Xie Zhinuan saw them acting like this, and she looked on with fondness and love.
She put down the basket, hugged both children in her arms, and planted a firm kiss on each one of them, "Look what I brought back for you!"
"Yingtao!"
"Something to eat!"
Qin Mao was older and recognized the cherries.
Xie Yi was younger, and he didn’t dare claim they were cherries.
Xie Zhinuan also smiled and asked Chunyu to wash them, "Clean them and bring them here, and send a portion over to Rourou!"
As for everyone else, Xie Zhinuan didn’t think that far.
All her thoughts were on Xie Yi.
Even for Qin Mao, she mostly cared because Qin Yu and Zhao Xiuya had entrusted him to her, and when Qin Mao called her "Auntie," it felt cordial.
Chunyu immediately went to wash them and even picked through them, bringing over the best and selecting another bowl for Lichun to take to Mu Rourou’s courtyard.
Mu Rourou’s period had come in these past days, and she felt a bit tired, unwilling to go out.
On the way, Lichun sneaked two cherries and found them truly sweet.
Seeing the cherries, Mu Rourou was also overjoyed, eating more than half by herself, "Leave the rest, I will eat them later!"
"Yes!"
The maids hurriedly acknowledged.
Mu Rourou thought that since they had come with her and were diligent and honest, she ought to be generous at the junction, "Go ahead and share them among yourselves, then tell the person who does the purchasing, if they come across anyone selling cherries or fruits outside, to buy some and bring them back!"
She had money in her hand, and it was said that Xie Zhinuan’s braised meat shop was doing very well, allowing her to get a share every month. No matter the amount, as long as there was income, it was fine.
Now, she was living off Xie Zhinuan for food and lodging. Even the maids ate Xie Zhinuan’s food and wore clothes prepared by Xie Zhinuan; she just provided some pocket money and monthly silver.
"Huff!" Mu Rourou sighed softly.
How could there be such a kind Sister Xie in the world!
In the main courtyard, Xie Zhinuan was eating cherries, spitting out the pits and telling Xie Yi and Qin Mao to eat slowly and spit out the pits,
while taking the opportunity to chat with Dugu Zhen.
"Did you see that Mr. Gu?" Dugu Zhen asked.
"No, I just stood at the gate for a moment; they didn’t want to see me. If they don’t want to see me, so be it. I will go there every day when I’m free. I don’t believe he can hide forever!"
"Why bother so much for a bunch of bandit brats? You might end up raising a pack of ingrates, and your efforts will be in vain," Dugu Zhen snorted coldly.
He couldn’t help but dampen Xie Zhinuan’s enthusiasm.
In his opinion, it was best to just throw those little brats outside and let them fend for themselves. Why waste the effort?
"It’s not entirely for them; it’s for the two children, Ayi and Amao," said Xie Zhinuan, glancing at the two well-behaved kids.
Qin Mao was indeed gentle.
He was the type without a hint of temper, and even at a young age, he showed signs of elegance.
In the future, he was bound to be a handsome gentleman, as clear as the moon and as pure as a breeze.
But to be as clear as the moon and as pure as a breeze, one must have ability.
"The people of Number One Manor are not dead; you should have left this troublesome matter to them. Why bother making the trip yourself? Wouldn’t it be better for us to just study medicine?"
At these words, Xie Zhinuan just smiled.
This old master was quite thoughtful.
"Right, some disciples from the Carefree Sect are coming. You have some free time to guide them!" Dugu Zhen said again.
"Me?" Xie Zhinuan pointed to herself, "I’m not right for that, am I? I haven’t even mastered medicine myself; how can I guide others? Better not!"
Xie Zhinuan shook her head; she didn’t want to make a fool of herself.
"Little girl, don’t sell yourself short. Besides, your medical skills, which draw on the strengths of many, are beyond what those recluses can match. Anyway, we’ll discuss it when the time comes. If you find them agreeable, teach them; if not, send them packing!" Dugu Zhen made a firm decision.