After being reborn, her aloof ex-husband and her crazy deceased husband got into a fight.

This time, the gatekeeper of the Mei residence did not make things difficult for Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao at all. As soon as they gave their names, someone came to welcome them into the residence.

The process was so smooth that neither of them was quite used to it at first.

"I had come up with a whole bunch of ideas before I came, but now it's all useless," Gan Cai'er said, seemingly quite regretful.

"Ah Cai, what's wrong with you? Isn't it good if everything goes smoothly?" Zhu Xiaoxiao looked at her amusedly.

"No, why do I keep feeling uneasy? Xiao Xiao, do you think Madam Mei is a kind person?" Gan Cai'er frowned.

"Let's take it one step at a time and be careful," Zhu Xiaoxiao patted her.

On one side, Gan Cai'er was finding it unbelievably easy to enter the mansion. On the other side, Mei Wanyin was also puzzled by this matter.

"Mother, why did you let them into the manor so easily?" Mei Wanyin said with dissatisfaction.

Madam Mei was pruning a pot of white plum blossoms in the house when she heard this and turned around to look at Mei Wanyin.

"Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"

“Naturally, we will refuse them entry,” Mei Wanyin replied.

"If we refuse this time, there will be a next time, and the time after that. If we refuse every time, what will become of the Mei family? And what will become of me?" Madam Mei scoffed lightly.

Mei Wanyin fell silent after being reprimanded, but her face still showed resentment.

Madam Mei glanced at her and said, "Among the prominent families in the capital, the Mei family might not be ranked first, but it is certainly in the top three. Qing'er is easily swayed, thin-skinned, and inexperienced, so naturally she doesn't know how to refuse others."

"This time it's Madam Lan coming to curry favor, but who knows what other Madam Zhang or Miss Wang might come knocking on our door in the future. Can you refuse them all?"

"Moreover, Madam Lan still has the jade pendant that Master gave to Qing'er. With such a token in hand, it's not so easy to refuse."

"So what does Mother mean...?" Mei Wanyin asked hesitantly.

“Since we can’t refuse, then we won’t refuse,” Madam Mei said calmly, fiddling with the white plum blossoms in the pot. “If the branches keep growing crooked and are difficult to prune, then we can only cut them off at the root.”

After saying that, there was a "crack" sound, and she broke off the main stem of the plum blossom with her bare hands.

"This plant is ruined, throw it away."

Madam Mei casually tossed the broken branch to the ground and gave a nonchalant instruction. She took the handkerchief handed to her by a maid and carefully wiped her palm. Her palm was fair, delicate, and seemed soft and boneless.

"It's cold today, so a bowl of steamed sweet cheese is just right. Yin'er, go and keep an eye on the small kitchen and make some, and also send some to Qing'er while you're at it."

"Yes, Mother," Mei Wanyin replied, and quickly left Wanrong Hall.

Mei Mansion, Luoxia Courtyard

When Mei Wanqing saw Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao come to see her together, she was overjoyed and so excited that she stammered.

"Madam Lan, Miss Zhu, you, you, what brings you here?"

"The Lunar New Year is coming soon, so I came to see you," Gan Cai'er said with a smile.

"Sit down, sit down, please sit down. Qiaoyan, quickly bring some tea. And Qiaoque, go to the kitchen and bring back some fresh fruit."

"Oh, don't rush around. Let's all sit down and have a good talk." Zhu Xiaoxiao pressed Mei Wanqing down onto a stool.

After everyone was seated, Gan Cai'er took out a Buddhist rosary from her bosom and handed it over.

"Here, this is for you."

"Is this a white jade bracelet?" Mei Wanqing asked with delight as she took the prayer beads and examined them carefully.

"This isn't an ordinary white jade bracelet; it's a Buddhist prayer bead. And not only that, it's a consecrated Buddhist prayer bead!"

Gan Cai'er suddenly leaned close to Mei Wanqing and whispered mysteriously, "Do you know who blessed this string of Buddhist beads?"

Mei Wanqing was taken aback by Gan Cai'er's mysterious appearance, and stood there stunned, shaking her head blankly.

“Master Fanjing! You must have heard of him, right?” Gan Cai’er said smugly, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Master Fanjing!!" Mei Wanqing exclaimed in surprise, showing great shock. "He actually blessed this bracelet?!"

Mei Wanqing spends half the year in various Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries, so she naturally knows Zhuge Yunzhi, who is the most legendary figure in Buddhism, and there are even rumors that he is the reincarnation of an enlightened monk.

As far as she knew, Zhuge Yunzhi never participated in the temple's secular affairs, and she had never heard of any Buddhist artifacts that had been consecrated by him!

"This, this, this really was blessed by him?" Mei Wanqing's hands were trembling.

"Of course! If you don't believe me, go ask him yourself next time you see him!" Gan Cai'er lied through her teeth, without stammering or even blinking.

"Miss Mei, you also know that he has profound Buddhist knowledge and a deep affinity with Buddhism, right?"

"Let me tell you, the Buddhist artifacts he consecrated are most effective at warding off evil spirits and suppressing bad luck. If you carry this string of prayer beads with you often, you will definitely have good luck in the future."

Zhu Xiaoxiao's eyelids twitched as she listened. Once this person starts spouting nonsense, they'll say anything and everything, without any limits!

Zhu Xiaoxiao could only pray silently in her heart, hoping that Buddha would not blame Gan Cai'er for her good intentions in saving people.

Mei Wanqing held the Buddhist prayer beads tightly, as if they were some rare treasure, and tears were almost streaming down her face as Gan Cai'er spoke.

Zhu Xiaoxiao glanced at Mei Wanqing and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The eldest daughter of the Mei family was really too easy to fool. She tugged at Gan Cai'er's robe and glared at her, signaling with her eyes, "That's enough, don't overdo it."

Seeing Zhu Xiaoxiao's glance, Gan Cai'er noticed that Mei Wanqing was already moved to tears. Feeling a pang of guilt, she reluctantly stopped.

Just then, Qiaoque lifted the curtain and entered the room carrying a food box.

“Miss, the kitchen made steamed sweet cheese today and was just about to send it to you. I happened to be there and brought it back with me. Aunt Zhou in the kitchen heard that distinguished guests came to Luoxia Courtyard today, so she asked me to bring back a few extra bowls so that the guests could also have a taste.”

Qiaoque spoke concisely and succinctly, making each point clear and logical, without a single wasted word.

She was indeed an extremely capable maid.

Gan Cai'er's heart sank slightly, but she smiled and praised, "What a capable little girl. Miss Mei, where did you find such a capable person? I'll find one for myself later."

Mei Wanqing said shyly, "Qiaoque was chosen for me by my mother. She is really capable. She manages everything in my house. I really don't know what I would do without her."

Gan Cai'er's heart sank even further.

"Oh dear, Miss, please stop teasing me." Qiaoque laughed crisply. "Come and try the steamed sugar cheese. This dessert is best eaten while it's hot. If it gets cold, the flavor will be halved."

As Qiaoque spoke, she opened the lid of the food box. Instantly, a rich aroma of milk and a faint scent of wine wafted out, which, when heated by the charcoal fire in the room, became exceptionally tempting, making one's mouth water.

Steamed milk curd with sugar is a traditional delicacy made by mixing milk and rice wine and then slowly steaming it over low heat. Once steamed, it's as tender as tofu, with a soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture. A bite of it is both sweet and comforting, making it a favorite winter dessert for wealthy families.

Gan Cai'er also loves steamed sweet cheese, and she makes it every few days during the winter. But she doesn't want to touch this bowl in front of her, nor dares to.

Gan Cai'er was extremely cautious about what Qiao Que had taken from her. Moreover, she felt that Qiao Que was being overly enthusiastic today, which made her even more wary.

Last time she and Zhu Xiaoxiao came to Luoxia Courtyard, Qiaoque ignored them. How could she greet them with such a smile?

If something goes wrong, there must be a demon.

Gan Cai'er was almost certain that something bad was going to happen today. Because there were too many unusual things going on.

"The steamed ghee made in the Mei family's small kitchen is unique, exceptionally fragrant and soft, unlike anything made elsewhere. Madam Lan, Miss Zhu, please try it while it's hot."

As she spoke, Mei Wanqing picked up the steamed sugar cheese and handed a bowl to Gan Cai'er and Zhu Xiaoxiao, one for each of them. Then she picked up a bowl for herself and scooped out a small spoonful.

"Don't eat!" Gan Cai'er grabbed Mei Wanqing's hand as she saw this. Her hand acted before her mind.

"Madam Lan, what's wrong?" Mei Wanqing asked in astonishment.