Chapter 286: Food Matters
Due to this incident, Fu Tingyun sent Yu Wei to gather information about the Li family.
Upon returning, Yu Wei reported, "According to Mother Huang, Madam Li is the second wife, while the Thirteenth Young Master Li was born to the previous wife, who passed away when he was less than six months old. Old Madam Li dotes on this grandson dearly and raised him in her own quarters from childhood, spoiling him excessively. Even when Lord Li speaks sternly to the boy, Old Madam Li disapproves, let alone Madam Li, who dares not discipline him and can only coax him with kind words. When the Tenth Young Master Li went to study at the Imperial College, the Thirteenth Young Master clamored to come along for the excitement, so Old Madam Li had Madam Li bring him to the capital. He usually behaves well, but no one expected him to act like this. Madam Li was frantic—she first sent a letter to Lord Li before bringing gifts to our home to apologize. The Tenth and Thirteenth Young Masters are full brothers, and it’s said that when the Tenth Young Master learned Madam Li had written to Lord Li, he criticized her, believing she had tattled on the Thirteenth Young Master to their father. As a result, Madam Li has been having a very difficult time lately."
Fu Tingyun frowned and decided to leave early for the summer retreat at Yuming Mountain. "...After all, the Thirteenth Young Master Li is just a child. If he causes trouble, Madam Li can’t control him, and it wouldn’t be proper for us to argue with a child. Coincidentally, the repairs on the mountain estate are nearly complete. The children can help tend to the gardens—it’ll teach them about plants and keep them active. Isn’t that better than staying here and stewing over the Li family’s antics?"
Yu Wei nodded repeatedly, smiling. "That’s a good idea. Children are fickle—by the time we return from the mountain, the Thirteenth Young Master Li might have already forgotten this incident."
Fu Tingyun then instructed her to relay a message to Third Sister: "Ask her to bring her children and join us on the mountain. Summer has barely begun, yet the wind already carries a scorching heat—this year will likely be sweltering. I’ve heard Third Older Cousin's Husband is strict with the children. Chunbing has to practice writing three thousand characters daily, and even a slight rise in temperature leaves his clothes drenched in sweat. Third Sister even bought him a little maid just to fan him. Coming with us to Yuming Mountain would be much more comfortable for the children."
Yu Wei agreed cheerfully and directed the maids and matrons from each household to pack the trunks before heading to the Shen residence.
Third Sister hesitated. "Isn’t it a bit too early?" This year had an intercalary sixth month, so the heat would surely be worse than usual. Their family was neither wealthy merchants nor high-ranking officials, so they couldn’t afford ice for relief. While adults could endure, as a mother, her heart ached for her children. Staying with Fu Tingyun at Yuming Mountain for a few months would be a godsend. However, if they went, they’d need to bring all their summer belongings, along with their maids and matrons. To avoid disrupting studies, the tutor for Chunbing and Yuanxiao would also have to accompany them... She mainly worried it would be too much trouble.
Having served Fu Tingyun for so many years, Yu Wei understood her concerns.
She lowered her voice and smiled. "There’s another reason for inviting you." She paused before continuing, "Our mistress is with child...""Ah!" Before Yu Wei could finish speaking, Third Sister's face lit up with surprise and delight. "That Quan Hui, why didn't she give me any hint?" She covered her mouth with a laugh. "She moves so quickly."
Yu Wei joined in the laughter: "After all, we're just servants. If you could accompany our mistress, she'd have someone to share intimate conversations with and consult on matters..."
"Exactly, exactly." Earlier, Third Sister had felt somewhat awkward about taking advantage of others, but now that it was about helping Fu Tingyun, her discomfort vanished. She said cheerfully, "I'll go with you right now to see Ninth Sister."
Yu Wei smiled in agreement and accompanied Third Sister back to Shi Family Alley.
When the two sisters met, there was inevitable laughter and chatter. Together they consulted the almanac and decided to depart for Yuming Mountain in four days. As for the Dragon Boat Festival, Third Sister joked, "Let my husband go up the mountain... Yuming Mountain is famous for its scenery. Doesn't he enjoy drinking wine and reciting poetry? Let him lament spring's sorrows to the trees."
This remark made everyone burst into laughter.
Although Third Sister had spoken so confidently in front of Fu Tingyun, she still needed to discuss it with Third Older Cousin's Husband when she returned home.
A father's love for his children runs deep.
Third Older Cousin's Husband hesitated: "But who will supervise the children's studies?"
Third Sister had already planned for this. She smiled and said, "The children are growing up. We can't manage every little thing for them forever, can we? Over the years, Chunbing and Yuanxiao have been well-behaved and sensible under your guidance. This is a good opportunity to test whether they've truly absorbed your teachings. If they become lax, you can always bring us back."
Finding this reasonable, Third Older Cousin's Husband then remembered another matter: "I promised the children I'd take them to West Garden to see the dragon boats during the festival."
Third Sister was taken aback.
A promise to children must be kept.
After some thought, she said, "Yuming Mountain isn't Zhangye. We can come down early that morning and return the next day."
Seeing no further concerns, Third Older Cousin's Husband smiled: "Alright then! You can go stay on the mountain with Ninth Sister for a while." His eyes then softened with apology as he added quietly, "Next year, I'll find a way to get some ice to cool you and the children during summer."
Third Sister felt warmth in her heart but pretended to pout: "Wouldn't that just benefit Ninth Sister's courtyard full of breezes?"
Third Older Cousin's Husband laughed heartily.
Then he sighed softly and took Third Sister's hand.
Instantly blushing, Third Sister tried to pull her hand away while stammering, "I-I need to go tell the kitchen to prepare dinner!"
Third Older Cousin's Husband grinned, gave a slight tug, and Third Sister tumbled into his arms...
※※※※※
The residence at Yuming Mountain, like Fu Tingyun's home at Shi Family Alley, had three courtyards. However, the back room came with an additional large yard filled with camphor trees.
Yuanxiao and Xi Ge'er darted about the grove like birds freed from their cages.
Xu Ge'er watched enviously before running after them.
Youyou grabbed Xu Ge'er: "Stay with your sister. The grass is deep here—watch out for grasshoppers jumping out to bite you."
"Grasshoppers don't bite," Xu Ge'er blinked his large eyes fearlessly. "Teacher said toads, cockroaches, and bedbugs don't bite either."Youyou was at a loss for words and could only say, "Anyway, you're still too young to go." Her tone carried a hint of helpless dominance as she coaxed him, "If you listen to your sister, I'll wash some cherries for you later."
Xu Ge'er retorted, "Even if you don't wash them, A-luo will." He wasn't buying Youyou's offer.
Youyou grew both anxious and embarrassed.
Chunbing, who had been standing silently behind Youyou, suddenly spoke up: "You're too small—if you get lost in the grass, no one will see you. Then we'd all have to search for you and miss our meal."
Hearing this, Xu Ge'er hesitated.
Seeing this, Youyou perked up and quickly added, "Exactly! Every time you run off, we have to look everywhere for you. If we can't find you, Xi Ge'er even gets scolded by Mother..."
Xu Ge'er's hesitation deepened.
Seizing the opportunity, Chunbing took Xu Ge'er's hand and casually instructed the servant beside him, "Go call Second Young Master and Cousin back." Meanwhile, he subtly steered them toward the main house.
Only after seeing the servant dart off to fetch Yuanxiao and Xi Ge'er did Xu Ge'er willingly follow Chunbing to the main house.
Youyou sighed in relief. After lunch, she directed the maids to arrange her favorite things. Noticing A-luo was still busy with the other maids setting up the rooms, she slipped alone into the side chamber south of Chunbing's west wing.
Chunbing's servants were tidying the room while he organized his books. Seeing Youyou enter, he smiled and asked, "Did Xu Ge'er act up again?"
"No," Youyou replied sheepishly. "He was called away by Master An." She sat on a nearby embroidered stool and muttered, "He behaves himself whenever he sees Master An."
"Master An is his teacher—of course he behaves around him," Chunbing said with a casual smile. Then, as if from nowhere, he produced a small pouch. "Peach Blossom Cake. Father brought it back last time he drank at Grand Secretary Chen's house. They're palace pastries—see if you like them."
Youyou's eyes instantly curved into crescents.
Delighted, she took the pouch and opened it. Inside were four or five pink pastries shaped like peach blossoms, complete with yellow stamens, crafted so realistically they looked almost real.
"So pretty!" Youyou held them gingerly, reluctant to eat them, then hopped off the Grand Tutor chair. "I'll show them to Mother."
Chunbing's face flushed slightly, and his tone grew evasive. "There are only these few, so it's hard to share. That's why I didn't bring them out earlier."
Youyou tilted her head and carefully counted the cakes: "Mother's, Third Aunt's, Eldest Cousin's, Second Cousin's, Xi Ge'er's..." Then there were none left.
Her enthusiasm dimmed.
Chunbing quickly added, "Yuanxiao and I have already tried them. You all can have these."
Youyou thought for a moment and recounted: "Mother's, Third Aunt's, Xi Ge'er's, Xu Ge'er's..." Plus hers—just enough.
Her eyes curved into crescents again as she gleefully carried the pastries to her mother's room.
Fu Tingyun was sharing intimate words with Third Sister: "...I conceived as soon as he returned... I was too embarrassed to say anything, afraid people would laugh..."
"You and your husband are deeply in love—people would envy you, not mock you!" Third Sister paused mid-sentence upon seeing Youyou enter.Youyou trotted over to Fu Tingyun and Third Sister with a somewhat fawning manner, presenting the pastries to them: "Mother, Auntie, these were given to me by Eldest Cousin. He said Uncle brought them from the palace—they're delicious!" Then she carefully handed one to Fu Tingyun and another to Third Sister.
Third Sister exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? His father brought back a box with only twelve in total. I gave five to Chunbing and five to Yuanxiao... I didn’t expect Chunbing to have saved them..." She was quite astonished.
Fu Tingyun was also taken aback.
Knowing that Chunbing had only received five, she placed the Peach Blossom Cake back into Youyou's hand. "You eat it, dear. Mother doesn’t want any."
Third Sister also returned the cake to Youyou, smiling. "Auntie has already eaten. You enjoy it!"
Youyou’s eyes sparkled with an idea. "Then why don’t Auntie and Mother share one piece?" Without waiting for a reply, she carefully broke the Peach Blossom Cake in half, thoughtfully giving the portion with three petals to Third Aunt and the one with two petals to her mother.
Third Aunt gasped, "Oh my!" and pulled Youyou onto her lap. "My dear, you’re breaking my heart." She then slipped a jade bracelet from her wrist onto Youyou’s arm. "Auntie won’t eat this. This is for you to wear and play with."
※
It’s Singles’ Day today—is everyone browsing Taobao?
O(∩_∩)O~
※
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel