Chapter 361: Joyful Family, Shadow in the Night p2
Mao Ruoyu smiled gently, arranging the dishes and handing out bowls of rice: “I had some free time today, so naturally, I had to cook a meal to celebrate, Shuya.”
“It’s truly a blessing to have Madam Mao around.”
Hua Shuya smiled sweetly and gracefully sat down: “Since returning to the mansion, I’ve been missing your cooking every day, Madam, it’s truly unforgettable.”
Seeing her girlish and innocent demeanor, Mao Ruoyu’s smile became even gentler and warmer: “We’ll have many more opportunities to be together in the future.”
Hua Shuya blushed slightly, but unable to resist the delicious food, she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.
Lin Tianlu and Chi Lingyuan also sat down and picked up their chopsticks.
Chi Lingyuan looked at the dishes on the table, although they were just simple home-cooked dishes, their beautiful colors and luster were appetizing, and she secretly marveled.
This Mao girl’s cooking skills were truly impressive.
Compared to…
Recalling the “sweet and sour pork ribs” she had just attempted to make, Chi Lingyuan’s expression turned subtle as she picked up her rice bowl.
—It was better not to say anything.
If Tianlu knew that she had made that… “pitch-black thing,” she would lose all face.
“Mmm?!”
But after taking a bite of the stir-fried meat, Chi Lingyuan’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in surprise.
There was such delicious food in this world?!
Mao Ruoyu smiled mysteriously: “Husband, there’s also a plate of golden fried rice I specially made for you.”
“Oh?”
Lin Tianlu looked curiously at the egg fried rice that had just been brought out and couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
This rice…
The yellowish-black rice was covered in burnt bits, and chunks of fried egg were scattered around. Although there were some scallions and crispy fried dough sticks sprinkled on top, the dominant smell was still burnt.
Hua Shuya’s chopsticks froze as she stared at the fried rice, a look of astonishment on her face.
Since when had Madam Mao’s cooking become so—
“Perhaps… you shouldn’t eat that.”
Cheng Yishi suddenly spoke, her face slightly flushed, and she chuckled awkwardly: “I’m not very good at cooking, and it doesn’t look very appetizing. Try Ruoyu’s dishes first, we’ll have dinner with Mother Tan and the others later, there’s no need to eat too much now.”
So it wasn’t made by Madam Mao, but by Madam Cheng?
“It’s fine.”
Lin Tianlu quickly smiled, took the plate, and scooped up a spoonful of fried rice.
“Ah.”
Cheng Yishi quickly reached out to stop him, but seeing that he had already taken a bite, a worried look appeared on her face: “If it doesn’t taste good, just spit it out, don’t force yourself.”
“It actually tastes quite good.”
But Lin Tianlu smiled and took another bite, mumbling as he chewed: “Although the heat control is a bit off, it’s still quite delicious.”
Saying this, he took a few more large bites, almost finishing the plate of fried rice.
Cheng Yishi was momentarily speechless, and when she finally reacted, she hurriedly filled a bowl of soup and handed it to him: “Why are you eating so fast? Have some soup so you don’t choke.”
“Hu—”
Lin Tianlu took a sip of soup and smiled gently: “I’m very happy that you cooked for me, Yishi. There’s no need to rush.”
“But this fried rice…”
“It’s delicious.”
He gave her a thumbs-up, praising: “At least in my opinion, it’s second only to Ruoyu’s cooking.”
Cheng Yishi pursed her lips slightly and said helplessly: “There’s no need to flatter me so much, my husband.”
But looking at his gentle smile, she couldn’t help but chuckle softly: “I was being a bit pretentious… Alright, stop looking at me, everyone, and enjoy Ruoyu’s cooking.”
Mao Ruoyu secretly glanced at Cheng Yishi’s face, seeing the hidden joy and emotion in her eyes, and smiled with satisfaction.
Yishi’s efforts weren’t in vain, her husband cherished her.
And now—
“Shuya.”
She took a sip of soup and asked softly: “Were you practicing swordsmanship with my husband in the courtyard just now?”
“Yes.” Hua Shuya quickly came back to her senses and nodded: “Thanks to Master’s guidance, I’ve made quite a bit of progress today.”
“You two…”
Mao Ruoyu glanced at them with a slightly indulgent smile: “Can you really… express your love and affection through practicing swordsmanship?”
Hua Shuya blushed and buried her face in her food, remaining silent.
Lin Tianlu chuckled, shaking his head, and placed some food in Mao Ruoyu’s bowl: “You’re so focused on them, Ruoyu, don’t forget to eat yourself.”
The beautiful woman’s eyes flickered, and she smiled gently: “The two younger sisters are so adorable, I just want to help them. However—”
She said with a slight pout: “I have to eat less.”
Since resuming her Yin technique cultivation and nourishing her body and soul with the Moon Shadow Breath, she wouldn’t gain weight as easily as an ordinary mortal. But eating too much still… made her feel a bit uneasy.
“You should eat more, Sister Ruoyu.”
Cheng Yishi suddenly picked up a few pieces of meat and placed them in her bowl, smiling sweetly and elegantly: “I heard that the Moon Shadow Breath is nourishing, and it can even help women… develop further. Perhaps your figure will become even more alluring and captivating, sister.”
Mao Ruoyu’s eye twitched, almost getting goosebumps.
This girl was teasing her again.
Hua Shuya, who had been quietly eating, silently took two more pieces of meat and started eating with even more gusto.
Lin Tianlu cleared his throat with a subtle expression, trying to maintain his composure as he continued eating.
But he couldn’t help but imagine…
If Ruoyu’s figure developed even further, just how… magnificent would it be?
“Pfft—”
Chi Lingyuan suddenly chuckled.
Seeing everyone looking at her, she quickly waved her hand, suppressing her laughter: “I’m just watching the fun, don’t mind me.”
These girls and Tianlu, interacting with each other, were quite amusing.
…
As night deepened, the Yumin Village gradually became quiet.
After everyone had finished dinner, Lin Tianlu was about to wash up and return to his room when he saw a maid standing silently behind him.
“Miss Lan’er?”
“Young Master, Her Highness requests your presence.”
Lin Tianlu straightened his clothes and asked, puzzled: “What does Mother Tan want to discuss, is it about the wedding tomorrow?”
“The wedding preparations are almost complete, Young Master, there’s no need for you to worry.”
Lan’er lowered her head and said indifferently: “She just wants to talk to you about the recent incidents in the mansion.”
Lin Tianlu nodded thoughtfully: “I understand.”
Although the Qingyang Grand Ceremony had ended smoothly, the chaos and conflict that had occurred couldn’t be ignored.
He hadn’t been concerned about the schemes and plots behind the Qingyang Grand Ceremony before, because the Hua family had the ability to handle it, there was no need for him, an outsider, to interfere.
And now that Mother Tan finally had some free time, she must have some information.
…
As Lan’er opened the door and stepped aside respectfully, Lin Tianlu quickly straightened his clothes and entered the room.
This seemed to be Mother Tan’s bedroom. Although spacious, it wasn’t overly decorated, but rather simple and elegant.
And on the wooden table by the window was a purple jade incense burner, emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance that filled the room.
Gently lifting the thin gauze curtain, Lin Tianlu saw Mother Tan sitting quietly at the tea table.
Unlike her usual dignified and noble attire, now that it was late, she was only wearing a silk sleeping robe and a gauze shawl, a mature and alluring beauty.
Her hair was styled in a high bun, still beautiful and elegant, the curves of her voluptuous figure faintly visible beneath the thin robe.
“Since you’re here, Tianlu, come and sit down.”
Mother Tan gracefully lifted her teacup and took a sip, her voice mature and calm: “It’s already the second watch, and I still called you over, I apologize for the disturbance. If you’re tired, you can lie down and rest for a while.”
As she spoke, she casually gestured towards the silk-covered couch beside the tea table, spacious and soft, perfect for resting.
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands respectfully: “You’ve been busy with my and Shuya’s wedding these past two days, Mother Tan, you must be tired, it’s only right for me to come and visit.”
Mother Tan couldn’t help but smile, a hint of warmth in her heart.
But she quickly said: “Don’t forget, Tianlu, it’s thanks to your help that the Hua family and I have the time to worry about the wedding. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be enjoying such peace and comfort right now.”
“Even without me, perhaps the old Prince would have had other plans.” Lin Tianlu chuckled: “His friends are all quite extraordinary, he must have some other arrangements.”
“Perhaps.”
Mother Tan said noncommittally: “The old Prince’s actions are unpredictable, his thoughts hard to grasp. He might indeed have some other tricks up his sleeve.
But the unrest in the mansion hasn’t stopped, the madams and concubines are still scheming and fighting in secret, those conspiracies must have been planned long ago, and there are many traitors and spies within the mansion.”
The mansion… was even more chaotic?
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly: “Has there been any open conflict?”
“Now that the old Prince has returned, and with so many ‘experts’ here, they naturally wouldn’t dare to go too far.”
Mother Tan put down her teacup and said slowly, as if sneering: “And perhaps the old Prince is also tired of dealing with their petty squabbles and is just letting them fight it out in secret.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression was subtle.
The complex relationships within the Hua Mansion were difficult for him, an outsider, to understand, it wasn’t appropriate for him to interfere.
“Don’t worry, Tianlu, with the old Prince and me guaranteeing it, no one will dare to disrupt the wedding.”
Mother Tan’s tone softened, and she continued: “Only the old Prince himself will attend the wedding banquet, the others in the mansion won’t be there. Even if they cause trouble, it has nothing to do with us.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he cupped his hands: “Thank you for your thoughtful arrangements, Mother Tan.”
“You’re welcome.”
Mother Tan frowned slightly and mused: “If any unwanted guests come to this villa, I’ll also be quite displeased.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled inwardly.
It seemed that Mother Tan’s relationship with the Hua family was truly quite bad.
As he sat down, about to speak, he heard Mother Tan suddenly murmur: “Have you… been intimate with your wives recently, Tianlu?”
“Uh?”
Lin Tianlu was stunned and said awkwardly: “I haven’t had much time for that.”
“That’s understandable.” Mother Tan nodded slightly.
But a strange blush appeared on her usually dignified and calm face in the dim candlelight. With a soft sigh, she gently caressed the couch beside her with her sleeve: “Tianlu, lie down.”
“…”
