Lunch was prepared very sumptuously, and just before the meal started, Chang Jinchan came in carrying a variety of snacks.
"Greetings to Madam." She handed the pea cake to Mrs. Du in a familiar manner. "I have heard my cousin talk about Madam a long time ago. Madam is similar to my mother, but my mother is not as gentle as Madam. I am here today. I ate pea cake on the street, it was delicious, please try it, madam!"
Du Shi glared at Shen Moran: "Miss Chang is alone in the capital, why don't you bring others with you?"
Shen Moran spread her hands and explained: "Mom, it's not that I didn't bring her here, it's because she was playful and ran out on the road, and she didn't come here until now."
"Isn't this the first time I've been here to pick out two gifts for Madam? Why am I late on purpose?"
The two got along better than the last time they met. Mrs. Du winked at Shen Moran and asked her if Chang Jinchan and she could become a family in the future. She now likes this outspoken, innocent and lively girl, but If in the future...
Shen Moran pretended not to understand, pointed to the broken pea cake and asked: "I gave you a set of noodles, but you gave my mother a plate of pea cake? How stingy!"
Chang Jinchan pouted.
"Who asked you to notify me this morning? I didn't even have time to prepare."
"Mother..." Shen Mingshu and Shen Mingheng, siblings, came in through the curtain and interrupted the conversation between the three of them. "I sent someone from the front yard to ask where the lunch is."
Although Zhou Yu and Zhou Zhan are juniors, they have high status, so lunch will naturally be placed in the main courtyard. The purpose of sending someone here is to ask when the meal will be served.
"You two, stop bickering and go help prepare the food. It's rare for our family to get together. Aran, please take good care of Miss Chang. No matter how close we are, Miss Chang is also a guest."
Shen Mingshu's eyes tightened when she saw Chang Jinchan, and she spoke without thinking.
"Why are Sister Chang here?"
Chang Jinchan crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"Why can't I come to my cousin-in-law's natal family? They are considered relatives!"
Her tone was a bit harsh, and Shen Mingshu explained: "I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I didn't hear my sister say that Sister Chang was coming when I came back this morning. It was just a bit unexpected. Sister, you are serious, why didn't you tell me and let me know a little bit? Not even prepared."
Her coquettish tone could not hide the panic in her heart. Her husband was interested in her. As a wife, she had a natural hostility towards Chang Jinchan.
Chang Jinchan rolled her eyes, she had no good impression of Zhou Yu and his wife.
Du made peace and said: "Don't stand still. Zhuangzi sent some wild vegetables this morning. The wild vegetables in spring are tender and fresh. I asked the kitchen to make steamed vegetables. Let's change the taste today. I just don't know if Miss Chang can do it." Get used to it..."
Chang Jinchan helped Du Shi's other arm.
"I'm not picky about food and will eat everything. In the northwest, where supplies are scarce, even a cabbage is precious in winter. Not to mention that in spring, when there is no harvest, I like to eat steamed vegetables made by my mother the most..."
"That's good."
It was lively and lively, as if they were a family. Even Chang Jinchan, an outsider, felt more comfortable in front of Du family than Shen Mingshu. The two siblings looked at each other, and Shen Mingheng shook his head slightly.
"Second sister, let's go."
Now that their biological mother is gone, the two siblings will depend on each other from now on, and there is no need for these hypocritical concerns.
The family banquet does not need to be too polite, and there are no distinctions between male and female seats. After Chang Jinchan came to the table, Zhou Yu would look up at her from time to time, taking care of her very considerately, which was noticed by Shen Mingshu, who was already observing the two of them. .
When the family is together, it is difficult to have an attack at the dinner table.
"Dad." After lunch, Chang Jinchan caught up with Shen Panxing who was about to go out. Seeing that there was no one around, he said aggrievedly, "Dad, did you see it just now? His Highness Prince Yu... seems to be interested in Miss Chang is interested."
She paused and asked, "Dad, what do you think your daughter should do?"
She was almost going crazy with jealousy, but she didn't dare to express it in front of Shen Panxing, "You said that you want your daughter to capture His Highness's heart, but what if His Highness's heart is not with your daughter? What should your daughter do?"
The girl lowered her head and clenched the handkerchief nervously.
After all, she is his own daughter. Shen Panxing sighed: "A man can never only guard one woman. It doesn't matter how many people he has in his heart. You just need to occupy a place in his heart."
"Chang Jinchan is the daughter of the Protector. If she can enter the palace, it will be a great help to His Highness. You should help your husband get what he wants at this time, so that he can value you more."
"But daddy..."
Shen Mingshu's eyes suddenly became sore, but Shen Panxing waved his hand and said, "Dad has taught you what to do. I have something else to do, so go back quickly."
The girl bowed and bowed her head. A few tears fell on the veil. My daughter didn't want the words stuck in her throat.
She couldn't understand why her father, as the prime minister's daughter, could not escape the fate of serving the same husband with other women.
She is young and ignorant, and has some bad intentions, but should she give up her husband to someone else?
It was very warm under the sun, and her tears dried up after a while. She touched the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and looked for Zhou Yu.
Mrs. Du was so happy that she was coaxed by Chang Jinchan. When it was nap time, she was not sleepy at all. She sat with them in the garden drinking tea and chatting.
Zhou Zhan and Zhou Yu were by her side, chiming in a few words from time to time. As soon as she walked through the corner door, she heard Zhou Yu's praise.
"Sister Chang is cheerful, lively, generous and cute, but she is different from the ladies in the capital. I heard that Sister Chang is good at equestrian skills. We can make an appointment to go horseback riding in the suburbs of the city some other day, or we can set up a game and let's play polo!"
After only leaving for a while, Zhou Yu's address to Chang Jinchan changed from polite Miss Chang to Sister Chang.
Shen Mingshu grabbed a handful of holly leaves, threw them on the ground, crushed them, and walked forward.
"Mother, I feel a little uncomfortable. Your Highness, let's go back home."
"My sister looks a little bad..." Shen Moran thought of something and asked, "Is my sister pregnant?"
Shen Mingshu just felt uncomfortable mentally, not physically, but when she finished talking, she suddenly wanted to see Zhou Yu's reaction.
"I, I don't know..."
He said he didn't know, but subconsciously put his hand on his stomach. This action could easily mislead people. Zhou Yu seemed to have a happy face and stood up to salute.
"Madam, since Ming Shu is unwell, we will leave now. I will send someone to ask for the imperial doctor when I return to the palace. If there is any news later, I will send someone to inform you."
Shen Mingshu is just a concubine, and her relationship with Mrs. Du is not close. Mrs. Du also heard Zhou Yu's polite politeness, and explained with a smile: "If it is a good thing, you must not hide it..."
When everyone's eyes fell on him, Shen Mingshu stepped forward and held the corner of Zhou Yu's clothes, taking advantage of the opportunity to put her hand into his palm. She glanced at Chang Jinchan from the corner of her eye and declared her sovereignty.
Still in the Prime Minister's Mansion, Zhou Yu couldn't let go of her hand, so he let him hold it, and even took the initiative to put his arm around her shoulders.
"Be careful..."
He was still the considerate husband... Shen Mingshu felt happy.
These little tricks couldn't be hidden from Du Shi's eyes.
After the people walked away, Mrs. Du turned sideways and looked at Shen Moran, saw the calculating smile on her lips, and tapped her head with her index finger. There was no one else around, so she couldn't say anything, but the relationship between the two of them was Know what the other person wants to express.
Shen Moran put her head on Du's shoulder and said coquettishly: "Mom, I'm a little sleepy. I'll take a nap before leaving."
"Go back to your own home and sleep, and let you take care of the guests. You'd better... go away, don't let me see you and get upset!"
She was put off from seeing the imperial doctor. Although she didn't know whether Shen Mingshu was real or not, Du Shi was a little annoyed that Shen Moran didn't care.