An eight-year-old kid emptied his scumbag father's warehouse and followed his grandparents into

Orchid Garden,

After washing up, I ate half a bowl of midnight snack which could almost be considered breakfast.

The midnight snack was porridge made from white rice, mixed with a few round red dates and a few slices of soft and glutinous yam.

In order to prevent everyone from falling asleep hungry after entering the Tao Mansion, as soon as the first horse landed at the dock, Ah Qi arranged for four guards who knew how to cook to rush back in advance to prepare, so that the food would still be hot when they ate.

After finishing her midnight snack, Jing Chunxi felt incredibly satisfied. She stretched and then lay down on the bed she had slept in a month ago, feeling unusually at ease. She closed her eyes, listened to the wind outside the window and the occasional chirping of insects, and soon fell asleep.

When he woke up, the extremely soft sunlight shone through the thin curtains into the room, casting a warm light and shadow. Jing Chunxi rubbed his eyes and found that the sun was a little off, which meant it was afternoon.

Chun Tao, who had heard the noise and walked in, lifted the curtain and whispered to Jing Chunxi, "Miss, Qiyue told me that Madam Xiao and her family came early and came in through the secret passage before daybreak.

Perhaps thinking that the young lady was still asleep, Mr. Tao didn't send any message to our courtyard."

When Jing Chunxi heard Chuntao's words, he immediately sat up from the bed, his sleepiness was instantly dispelled, and his feet immediately touched the ground.

While rubbing her eyes, she asked anxiously, "So soon! Did they know we were coming back? Where are they now?" There was a hint of anxiety and surprise in her voice. Obviously, she didn't expect Mrs. Xiao and her family to arrive so early. They must have been waiting anxiously for a long time.

As Jing Chunxi put on his clothes, he sat down at the dressing table and called Chuntao, "Hurry up and help me with my makeup. I have to go over quickly."

Madam Xiao, Ah Heng, and Ah Yue had arrived before dawn, suggesting they had someone monitoring the Tao residence, or perhaps even guarding the East City Gate. Knowing they'd returned, they must have been eager to learn about the brothers' meeting with Xu Zize! Knowing Xiao Deguang's current state and his sincerity must have been a pleasant surprise for the family. Keeping them waiting too long would have been rude.

Jing Chunxi thought to himself and quickened his hands' movements. Without Chuntao's help, he put on the three layers of clothes carefully.

Looking in the mirror, her hair was black and shiny, cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. Chun Tao, however, lacked the eagerness of a young lady and continued to comb her hair leisurely.

She also comforted Jing Chunxi, saying, "Miss, don't worry! You'd better have a meal before going. Mr. Tao must have told them everything they want to know. I think they just want to meet you." Chuntao's technique was skillful and gentle. While combing her hair, she comforted Jing Chunxi in a gentle tone.

Seeing that the young lady was still a little anxious, Chuntao said, "They might have gotten up too early and are already resting in the front yard. An hour ago, I saw the kitchen maids delivering lunch to the front yard. They will definitely take a nap after eating and won't just wait for the young lady." Chuntao's words made Jing Chunxi slightly stunned. After thinking about it, she felt that Chuntao had a point. It also made Jing Chunxi's originally anxious mood gradually calm down.

She nodded and said, "Then there's no rush."

After washing up with the water brought by Tang Shuang, he told Tang Shuang during the meal, "Take out Lord Xiao's bag and carry it yourself. Also, find the specialties for the Tao family and Madam Xiao, and find two people to take them to the front yard. And by the way, check if they are resting."

Tang Shuang listened to Jing Chunxi's words and immediately agreed, then turned and walked towards the next room. Her steps were light and quick, and she soon disappeared at the end of the corridor.

Jing Chunxi looked at Chun Tao, who was serving beside him, and said, "Mrs. Xiao and her family will definitely stay at the Tao Mansion before we return to Beijing. Go and tell the kitchen to prepare a big dinner and set it up in the front yard."

Chuntao nodded, scooped a few wontons for the young lady, and then turned and walked out. Her figure looked particularly gentle in the sunlight.

After a while, Tang Shuang walked into the room with a relaxed expression on her face. She reported softly, "Miss, Madam Xiao and her family are resting. The servant said that Mr. Tao has also gone to bed."

Jing Chunxi listened, nodded slightly, and said, "Then I won't bother you anymore."

He said to Tang Shuang solemnly, "I'll have to trouble you to make another trip. Ask the servant to tell them that we'll meet again at dinner." When Tang Shuang heard this, she immediately turned around and ran away, her back looking particularly agile.

He didn't feel too hungry, so after finishing those few wontons, Jing Chunxi put down his chopsticks.

Suddenly, I heard Xiao Man's voice coming from outside the door. As soon as I stepped into the door, she said, "Miss, you are finally up.

In the morning, my seventh uncle and I went to look for Mr. Liu. When Mr. Liu saw the gift that the young lady prepared for him, he was very happy. He wanted to treat you to dinner tonight, but my seventh uncle was worried that you were too tired, so he declined the offer on your behalf.

We have also followed your instructions and asked Mr. Liu to arrange for the other three masters to meet at Liu Guangfa Trading Company tomorrow morning. I heard that they are discussing the sale of porcelain. If he is happy and insists on paying for tomorrow's lunch, we can't refuse."

Xiaoman sounded a little discouraged when she reported, as if the task was not completed.

Because when the young lady asked them to go out, she specifically told them not to accept gifts from the gentlemen and not to trouble them.

So they just drank a few cups of tea, talked about their business and left.

Jing Chunxi smiled happily, "It would be great if he could treat all of us to a big meal. Last time, the guards went to help with porridge distribution and food sales every day, and they didn't even have a good meal, let alone the delicious food in Xunyang City."

There was a hint of teasing and joking in her voice, which made Xiao Man slightly stunned. He looked at Jing Chunxi's smile and felt a little confused, wondering if the lady was joking.

Xiao Man felt that he had not done the job well, and said hesitantly: "Should I go back and tell him..." There was a hint of hesitation and uneasiness in his voice, and he didn't know what to do.

"I was just joking, why did you take it seriously?" Jing Chunxi laughed even more happily. Why did she feel that Xiaoman was a little dull today and didn't read her expression at all? She guessed it was because she didn't get enough sleep last night.

Xiao Man blushed slightly, lowered her head, and said apologetically, "Miss, I am stupid and embarrassed to have made you laugh."

Jing Chunxi: "It's okay, I'm just teasing you."

He continued, "Tell Uncle Seven to arrange for someone to bring all the wild game that wasn't cooked on the boat to the main kitchen. Cook it all over the next two days and serve it as a side dish for everyone."

Xiang Xiang added, "Remember to reserve a table for the elderly in the mansion."

"Got it! I'll be there right away."

After the lady reminded her, Xiaoman remembered that there was still a lot of meat that had not been cooked, and there seemed to be three wild boars left.

Although the weather is cold, today is the third day. If we don’t eat it now, we can only make it into pickled meat and bacon.