344 Forgiving Cousin Once
Yu Youyao’s eyes widened in surprise. “Cousin, you can actually divide tea like this?!”
Zhou Linghuai chuckled. “The method of dividing the tea is different. I used the tea infusion method. It’s a little different from the “stirring” tea method you learned.”
“Cousin, you’re really amazing!” Previously, Nanny Xu had also mentioned the tea infusion technique, but Nanny Xu was not proficient in it so she did not teach her this.
Zhou Linghuai handed the tea to Yu Youyao. “Try it.”
Yu Youyao held it with both hands and lowered her head to smell it. She smiled and said, “The tea is fragrant and mellow.” After saying that, she took a sip of tea and rolled it on the tip of her tongue before swallowing it. “It’s as mellow as tea, but it’s also as refreshing as bamboo juice. This is the first time I’ve tasted such delicious tea. Cousin, you’re amazing.”
Zhou Linghuai chuckled. “Cousin, you flatter me.”
Yu Youyao held her teacup. “Although the bamboo juice is good, it’s a little cold. I made Eight Treasures Cake. It’s moist and should be eaten together. Cousin, don’t just drink tea.”
Her cousin had a leg problem every rainy day. She had only thought of the Eight Treasures Cake yesterday. This was a kind of health-nourishing dessert that could nourish the spleen and stomach, strengthen the body, and remove moisture from the body.
She had even added spiritual dew, but it was very good for strengthening the foundation and nurturing the essence. It was exactly what her cousin needed for his illness.
Zhou Linghuai looked at the small plate of Eight Treasures Cake on the table. There were only eight pieces on it, and the words “Fortune, Longevity, Health and Peace” were printed on it. It was done very delicately. “You made it yourself?”
Yu Youyao nodded. “There was a small amount of ginseng in the Eight Treasures Cake. It’s a great supplement. Cousin, you can only eat three pieces at most, and you can’t eat more. Otherwise, you won’t be able to take the nourishment and your body will be damaged.”
Her cousin’s body was a little weak and he needed to replenish his vitality. It was fine to eat two more pieces.
But not too much.
Zhou Linghuai sat still and recalled that during this period of time, every time it rained, the little girl would wash her hands and make soup for him to nourish his body.
Seeing that her cousin wasn’t moving, Yu Youyao took out a handkerchief, twisted a piece of the Eight Treasures Cake, and handed it to her cousin. “I know that cousin doesn’t like sweets, so I put less sugar, and the taste is not greasy at all. Cousin, try it.”
However, Zhou Linghuai felt that he could eat it even if there were ten kilograms of sugar. He reached out to take the Eight Treasures Cake and lowered his head to take a bite.
The Eight Treasures Cake melted in his mouth. Perhaps it was because she had used medicinal herbs, but she had put in too little sugar. The taste was a little bitter, and a hint of sweetness was cleverly incorporated. Not only was it not bad, but it was also very smooth and exactly to his taste.
Yu Youyao asked impatiently, “How is it? Does it taste good? I tried some previously and felt that it was a little bitter. I wonder if Cousin likes it.”
Zhou Linghuai suddenly smiled. “It’s delicious. I like it very much.”
He really liked it.
Seeing that the corners of her cousin’s eyes were slowly raised and there was a hint of joy in them, Yu Youyao knew that he really liked it. She quickly said, “Cousin, if you like it, I’ll make it for you often in the future. The Eight Treasures Cake is good for your health. You can eat one every day for many days. It won’t take too much effort.”
Zhou Linghuai nodded. “Okay.”
As the two of them sipped on tea and ate cake, Yu Youyao thought of the Dragon Boat Festival tomorrow. “Cousin, you’ll be at the Jade Courtyard at nine tomorrow. We’ll wrap brown seeds together. It’ll be fun to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival together.”
When the little girl mentioned the Dragon Boat Festival, she did not look like that day when she had regret in her eyes. Zhou Linghuai nodded in agreement.
Yu Youyao thought of the gift again. “I’ve prepared a gift for Cousin. Did you prepare a gift for me?”
The little girl’s eyes were filled with curiosity. Zhou Linghuai suddenly remembered that she had asked him about the gift previously. “Since Cousin has personally spoken, I naturally can’t be negligent. Otherwise, you’ll cry again.”
Yu Youyao also thought of that and was immediately embarrassed. “Who’s crying? It’s all your fault for teasing me, Cousin. That’s why I… Hmph, in short, it’s all your fault. You actually dared to mention it. You’re too much.”
Zhou Linghuai wanted to laugh, but under the little girl’s delicate and fierce expression, he suppressed his laughter and said seriously, “Okay, it’s all my fault. I won’t mention it again, okay!”
Yu Youyao snorted and said reluctantly, “On account of Cousin’s sincere apology, I’ll forgive you this time!”
With that, she laughed.
As the two of them were talking, Liu’er rushed over. “Young Miss, there’s a commotion in the Songtao Courtyard. Fourth Young Master is crying and asking for Mother. He’s smashed a lot of things. No one can persuade him…”
Zhou Linghuai’s face darkened and was a little displeased.
Yu Youyao turned to look at her cousin and smiled. “I’ll go to the Songtao Courtyard to take a look first. The weather is wet and cold today. Cousin has been outside for a long time. It’s time to go back.”
Zhou Linghuai nodded. “You go first. I’ll return to the Green House after this.”
During this period of time, he had been busy, and the little girl had also been busy. Although they met every day, the little girl had added “Heavenly Works” to her readings, so she did not have much free time.
It was rare for her to have half a day of leisure today, but Yu Shansi had interfered.
Yu Youyao squatted in front of her cousin again and tugged at the velvet blanket on his leg. She then held his hand and instructed again, “You can stay for another ten minutes at most. You can’t stay any longer. Otherwise, your leg will hurt terribly from the humidity.”
Last time, her cousin’s leg had an aggressive reaction which scared her.
Now, every time it rained, she would be nervous. She wanted to help her cousin nourish his body. When his body was warm, his legs would feel better.
Zhou Linghuai smiled helplessly. “Got it, little housekeeper grandmother.”
When Yu Youyao heard the words “little housekeeper grandmother”, she pouted unhappily, but she did not say anything. After all, she was indeed in charge of the household now.
Little housekeeper grandmother seemed to be right.
However, why did he have to call her a “grandmother”? It felt like he was calling her old.
Yu Youyao made a face at her cousin as if she was playing a prank, then went to the Songtao Courtyard with Xia Tao.
Yu Shansi had almost drowned yesterday and was unconscious for the entire night. When he woke up this morning, he cried and complained that he couldn’t stay in the Songtao Courtyard anymore. He wanted to go to the main courtyard to look for his mother.
The servants said that First Madam’s illness was serious and she had moved into the Tranquil Heart Residence to recuperate. No one was allowed to disturb her.
Yu Shansi did not believe it and was about to go to the courtyard to look for his sister.
The servants also said that Third Miss had fallen ill yesterday. After Imperial Physician Hu came to treat her, he said that Third Miss needed to recuperate and her courtyard was even closed.
This time, how could Yu Shansi tolerate it? He flew into a rage on the spot and caused a commotion.
As soon as Yu Youyao entered the courtyard, she heard a clang from the inner room, the sound of smashing, and Yu Shansi’s cries.
Liu’er drew the curtain and Yu Youyao walked into the house. At a glance, she could see the mess in the room. The ground was a mess, filled with things that Yu Shansi had smashed.