(A long comment from Zhao Yue's Move!)

Thinking about that shameless imperial censor who ate the longevity peaches and even complained about him today, he was unhappy.

Was it because he didn't eat the longevity peaches yesterday that everything was going wrong?

Official Yang coughed lightly. "Send it to the reception hall. I'll bring it to Madam when I go to the rear courtyard later."

Official Yang didn't like frying tea either. He asked Chang Sui to pour him a cup of warm water and sat in the reception hall to rest. Official Yang's stomach was empty. His gaze fell on the brocade box beside him and he reached out to open it.

When he saw the food inside, his pair of shrewd eyes that were usually squinted instantly widened.

He saw that there were only eight pastries of different shapes in the small green bamboo basket. Paired with the half-opened red peony at the side, it was very eye-catching.

He sniffed it slightly. There was a faint floral fragrance mixed with the crispy fragrance of the pastries.

Official Yang couldn't help but swallow his saliva. He picked up a bat-shaped one and looked at it. Then, he took a small bite. Oh, there was actually stuffing with raisins inside. It was refreshing and crispy, sweet but not greasy. It was delicious!

Official Yang couldn't help but reach out and pick up the second one. It was peach-shaped. Eh?

This was the taste of red dates. They were fresh and sweet, and there was a nice jujube fragrance in his mouth.

The third one was in the shape of a buddha's hand. It had a faint rose fragrance and was not greasy. The taste was light and elegant. Yes, he liked this taste the most.

…

When Official Yang came back to his senses, he discovered that there were only two pieces left in the small box of pastries. He finally retracted his hand awkwardly.

Chang Sui's eyes twitched as he watched. He thought to himself, My lord, this was a gift from Duke Jing 'an's estate to Madam. In such a short time, it all went into your stomach …

"Ahem, take it and go to the rear courtyard to find Madam." Official Yang coughed twice to hide his embarrassment and said to Chang Sui.

On the way to the rear courtyard, Official Yang was still complaining in his heart.

Duke Jing 'an's estate was too stingy. They were so stingy after giving him a gift of pastries. There were eight pastries in one box, and they didn't taste the same. They were also so small. He finished one in two bites. He didn't even have a second one.

When he arrived at the main courtyard, Madam Yang was talking to her daughter-in-law. She turned around and saw her husband. She smiled and stood up to welcome him. "Master, why are you back earlier than usual today?"

Seeing the brocade box in Chang Sui's hands, he smiled even more. "What, did you bring me a gift today?"

An awkward expression appeared on Official Yang's face. "This is a token of appreciation from Duke Jing 'an's estate."

Chang Sui hurriedly placed the box on the table and retreated.

Madam Yang's eyebrows twitched as she recalled the lass she had seen at the Dingyuan Manor's birthday banquet. She did not care about Lord Yang's expression as she walked to the side of the table.

"A thank you gift from Duke Jing 'an's estate?

What is it?

You must bring your daughter-in-law to see it. "Madame Yang's eldest daughter-in-law was not present at the old Marquis Dingyuan's birthday banquet, but she also came over when she heard this.

How could Lord Yang stop him? He could only pretend as if nothing had happened and sit to the side.

Madam Yang opened the brocade box and saw that only two pieces of the delicately arranged pastries were left on the table …

She looked at Lord Yang in shock. "This …"

"I was hungry just now, so I casually ate two pieces," Lord Yang explained stiffly.

There was such a large space left on the table. Are you sure you only ate two pieces?

The corner of Madam Yang's mouth twitched as she closed the brocade box.

Her eldest daughter-in-law stared in shock at the situation in the brocade box and tactfully shut her mouth. "Father is back. Your daughter-in-law will go to the main kitchen to take a look and add a few of Father's favorite dishes."

After her daughter-in-law left, Madam Yang finally could not hold back her laughter. She laughed out loud. "Did Third Young Madam of Duke Jing 'an's estate send this over?"

Lord Yang pretended to drink his tea and nodded as if nothing had happened.

"You can't be blamed for that. That lass's food is indeed delicious."

As he spoke, he opened the brocade box and picked up a piece of pastry. When he tasted it, his eyes instantly lit up. "This lass, what is the name of this pastry she made this time? It suits my taste even better than the longevity peaches. Oh, it's actually salty."

Lord Yang licked his lips. Salty?

What a pity, he had not eaten it yet.

"There are only eight pastries on this plate. It looks like each one tastes different."

Madam Yang was shocked. There were actually such exquisite pastries?

She hurriedly ate the last remaining pastry. Indeed, it tasted different from the previous one. After she finished eating, she picked up a smaller brocade box beside her and opened it. She saw her coral bracelet lying under the silk satin. The corners of Madam Yang's lips curled up. "It looks like the ladies from the Duke of Ying aren't just good at giving birth." Finally, someone with some brains!

Madam Yang immediately wrote a reply and had a competent manservant deliver it to Duke Jing 'an's estate.

Ever since Lord Yang ate the pastry Chu Lian sent, he especially fell in love with those rose-flavored pastries. He instructed the housekeeper to have the chef make many more, but none of them were as delicious as the one Chu Lian sent the other day. Lord Yang couldn't taste the taste of his food and lost a few kilograms of meat. However, this was a story for the foodie, Lord Yang.

The same reply was also delivered to the Duke of Wei's estate.

Princess Duanjia eagerly opened the brocade box. Her large eyes saw the sparkling pastries inside. She carefully carried the pastries to her courtyard and enjoyed them alone. She didn't even give her second brother, who came to visit, a piece of pastries.

She acted like a little puppy protecting its food, which made the young prince of the Duke of Wei's estate extremely happy.

He immediately went to Princess Wei's and began to complain, "Lady Mother, I don't know what delicious food Third Younger Sister received, but she's actually so stingy that she won't even let me have a taste!"

"Oh?

There's such a thing? "

Princess Wei raised an eyebrow. Royal Princess Duanjia's personality was a bit aloof. Usually, there weren't many things that could provoke her. She didn't expect that her personality would change because of food. How interesting.

As the mother and son were talking, Royal Princess Duanjia came in. "Second Brother, you're already so old, yet you're still complaining about me in front of Mother!"

The young prince sat down next to Princess Wei. "I just want to know what delicious food captured my precious sister's soul."

Royal Princess Duanjia glared at the young prince and walked to Princess Wei's side. "Lady Mother, I want to invite someone to the estate in a few days."

Princess Wei sat on the main seat, looking dignified and elegant. There was a faint smile on her lips. "Is it the person who sent you the pastries?"

Royal Princess Duanjia smiled mysteriously. "I won't tell Lady Mother yet. Lady Mother will know when she arrives."

Princess Wei reached out her hand to touch her only daughter's head lovingly. "Lady Mother won't stop you from interacting with whoever you want, but you must remember your status."

It wasn't time for dinner at Duke Jing 'an's estate yet, but the head steward in the front courtyard ordered a servant to deliver two invitations.

One of them even came with a gift.

Chu Lian took the invitation and looked at the contents.

One was from Madam Yang, and the other was from Royal Princess Duanjia.

Madam Yang had sent the coral bracelet back, saying that it was originally a gift to her, so how could she take it back? She asked Chu Lian to keep it well, and if they had the chance to meet in the future, she might as well make a few more pastries to show her respect.

Although Madam Yang had never mentioned the matter of them meeting, this was already giving Chu Lian a lot of face. It could be considered a good karma.

What puzzled Chu Lian the most was Royal Princess Duanjia's invitation.

Royal Princess Duanjia had actually invited her to the Duke of Wei's estate for a small gathering.

Chu Lian remembered that Royal Princess Duanjia had a strange liking for her at Marquis Dingyuan's estate. Her brows furrowed slightly. In the original novel, Royal Princess Duanjia was only mentioned a few times, and she didn't even make an official appearance. Chu Lian didn't know anything about Royal Princess Duanjia or even the Duke of Wei's estate.

However, since it was an invitation from a royal princess, and it was an official invitation, it would be ungrateful of her to refuse.

There were countless noble ladies in Shengjing who wanted to get close to Royal Princess Duanjia, but they didn't have such a good opportunity. Moreover, Chu Lian didn't have any ill feelings towards Royal Princess Duanjia.

After receiving Royal Princess Duanjia's invitation, Senior Servant Gui and Senior Servant Zhong were also very happy.

Royal Princess Duanjia had always been a loner in Shengjing City. At most, she would occasionally interact with the ladies of the imperial family, but she had never officially befriended them. Even the Duke of Wei, an important official in the cabinet, had to give her some face. If Chu Lian could really interact with Royal Princess Duanjia, then the entire Duke Jing 'an's estate would be looked up to.

That night, Chu Lian went to Qingwen Hall for dinner. Just as she arrived at the entrance of Qingwen Hall, she heard a burst of laughter coming from inside.

Chu Lian walked in curiously and Matriarch He waved at her. "Third Husband's wife, come here quickly. We were just talking about you!"

Apart from the two young misses in the fu, Chu Lian's position was the lowest. She bowed politely to the elders and was pulled by the matriarch to sit on the soft stool next to her.

"Grandmother, what did you say about granddaughter-in-law?" She widened her eyes and looked very curious, which made Matriarch He laugh.

"Your older brother was talking about the longevity peaches you made that day at Marquis Dingyuan's estate!

Grandmother tasted them today, and they were indeed delicious! "

Chu Lian replied with a smile. "It's good that Grandmother likes them. When Grandmother's birthday comes, I will make some more fresh and interesting longevity peaches to honor Grandmother."

"Look, those longevity peaches aren't even the best, but there are still fresh and interesting ones!"

Immediately, everyone in the reception hall laughed. Chu Lian looked around and suddenly found that the depths of Zou shi's eyes were a bit dark. She quickly closed her mouth. "Second Brother also came back early today. I heard that there will be venison at the family banquet today. Granddaughter-In-Law can't wait!"

Chu Lian changed the topic and looked at her eldest sister-in-law, Zou shi. She found that her complexion had improved.

However, He Changqi just had to add oil to the fire. "Third Sister-in-law, since you know how to make those exquisite pastries, do you know how to make venison?"

Chu Lian cursed inwardly. Zou shi was already worried about her, but her older brother was adding fuel to the fire.

"Venison is hard to come by. Sister-in-law doesn't have the secret recipe to make it."

When Chu Lian finished speaking, she could clearly see the disappointment on He Changqi's face.

Later, the whole family sat around the table to eat. Chu Lian didn't want her eldest sister-in-law to worry about her, so she didn't say much during the meal, except for a few sentences in reply to the matriarch.

When they returned to Songtao Yuan from Qingwen Hall, Chu Lian lightly patted her chest without a care for her image.

She was really scared to death. Nothing much had happened. She'd only made a few pastries, and she'd already made her eldest sister-in-law jealous. It looked like it wasn't that easy to hide in the back courtyard and be a carefree rice worm.

Today, Madam Yang had returned the coral bracelet and Royal Princess Duanjia's invitation in front of everyone. She didn't know what her eldest sister-in-law, Zou shi, would think if she knew.

With this thought, Chu Lian immediately decided to go to Qingwen Hall tomorrow and tell the matriarch about this matter alone.

Royal Princess Duanjia had arranged to meet her on the 26th. There were still two days to prepare, so she wasn't in a rush.