After enjoying their horseback riding to their heart's content, the group leisurely began their return journey, arriving back at the courtyard around 3 PM.
As soon as Min Yueqing reached the door of the main house, Azhu hurriedly came out to greet her, saying with a worried look, "Madam, why are you only coming back now? You must be starving! The food is still warming in the pot. I'll go get it right away!"
Min Yueqing nodded slightly. Actually, she didn't feel very hungry; the noodles she ate that morning were quite filling, and she had fresh milk to replenish her energy along the way. But the two children digested their food faster, so she guessed they were hungry.
The late lunch didn't taste very good; even the most delicious dishes lose their flavor if cooked for too long. However, it reminded Min Yueqing of the milk buns she had planned to make earlier.
The biggest advantage of steamed buns is that they don't spoil easily, especially in slightly cool weather like now. They can easily last a day. If I'm going out again, steamed buns are a great snack to carry with me.
Min Yueqing ate a few bites quickly, then put down her chopsticks and asked Amei, "Is there any fresh milk left from today's milking?"
"Yes, Wu Yi can squeeze out several buckets a day, and even if everyone drinks it, sometimes we can't finish it all. If there's still a lot left by evening, we'll have someone send it to the communal kitchen in the front, since there are many people there and they consume it quickly."
Min Yueqing said, "Well done. Since there are still some today, let Wu San Niang try making some honey milk steamed buns. The method of making steamed buns remains the same, just replace the water with milk and the sugar with honey. They don't need to be too big."
Min Yueqing remembered that Amei had made pies before, so she guessed that she should also be able to make steamed buns.
Upon hearing this, Amei responded without any apparent reluctance, though she was somewhat curious as to why Min Yueqing had suddenly decided to eat steamed buns.
In the capital, wealthy families like theirs rarely made steamed buns; they made more pies and pastries. The steamed buns sold on the streets were mostly bought by poorer families, while those with a little money would choose to eat steamed buns instead.
However, since Min Yueqing mentioned honey milk steamed buns, they must taste different from ordinary steamed buns.
As Amei pondered this, she took out the honey and headed towards the kitchen.
Pei Ji had been out for most of the day and was initially quite hungry, but the moment he tasted the food on the table, he instantly felt less hungry. He forced down the food he had already stuffed into his mouth, then started counting the grains of rice, though he obediently drank the soup.
Hearing Min Yueqing mention honey milk steamed buns, she immediately became interested and asked, "Mother, are these steamed buns delicious?"
Min Yueqing had already noticed that Pei Ji wasn't eating at all; he was just counting the grains of rice to kill time. However, she wasn't much better herself, so she didn't comment on it. She simply replied, "We should be able to eat it at dinner time. You can try it then and see if it's good. If it is, we can make it often in the future."
Shi Tou wolfed down his food, finally filling his stomach. When he looked up, he immediately noticed that the dishes in front of Min Yueqing and Pei Ji were barely touched. Only Pei Han was slightly better, but he had also stopped eating.
Stone couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Rich people are just too picky about food."
In his opinion, the table had fragrant rice, so many dishes, and most importantly, meat. It was truly incomprehensible that he didn't like to eat any of it.
Back when he was in the manor, Pei Han was actually quite picky about food, but after being away from the capital for almost two years, he felt that his picky eating habit had been almost completely cured.
During this period, Pei Han's eating habits were very purposeful, solely focused on surviving. No matter how coarse the food was, he pretended not to see it, stuffing it directly into his mouth until he was about 70% full, at which point he would put down his chopsticks.
Before Min Yueqing and Pei Ji arrived, Pei Han had not enjoyed eating for a long time; eating at mealtimes was merely a task to be completed.
Seeing that everyone had stopped eating, Pei Han stood up and said, "Shall we go and see how the study is being set up?"
Upon hearing this, Pei Ji immediately responded, "Okay!" and eagerly stood next to Pei Han.
Min Yueqing had no objection, so she stood up as well. Xiao Wei, who had been dozing at Min Yueqing's feet, immediately rolled over and stood up as soon as he noticed her move.
For the first time in his life, Stone felt trapped in a dilemma. Seeing that even Xiao Wei had responded, he could no longer pretend like an ostrich and resigned himself to following behind the others.
After arriving at the study, Pei Han glanced around and nodded slightly. "Everything you need is here. We will begin teaching early tomorrow morning. You should all be ready and come to the study before 5:00 AM."
Pei Han usually has to handle official business during the day, so he can only send the two children over early.
Pei Ji and Pei Han were already sleeping in the same room, so naturally he came with Pei Han. The time was actually deliberately told to Shi Tou so that he wouldn't arrive too early or too late.
A little voice inside the stone cried out: "I'm going to be a great hero someday! I should spend all my time practicing martial arts, why should I study?!"
But Shi Tou wasn't ungrateful, so he could only lower his head and agree with tears in his eyes.
After leaving the study, Pei Han went to take a look at a slightly smaller bedroom next to the main room, and Pei Ji followed behind, puzzled.
Once inside, Pei Ji had a bad feeling. The location and layout...it looked so much like his bedroom in the Earl's mansion!
Min Yueqing shared the same feeling and asked Pei Han directly, "What is this?"
Pei Han answered matter-of-factly, "Lele's bedroom. He should have his own room, but there was no furniture here before, so we didn't let him stay here."
Min Yueqing was shocked. If there was a bed here, would Pei Han really have the heart to leave his son here?
Min Yueqing was instinctively reluctant, but Pei Han was indeed in the right, and she couldn't refute him. The little one was already six years old, and it seemed inappropriate for him to continue sleeping with his parents, as it wouldn't be conducive to developing independence.
But logic is logic. After she transmigrated, the first person she saw was the little cub, and the little cub had been with her for so long. Suddenly having to let the little cub go out on its own was like accepting the little cub gradually leaving her side, which felt like having her flesh cut out with a knife.
Min Yueqing was unusually conflicted.
Pei Ji's clear, black agate eyes were now brimming with tears, his small fists clenched unconsciously, and his whole body trembled slightly. He had originally been standing beside Pei Han, but now he subconsciously moved away, standing alone and forlorn.
This scene instantly shattered Min Yueqing's psychological defenses. She took a few steps forward, picked up the little boy, supported his thin back with her hands, and pulled him into her arms.
Pei Ji returned to the familiar warmth of her embrace, inhaling Min Yueqing's unique fragrance, and finally released the fear simmering in his heart. He buried his head in Min Yueqing's neck, and despite his best efforts to control himself, he still let out soft sobs.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
