"Ah!" the Marchioness sighed.
She personally made a trip to the great kitchen.
She ordered many dishes, "If anything is missing, send someone out to buy it immediately, and also wait at the palace gate. If the Marquess finishes court, please have him return to the Marquis Residence immediately. Also, invite the Princely Heir and the Second Young Master back!"
In the Marquis Residence, rules mattered, but often, there was flexibility.
Meals were usually taken in each one’s courtyard, but on solar terms, everyone, regardless of rank, would sit and eat together.
The servant responded and quickly left.
From the great-grandmother’s courtyard, constant laughter could be heard.
The Crown Princess, Mrs. Lu, had given birth to two boys and a girl. The little girl, not yet three years old, was cute, adorable, and clever. At this moment, she woke up and came over to greet the great-grandmother, wobbling as she walked, her appearance as endearing as a beautifully carved doll.
Yun Jinnian could not take his eyes off her as soon as he saw her.
"Feifei greets great-grandmother, greets Third Uncle, greets mother, greets Second Aunt, greets little Auntie, and greets..." Looking at Yun Jinnian, she tilted her head, "Hmm, greets..."
Dai Hanmi couldn’t help but laugh, "Feifei, you call her Auntie. Auntie Jinnian!"
"Hee hee, greetings to Auntie!" Feifei said, then collapsed into the great-grandmother’s arms, gazing at Yun Jinnian with a giggling smile.
Yun Jinnian, seeing how much Feifei liked her, quickly took out a small gilded filigree brocade box from his purse and handed it to Feifei, "Here, this is a gift from Auntie. Let your mother keep it safe for you!"
Inside was a pill made of Blood Lotus, Thousand-Year Ginseng, Lingzhi, and other precious medicinal materials, which Yun Jinnian carried with him in case of emergencies.
Only a few pills had been refined, and they were extremely valuable. Yun Jinnian wouldn’t normally give them to just anyone.
"Thank you, Auntie!" Feifei said, taking it and examining it in the palm of her hand.
She was still young and did not know the value of the item, but seeing Yun Jinnian handle it with such care, she guessed it must be very precious.
She asked Yun Jinnian seriously, "Auntie, this now belongs to Feifei, right?"
"Then, can Feifei give it away?"
Yun Jinnian was taken aback.
But he smiled, "You can!"
"Great-grandmother is not in good health. Can Feifei give it to great-grandmother?"
Upon hearing this, the great-grandmother Dai’s eyes turned red, and she hugged Feifei tightly, calling her "my heart, my heart" several times. "Great-grandmother has it, your Auntie Jinnian just gave many to me. Keep what Auntie Jinnian gave to Feifei. Feifei should take good care of it!"
The great-grandmother Dai affectionately held Feifei, kissing and caressing her. She was so full of affection and indulgence that for the first time, Yun Jinnian felt envy and jealousy besides admiration.
Feifei was charmingly cute and particularly good at lightening the heart. Soon after, she performed a piece of her learning for the great-grandmother, singing in a childish voice that was truly endearing.
Dai Hanmi invited Yun Jinnian to have some tea and snacks.
"My Feifei is the most sensible and considerate!" said Dai Hanmi, her eyes unable to hide her indulgence.
Yun Jinnian nodded, "Indeed!"
Yun Jinnian liked children and the elderly lady without any reason; it was a simple fondness, which was why, upon seeing the kind-hearted great-grandmother, he had acted without hesitation in the past. He later regretted his impulsivity, but upon reflection, he realized that given the chance, he would do it again.
The room was filled with joyful laughter, while Dai Hanbo sat quietly at the side, not feeling awkward. From time to time, he stole glances at Yun Jinnian, afraid of being noticed. He would look away after just a glimpse.
His cautious demeanor touched Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Qu.
Although he was their younger brother-in-law, Hanbo had a good nature and treated his two sisters-in-law with utmost respect.
If they asked him to help with something, he never refused.
The sisters-in-law exchanged glances and decided that they must help Hanbo to marry Yun Jinnian.