It was currently a bitter summer. Perhaps it was because He Sanlang had suddenly abandoned his newlywed wife to join the army at the frontier, but everyone in Duke Jing 'an's residence felt especially sorry for Chu Lian.

At noon, Matriarch He actually sent her personal maidservant to deliver half a basin of ice. Seeing that Chu Lian was sleeping in her bedroom, she had Senior Servant Gui place the ice in the bedroom to lower Chu Lian's temperature.

Ice cellars were rare in Shengjing, and there was very little ice stored last year. Most of the ice was only used by the palace. Even if there was a surplus, it would be sent to the imperial relatives' residences. Usually, the nobles rarely used ice.

Thus, it was very rare for Matriarch to send half a basin of ice to Third Young Madam.

Senior Servant Gui sent the maidservant named Mu Xiang out of the courtyard and sighed bitterly. Anyone could see that this ice was just compensation for Third Young Madam.

Third Young Master had already left. Without him by her side, what was the use of compensation?

Perhaps the basin of ice really had a cooling effect, but Chu Lian's afternoon nap was exceptionally comfortable. She didn't even wake up when Fuyan came to call for lunch.

When she woke up, it was already afternoon. Chu Lian groggily sat up in bed and could clearly feel the coolness in the bedroom.

She got up and lifted the curtains to see a wooden bucket filled with ice beside the bed.

Chu Lian exclaimed in surprise. She didn't even have time to put on her embroidered shoes before walking over to the ice bucket.

She touched it with her hand. There was actually a head-sized chunk of ice that hadn't melted yet.

Xiyan, who was doing needlework outside, heard Chu Lian's voice and hurriedly ran in. "Third Young Madam, did something happen?"

Chu Lian pointed at the ice bucket in front of her and asked curiously with wide eyes, "Where did this ice come from?"

The corners of Xiyan's mouth twitched. Although the ice bucket was good, it was something Matriarch had given to Third Young Madam to comfort her.

"Matriarch ordered someone to send it to Third Young Madam to cool down."

Chu Lian blinked and immediately understood the reason. Otherwise, even Duke Jing 'an's residence wouldn't have ice to use on a normal day.

However, she didn't think as much as Senior Servant Gui and Xiyan. Since Matriarch He had sent it, she would use it!

It would be a waste not to use it!

"Quick, find a small quilt." Chu Lian's expression did not change. In fact, there was even a hint of excitement in her voice.

Xiyan still hadn't gotten over her sadness. She let out an "ah" and looked up at Chu Lian in a daze.

"Hurry up and go. What are you waiting for?"

Xiyan wiped the corners of her eyes. "But … but why does Third Grandma want a quilt?"

Chu Lian flicked Xiyan's forehead angrily. "What else can I do? Store the ice and slow it down. I still need it to make ice bowls!"

"Ice … Ice bowl …" Xiyan was completely led astray. The sadness on her face had also disappeared.

"It's an ice bowl. It's guaranteed to be delicious and cool down. Hurry up."

In the end, Xiyan was chased away by Chu Lian to get the quilt.

When Xiyan returned, she saw that Third Grandma had covered the wooden barrel with a quilt. Her expression immediately became strange. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but the original sadness on her face had already disappeared.

Bring me some clothes to change into. I'm going to see if there are any ingredients in the kitchen that can make ice bowls.

In the end, Granny Gui and Xiyan followed her to the small kitchen.

Chu Lian glanced at the amethyst grapes, red honey peaches, oranges, and other fruits that had been delivered this morning. She nodded and picked out fresh lotus roots, lotus seeds with their hearts removed, and fresh water chestnuts. She told Xiyan to go to the second gate and ask the gatekeeper to go out and buy a bottle of milk for her.

By the time Xiyan returned, Chu Lian had already started to process the ingredients in the small kitchen. This time, she didn't ask someone else to do it. She did it herself.

Granny Gui only knew the name of the food that Third Grandma made, but she didn't know how or how she made it. Thus, she couldn't help and could only stand to the side and watch.

Chu Lian was the kind of person who was especially serious when it came to work. She didn't care about what was going on outside, especially when it came to cooking.

In Granny Gui's eyes, Chu Lian's focused expression looked like she was in a trance. She was distracted and didn't allow herself to be too sad.

Chu Lian finished processing the fruits and vegetables for the ice bowls. Seeing that Xiyan hadn't returned yet, she noticed a small bucket of glutinous rice in the corner. She remembered that she was going to make some dark creations in the morning. It just so happened that there was ice today, so she called the servant on duty in the small kitchen and asked her to find a bag of soybean flour.

The dark creations were simple to make, but their appearance and taste were the most suitable for summer.

Granny Gui had been watching from the side as Third Grandma worked on the food. She was still feeling sad, but as she watched, she was completely attracted by the desserts that Third Grandma made.

Heavens, was the dessert that was as transparent as a large water droplet really made from glutinous rice?

It was simply too incredible!

She had never seen such a beautiful dessert in her entire life.

At this time, Xiyan also came back with more than half a jar of milk. She had the maidservants go to the bedroom to fetch the remaining ice. Chu Lian used less than a quarter of an hour to complete the final steps of the ice bowl and the letter biscuit.

She had Xiyan and Ming Yan bring the desserts to the reception pavilion and Chu Lian returned to her bedroom to change her clothes.

She divided the desserts into several portions and had Granny Gui order people to send them to Old Matriarch of Qingyuan Hall and Eldest Sister-In-Law, Madam Zou. Because Madam Zou had two little nieces, she sent more.

As for her mother-in-law, Countess Jing 'an, Madam Liu, because she was still bedridden, it wasn't suitable for her to eat anything too cold. Thus, Chu Lian only sent the dark creations.

After showing filial respect to the elders, He Sanlang left today. It wasn't suitable for Chu Lian to personally visit the elders, so she stayed in the reception pavilion and ate the ice bowls and dark creations that she had just made.

After eating the desserts together, Granny Gui saw that Third Young Mistress was sad and couldn't help but console her. "Third Young Mistress, don't be sad. Perhaps Third Young Master is blessed with good fortune. He'll be able to return in less than two years after making a contribution in the north."

Although she had eaten the desserts to relieve the heat, Chu Lian still didn't feel very refreshed. She didn't like summer to begin with, but when she heard Granny Gui's words, she tilted her head and looked at Granny Gui. "Granny, I'm not sad. My husband has already left. Even if I cry my heart out right now, he won't come back. Then wouldn't I be wasting my energy and feelings? I might as well eat and drink well and live a good life in the estate!"

Granny Gui looked at Third Young Mistress, who was in low spirits but had her head tilted to the side. She had delicate features and was more beautiful than a flower. She felt that something was wrong.

But when she thought about it carefully, she couldn't find anything wrong with Third Young Mistress' words.

In the end, she was the one who choked and couldn't say anything.

On the other side, Old Matriarch He received the ice bowls and dark creations that Chu Lian sent over.

Granny Liu and Xiyan, who had been sent over by Chu Lian, exchanged a few words. Inside, Old Matriarch He, who was talking with Old Madam Zheng, heard them.

"What's going on outside?" The Old Matriarch's deep voice rang out.

Granny Liu hurriedly carried the food box into the living room and replied, "Old Matriarch, Third Young Mistress sent a maid to deliver the desserts!"