Yueyao shook her head, "I never add ice to my food." Not to mention adding ice cubes, she seldom ate fruit that was kept in well water. It was just that fruit was difficult to preserve and would spoil easily if not kept in well water.
Yuehuan looked at the backyard filled with flowers and plants and felt it was a pity, "Third sister, if we plant a grapevine here and set up a grape arbor later, everyone could chat and embroider under it. Wouldn’t that be delightful, Third Sister? Don’t you think so?" As time passed, Yuehuan couldn’t control herself, her words tinged with affection.
Yueyao shook her head, "It’s quite fine as it is." If grapes were to be planted, the current layout would need to be changed, and Yueyao was unwilling to alter anything here.
Nanny Wang noticed the affection Yuehuan showed towards Yueyao. Yet Yueyao’s expression remained indifferent, quickly suppressing the doubts that arose in Nanny Wang’s heart.
Yuehuan felt it was somewhat regrettable. She didn’t have a backyard. If she had a backyard as big as Yueyao’s, she would definitely plant grapes, jujubes, and other fruits.
While everyone was talking, a breeze blew across their faces. Yuehuan felt so comfortable that it seemed like she was in a fairy palace. This amused several people nearby, who started to laugh.
Yueyao just smiled and said nothing.
As noon approached, Yuebing stood up and said, "Third younger sister, it’s almost time for lunch; we should head back." Since the host did not offer to keep us for a meal, it would be impolite to impose and stay for lunch.
Yueyao did not insist on them staying. Her daily food purchases were just enough for two people, insufficient for hosting a full meal, so she didn’t play the generous host.
When leaving, Xi Yu handed a full basket of fruit to Hong Mei. The basket contained not only grapes but also pears and cantaloupes.
Yuehuan, not being pretentious, accepted the items and smiled, "Thank you, Third Sister." At the mansion, meals were guaranteed, but fruits like cantaloupes and grapes were rare treats.
When Yuebing returned home, her own courtyard was incomparable to Yueyao’s Lanxi Courtyard. She felt uneasy. Previously, she had the best living conditions among the sisters, but now Yueyao’s life seemed better. Not to mention the costly grapes that no one in their mansion could afford, Yueyao wore a brocade dress that she did not have. Since their mother had been reprimanded by their father, even though pleas had spared them from being confined to the Small Buddhist Hall, her standard of living had significantly declined.
Suddenly, Yuebing also envied Yueyao’s fortune, wishing to have as much money to buy whatever she wanted without constraints. If only she had that much money. A fleeting thought ignited a fire in her heart, but the thought passed quickly.
Yuebing shook her head to herself. Impossible; it was only a distant dream. Not to mention that Yueyao was doing well, even if she weren’t, the dowry would just go back to Ma’s Mansion and it would be none of her concern.
Nanny Wang also furrowed her brows in thought, so she didn’t notice Yuebing’s unusual mood.
Returning to reality from her musings, Yuebing observed Nanny Wang’s expression and asked, "Nanny Wang, what’s wrong?"
Nanny Wang shook her head, "Nothing." She found the Fourth Miss behaving oddly today. She had never fully understood the Third Young Lady, and now even the Fourth Miss was becoming elusive.
The Fourth Miss was very sharp. Nanny Wang had previously thought her sharpness was apparent, but now she felt that the Fourth Miss was starting to tone it down. Nanny Wang didn’t find this unusual. For a daughter born of a concubine to surpass a Legitimate Daughter would be foolhardy. It was just that today’s behavior of the Fourth Miss was too casual. Yet, pinpointing exactly what was wrong was difficult.
Having walked all day, Yuebing was exhausted and said, "Nanny Wang, you may leave. I need to rest." The trip to Lanxi Courtyard was indeed taxing; she felt her legs might break.
ps: This Chapter combines two into one, there won’t be more updates tonight, don’t wait up, folks.