Chapter 541 - 540: Perceptive Eyes

Chapter 541: Chapter 540: Perceptive Eyes

The food box contains several items that Du Yunluo tried before, all freshly made today, cooled and delivered, just right to taste.

Mu Lianyi said, "Third Sister-in-law Xiao praised them as delicious, so they might suit the taste of Sister-in-law Kang and Miss Huang."

When it comes to taste, everyone sees it differently. Du Yunluo likes something that others might not necessarily enjoy.

Mu Lianyi spoke "offhandedly," overly so, but in the presence of Huang Jie, Du Yunluo wouldn’t pick on a junior family member’s fault, merely smiling lightly.

"Miss Huang," Du Yunluo pointed at the osmanthus porridge, "I love sweet things, not sure if you’re used to it. But this porridge isn’t too sweet, you might want to try it."

Huang Jie shook her head, "I eat sweets too."

Du Yunluo laughed.

As the maids laid out the pastries from the food box one by one, Brother Yan, who was just chasing Sister Ying, suddenly turned around and dashed into Du Yunluo’s embrace.

"Little glutton!" Du Yunluo lifted Brother Yan, took the cloth Lady Peng handed her, and meticulously wiped her son’s hands before scooping a spoonful of osmanthus porridge to feed him.

With the delicious food, Sister Ying and Brother Hui couldn’t resist either, staring with big eyes wanting to eat.

Zhuang Ke amusedly gave Sister Ying a piece of osmanthus cake, letting her eat it aside, then went to look after Brother Hui.

"Though there are wet nurses and maids, it’s always more fun to take care of the children yourself," Zhuang Ke laughed heartily.

Not talking about being meticulous or comprehensive, just about having fun.

Being a mother always means enjoying the joy of growing up with the children.

Huang Jie remembered, her mother said the same thing—from babbling to scribbling, every small change brings joy.

Huang Jie loved making her mother happy, so whatever her mother hoped she would do, she would do well.

Whatever her mother hoped she would wear, even if she found it awkward, unsuitable, or unattractive, she would still wear it.

Yet she wondered when she would feel this way herself.

Huang Jie tasted the osmanthus porridge, and once cooled, it was aromatic and soft, the fragrance of osmanthus enveloping the rice aroma, slightly sweet.

She lifted her head, looking at the golden osmanthus nearby, a patch of orange-yellow.

"Soft faint yellow, delicate and gentle, it leaves only fragrance as feeling fades and traces are distant. No need for light green or deep red hues, this is the best of blossoms," Huang Jie murmured softly.

Du Yunluo paused.

This was the osmanthus in Li Qingzhao’s work, and Huang Jie didn’t recite the latter half.

Plum envies, chrysanthemum shu. Blooming on painted fence, crowned in autumn. The poet was void of emotion, why wasn’t it erased in those years.

Sorrowing for the unfairness done to osmanthus, yet expressing her own grievances.

Du Yunluo looked at Huang Jie, seeing her with lowered eyes, eyelashes fluttering, lips gently pressed, Du Yunluo turned her gaze, and couldn’t help but smile.

Huang Jie still looked just as she remembered, but if talking of being "pretentiously refined," Huang Jie couldn’t compare to that cousin Miss Li Baine from the Shao family.

Furthermore, in Du Yunlo’s eyes, Huang Jie had always been far more endearing than the incomprehensible Li Baine.

Mu Lianyi sent over the pastries and then sat in the pavilion, showing no intention of leaving.

Du Yunluo pondered whether she should ask them to leave when she saw Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang leading Huang Yun and Ye Yuzhi over from the other side.

Zhuang Ke knew this well, yet Huang Jie was utterly puzzled.

Du Yunluo whispered to her, "The one walking at the front is our Marquis."

"I know, last time, when I went to town with my brother, I happened to meet him. My brother spoke with the Marquis, and I saw him from the carriage," Huang Jie explained.

"The tallest one is my uncle, and the remaining one is Young Master Ye," Du Yunluo said.

Dingyuan Marquis Mansion invited them, so Huang Jie wasn’t surprised by Mu Lianxiao and Mu Liankang’s appearance; she just glanced questioningly at Ye Yuzhi.

General Huang admired Ye Yuzhi, often praising this young man who ventured alone to Shanyu Pass at home. Huang Yun would occasionally chime in, so Huang Jie was quite familiar with Ye Yuzhi’s name.

Zhuang Ke smiled and told Huang Jie, "It’s all thanks to Young Master Ye that we, as a couple, found our relatives again."

Huang Jie nodded knowingly. Since the invitees were colleagues from Shanyu Pass, it was reasonable for Ye Yuzhi to come.

"Young Master Ye?" Mu Lianyi asked curiously, "Could it be the Duke Jing Mansion’s eldest son?"

"Indeed," Du Yunluo responded lightly.

An expression of mockery and indignation flitted across Mu Lianyi’s eyes, and she said with a serious face, "The pastries have been delivered to the sisters-in-law, so I’ll be heading back first. If there’s anything else, just let the servants know."

With that said, Mu Lianyi stood up and left swiftly.

Du Yunluo and Zhuang Ke watched the inexplicable Mu Lianyi leave, naturally not asking her to stay.

Mu Lianyi walked quickly, reaching the Gui Family in no time.

Gui Family was quite surprised, "Weren’t you told to stay a bit longer? How come you’re back already?"

"Do you know who else is here?" Mu Lianyi held her mouth, huffing, "The bastard eldest son from the Duke Jing Mansion!"

Gui Family was dumbstruck, shaking her head repeatedly, "No way! That’s a thorn in the side of the Duke Mansion itself. But Lian Xiao went ahead and invited such a person!"

"Exactly!" Mu Lianyi said angrily, "You think I wouldn’t figure out your intentions? You were hoping to have an esteemed guest today, so I could make an appearance before them, perhaps get a chance. You almost got me into trouble; thanks to my quick departure! Don’t involve me in this kind of event again; I’m not going through such embarrassment! No way, I need to talk to Grandmother."

Upon hearing that Mu Lianyi planned to complain to the elder lady of the tribe, the Gui Family was alarmed, quickly stopping her, "My dear ancestor! Don’t go adding trouble in front of the elder lady! I truly had no idea who was coming! You’re my flesh and blood; I wouldn’t try to trap you! They can invite whoever they want; let’s not interfere.

Oh dear, he may seem like he’s from the Duke Mansion, but the Duke Mansion barely acknowledges this offspring! Getting involved with him, haha, only Lian Xiao dares, relying on his title and not fearing gossip from the Duke Mansion. People like us should steer clear."

The mother and daughter chatted until excited, one chiming in after another, gossiping about the Duke Jing Mansion.

Ren Family passed by the window, overhearing the commotion and the situation, couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

This mother-in-law of hers truly lacked perception, no wonder she was a fence-sitter because she couldn’t see character clearly at all.

In the Suru Garden, the guests exchanged greetings.

Ye Yuzhi greeted Zhuang Ke and Du Yunluo, his gaze falling on Huang Jie, calling her "Miss Huang."

No probing, no contempt, no surprise; very calm and proper.

Huang Jie breathed a sigh of relief, regardless of the other person’s identity, whether male or female, as a girl in a boudoir, being mocked or scrutinized for her figure would equally discomfort her.

Ye Yuzhi’s glance brought no displeasure or pressure. It seemed that someone often praised by her father and brother truly wasn’t a disagreeable person.