When Xie Xun came back at twilight, Jiang Shuyao was enjoying the cool breeze in the yard.
Summer is approaching, the black sky looks like a satin curtain, with scattered stars, and a dazzling milky way is faintly visible, which makes people sigh at the vastness of the universe.
Jiang Shuyao lay on the rocking chair and swayed, thinking about time and space and the universe for a while, and then she muttered, "Summer is the most suitable for supper, hot and sour noodles, crayfish, barbecue, fried skewers, fried rice noodles, crushed ice topped with brown sugar and sprinkled with peanuts and raisins... and the indispensable cold beer."
Xie Xun also doesn't know where she found the rocking chair, and why she has never been restrained since she got married.
The maid next to her is sitting on a low stool and whipping cream, and when she saw Xie Xun came, she was shocked, stood up and saluted.
Jiang Shuyao, whose mind was wandering beyond the sky, was stunned for a moment when she heard their salute. Before she got up, Xie Xun has already walked to the rocking chair and looked at her condescendingly.
His eyebrows are dropping, his expression is alienated, and he has a calm and stern feeling when he looks down at people. But Jiang Shuyao didn't realize it, she suddenly got up, causing the rocking chair to swing back and forth.
"I left two pieces of cake for you, one of which was put on the table with cream." She smiled, and the hanging beads swayed horizontally on her cloud-like black hair.
Her contented, relaxed and generous appearance made Xie Xun a little helpless.
It hasn't been long since they are married, but he has gradually got used to her enthusiasm. He nodded when he heard the words, hesitated and took the cake from the table.
She deliberately shows goodwill, it is not so good if he always refuses. But thinking of her sleazy past and the way she ignored him, Xie Xun became uncomfortable again.
When he walked to the entrance of the small courtyard, Xie Xun turned his head to see her unruly laying on the rocking chair, which gave him a headache. If she was so obsessed with him, she did not act in the same way like she was in the past, but she really smashed her face to marry him, which he can't understand.
Xie Xun also doesn't want to focus on these messy things. Looking at the strange cakes he brought back, he secretly sighed: No matter, it's better to be open.
He put aside his distracting thoughts and went back to the study to read. After a while, feeling a little tired, he called someone to fetch water.
After a shower, he felt a little empty in his stomach. He saw the cakes on the table, and was taken aback for a moment. He walked over and picked up a piece of cake and put it in his mouth.
Not sure if it's because of hunger, the cake is extremely soft in mouth. Sweet but not greasy, the taste is fluffy, and full of milky aroma, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth after eating, which arouses his appetite.
He picked up another cake with a creamy white filling in the middle and looked at it curiously. This white inner layer looked very hard, but he slightly pressed and it is extremely soft and slippery, reminding him of the clouds on the horizon. He always looked at white clouds greedily when he was young.
He put the cake in his mouth and bit it, the rich milk fragrance exploded in his mouth. The tender yellow part of the cake is light and soft, the milky white part is thick and smooth. The taste is delicate, the lips and teeth are full of fragrance, and it lasts for a long time.
This pastry has a novel look and taste, suitable for all ages. Xie Xun's twin nephews flashed in his mind, presumably Jiang Shuyao should have delivered it for them early.
There is a confused look on his face, and he doesn't know how Jiang Shuyao got along with the two little guys so harmoniously.
Thinking of her swaying and talking about food on the rocking chair, it was no different from a child.
...
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Jiang Shuyao's days of idleness like god are over.
As the heat gradually approached, an invitation about a flower appreciation banquet hosted by Princess of Zhaoyang was placed on the table in the main hall, and Jiang Shuyao's name is impressively listed in it.
Only then did the old madam realize that even if she avoided to see her and let Jiang Shuyao alone in her yard, she is still her own daughter-in-law. She will always been tied to Duke Xie's mansion before her son divorced her.
Once Jiang Shuyao was a shame, but the person who had been Xiangyang Mansion's responsibility, now if she is fooling around, the account will be counted on the head of Duke Xie's mansion.
Originally, the invitation to the banquet would be full of joy, but today, the atmosphere become sluggish by the news.
Xie Pei was young, so she said whatever she thought. She stomped and complained softly, "Mother, I don't want to be with her, it's too shameful! Don't let her go, just say that she is sick."
The old madam did not scold her for being rude, but frowning and said, "Princess Changle has always had a good relationship with her, it won't work if she didn't go."
The second lady, Zhou -shi, is less virtuous than the quiet eldest lady, Xu -shi . Thinking of going to the banquet with Jiang Shuyao, she can't hold back the words, "Mother, since she has married into Duke Xie's mansion, then the rules that should be established, should be established. Mother's kindness has spared her from the morning and evening greetings, but now there's a banquet. The etiquette that should be taught must be supplemented, and we must not let others laugh at our Duke Xie's mansion."
The reason to avoid Jiang Shuyao's morning and evening greetings is nothing more so her eyes are not upset and her heart is not painful. It has nothing to do with "kindness". However, the old madam would never refute Zhou -shi 's words. She is frowning and thinking, and feeling a little moved.
Xu -shi , who had been quiet and silent, suddenly looked at the Zhou -shi and said, "The third young lady is now at the age of looking at marriage. The eldest princess's flower viewing banquet must be visited by young talents. There are so many talents, so the younger sister-in-law should pay more attention."
This reminds Zhou -shi that her daughter can't be ruined by Jiang Shuyao. She is a little anxious, "Mother, even if the rules are not correct, it is good for her to copy the scriptures every day to grind her temper. We don't expect her too much, just knowing the etiquette. It's enough to go to the banquet quietly."
Xu -shi echoed, "My younger sister-in-law is right, let her come and serve for some time. Mother could teach her several times in a spare time. Under mother's influence, something will definitely change."
Zhou -shi choked. Xu -shi, this person really never forgets to please the old madam. Xie's second branch only has one di daughter, so the first branch naturally didn't have to worry, but Xu -shi 's steady and introverted style always make her look unpleasant.
[T/N: di daughter refers to a daughter born from a wife, oppose to shu daughter who was born from a concubine.]
"I heard that the two little masters are running to her recently. Those who are close to cinnabar are red and those who are close to ink are black. Sister-in-law, do you want more snacks?"
Xu -shi 's complexion didn't change, and these words didn't seem to hurt or itchy, but after leaving the hall, her face changed.
After much thought she still has some concern, "For the last few days, Ah Zhao and Ah Yao did not go to her, right?"
The nanny bowed and replied, "Yes, the two young masters were reading and writing in the room and only see the teacher."
Xu -shi sighed with relief, and heard the nanny continue to say, "It's just that... the third branch often bring some fresh pastries, and the young masters like it..."
Xu -shi suddenly paused and rebuke, "What are you talking about? People have good intentions to bring food to my son, and I still feel dissatisfied? Am I such person, who can't see right and wrong??"
The nanny repeatedly admit mistakes.
Xu -shi returned to the room, sat down and drank a few sips of hot tea. The more she thought about it, the more things feel wrong. She was always afraid that she would follow the bitter, impetuous and stupid Zhou -shi in the second branch. Jiang Shuyao's relationship with the first branch, whether it was simply loving the two children, or out of goodwill, it would seemed mean and rude to oppose it blindly.
After she figured it out, she got up and went to Xie Zhao and Xie Yao's study. As soon as she entered the room, she could smell the faint fragrance of milk.
Xie Zhao and Xie Yao each took up one end of the desk and were practicing handwriting seriously. The warm sun outside the window was just right, and the breeze swayed the shadow of the tree. From time to time, the two of them picked up the square cakes placed on the plate in the middle of the desk, and each of them bite one by one, which made their cheeks bulging. Even Xie Yao, who doesn't like to eat, reached out and took it several times.
Xu -shi 's expression became a lot softer, and she stood at the door for a while, until Xie Zhao saw her, and she walked into the room.
"Mother." Xie Zhao put down the brush and jumped off the bench.
Xu -shi rubbed his head, but he dodged her to prevent her from touching him, and pulled her sleeves to the table, "Mother, the cream cake given by the third aunt, you can try it."
Xu -shi swallowed a little while looking at the very good-looking cake on the plate. It must be fragrant and fluffy in the mouth. What is in the middle? It looks so fresh...
She stopped her thoughts quickly. She smiled gently, and shook her head and said, "No need." She is not a glutton.
Xie Zhao picked up a few in a small porcelain plate and stuffed it to the maid beside Xu -shi , "Mother, don't you like cakes the most? They are much more delicious than other cakes, even the fourth brother loves them."
Xie Zhao's filial piety is so commendable, Xu -shi couldn't refuse it, so she could only ask the maid to take it back to her room.
Mother and son chatted, Xu -shi returned to her room and hesitated while looking at the cake on the table.
While doing the account, she glanced at the cake from time-to-time while preaching to the steward, her nose smelled sweet...
In the end, she chose to cover the cake with a handkerchief so that she could not see or smell it.
...
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When the moon has reached the upper branches, the people gradually washed and turned off the lights. Xu -shi moved the wick of the oil lamp, and the light dimmed a little. When the oldest master, Xie Li, lay on the side of the bed, she turned off the oil lamp completely.
The husband and wife have gotten together for more than 20 years, and they will go to sleep together every night. Respecting each other as guests, and loving each other as before.
Xie Li talked about the bad things in the officialdom for a while, and Xu -shi listened quietly and offered comfort from time to time. When Xie Li's depression dissipated, his sleepiness hit, and his voice became lower and lower.
Xu -shi is also a little sleepy, ready to stop talking and fall asleep, but Xie Li's sleepy whisper came in her ear, "...By the way, the pastries on the table today taste good. You should ask someone to buy more tomorrow."
Xu -shi 's sleepiness disappeared instantly. She turned her head and asked, "What pastry?"
"Well, it's the plate covered with a handkerchief, but why should it be covered with a handkerchief?"
Xu -shi was lying on the bed, it is slightly dark, but her eyes widened, and she was silent for a while.
Xie Li waited for a while and didn't hear her reply, so he thought she was asleep, but suddenly he heard her say, "Do you know that recently Ah Zhao and Ah Yao often play with Jiang -shi from the third branch?"
Xie Li was sleepy, and his thoughts did not follow her words, "Huh? Who?"
"Ah Zhao and Ah Yao, your sons."
He asked vaguely, "What's wrong with my sons?"
"They like to find Jiang -shi. Jiang -shi was also good to them. The cakes were sent by Jiang -shi ."
"Oh, oh. Who is looking for her to play?" He is still hesitating, not really understand.
"Jiang -shi ..." Xu -shi took a deep breath, "Forget it, husband, go to sleep."
After a few breaths, a snore sounded from his side.
Xu -shi sighed after a long while, "I saved it for a day and didn't want to eat it... But you feel comfortable, eat and eat, then sleep!"
Xie Li slept soundly all night. Although officialdom has troubles, but there is a good wife at home, who can comfort and persuade him every time. She is a dignified mistress and a considerate beauty.
The two met when they were young, raised their eyebrows, and loved each other for decades.
However, the next day, Xu -shi said she has a cold.
As she is considerate, naturally everything was for "Xie Li's sake", and he has to move to the study to sleep for several days, but he did not sleep well for several days.
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