Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

Ji Nuan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she pulled her hand back awkwardly and nervously.

Song Jinbai looked at his empty hands and introduced, "Nuan'er, this is my mother. I didn't expect you to meet her first."

Shen Songhe looked at Ji Nuan's slightly shy expression, her eyes full of smiles. "Yes, I just arrived at Kaiyun Mansion, and the first person I met was you. It's really an indescribable fate." She confessed, "Don't blame me for concealing my identity. We have only seen your portrait and were afraid of making a fool of ourselves by recognizing the wrong person."

Ji Nuan smiled generously and said, "Madam, you are too kind. I am also very happy to be the first person you meet."

Only then did Song Jinbai understand that his mother had recognized Ji Nuan from the beginning, but Ji Nuan didn't know it.

"Mother, what portrait are you talking about?"

He hadn't noticed that there was a painting missing from his study, and was curious about where the portrait Shen Songhe was looking at came from.

Shen Songhe smiled brightly, with a cunning gleam in her eyes. She pointed at Ji Nuan and said, "Nuannuan's portrait, it was you who drew it! If Xiao San hadn't secretly taken it and sent it to me, you wouldn't have thought of bringing it to mother to see." After saying that, she secretly glanced at Mother Wu, as if hinting at something.

Mother Wu was stifling a laugh, her shoulders trembling slightly. It seemed the prince hadn't noticed the portrait had been stolen yet.

"Xiao San?" Ji Nuan was impressed. Who was so talented that he could have such a name that would resound through the ages?

Song Jinbai smiled helplessly, "It's Senior Brother Pei Jingrang, he's the third in line at home."

Ji Nuan's mouth twitched slightly. She really couldn't imagine the scene where Pei Jingrang, such a great figure, was called a mistress.

Shen Songhe called out to the two of them, "Stop standing and talking. Sit down. There are no outsiders here. Don't worry about those rules. Let's talk while we eat."

Song Jinbai helped Shen Songhe back to her original seat, and then carefully took care of Ji Nuan before he sat down next to her. He turned to Wu Mama and Bi Liu who were standing beside him and said, "Nanny, you don't have to wait here to serve us. Go downstairs and order a table of your choice."

"Thank you, Prince!" The two of them bowed happily and then retreated.

Song Jinbai unpacked a piece of honey-roasted pigeon and placed it in Shen Songhe's bowl. "Mom, this is best eaten while it's hot."

Shen Songhe smiled and nodded, "Okay, put some in Nuannuan's bowl while it's still hot."

After all, this was the first time that Ji Nuan met her future mother-in-law in two lifetimes. She was still a little hesitant before she got to know her personality.

She smiled politely and said, "I can eat by myself. He can just take care of my wife's meals."

Shen Songhe shook her head and said to Ji Nuan seriously, "That won't do. You don't have to be embarrassed. You'll be husband and wife soon. It's only natural for him to get used to taking care of you. In our family, we don't believe in 'husband is the most important person.' We women deserve to be taken care of."

Ji Nuan had always liked Shen Songhe's beauty. After hearing her say this, her worries dissipated a lot and a relaxed smile appeared on her face.

Seeing this, Song Jinbai smiled and picked a piece of squirrel fish for Ji Nuan and put it in the bowl. "Yes, yes, mother is right. I want to take good care of both of you."

After the meal, the atmosphere between Ji Nuan and Shen Songhe became more harmonious. Ji Nuan changed her address for Shen Songhe from "Madam" to "Aunt Shen", and the two had a very pleasant conversation.

In comparison, Song Jinbai seemed like an unnecessary foil, but seeing how harmoniously they got along, he was happy to do so.

After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill and were about to go downstairs, they happened to meet Ji He who was coming out of another private room.

Ji He smiled and bared his teeth as he teased Ji Nuan, "Little sister, are you and Young Master Song entertaining guests here?"

Ji Nuan giggled, took Shen Songhe's arm, and proudly introduced her to her second brother, "Well, are you done with your work, second brother? This beautiful lady is none other than Song Jinbai's mother, Aunt Shen." She winked mischievously and added, "Isn't Aunt Shen too young? She doesn't look like someone who has such a grown-up son."

Ji He straightened his expression and bowed respectfully to Shen Songhe, saying, "Madam, how are you? I'm a bit naughty, so please forgive me if I've offended you."

Shen Songhe looked at Ji Nuan with satisfaction and fondness in her eyes. She smiled gently and said, "No, no, Nuannuan is very good like this. She is cheerful and cute. I like her very much. You are Nuannuan's brother, right?"

Ji He glanced at Song Jinbai and Ji Nuan, and seeing that they seemed to be getting along well, he felt relieved. So he responded enthusiastically, "Yes, I'm Nuan Nuan's second brother, and I'm an apprentice at Xunweiju. Madam, you just arrived at Kaiyun Mansion, right? Have you tried Xunweiju's food? What do you think? If you like it, you can ask Nuan Nuan to bring you here more often. She's the boss here, so there's no need to be polite to her."

Upon hearing this, Shen Songhe couldn't help but laugh: "So she's the boss, no wonder she brought us here! Haha, she really doesn't want to let outsiders take advantage of her wealth. She's been trying to make money from me from the beginning!"

Ji Nuan also laughed: "Haha, I really thought you were outsiders at first. If I wanted to introduce you to a place to eat, of course I would introduce my own restaurant. Now that I know it's you, Aunt Shen, you're here, so naturally it's my treat."

Shen Songhe smiled and tapped Ji Nuan's forehead: "You are really smart, girl!" Then, she said to Ji He: "We will leave now so as not to delay your work. We will visit your home tomorrow and sit down to talk."

Ji He nodded quickly: "Okay. Madam, you've been traveling for days, you should have a good rest. I'll take you out."

Before leaving, Shen Songhe took off the exquisite jade bracelet and placed it on Ji Nuan's wrist. She smiled and said, "Today was so sudden. I didn't have time to give you the gift I had prepared for you. You can wear this bracelet for fun. It's just a small token of my appreciation."

"Aunt Shen, I feel embarrassed." Ji Nuan looked down at the bracelet on her wrist. The emerald green luster looked even warmer in the sunlight.

Shen Songhe patted the back of Ji Nuan's hand and continued, "I will go to your house to visit your parents tomorrow. When you get home, remember to tell them and give them my regards."

Ji Nuan nodded: "I remember, Aunt Shen. It's too hot outside at noon, you and Song Jinbai should go home and rest. I also prepared a gift for you at home, I will wait for you to come tomorrow."

Shen Songhe: "Oh? You also prepared a gift for me? Then I'm really looking forward to it. What good thing is it? Let me know a little bit in advance."

Ji Nuan smiled mischievously: "Aunt Shen, don't ask anymore. You will know tomorrow. I promise you will like it."

The four of them parted ways at the restaurant entrance.

Shen Songhe and Song Jinbai left in a carriage, leaving the brother and sister standing there.

Ji He looked at the emerald green bracelet on his sister's wrist and said in a sour tone, "Your mother-in-law really dotes on you! Look at this bracelet, it's so beautiful."

Ji Nuan shook her wrist proudly, "Of course, it's because I'm so good!" She smiled playfully, completely ignoring her brother's envy.

"Alright, alright, stop being so conceited." Ji He shook his head helplessly, and then said with concern: "You should also go home early and stop hanging around outside."

"I know, you nagging ghost!" Ji Nuan waved her hand, "Come home early for dinner!"