Tled by Serena Love

Edited

Chapter 9: Cream Cake

When Xie Xun returned at twilight, Jiang Shuyao was enjoying the cool breeze in the yard.

Summer was approaching, the black sky looked like a satin curtain, the stars were scattered, and the dazzling galaxy was partially visible, making people sigh at how vast the universe was.

Jiang Shuyao laid on the rocking chair and swayed, thinking about time, space, and the universe for some time, and then she muttered, "Summer is the most suitable for dinner dishes like hot and sour noodles, crayfish, barbecue, fried skewers, fried rice noodles, crushed ice topped with brown sugar and sprinkled with peanuts and raisins... and the indispensable cold beer."

Xie Xun didn’t know where she had found the rocking chair, and why she had never been restrained since marrying him.

The maid next to her sat on a low stool and was whipping cream. When she saw Xie Xun approaching, she was shocked, stood up and saluted.

Jiang Shuyao, who was lost in thought, was momentarily stunned when she heard their salute. Before she could get up, Xie Xun had already walked to the rocking chair and looked down at her.

His eyebrows lowered, his expression was alienated, and he had a calm and stern appearance when he looked down at people. Jiang Shuyao suddenly stood up, making the rocking chair sway back and forth.

"I left two pieces of cake for you, one of which was placed on the table with cream." She smiled, and the hanging beads swayed from side to side on her cloud-like black hair.

Her contented, relaxed and generous appearance made Xie Xun a little helpless.

It hadn’t been long since they got married, but he had gradually gotten used to her enthusiasm. He nodded when he heard her words and hesitated before taking the cake from the table.

She deliberately demonstrated generosity and it wouldn’t be good for him to always refuse. But thinking of her disturbing history and the way she treated him, Xie Xun felt uncomfortable again.

When he walked to the entrance of the small courtyard, Xie Xun turned his head to see her lying unrestrainedly on the rocking chair, which gave him a headache. If she was still obsessed with him, she didn’t act the same way she did in the past. But she ruined her reputation to marry him, which he really couldn’t understand.

Xie Xun also didn’t want to focus on these messy things. Looking at the strange cakes he brought back, he secretly sighed: No matter, it's better to have an open mind.

He put his distracting thoughts aside and went back to his study to read. After a while, feeling a bit tired, he called someone to fetch water.

After a shower, his stomach felt a little empty. He saw the cakes on the table, and was taken aback for a moment. He walked over, picked up a piece of cake and put it in his mouth.

He wasn’t sure whether it was because of hunger, but the cake was extremely soft in his mouth. Sweet but not greasy, it tasted fluffy and full of milky fragrance, leaving a lingering aftertaste, which aroused his appetite.

He picked up another piece of cake with creamy white filling in the middle and looked at it curiously. The white inner layer looked very hard, but when he slightly pressed it, it felt extremely soft and slippery, reminding him of clouds on the horizon. He had always looked at white clouds greedily when he was young.

He put the cake in his mouth and bit it, and the rich milk fragrance exploded in his mouth. The tender yellow part of the cake was light and soft, the milky white part was thick and smooth. It tasted delicate and left a fragrant taste in his lips and teeth that lasted for a long time.

The pastry had a novel appearance and taste, and was suitable for all ages. The faces of his twin nephews flashed in his mind. Jiang Shuyao should have delivered some to them already.

There was a confused look on his face, and he didn't know how Jiang Shuyao managed to get along with the two little guys so harmoniously.

Thinking of her swaying and talking about food on the rocking chair, he felt that she wasn’t much different from a child.

...

Jiang Shuyao's days of idleness as if she were a god were over.

As the heat gradually approached, an invitation for a flower appreciation banquet hosted by Princess of Zhaoyang was placed on the table in the main hall with Jiang Shuyao's name conspicuously listed on it.

Only then did the Old Madam realize that even if she avoided seeing Jiang Shuyao and let her stay alone in her yard, she was still her own daughter-in-law. She would be tied to Duke Xie's mansion until her son divorced her.

Before, Jiang Shuyao was a disgrace, but she had been the responsibility of Xiangyang Mansion. If she were to cause trouble now, the blame would be placed on Duke Xie's mansion.

Originally, getting invited to the banquet would be exciting, but today, the atmosphere was depressed by the news.

Xie Pei was young, so she voiced whatever thoughts came to mind. She stomped her foot and complained softly, "Mother, I don't want to go with her, it's too shameful! Don't let her go, just say that she is sick."

The Old Madam didn’t scold her for being rude, but frowned and said, "Princess Changle has always had a good relationship with her. Not letting her go wouldn’t work." 

The Second Madam, Zhou-shi, was less virtuous than the quiet Eldest Madam, Xu-shi. Thinking of going to the banquet with Jiang Shuyao, she was unable to hold back the words, "Mother, since she has married into Duke Xie's mansion, then certain rules should be established. Mother's kindness has spared her from the morning and evening greetings, but there's now a banquet. The etiquette should be followed, and we must not let others laugh at our Duke Xie's mansion."

She only allowed Jiang Shuyao to skip morning and evening greetings so that her eyes wouldn’t be upset and her heart wouldn’t be painful. It had nothing to do with "kindness." However, the old madam wouldn’t refute Zhou-shi's words. She frowned and thought, feeling a little moved.

Xu-shi, who had been quiet and silent, suddenly looked at the Zhou-shi and said, "The Third Young Lady is now of age to think about marriage. There must be young talents at the Eldest Princess’s flower viewing banquet, so younger sister-in-law should pay more attention."

This reminded Zhou-shi that her daughter couldn’t be ruined by Jiang Shuyao. She is a little anxious, "Mother, even if her behavior isn’t proper, it is good to have her copy scriptures every day to correct her behavior. We wouldn’t expect too much from her, but her etiquette would be good enough for her to attend the banquet quietly."

Xu-shi echoed, "My younger sister-in-law is right. Let her come and serve for some time. Mother could teach her some things when free. Under Mother’s influence, hrr behavior would definitely change."

Zhou-shi choked. Xu-shi, this person really never forgets to please the old madam. The second branch only had one di daughter[1], so the first branch naturally didn't have to worry, but Xu-shi's steady and introverted demeanor always made her look unpleasant.

"I heard that the two little masters have been frequently visiting her recently. Those who are close to cinnabar are red and those who are close to ink are black[2]. Sister-in-law, do you want more snacks?"

Xu-shi's complexion didn't change. These words didn't seem to affect her, but after leaving the hall, her face changed.

After much thought, she was still concerned, "During the last few days, Ah Zhao and Ah Yao didn’t visit her, right?"

The nanny bowed and replied, "Yes, the two young masters have been reading and writing in the room and have only seen their teacher."

Xu-shi sighed with relief, but then heard the nanny continue to say, "It's just that... the third branch often sends some fresh pastries, which the young masters enjoy..."

Xu-shi suddenly paused and rebuked, "What are you talking about? When people have good intentions and send food to my son, would I still feel dissatisfied? Am I a person who can't distinguish right from wrong?"

The nanny repeatedly apologized.

Xu-shi returned to her room, sat down and drank a few sips of hot tea. The more she thought about it, the more things she felt wronged. She was always afraid of being influenced by the bitter, impetuous and stupid Zhou-shi from the second branch. It would seem mean and rude to blindly oppose Jiang Shuyao's interactions with the first branch, whether they were out of love for the children or simply out of goodwill.

After she figured this out, she got up and went to Xie Zhao and Xie Yao's study. As soon as she entered the room, she could smell the faint fragrance of milk.

Xie Zhao and Xie Yao each occupied one end of the desk and were practicing handwriting seriously. The warm sun outside the window was just right, and the breeze swayed the shadow of the tree. From time to time, they would pick up the square cakes placed on the plate in the middle of the desk, taking one bite after another, making their cheeks bulge. Even Xie Yao, who usually didn’t like to eat, reached out and picked up several pieces.

Xu-shi's expression softened a lot. She stood at the door for a while, until Xie Zhao saw her, when she walked into the room.

"Mother." Xie Zhao put his brush down and jumped off the bench.

Xu-shi reached to rub his head, but he evaded her hand and pulled her by the  sleeves to the table, "Mother, taste the cream cakes sent by Third Aunt."

Looking at the visually appealing cakes on the plate, Xu-shi swallowed a little. It must be fragrant and soft in the mouth. What’s in the middle? It looks so fresh...

She quickly stopped her train of thought, smiled gently, shook her head and said, "No need." She isn’t a glutton.

Xie Zhao picked up a few cakes, placed them on a small porcelain plate, and handed it to the maid beside Xu-shi. "Mother, don't you like cakes the most? They are much more delicious than other cakes. Even the Fourth Brother enjoys them."

Xie Zhao's filial piety was so commendable. Xu-shi couldn't refuse it, so she could only ask the maid to take it back to her room.

After the mother and son chatted, Xu-shi returned to her room and looked at the cake on the table with hesitation. 

While doing the account, she glanced at the cake from time to time while scolding the steward. Her nose smelled the sweet...

In the end, she chose to cover the cake with a handkerchief so that she wouldn’t see or smell it.

...

When the moon reached the upper branches, the people in the houses gradually finished washing and turned off the lights. Xu-shi adjusted the wick of the oil lamp, and the light dimmed a little. When the oldest master, Xie Li, laid down on the bed, she turned the oil lamp off completely.

They had been husband and wife for more than 20 years and would go to sleep together every night. They loved and respected each other just as they had at the beginning of the marriage.

Xie Li talked about his frustrating experiences as an official for a while, and Xu-shi listened quietly and offered comfort from time to time. When Xie Li's frustration dissipated, he became sleepy and his voice became lower and lower.

Xu-shi also felt a little sleepy and was ready to stop talking and fall asleep, but Xie Li's sleepy whisper reached her ears, "...By the way, the pastries on the table today taste good. You should ask someone to buy more tomorrow."

Xu-shi's sleepiness disappeared instantly. She turned her head and asked, "What pastry?"

"Well, the plate is covered with a handkerchief. But why was it covered with a handkerchief?"

Xu-shi was lying on the bed and it was slightly dark, but her eyes widened, and she remained silent for a while.

Xie Li waited for a while and didn't hear her reply, so he thought she was asleep, but he suddenly heard her say, "Do you know that recently, Ah Zhao and Ah Yao often visit Jiang-shi from the third branch?"

Xie Li was sleepy and his thoughts didn’t follow her words, "Huh? Who?"

"Ah Zhao and Ah Yao, your sons."

He asked vaguely, "What's wrong with my sons?"

"They like visiting Jiang-shi. Jiang-shi is also good to them. The cakes were sent by Jiang-shi."

"Oh...who is Jiang-shi?"

"The third branch's Madam, Xie Xun's wife." Xu-shi replied patiently.

"Oh, oh. Who is looking for her to play?" He continued asking, not really understanding.

"Jiang-shi..." Xu-shi took a deep breath, "Forget it, husband, go to sleep."

After a few breaths, a snore sounded from his side.

Xu-shi sighed after a long time, "I saved it for a day and didn't want to eat it... But you’re so comfortable, eat and eat, then sleep!"

Xie Li slept soundly all night. Although the officialdom had issues, he had a good wife at home, who could always comfort and advise him. She was a dignified mistress and a considerate beauty.

The two met when they were young and they’ve loved each other for decades.

However, the next day, Xu-shi said she caught a cold.

As she was considerate and naturally, everything was for "Xie Li's sake," he had to sleep in the study for several days, but he didn’t sleep well these several days.

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Footnotes: 

1. Di daughter refers to a daughter born to a wife, while a shu daughter is born to a concubine.

2. This is similar to the phrase “Birds of a feather flock together.”

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