"Young lady, you haven't eaten for two meals. Are you hungry? These are freshly baked beef patties from the shop next door. Eat them while they're hot." As soon as Madam Hua and Madam Ruan opened the door, they saw Kaiyang's pitiful appearance and quickly called out to Hong Xiaoduo.
Hua suddenly remembered that when the weather was nice in the morning, he wanted to take Kaiyang and the others shopping, but he said no because he hadn't finished his studies yet.
She guessed that the children were probably afraid of being punished or scolded. During the days they traveled together, this young lady Hong usually spoiled the children, but she was also quite strict with them when it came to their studies.
The maid held a large bamboo tray covered with a blue-and-white cotton cloth, and the aroma of the cakes permeated the room through the thin cloth.
It goes without saying that these are snacks bought for everyone to eat.
During the seven days they traveled together, it was the same every day. Hong Xiaoduo had told them explicitly that it wasn't necessary, but even though they agreed verbally, they still insisted on paying for the food and ingredients.
"Come quickly and thank Madam first," Hong Xiaoduo gestured to the children.
Tian Shu took the lead, stepped forward to thank Hua Shi respectfully, and then went to wash his hands and eat the meat pie.
The old woman had already placed the bamboo tray she was holding on the small table, waiting to help the children put meat pies on their plates. With her mistress's condition getting better and better, the old woman was less tense and looked at the seven children in front of her with increasing joy.
They are all so good-looking, smart, well-behaved, and polite.
"Madam, this is enough for me, otherwise I won't be able to eat dinner." Hong Xiaoduo, who was eating a meat pie, heard Hua Shi ask someone to go to the restaurant to order some dishes for her and quickly spoke up to stop her.
Hua said, "They can eat this as a snack, but you didn't eat it this morning or at noon."
“Really, no need. Besides, this beef patty tastes better than any other one.” Hong Xiaoduo said, then took another big bite of the patty.
Seeing her like this, Madam Hua had no choice but to give up and not insist on having someone go to the restaurant to cook for Hong Xiaoduo.
In fact, Hua dared not, for fear of offending Hong Xiaoduo.
Seeing her reaction, Hong Xiaoduo felt sorry for her and decided to have a good talk with her after she finished eating.
These past few days, she seems to be in a more stable emotional state, unlike at the beginning when she wanted to be by Kaiyang's side every single hour. Before going to bed at night, she refuses to leave Kaiyang and go back to her own room, and she no longer sits outside Kaiyang's room waiting before dawn.
The beef patties had thin crusts and generous fillings, with tender and juicy meat. Hong Xiaoduo ate three in a row.
“Madam, I’ve finished eating. Would you like to come to my room for tea?” Hong Xiaoduo asked tentatively.
Upon hearing this, Hua looked at Hong Xiaoduo with a nervous and hesitant expression.
Hong Xiaoduo didn't say anything more, told the children to eat well and continue their studies, and then got up and went back to her room.
As soon as they entered the house and sat down, Fei Yan had just brewed some tea and placed it on the tea table when Hua Shi appeared outside the door.
Feiyan stepped forward to greet her, and Ruanniang, who was following behind Hua Shi, saw Feiyan walk out of the room and, after thinking for a moment, also followed her out.
Although they had only known each other for a short time and didn't know each other well, Ruanniang was certain that these people were all good and kind-hearted; otherwise, they wouldn't have tolerated and cooperated with her mistress.
Although most of the expenses for lodging and meals along the way were paid by his wife, she always ordered her and Guard Yan to fight over who would pay for it.
Furthermore, along the way, she was certain that these ten people—three adults and seven children—were not short of money and were not greedy.
Ruan Niang could tell that Hong Xiao Niangzi had invited her mistress for tea because she probably had something to say to her.
Although she didn't know what the young lady would say, Ruanniang knew that she wouldn't harm her mistress.
Inside the room, Hong Xiaoduo and Hua Shi sat facing each other.
Although Hua was much older than her, looking at the two of them now, Hua seemed like a young person, feeling uneasy and anxious.
Hong Xiaoduo reached out and poured her a cup of tea first, then poured some for herself as well. The tea was very fragrant; it was also a gift from the Hua family. Feiyan said that this tea cost about five or six hundred taels of silver per catty.
“This tea was a gift from Madam, it’s very fragrant,” Hong Xiaoduo broke the silence and spoke first.
"I'm glad you like it, young lady," Hua replied, pursing her lips.
Seeing her so nervous, Hong Xiaoduo suddenly realized that now was not the time to talk about the topic she originally wanted to discuss. While her mother's condition was indeed improving, she had no idea whether the topic she was about to discuss would trigger another attack in this poor mother.
But since I invited them over for tea, I can't just sit there without saying anything!
"If it doesn't rain, we should be able to reach the capital in about eight or nine days," Hong Xiaoduo said cautiously, her tone somewhat tentative.
Upon hearing this, Madam Hua, who had been staring at the teapot on the coffee table, looked up at her and asked, "How long do you plan to stay in the capital, young lady?"
"Well, I'll probably take them around the capital for a while, let them see the world, before they leave. I'm not sure how long they'll stay. Everyone says the capital is very prosperous and lively." Seeing that Madam Hua had responded to her question, Hong Xiaoduo breathed a sigh of relief, but also let out a silent sigh.
Sure enough, she was also trying to find out.
“The capital is very large, bustling and lively. Actually, Miss Hong, you can stay in the capital. I will give you a large mansion, and my husband will find a way to send them to the academy.” As she spoke, Madam Hua stared into Hong Xiaoduo’s eyes.
Hua's words are no different from those of an ordinary person.
Hong Xiaoduo smiled and said, "When I no longer wish to travel and want to find a place to settle down, I will consider Madam's suggestion. With Madam's family taking care of me in the capital, life will undoubtedly be comfortable."
This is tantamount to jokingly rejecting the other person's kindness.
Upon hearing this, Hua's face showed a disappointed expression. Hong Xiaoduo felt sorry for her, but she didn't dare to tell her right now, "Don't overthink it, don't be nervous, Kaiyang is your biological son."
Hong Xiaoduo wasn't a doctor, but she knew that Hua Shi's condition was such that he couldn't handle any stimulation, specifically bad things. But just like everyone else, some people couldn't handle good things either.
"Young lady, I'd like to discuss something with you. When you leave the capital, could you take me with you? I don't need your care, and I won't be a burden to you. I promise." Just as Hong Xiaoduo was thinking about how to proceed, Madam Hua spoke up again.
Huh? Hong Xiaoduo was taken aback. She felt that this was not a decision that Hua's had just made on the spur of the moment, but something that had been thought of several days ago!
When attempts to persuade her to stay failed, she just wanted to keep following him! Basically, all she wanted was to keep seeing Kaiyang...
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