SFS Chapter 35 Poria and Yam Cake
Chapter 35 Poria and Yam Cake
These words made Liu Wan'er blush, while Xiao Chengyan laughed smugly.
Seeing that the woman was willing to put in so much effort for him, he was naturally delighted.
Qiao Qingqiao also noticed this. She frowned slightly, looked Liu Wan'er over and then at Xiao Chengyan. She didn't say anything, but her expression was somewhat serious.
Qiao Qingle, carefree and naive, clapped her hands and laughed, joking around.
"Oh dear, what you said is so true. I only saw my cousin wear this hairpin during the New Year. Could it be that she took it out to wear today because Brother Xiao Er is here?"
A casual remark struck a nerve with Liu Wan'er, exposing her hidden thoughts to the light of day.
She immediately retorted in a panic.
"No, no, no, Third Miss, please don't talk nonsense. This hairpin was just something the maid picked up and helped me put on. It wasn't for Second Brother Xiao at all. Good sister, please don't tease me. If you do, Eldest Miss will be unhappy."
Qiao Qingshu spread her hands generously and smiled.
"Cousin, do you think I'm that petty? If you really wore it for Brother Xiao Er, I'd be overjoyed."
Turning her head to glance at Xiao Chengyan, Qiao Qingshu tilted her head and teased,
"If you really like Young Master Xiao, I might as well give you this marriage. Anyway, the marriage is not settled yet. You two are quite a good match, aren't you?"
A calculating and narcissistic man and a woman full of schemes and ambition, aren't they a perfect match?
Liu Wan'er was completely taken aback by Qiao Qingshu's words and looked up at her.
A truly unrealistic and extravagant hope arose in my heart.
Would Qiao Qingshu really hand over Xiao Chengyan to her?
But when she glanced at Xiao Chengyan's expression, Liu Wan'er's heart, which had just been lifted, immediately plummeted back into an ice cave, instantly bringing her back to her senses.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengyan's previously cheerful expression instantly turned cold.
Qiao Qingshu's statement that he, the eldest grandson of the Duke's mansion, was a perfect match for a girl from a poor relative's family who was living in the Marquis's mansion was clearly an insult to him!
Although he liked Liu Wan'er, he also knew that someone of Liu Wan'er's status was only fit to be a concubine.
He flicked his sleeves, his brows furrowed with seriousness.
"Shu'er, you can't joke like that."
He looked as if he didn't want to be associated with Liu Wan'er at all.
Qiao Qingshu shrugged and said casually,
"We're all sisters, just joking around. Second brother, please don't take it seriously."
Having said that, he walked ahead with ease, leading everyone to Liufang Garden.
Xiao Chengyan respectfully offered incense to Bai's memorial tablet. Since it was still a long time before lunch, Qiao Qingshu led everyone to the flower hall to talk.
Qiao Qingshu instructed the small kitchen to prepare some pastries and ordered the maid to brew a pot of fine Pu'er tea.
Everyone sat together, and Qiao Qingle kept eating the snacks from the plate.
Seeing that Xiao Chengyan hadn't touched his food, Qiao Qingshu asked knowingly,
"Second brother, why don't you try some snacks? They're freshly made this morning: sweet rice wine and osmanthus cake, and milk and honey cake."
Qiao Qingshu knew that Xiao Chengyan didn't like sweets, so she deliberately had sweets prepared for him.
Xiao Chengyan pursed his lips and shook his head, saying he wasn't hungry, and simply picked up his teacup to drink tea.
Seeing this, Liu Wan'er spoke cautiously.
"Second brother probably doesn't like sweets. I got up early this morning and made some poria and yam cakes, which are still warm on the stove. I'll have the maid fetch some."
As Liu Wan'er spoke, she observed the expressions of Qiao Qingshu and Xiao Chengyan. Seeing that neither of them refused, she instructed her maid, Xinghua, to fetch it.
Qiao Qingshu took a sip of tea, a smile playing on her lips, and said...
"Oh? Second brother doesn't like sweets?"
Xiao Chengyan nodded slightly, his resistance to Liu Wan'er lessening by a third.
He liked Liu Wan'er because of her gentleness, understanding, and consideration for him. She treated his unintentional words as imperial edicts.
Qiao Qingshu couldn't do that. She was kind and generous in her dealings with people, but she would never be subservient or try to please others. She was a dignified noblewoman. Such a woman was suitable as a principal wife, but she lacked a bit of romance.
Qiao Qingshu's gaze swept between Xiao Chengyan and Liu Wan'er with a smile, and she asked probingly,
"My dear cousin, you're so thoughtful and considerate. But how did you know that my second brother doesn't like sweets? Did he tell you?"
Liu Wan'er glanced at Qiao Qingshu, then quickly lowered her head to distance herself.
"I was just guessing. It wasn't my second brother who told me."
Qiao Qingshu nodded thoughtfully and smiled, "Is that so?"
But in her heart she thought to herself, "You guessed he doesn't like sweets, so you guessed he likes poria and yam cake too?"
Xiao Chengyan's favorite snack since childhood was only one thing: Poria and yam cake. Qiao Qingshu knew this very well after a lifetime of marriage.
Liu Wan'er is truly thoughtful and meticulous; her preparations are so considerate and thorough. No wonder Xiao Er took a liking to her.
Upon hearing that Xiao Er didn't like sweets, Qiao Qingle immediately pulled the plate closer to her lap and smiled.
"Okay, they're all mine now. I love sweets the most."
Qiao Qingqiao reached out and patted her head, lecturing her.
"There's no reason for everyone to eat. What if others don't eat? What if the older sister doesn't eat? What if I don't eat?"
Qing Le wasn't angry at being hit; she just kept smiling foolishly with her mouth full of pastries.
Everyone laughed at her adorable appearance. The atmosphere seemed relaxed, but undercurrents were actually swirling.
After the Poria and Yam Cakes were served, Xiao Chengyan and Liu Wan'er's gazes became even more unrestrained than before.
Qiao Qingshu sipped her tea slowly, chatting casually with her two younger sisters, but her eyes were constantly watching the show.
We'll see when they can't hold back any longer and decide to leave.
as predicted.
A moment later, Liu Wan'er excused herself, saying she was feeling a bit tired and wanted to go back to rest.
Qiao Qingshu said with concern,
"Then cousin, go back and rest quickly. Do you want me to invite you to lunch?"
Liu Wan'er waved her hand and said,
"Cousin, no need. I'll just eat something when I get back and then take a nap."
After saying that, she walked away gracefully.
After finishing a cup of tea and two pieces of Poria cocos and yam cake, Xiao Chengyan stood up and said...
"I've had too much tea, I'm going to use the restroom."
Qiao Qingshu raised her eyes and smiled meaningfully.
"Second brother, would you like to have a nanny show you the way?"
Xiao Chengyan waved his hand indifferently.
“This isn’t my first time visiting the Qiao residence. I know the way. I’ll go myself.”
After saying that, he got up and quickly left his seat.
Only the three Qiao family daughters remained in the flower hall.
Qiao Qingle was still happily eating the snacks while holding the plate.
Qiao Qingqiao looked at Qiao Qingshu with a worried expression and asked,
"Big sister, are you sure you don't want to send someone to check on Brother Xiao Er? What if..."
Qiao Qingshu watched the two figures disappear through the doorway, casually examining the pattern of intertwined mandarin ducks on the teacup.
"Are you worried that Xiao Er will get lost? If he does get lost in the garden, let him enjoy the scenery. The flowers in the garden are blooming beautifully now."
Qiao Qingqiao frowned slightly. It was almost the beginning of winter, and there were hardly any flowers left to admire in the garden.
Then, noticing that Lin Dong and Wan Qiu, who had been beside Qiao Qingshu, were nowhere to be seen, Qiao Qingqiao instantly understood and pursed her lips in agreement.
"Yes, what my sister says is true."
Liu Wan'er wandered around the artificial hill, peering out with her eyes, until she finally saw that tall and imposing figure walking towards her from the waterside pavilion.