Chapter 542 - 541: Taste

Chapter 542: Chapter 541: Taste

After the courtesy was exchanged, Mu Lianxiao led the guests to the other side.

The maids served osmanthus wine and some refreshing snacks.

Mu Lianxiao glanced in the direction of Du Yunluo and asked the maid, "Aren’t those the same things on the table with the lady?"

The maid smiled and said, "The lady doesn’t drink, so she has some sweet pastries. Last time, Third Madam Xu sent some to the Marquis Mansion, and the lady praised them for being delicious."

Mu Lianxiao knew that Du Yunluo preferred sweets, and upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but smile and said, "Delicious? Then bring some over for us to try."

Soon, the maid came over carrying a food box.

Osmanthus cake, sweet osmanthus dumplings, and osmanthus porridge were not only fragrant and pleasant but also delightful to look at.

Mu Lianxiao didn’t have much of a sweet tooth before, but after marrying Du Yunluo, she would often have sweet soups and pastries in the afternoon, and Mu Lianxiao gradually got used to it.

Zhuang Ke had a taste for everything, but with two children, sweets were indispensable, and snacks were always available in the house.

Mu Liankang pointed at the osmanthus cake, saying, "The translucent appearance with crushed osmanthus is also beautiful; Sister Ying would definitely like it."

"I just saw Sister Ying holding one to bite," Mu Lianxiao laughed.

For a father, his taste changes with his children.

Ye Yuzhi couldn’t help but chuckle, and said in a low voice to Huang Yun, who was sipping osmanthus wine, "Do you eat sweets?"

Huang Yun shook his head with a bitter smile, "I have no choice but to eat."

Everyone heard this and looked at him in confusion.

Huang Yun cleared his throat and said, "After leading troops outside for years, where would I have the chance to eat these delicate things? After returning to the capital, my mother insists on making up for it, not only for me, even my father can’t escape it."

The thought of General Huang, who usually drank heartily and ate meat, indulging in a variety of delicate snacks, made everyone chuckle.

Huang Yun was used to being straightforward and wasn’t afraid of being laughed at. He clinked glasses with Mu Liankang and turned his head to ask Ye Yuzhi, "And you?"

"Me?" Ye Yuzhi was taken aback, then smiled again, his smile gentle like a spring breeze, "I used to eat often, because An Ran likes them. Once she gets married, I won’t have them anymore."

When An Ran was favored, she naturally got whatever she wanted. The household affairs were managed by Aunt Liao, and whatever An Ran asked for, she got it.

Once An Ran got married, even though Aunt Liao hadn’t handed over the household chores, she no longer had the heart to handle those things.

Ye Yuzhi originally accompanied An Ran, so he wouldn’t suddenly bring it up again.

The affairs in the Duke Mansion made the atmosphere a bit awkward.

Ye Yuzhi had long understood his situation and wouldn’t lament about it. He casually shifted the topic back to the three children: "They seem to have grown a lot compared to when they were at Shanyu Pass."

At this age, children grow quickly. Not to mention over half a year, they change every month.

When Brother Yan left Shanyu Pass, he would only take a few steps before tumbling down. Now, he was already able to run unsteadily.

Thinking of his son’s changes, Mu Lianxiao was elated, eager to hold Brother Yan and show him to these people.

Huang Yun was amused by Mu Lianxiao’s animated expression and said, "Indeed, all fathers are the same. A while ago, my second sister brought her child back to her mother’s house, and her husband was keen to show us everything the child could do. My second sister was quite annoyed."

Mu Liankang playfully punched Huang Yun, "And what about you? Aren’t you getting married?"

Huang Yun touched the tip of his nose, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes, and laughed awkwardly, "There’s still Yu Zhi... we’re in the same boat."

"Don’t say that," Mu Lianxiao shook his head and said, "The palace is considering Yu Zhi’s marriage."

Ye Yuzhi was taken aback upon hearing the conversation turn back to him.

In his current situation, discussing marriage wasn’t that simple; bringing another girl into the Duke Mansion would be ruining her life.

Huang Yun seemed thoughtful, glanced at Huang Jie in the pavilion, and nudged Ye Yuzhi’s arm with his elbow, "What about my sister, A Jie?"

Ye Yuzhi was extremely surprised.

His situation was awkward, and Huang Yun knew this very well. Ye Yuzhi also knew Huang Yun’s character; he wasn’t the type to joke about his sister’s life so carelessly.

Huang Yun bringing it up now was genuinely a serious consideration.

Thinking of how General Huang and Huang Yun had cared for him over the past two years, and how they were "lifting" him up at this moment, Ye Yuzhi felt warm inside.

He raised his eyes to follow Huang Yun’s gaze and saw Huang Jie.

Huang Jie was focused on her osmanthus porridge, oblivious to what was happening on their side.

Ye Yuzhi looked for a couple of moments and smiled faintly.

He had a good impression of Huang Jie because of her family name Huang, but this impression was mere friendliness, far from reaching a deeper level. Ye Yuzhi wouldn’t view a friend’s sister with such intent.

Perhaps, with more interactions, he would understand Huang Jie better, but he always felt that now wasn’t the right time.

"Are you willing to let your sister get involved in the affairs of the Duke Mansion?" Ye Yuzhi asked.

Huang Yun propped his chin with his palm, momentarily at a loss for words.

Ye Yuzhi lifted his wine cup, the reflection in the cup revealing his bright eyes, carrying a hint of helplessness in his smile.

Mu Lianxiao cleared his throat and said, "Yu Zhi, since the palace wants you to get married, there has to be a candidate."

Halfway through, Ye Yuzhi was no fool. He immediately understood, and also realized why he was invited to Suru Garden to admire the osmanthus today.

He lifted his gaze, which fell upon Huang Jie again.

His vision was excellent, and at this short distance, he could see Huang Jie’s features clearly.

On the other side, unaware of what was being said, Huang Jie appeared to be listening intently, a slight smile on her lips, reserved yet nervous, fingers holding onto her handkerchief. Once Zhuang Ke began to laugh, Huang Jie seemed more relaxed, her smile broadening.

Compared to the confident Zhuang Ke and the charming Du Yunluo, Huang Jie’s expressions were fewer, yet watching closely, one could comprehend her subtle changes.

Ye Yuzhi withdrew his gaze and asked Huang Yun in a low voice, "Is this your idea? Or General Huang’s idea?"

Huang Yun coughed lightly, cautiously answering, "It’s the palace’s idea, but Yu Zhi, both my father and I value you as a person."

Ye Yuzhi smiled slightly.

In the pavilion, Zhuang Ke was recounting her experiences at the Oasis, mentioning a time when desert foxes suddenly entered the oasis, and with the bandit leader leading them away, the oasis was left with mostly old, weak women and a few young men with mediocre skills.

Zhuang Ke narrated the story with zeal, making Huang Jie’s heart leap until they narrowly escaped danger, chased away the desert foxes, and caught a few to make fur hats. Only then did Huang Jie relax, letting out a soft sigh of relief.

"More interesting than stories in books," Huang Jie said with a smile.

Zhuang Ke laughed merrily, "I’m glad you enjoy it. The group around me is tired of hearing it already, and neither the listeners nor I find it amusing anymore."