There is a happy inn in the capital.

Before they left, Li Shuchen loaded each of their carriages with plenty of fruits so they could take them back for their families to try.

Yu Ying was certain she would only let her mother try some, and then share some with the 'Mulan Army,' so Li Shuchen packed extra for Liang Yu Ying.

Seeing that Li Shuchen had brought her several baskets of fruits, Liang Yuying quietly thanked him, "Thank you, Shuchen."

Li Shuchen smiled and replied softly, "No need to thank me. I'll need your and the 'Mulan Army' to put in a lot of effort in the future, so I have to bribe them in advance."

Although Li Shuchen said those words, Liang Yuying knew that Li Shuchen cared for her and the girls under her care.

She will definitely protect Li Shuchen and these fruits, ensuring that Li Shuchen sells them comfortably and safely.

The four women boarded the carriage and drove out of the manor. They immediately reverted to their refined, well-mannered demeanor, behaving with impeccable propriety. Only Li Shuchen remained the same, arrogant and unruly.

Li Shuchen also packed some fruit for herself, and Princess Changning escorted her to the Happiness Inn.

Li Shuchen jumped off the carriage and called out, "Xiao Feng, come help me with these things."

Xiao Feng: "Here it comes, Miss! So many fruits!"

Li Shuchen: "Yes, you can pick one you like to eat later."

Xiao Feng chuckled: "Then I'll thank you in advance, Miss."

The group carried the fruits to the kitchen in the backyard. Li Shuchen divided them into two portions: one for the inn and the other for her to take home.

Remembering that she also had a greedy horse, she picked out some more melons and fruits and went to the stable.

Li Wanbai was dozing with her eyes closed when she suddenly smelled a strong fruity aroma. She immediately opened her eyes to find the source.

Approaching was Li Shuchen, carrying a large quantity of fruits—goodies it had never seen or tasted before, so fragrant and tempting!

It reared up on its front hooves and let out a neigh.

"Hey~hehe~"

Seeing its greedy look, Li Shuchen teased, "Oh, so happy today?"

Li Wanbai lowered her forelegs and made a fawning sound: "Hey~"

Li Shuchen exclaimed, "You are truly a lucky horse. Normally, which horse gets to eat such good food, hmm?"

"You'll be living the good life if you stay with me. Sometimes I really envy you. You don't have to do anything, and I get to feed and take good care of you. You're so happy and lucky."

Li Wanbai, her eyes fixed on the fruit, didn't hear a word Li Shuchen said. She was incredibly anxious, wondering what he was muttering to herself.

Why isn't it given to it yet? It's getting impatient. It keeps making "hey~" sounds at Li Shuchen, hoping he'll give it to it quickly.

Li Shuchen was still pondering why Wanbai was being so docile today, worthy of praise, so he put all the fruits in his hand into the groove.

Li Wanbai immediately lowered her horse's head and began to nibble away, wow~ so sweet~

Li Shuchen looked at Wan Bai and Meng Mengxuan and sighed softly. He was still that greedy horse, unchanged.

Turn around and go back to the kitchen to find Chef Wang.

Li Shuchen: "Aunt Wang, cut some fruit and vegetables to share with everyone later; it's hot and we need to quench our thirst."

Cook Wang replied with a smile, "Yes, Miss, these fruits are so fresh and delicious!"

Li Shuchen looked at the fruits and vegetables; indeed, the ones she grew were incredibly fresh.

It's already 5 PM, the hour of the Rooster (酉时). It's getting late.

Li Shuchen and Grape carried another portion of fruit home, covered with a cloth. Passersby were puzzled, wondering why they couldn't see the fruit despite smelling a strong aroma.

I'm so tempted! I wonder which shop sells it. I have to go to North Street to check it out, it smells so good!

Upon arriving home, Li Shuchen carried the fruits to the pavilion.

Master Li came out as soon as he smelled the aroma: "I was wondering what smelled so good. It turns out Chen'er bought fruit and came home!"

"Madam, come out quickly! Chen'er bought lots of fruits for us to eat!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Li walked out of the room. Now that it was hot, she didn't like to move around much.

Upon hearing his father's words, Li Shuchen casually replied, "It wasn't bought."

Mr. Li was dumbfounded: "What? It wasn't bought?"

Then she whispered, "Chen'er, you stole this? It looks like it cost a lot of money. I hope it won't land you in jail. Although these fruits smell delicious, let's return them. Don't do such petty things."

Madam Li slapped Mr. Li and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Our Chen'er is upright and honest; how could he possibly have stolen it?"

Li Shuchen then replied, "Father and Mother, don't worry, they're all grown by me."

Upon hearing this, Master Li raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Haha, Chen'er planted these? That's amazing! I knew our Chen'er wouldn't do such petty things."

After saying that, he picked up the fruits and went to wash them, being incredibly attentive.

Madam Li sat down and chatted with Li Shuchen: "Did Chen'er farm the fields in our family estate?"

Our estate isn't big enough to grow too much. Just sell it; there's no need to send so much home. We can't eat that much anyway.

Li Shuchen grasped Madam Li's hand and replied, "Mother, I've bought another estate, twice the size of our family's. It's full of fruits and vegetables, so don't worry, Mother, eat as much as you want."

When Mr. Li returned after washing the fruits and vegetables, he overheard this and interjected.

"Our daughter is amazing. No wonder she's my wife's daughter; she takes after her—smart and beautiful."

Hearing this, Li Shuchen didn't know whether it was a compliment to her or her mother.

Then Mr. Li took out the washed grapes, plucked one off, and handed it to his wife.

"Madam, here you go, your favorite grapes. These grapes are big and round; they must be delicious."

Madam Li accepted it with a smile, took a small bite, and said, "Mmm~, just the right balance of sweet and sour, leaving a lingering fragrance on my lips and teeth."

Master Li quickly handed her another one: "If Madam likes it, then please have more."

Mrs. Li: "You eat too, you don't need to keep taking care of me."

Master Li shook his head: "Madam, you should eat first."

Li Shuchen stared at the large basket of fruits on the table, lost in thought. There was still so much left, it wasn't like there wasn't enough to eat. What was all this eagerness about? She didn't understand. Was this love?

Li Shuchen felt uneasy watching her parents' public displays of affection; being constantly subjected to their lovey-dovey behavior was also quite distressing. Someone please save her!

"It smells so good! What's that smells so good?"

Li Shuchen looked up and saw Xiao'er. Her savior had arrived; she couldn't bear this pain alone.

Li Shuchen waved and said, "Xiao'er, come quickly! I brought lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Come and try them, see if they're delicious!"

Li Lingxiao smiled and said, "Sister, I'll be right there after I wash my hands."

Li Lingxiao washed her hands and came over, saying, "There are so many fruits! I don't know which one to eat first."

Li Shuchen: "Anything is fine with me, I'm happy with whatever I eat."

Master Li said seriously, "No, your mother loves grapes."

Madam Li glared at Mr. Li and said, "There are so many grapes, I can't possibly eat them all myself. I remember Shu Chen and Xiao'er both love them. Hurry up and eat them, don't listen to your father."

Li Lingxiao then picked up a grape and ate it: "They're so sweet! Sister, you're amazing! Where did you buy such sweet grapes? The fruit shops on North Street don't have grapes this fragrant."

Li Shuchen smiled and said, "My sister grew them herself; she'll sell them in a few days."