinshu: "..."
Jiang Shuwan: "..."
The servant beside Yao Zhijie watched his young master's actions with exaggerated expressions.
Young master, this morning you were acting like you were mortal enemies with the young mistress. Your change of heart is too fast, it's too embarrassing.
Yao Zhijie didn't feel ashamed at all; he just looked at Jiang Shuwan with an expression that said, "I've behaved myself, please let me go."
Jiang Shuwan: "..."
"Wanwan, I'm so sorry, my little brother... Please excuse me, please excuse me." Covering her face, Yao Jinshu felt her face burning up and wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Help!
How embarrassing!
Her stupid younger brother is such a disgrace!
"It's nothing."
Jiang Shuwan covered her mouth and chuckled. She thought Yao Zhijie was up to something, but she didn't expect him to fall for her without saying a word.
He seems to be a doting husband.
"Let's begin the meal."
With a smile on her lips, Jiang Shuwan slowly raised her wine glass and gave Yao Jinshu a slight toast.
Seeing this, Yao Jinshu quickly raised his glass in response, and the two drank it down in one gulp, eating and chatting as they went.
During this time, Jiang Shuwan also glanced at Yao Zhijie a few times.
Yao Zhijie was speaking softly to Pei Shushu, and something he said made Pei Shushu cover her mouth and giggle.
The atmosphere between the two was exceptionally harmonious and sweet.
"In that case, it's not a bad match!"
Jiang Shuwan thought to herself.
Seizing the opportunity, Yao Jinshu quickly added, "Springtime is a time of blooming flowers, a perfect time for beautiful scenery."
"..."
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