Old Madam Gu slightly lifted her eyelids, glimpsing Xiao Hong as she left happily.
"What’s this, both Hui’er and his wife have come?"
She hadn’t seen that rascal son for a couple of days, and was somewhat concerned.
"Has he recovered so quickly?"
Truly thick-skinned, perhaps the beating was too light.
Old Madam Gu widened her eyes and looked at the hourglass, muttering, "Why have they come at this time?"
Nanny Rong smiled and said, "Both the Marquis and Madam are here. I had someone announce their arrival earlier, but seeing you were napping and the sun was hot outside, I took the liberty to have Xiao Hong invite them in to rest."
"Yes, yes," Old Madam Gu rose, "I’m always confident in how you handle things."
Nanny Rong hurriedly stepped forward to help her up, and took a comb to smooth the hair around her temples, asking, "Would the Old Madam like to see them now?"
"Of course, I must go. Who knows what brings them here at this moment."
When Old Madam Gu arrived in the outer room, she saw Qin Yuan chatting with Xiao Hong.
Despite Xiao Hong’s young age, she was articulate, and when she spoke happily, her little braids bounced up.
Gu Jinghui stood aside, watching with a smile.
Old Madam Gu felt her heart stir and whispered, "This looks a bit like a family of three. I wonder when this rascal will let me hold a grandson."
Nanny Rong comforted her, "As long as the two are well, it’s only a matter of time."
Old Madam Gu gently cleared her throat.
Hearing the commotion, Gu Jinghui turned awkwardly, fawningly greeting, "Mother, how have you been these days?"
"Hmph," Old Madam Gu turned away, ignoring him, speaking only to Qin Yuan, "Yuan’er, why have you come at this time, is something the matter?"
Qin Yuan took the box of pastries from Hong Ye’s hands, handing it to Nanny Rong, saying, "Mother, I went to the West Market and bought some Sugar Jujube Cakes and Lotus Leaf Bowl Cakes from Meixiang House. I don’t know if you like them."
"Like them, how could I not," Old Madam Gu beamed, "It’s thoughtful of you to find out this, you are truly considerate."
Then she said to Gu Jinghui, "You sit too, see how adorable your wife is."
Qin Yuan just pursed her lips and smiled, while Gu Jinghui also laughed dryly a couple of times, slowly sitting down, glancing at her, and complained, "She’s indeed adorable. Just now, I asked her to order a meal to be sent in, yet she insisted on eating from Mother’s small kitchen instead."
"Oh?"
Old Madam Gu and Nanny Rong, being of a certain age, naturally understood everything, and upon hearing this, looked towards Qin Yuan.
Qin Yuan hurriedly explained, "Mother, the Marquis worried I might go hungry. I just thought it was inappropriate to do so outside of holidays. If others know, they might say I’m too frivolous. Coincidentally, the Marquis didn’t have much for lunch either, so we both came to eat from Mother’s small kitchen."
"Then let Xiuxiang make a few of her specialty dishes. Hui’er used to love her cooking the most, you should try them too," Old Madam Gu immediately said.
Qin Yuan quickly responded, "The Marquis wants to eat lightly, but I like sour and spicy. It’s a rare chance to dine from Mother’s small kitchen, I want to eat well."
Old Madam Gu laughed heartily.
Qin Yuan pleaded, "The nannies and maids with me and Gu Shiliu are still hungry too. Can Mother help us find a solution?"
Old Madam Gu, pleased, instructed Xiao Hong, "You’ve stood here for quite a while, go assist the Madam by running errands."
Xiao Hong’s face lit up, promptly responding with a crisp "Yes," and ran out.
The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted and laughed, with Gu Jinghui on the side holding a teacup, unable to join the conversation, only occasionally looking at Qin Yuan with a smile in his eyes.
Before long, Qiujie and the maids set the table. Qin Yuan, having been hungry for some time, ate heartily, while Gu Jinghui sat beside her, leisurely accompanying her, and also ate quite a bit.
Old Madam Gu didn’t mind breaking the silence during meals, occasionally making small talk.
As people age, they enjoy having their descendants around for the lively atmosphere.
"These two children have grown up so well, and they’re so polite. Their every move is pleasing to the eye," Old Madam Gu quietly shared her thoughts with Nanny Rong, "They truly make a perfect match."
Nanny Rong smiled silently.
Hearing the sounds, Gu Jinghui subtly glanced at Qin Yuan, slightly curving the corners of his lips, with his ears gradually turning red.
After they finished eating, Old Madam Gu said, "The Marquis used to stay in the outer court, and Wutong Garden was only tidied up when you got married. There was no small kitchen set up there yet. It’s indeed inconvenient for such matters. I’ll decide to set up a small kitchen in Wutong Garden too, and the expenses will be accounted for from my books."
Qin Yuan said, "Mother, wouldn’t that be inappropriate, what about sixth brother’s wife..."
Old Madam Gu replied, "She’s so sensible, she’d only agree and not say otherwise. She manages the household alone, and she organized your wedding, so some oversights are inevitable. Don’t dwell on it."
Qin Yuan laughed and said, "Mother, now that I’ve come, I’ve eaten and taken a small kitchen, I must visit you often in the future."