Page 4

"I remember!"

"Today I'll make an upgraded version: double-skin milk with fermented rice and osmanthus."

"..."

The group chatted and laughed as they headed into the courtyard. After marrying Xie Jin, Shen Lantang had been given a separate courtyard for the two of them, though he was away. It had its own kitchen and everything else they needed. In a large family that had not divided its household, married sons could eat separately with their wives and children or dine with their parents. Unmarried children generally ate with their parents.

Xie Ying usually ate with her parents, while her eldest brother and sister-in-law ate with their children. When everyone was home on a day off, they could all eat together.

With Shen Lantang's husband away every day, her mother-in-law often invited her over for meals, worried that she might feel neglected. But to Shen Lantang, an absent husband was a blessing. She was too busy enjoying herself to feel neglected. After she declined a few times, her mother-in-law understood. Apart from important occasions, she no longer invited Shen Lantang over for everyday meals.

Xie Ying knew Shen Lantang's courtyard well and soon trotted inside. Shen Lantang opened the door, set out two plates of snacks, and began directing the household servants as though she had always done it.

Caught up in the bustle, Xie Ying joined in for a while. She sat down again only after the fire was lit and the milk in the pot began to warm gently.

"Oh, where's little Hongwen? Where did he go?"

Xie Hongwen was Xie Jin's son, not yet three years old.

Shen Lantang was about to answer when a voice came from the courtyard gate:

"Young master, slow down! Slow down!"

Two servants and a nursemaid escorted a plump little boy into the courtyard. He wore a tiger-head outfit with a short

vest

over it, and a longevity lock carved from translucent jade hung at his chest. Below were silk lantern pants and little tiger shoes with high-curving toes. He was irresistibly adorable.

The nursemaid following behind saw the two women and immediately bowed, greeting them respectfully:

"Madam. Fourth Miss."

Xie Hongwen followed suit with a solemn bow and greeted them in his soft little voice. "Greetings, Mother. Greetings, Aunt."

"Oh, my sweet little Hongwen!"

Xie Ying crouched and scooped the plump little boy into her arms. His softness and milky scent made her want to cuddle him even more. She turned to Shen Lantang with a smile.

"Little Hongwen is so cute."

Shen Lantang popped a snack into her mouth. "He is."

Xie Ying kept chatting with him. "What did little Hongwen do today?"

Xie Hongwen counted on his fingers. "I picked flowers in the garden and watered them. And I washed fruit for Grandmother to eat!"

"Hongwen, you're such a good boy..."

Xie Hongwen was already two and a half and needed plenty of protein as he grew. Shen Lantang gave him some cheese and a little tea, and they chatted for a while. Then the nursemaid beside them spoke.

"The young master has been playing outside all day and is tired. This old servant will take him in to rest."

The nursemaid had nursed Xie Hongwen's birth mother and had stayed by his side ever since the former young madam's death. Even the master and mistress of the Xie Family's senior branch showed her deference. Hearing her words, Xie Ying did not dare keep holding Xie Hongwen and let her take him away.

Before leaving, the nursemaid bowed to both women again.

Xie Ying watched the nursemaid carry Xie Hongwen inside, then slowly drew back her gaze. "Children grow so fast. They look different every time you see them. I still remember when my brother's two children were born, and now they're both so big."

"Children grow fastest in their first two or three years."

Their conversation gradually turned to other things.

"I don't know what Mother's doing. She's been at Eldest Aunt's place every day lately. I can't even find her when I want to."

Shen Lantang smiled at her endearing pout.

"Perhaps they have something important to discuss."

"What could be more important than me..."

"All right, all right. Have a pastry and cheer up."

The girl's attention shifted quickly. As soon as the double-skin milk with fermented rice and osmanthus and the cheesy mashed potatoes arrived, food was all she could think about.

Xie Ying held her little bowl, her face bright with delight.

"Sister-in-law, you can come up with so many ways to make even potatoes!"

"Then you haven't heard of the potato noodles they make in the northwest."

Xie Ying loved food, but the Xie Family's rules were strict: she could not skimp on any of her three daily meals. She did not dare eat too much. Shen Lantang smiled and promised to have a maid send over a portion of what was left that evening, so she would not keep craving it. Only then was Xie Ying satisfied.

"Then I'll head back, Sister-in-law. Oh, Sister Fan from West Street invited me out tomorrow. Will you come with me?"

Shen Lantang had nothing to do cooped up at home, so she agreed.

The last glow finally faded from the sky after dusk, and the evening air grew cooler. Shen Lantang was about to send her mother-in-law the usual message that she would not be coming over when a servant from her mother-in-law arrived first.

"Young Madam, Madam invites you to dinner."

If her mother-in-law had invited her personally, there must be a reason. Shen Lantang rose, washed her hands, and went to the Main Courtyard with Lan Xin. The doors to the main hall stood open, light spilling out from within. Xie Madam was already seated at the table, alone.

When Shen Lantang arrived, Xie Mother smiled. "Your father-in-law is busy with official business again and won't be home for dinner, so I had to ask you to keep me company."

Shen Lantang wore a gentle smile as she replied dutifully, "I should be keeping you company, Mother. I'm sorry you had to send for me."

"It's no trouble. Come, sit."

Dinner at Xie Madam's table was not extravagant, but everything was fresh, with plenty of variety: pan-fried small fish, steamed egg custard with minced meat, two bowls of seasonal vegetables, and several small side dishes. A soup came at the end, usually something like lotus blossom soup with jade meatballs or chicken soup with lotus seeds. It was more than enough.

They ate slowly, savoring each bite. But they spoke little and both had small appetites, so they soon finished. Shen Lantang sat for a while afterward. Once enough time had passed for them to get up and walk around, Xie Madam rose and led her to a side hall.

"Lan Tang, come take a look. Your second aunt and I have picked out several young men from respectable families for Yingying. Which do you think would suit her best?"

Shen Lantang's heart jolted. Xie Ying's complaint that afternoon flashed through her mind.

Rankings

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Time-Travel and Rebirth Romance

One and Only

Jiang Ciyu

Mind Reading

Salty Fish