The next day, Cui Ying came out of Shangwu Hall after morning exercise and went straight to Pinhua Hall.

  In the courtyard, I met Yuan Yu.

  Brother Yī wore a suit of dark blue brocade, with a fox-fur scarf wrapped around his neck, standing quietly under the eaves.

  In the chilly and gloomy morning breeze, a lovely face like a fresh and tender meatball appeared.

  Makes people have an irresistible urge to pinch and bite.

  Cui Ying's face was full of smiles, warmly and happily greeting him, "Brother Yu, do you miss Fifth Aunt?"

  Wei Ge'er tilted his head and glanced at her, humming softly, "Who would have thought of you."

  He sat silently on the bluestone steps, hugging his chest and lowering his head, saying nothing.

  Such a small person, yet seemingly carrying such big worries.

  Chui Ling whispered to Mu Jin, "You go in first and tell Fourth Granny that I met Brother Yu at the door and just exchanged a couple of words with him."

  She waved her hand at Mugunghwa and also patted her skirt, imitating Yuzi's sitting on the ground.

  Chui Rong took Meng's round and delicate face in his hands and turned it towards himself, "What's wrong? You seem unhappy."

  The texture is too good, she still can't help but pinch a handful, "Say it, what's bothering you? Tell Five Aunt to listen and make her happy."

  "Brother Qiu struggled free from her grasp and said angrily, 'You didn't keep your promise, so I won't tell you anything!'"

  "Hey, how did I become unfaithful?"

  She gently loosened her hand, but used her index finger to fiercely scratch the bridge of her brother's nose. "You said you wanted to eat crystal cake, I specially made it for you. You said you wanted to play ball, didn't I go find you to play as soon as I saw you were free?"

  As the only friend in the General's mansion of the town, Cui Ying cherished her brother Yu Ge.

  No matter what exquisite and delicious pastries Master Liu made, besides Old Lady, she thought of him first.

  For over a month now, it's been nothing but soft and sweet Jiangnan desserts. I've sent him no less than ten dishes already.

  This little brat, actually still has a look like she owes him an apology.

  He's really asking for a beating!

  The stubborn little head of Gege finally nodded and said after a while, "It's settled then, no matter what new dish you make, we have to share it together."

  He hummed again, "But the other day that steamed fish, second brother, third brother, and fourth brother all had some, only I didn't. Isn't this betrayal, what is it?"

  Cui Ling's smile froze, and she couldn't help but flick Meng Ge's forehead. "Hey, what are you thinking?!"

  She was crying and laughing at the same time. "The boiled fish slices had chili peppers in them, that stuff is unbearable for kids, I was also afraid of it burning you, so I specifically instructed not to send it to you. And yet you're blaming me!"

  It's strange anyway, but using the word "betrayal" might be a bit too serious?

  Xiao Ge's face relaxed a bit, and after a moment, he quietly turned his head around and asked, "What is chili pepper?"

  Chui Rong thought for a moment, "It's like scallions, ginger and garlic, it's a seasoning when cooking."

  Looking at her brother's still confused and bewildered expression, she sighed and said, "This is hard to explain for now. Another day when you're free, I'll take you to the kitchen to see it yourself?"

  Kids will be kids, they won't turn back until they hit the wall.

  Only when he personally experienced the spiciness of chili, could he understand that her not sending him boiled fish with water was actually filled with love!

  The brother's expression had already changed, but he deliberately said, "A gentleman avoids the kitchen, so let's avoid it."

  Choi Yeong couldn't stand how his five-year-old son pretended to be mature.

  She pinched his chubby cheeks hard, "Hey, a little kid should have the innocence of a little kid. You're so serious and gloomy like an old man, it's really unlovable!"

  "Ah Kuo's brother puffed out his chest and slapped her palm away, 'I'm not a kid!'"

  He puffed out his cheeks and said firmly, "I'm a man! A real man!"

  Chui Ying couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight of Yu Ge's small face, which had turned slightly red from her teasing, and she felt a little apologetic.

  She hastily stretched out her hand and gently rubbed it, and even her tone softened, "Alright, I've explained it too, can the man tell his troubles to Aunt Wu now?"

  Xiao Ge'er saw the softness in Cui Rong's eyes and suddenly blushed.

  Choi Yong was somewhat surprised to find that the meat bun's face, which she had kneaded, was now covered with red clouds, looking even more severe than before.

  She opened her mouth and asked somewhat dazedly, "Xu Ge, your face is so red, did I use too much force just now? Did I really hurt you?"

  Xiao Ge quickly turned his head away and said with some embarrassment, "No... no..."

  To stop Choi Yeong from asking further, he simply brought out his own concerns, "I heard the servant say that if mother gives birth to another little brother this time, the little brother will be given to Aunt Two."

  The little meatball looked somewhat downcast, "But, my brother, why give it to Auntie Two?"

  It turned out that I was worried about this matter all along...

  A faintly discernible glint of sharpness flashed through Cui Ling's eyes.

  But facing the bewildered Yu Ge, she still smiled warmly like a spring day's gentle sunshine, "This matter, Yu Ge is probably overthinking it."

  She gently patted the back of her younger brother and softly persuaded, "About sending your little brother to Auntie's place, did you hear it from Grandma or your mother?"

  "Brother shook his head, 'No, it's not like that.'"

  Choi Yeong continued, "If there isn't, then can some unknown old woman's words be more authoritative than those of the elderly lady and your mother?"

  She smiled gently, "Don't mention that it's impossible, even if it were true, it would be Old Lady and your parents' concern. Besides, who knows, maybe the one in your mother's belly is a little sister!"

  "Really, there's nothing going on?"

  Cui Ying didn't dare to say anything definite either, after all, she still didn't know what the fourth sister-in-law was thinking.

  But seeing how eagerly the child looked at him, she couldn't bear to let the child continue to exhaust himself like this.

  Busy smiled and said, "Little man, what you should be concerned about is not national affairs, how do you have time to think wildly about these things!"

  She gently tapped her brother's forehead, "I'm your fifth aunt, although I'm just a little woman, but now, I also want to contribute my own strength for the soldiers who are fighting bloody battles in the northwest border."

  Cui Ying patted her skirt and stood up. "If you finish your riding and shooting lessons early today, come find me at the Tai'an Courtyard."

  She stuck out her tongue, "Today I asked Liu Shifu to make pepper and salt pig's feet, this one isn't spicy, you'll definitely like eating it."

  When hearing the fresh dish name, Wu Auntie still swore that he would definitely like to eat it, and Yu Ge'er finally put down his worries for the time being.

  This child is just used to being stubborn, although he's delighted in his heart, but on the surface, he always has to pretend to be nonchalant.

  He proudly raised his chin, "Pepper salt... pig's trotters?"

  He paused for a moment, then continued slowly. "Although it sounds a bit strange, I'll go over and try the dishes for you since Aunt Wu has put her heart into it!"

  This kid always has a way of getting on Choi Eun's nerves.

  She raised her fist, "Hey!"

  Brother didn't know when, had already quickly jumped away.

  He had a triumphant smile on his face and burst out laughing, saying "Fifth Aunt, come catch me! Come catch me!"

  By the time Cui Ying really chased after him, that little scamp had already slipped away to who-knows-where.

  Cui Ling had no choice but to take a deep breath and suppress her emotions.

  Then, with a huff, he shook his sleeves and strode towards Su Zi's house.

  In the fragrant and elegant house. Su Zi's painting has been waiting for a long time.

  She faintly heard the cheerful laughter of her brother in the courtyard, and couldn't help but shake her head, with a disapproving expression.

  But the curve of her mouth and the smile in the depths of her eyes betrayed her heart.

  Xiao Ge and Cui Ying got along harmoniously, able to laugh like a real child. She seemed to be delighted to see it too.

  The curtain was lifted, and Cui Ying came in with a gentle smile, "Fourth sister, I've kept you waiting for a long time!"

  Su Zi painted a smile on her face and said, "Don't worry about it, Fifth Brother's wife, sit down and have a cup of tea with me."

  She called Mei Rui to move a chair and let Cui Ying sit down.

  Choi Yong didn't understand.

  The birthday of Empress Jiang is tomorrow, and it's only proper that Princess Yongning takes care of the birthday gifts, so don't worry.

  But they seem not to be leisurely enough to sit down and have a chat over tea.

  After all, with her being a drag on our progress, shouldn't we first and foremost try to teach her some discipline and etiquette?

  How should I pay respects when meeting Empress Jiang?

  What should be said in response if Empress Jiang were to ask questions?

  In Cui Ying's impression, the elder sisters of the Anning Bo Fu had spent a lot of time and effort learning etiquette.

  She also has a paternal aunt who married the son of a duke, and that sister took more than a month to learn how to walk.

  Of course, at that time, she took it as a joke.

  She never thought that she would one day worry about learning rules and regulations.

  Yes, with only one day left before meeting Empress Jiang tomorrow, she was afraid that she wouldn't learn in time.

  It's not that she's afraid of being punished, but rather that Empress Jiang will scold her. Anyway, since she's already married, even if Empress Jiang doesn't like her, she can't interfere with her marriage anymore.

  At most, it's just a few words of praise, making the noble ladies secretly laugh at her.

  Chui Ying has thick skin, she doesn't care about other people's opinions.

  But she cares about Old Lady and Sisters-in-law.

  If she does something improper tomorrow or makes a mistake somewhere, causing trouble and embarrassment, it will bring shame to Old Lady and the sisters-in-law.

  The Mansion of the General Who Guards the Country will also become a topic of conversation and laughter after others' tea and dinner.

  She doesn't want it that way!

  Su Zi painted a calm face, smiling and personally brewing a pot of Kung Fu tea for Cui Ying.

  His movements were as smooth as floating clouds and flowing water, his expression calm and composed, without a hint of urgency.

  After finishing the tea and chatting about trivial matters.

  Su Zi finally spoke up, "The rules and regulations in the palace are complex and tedious. On a day like today, I really don't know what to teach you either. However..."

  She suddenly changed the subject, a smile spreading across her face with a hint of cunning, "However, since there are rumors about you outside, why don't we just make good use of this and save ourselves some effort, instead of wasting our time learning those useless rules."

  Cui Ying was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly enlightened.

  No need to learn rules, and can cope with tomorrow's situation, this idea is really in line with her wishes.

  She couldn't help but burst out laughing, "But it's just pretending to be silly and foolish, this is what I'm best at."

  Su Zi thought Cui Rong had a high level of understanding, but she still needed to continue reminding him about the matter.

  She leaned over to her little brother's ear and whispered softly.

  In the house, a purple gold tripod incense burner floats with wisps of fragrant smoke, and the room is filled with joyful voices and laughter.