(There's a longer update today!)

Countess Jing 'an smiled and patted Miaozhen's slender little hand. "You're the most thoughtful girl by my side.

Miaozhen, you're already seventeen this year. What are your thoughts? You can't possibly stay by my side for the rest of your life. "

Miaozhen was stunned by Countess Jing 'an's words. She bit her lip and said, "Madam, Miaozhen will always be by your side to serve you."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Girls have to get married eventually. How can they stay by my side for the rest of their lives? If that's the case, how sad would my wet nurse be?"

Miaozhen was the youngest daughter of Countess Jing 'an's wet nurse. She had been serving Countess Jing' an since she was ten. A few years ago, Countess Jing 'an's wet nurse passed away due to illness. Before she passed away, she begged Countess Jing' an to take care of Miaozhen.

Moreover, Miaozhen was a sensible and meticulous girl. Countess Jing 'an was even more willing to protect her.

Miaozhen's eyes instantly became watery. She raised her head and shyly glanced at Countess Jing 'an. Then, she said softly, "Madam, Miaozhen doesn't have any other requests. I just hope that I won't be married out of the estate. After I get married, I can still serve you by your side."

Countess Jing 'an stared at the girl she had watched grow up. Many thoughts flashed through her mind. Suitable candidates appeared in her mind one by one, but she crossed them all out.

Two years ago, the outer courtyard's head steward's second son was a suitable candidate. He was also very quick-witted. Unfortunately, he had already gotten married last year. Otherwise, Miaozhen would have married him and become her steward's wife.

Just as she was thinking about this, a servant outside reported that the heir had arrived.

As soon as the servant finished reporting, the heir of Countess Jing 'an turned in from outside the screen.

"Mother, has your health improved recently?"

The heir of Countess Jing 'an, He Changqi, had the typical build of a military general. He was the most similar to Countess Jing' an. He had a strong body, a tanned face, and a beautiful beard. He was clearly a man less than thirty years old, but he looked a few years older.

He was the same height as He Changdi. If they stood next to each other, people who didn't know better wouldn't be able to guess that they were biological brothers.

Countess Jing 'an hadn't expected Dalang to barge in so casually. She rolled her eyes at him in exasperation. "You're already so old, yet you're still so unruly."

He Changqi didn't care about his mother's little complaint at all. He was born to not care about trifles, and since he was a child, he learned martial arts from his father. He never cared about women's backyard, let alone his mother's room.

He looked down and saw the leftover snacks on the small table beside the bed. He smiled brightly and said, "Mother, do the snacks made by Third Sister-in-law suit your taste?"

Countess Jing 'an gestured for He Changqi to sit by her bed.

Since the eldest young master was here, Miaozhen didn't dare to be impolite. She had already respectfully bowed her head and stood by Countess Jing 'an's bedside. She even bowed slightly to He Changqi. Countess Jing' an unintentionally glanced at Miaozhen and discovered that the lass's lowered cheeks had turned completely red. Countess Jing 'an was stunned as well. She sized up her eldest son and saw that this fellow had his hands clasped behind his back and was smiling cheerfully.

"Wow, Mother has never eaten such an exquisite and rare snack before!"

After the snacks were made, each branch sent some to each branch. Since the eldest branch had two children, they naturally sent more than the other courtyards.

He Changqi was fortunate enough to taste two pieces. They were indeed delicious.

"I didn't expect Third Sister-in-law to have such a secret recipe. Mother, you don't know, but at the old Marquis Dingyuan's birthday banquet, the small plate of longevity peaches was fought over by all the nobles!"

Ah?

Countess Jing 'an was flabbergasted. What was going on?

Nobles fought over the longevity peaches?

Don't tell me that the longevity peaches that were fought over were the ones made by that lass Chu Lian?

She had already told Countess Chu Lian about what happened at the Marquis Dingyuan's estate, but the rest of the longevity peaches were brought to the front courtyard. The womenfolk didn't know what happened, and even Matriarch He only received a reward from the old Marquis Dingyuan.

She didn't expect that there would be such a thing at the front courtyard's male guest banquet.

He Changqi had purposely come to make his mother happy. This was such a fun and interesting event, and it was also to make his family proud. Naturally, he told Countess Jing 'an about it.

At that time, the banquet had just started. Everyone was toasting the white-haired old Marquis Dingyuan's birthday wine. After that, a servant girl brought over a plate of longevity peaches that looked like real peaches. She said that it was sent over by the wife of Marquis Dingyuan's heir.

When this was said in public, all of the guests' gazes were focused on the plate of longevity peaches. The old Marquis Dingyuan was the closest to it. Although his eyesight wasn't good, his sense of smell was still very good.

The old Marquis Dingyuan sniffed and discovered that the longevity peaches actually had the smell of fresh peaches. He immediately found it rare and had someone take one to taste. After tasting it, he praised it greatly!

The old Marquis Dingyuan tasted the longevity peaches. This was an auspicious omen, and the plate of longevity peaches became a tribute. If a young person ate it, it was a good omen that they would continue to have good fortune.

Everyone was curious about that special plate of longevity peaches to begin with. Unexpectedly, Heir Zheng, who always liked new things, immediately stood up and bowed to the old Marquis Dingyuan. After that, he shamelessly asked for the longevity peaches to eat.

The old Marquis Dingyuan laughed happily. If the heir of an aristocratic family asked for longevity peaches at his birthday banquet, it meant that his birthday banquet was very dignified. How could he not allow it?

Heir Zheng didn't hold back at all. He went up and grabbed two. After taking a bite, his eyes immediately lit up.

After that, the usually taciturn Imperial Prince Jin also asked the old Marquis Dingyuan for longevity peaches. He was even more impolite than Heir Zheng and grabbed three in one go.

Heir Zheng was famous for being picky with his words. In addition, everyone was indeed curious about the longevity peaches. With Heir Zheng and Imperial Prince Jin taking the lead, the plate of longevity peaches was instantly snatched up …

The two high-ranking cabinet ministers' mouths twitched when they saw this scene.

Since when did so many foodies appear in Shengjing City? Why didn't they know about it?

What were the people from the Secret Service doing?

Hey!

The imperial censor who always liked to keep a straight face, impeach people when he had nothing better to do, and even liked to bang his head against the pillars of the meeting hall with righteous words. So you're the kind of person who has eyes for delicious food!

Don't you have any shame?

You're such an eyesore!

Let the longevity peaches choke you to death.

However, because of their status, the two cabinet ministers couldn't swallow their pride and didn't get to eat the longevity peaches. Their expressions darkened even more.

He Changqi's vivid narration made Countess Jing 'an's face light up.

Countess Jing 'an held back her laughter and glared at her eldest son. "It's fine to talk about this in the manor, but don't talk about it outside. Be careful not to invite trouble. How can we gossip about those important officials?"

"Yes, Mother. I understand. I just want to make you happy."

"Alright, Mother knows that you're doing this out of kindness. You still have work to do in the afternoon, right? Hurry up and leave. Don't stay here any longer."

He Changqi saw that it was about time, so he stood up and left. He had only taken two steps when Countess Jing 'an reminded him, "There's a family banquet tonight. Come back early."

Although the various branches of Count Jing 'an's estate didn't eat together, there were two family banquets in the middle and end of each month. At that time, the masters of the various branches would gather at Qingxi Hall to enjoy family time together.

"Ah, I understand. I definitely won't miss the time."

Countess Jing 'an watched as her eldest son's figure disappeared behind the screen. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Miaozhen was still staring at him in a daze.

She sighed inwardly.

Five years ago, Miaozhen accidentally fell into the water in the Count's Estate. He Changqi happened to pass by and saved her. This lass probably already had feelings for Dalang at that time.

Unfortunately, Count Jing 'an's estate didn't allow concubines.

However, Dalang and his wife had been married for many years, but Dalang still didn't have any children. His wife's body was injured when she gave birth to Sister Lin. Sister Lin was already four years old now, but his wife's stomach still hadn't moved.

Dalang was about to reach thirty years of age.

Countess Jing 'an suddenly made a decision.

She pulled Miaozhen's hand and asked with a smile, "Miaozhen, what do you think of the heir?"

"Ah?"

Miaozhen didn't expect Countess Jing 'an to ask such a question. Her face instantly turned bright red, and she panicked out of her wits.

She quickly glanced at Countess Jing 'an and realized that she couldn't see through Countess Jing' an's emotions. Her face turned from red to white, and she knelt on the foot of the bed with a thud. She trembled as she said, "This servant's status is lowly. I never dared to have thoughts of the heir."

After she finished speaking, she rested her head on the foot of the bed and trembled, not daring to say another word.

As Countess Jing 'an's servant girl, she already knew the rules of Count Jing' an's estate. Male masters were only allowed to take in concubines after they were thirty years old. Thus, she had long since given up on the idea. At most, she would only think of the man she couldn't have when no one was around. However, she had momentarily forgotten herself and actually stared blankly at the heir's back.

Countess Jing 'an was stunned. Only now did she realize that this lass had misunderstood. She thought that Countess Jing' an was angry at her for thinking of Dalang.

Countess Jing 'an sighed helplessly. She reached out to pull the trembling Miaozhen up and glared at her. "You silly lass, what I meant wasn't what you thought it was. Alright, I won't blame you. Just tell me the truth. What do you think of Dalang?"

Miaozhen looked at Countess Jing 'an in a panic. After a long while, she lowered her head. Her blush had already reached her neck. "The … the heir is tall and handsome."

"Pfft!"

Countess Jing 'an laughed unkindly. Tall and handsome?

As a mother, she naturally knew better than anyone else what kind of person her eldest son was.

Even that burly Charcoal was tall and handsome. As the saying went, beauty was in the eye of the beholder. If that was how San Lang was described, she would believe it more.

"Alright, I understand. Miaozhen, just stay by my side and wait upon me with peace of mind."

When she heard Countess Jing 'an's words, Miaozhen's heart almost leaped out of her chest in excitement.

Yang Estate. Official Yang had just returned from Wenhua Palace. He had dealt with a few troublesome official matters today. Not only was he extremely tired, but his stomach was also rumbling with hunger.

When he walked to the reception pavilion in the front courtyard, he happened to see the steward carefully holding an exquisitely wrapped box. He stopped in his tracks.

When the steward saw that the master had returned, he hurriedly walked over to greet him.

"What is this?" Official Yang pointed at the brocade box in the steward's hands with his chin.

"In reply to Master, this was sent over by someone from Count Jing 'an's estate. They said it's a gift for Madam. They also instructed that it's to be eaten and that it shouldn't be left out for too long."

Count Jing 'an's estate?

Eaten?

The longevity peaches from Marquis Dingyuan's estate?

When they returned to the estate yesterday, Official Yang and his wife had talked about the "interesting story" of Chu Lian making the longevity peaches while they were in the carriage. Official Yang, who was "very busy every day", immediately remembered it because he didn't have the face to eat the longevity peaches.