MTL - My Stepmother is Soft and Charming

"I've been thinking about you a lot since I met Sister Jin'er last time. I originally wanted to ask you out for a walk, but I also heard that Master Jiu and his family in the General's Mansion are back. I thought you would reunite as a family, so I didn't Please excuse me, today is just the right day, we sisters haven’t seen each other for a while, we must have a good talk."

 Jin'er appreciates her warmth.

Although the two didn't hit it off, they had a good relationship. Nian Jin had just arrived at the General's Mansion not long ago, and it was a time when she was in need of friends, so Shao Yuying's friendliness was very appropriate.

After saying that, Shao Yuying set her sights on Nian Jin, looked up and down, and then said with a smile.

“Sister Nianjin seems to have a lively temperament. Do you have a headache these days learning the rules from sister Jiner?”

Her joking words made Jin'er couldn't help but chuckle.

“You, you know how to tease Sister Nianjin, even if you are naughty yourself, you still plan to bring Sister Nianjin to cause trouble in heaven?”

Shao Yuying didn't take it seriously. Instead, she pretended to protect him and continued to speak to Na Nianjin.

"Don't be afraid. If Sister Jin'er is too fierce, just come to the prefect's house to find me. The elders in my family are not as strict as Sister Jin'er. Then we will go pick autumn fruits together."

Shao Yuying has a lively temperament, and so does Nian Jin. After the maid translated the words, Nian Jin’s eyes lit up, but she quickly shook her head and spoke firmly in unskilled Mandarin.

 “Don’t be mean, sister, be nice to me!”

When he heard this, not only Shao Yuying, but also the ladies standing next to him were surprised.

 “Can you speak such good Mandarin so quickly?”

 “Sister Nianjin is extremely intelligent, so naturally she is powerful.”

Jin'er was very attentive to her and always asked her to repeat it when he spoke. Therefore, after going back and forth, she could naturally say this short sentence.

“I admire you. It seems that when we go on an outing next year, Sister Nianjin will be able to joke in Mandarin.”

Jin'er smiled and felt that this matter was just around the corner.

Although Nian Jin half-understood what they were saying, there was a maid nearby, so the translation was timely, and the child's nature was the most direct, so he could naturally feel the care and intimacy of the little sisters, so Nian Jin was also particularly relaxed when facing them.

When Du Jingyi was chatting with the ladies from Cezhou, he had to take care of Luo Yi's situation. From time to time, he also looked at Nian Jin's expression next to Jin'er, seeing how happily she was chatting with several official ladies. , the worries in my heart were naturally relieved a lot.

Just as he was talking, Cherry walked in from outside and said respectfully to Du Jingyi.

 “Madam, Mrs. Shao is here.”

“Oh? Didn’t you say that the old lady is feeling a little unwell and won’t come over today?”

“The old lady said that it was not quite right when she was getting ready to go out, but she is much better now. She was thinking about the snowflake cake at our house, so she came over anyway.”

Du Jingyi smiled and said helplessly.

"Old Madam, it's true. She likes snowflake cakes. It's not easy. Please ask Danruo and the others to send some over."

 “Yes, ma’am.”

Among the official family members who came today, there were many old ladies. But unlike these people, Mrs. Shao rarely attended the banquets outside. Even if the banquets were held in the prefect's mansion, she would sometimes complain that she was ill. out.

 Therefore, many people thought that Mrs. Shao was either frail or sick, or difficult to get along with, but they did not expect that she had a close affinity with the General's Mansion. There were only two banquets held in this mansion, but she came every time, which was enough to give the general's mansion face. Naturally, Du Jingyi also wanted to entertain her sincerely.

"Madams, please sit down. I'll go over and take a look. Mrs. Shao is weak. I'd like to ask her to go to the side hall to rest."

"Mrs. Gu just goes and makes arrangements. We, those of us enjoying the scenery and having tea, can't do any harm to ourselves."

Du Jingyi was about to leave, and Luo Yi didn't want to be alone, so he simply made an excuse and ran to the kitchen again, saying he wanted to see how the cakes he had made were doing.

Seeing this, Du Jingyi did not embarrass her. After nodding lightly, he let her go to the back kitchen, while he went to greet Mrs. Shao.

Today Mrs. Shao is still the same as before. Her clothes are simple and she even wears simple hairpins. However, she is in good spirits, especially when she sees Du Jingyi, her eyes shine brightly.

 “The old woman has met Mrs. Gu.”

"Why do you need to be so polite, madam? You are a distinguished guest of the general's residence. From now on, when you see us, you will be like meeting juniors. There is no need to be like this."

　　"Madam, you are kind, but old lady, I want to abide by the rules."

Mrs. Shao is also a rare and transparent person. Her tone of voice always makes people feel like spring breeze when she speaks. Therefore, Du Jingyi likes to deal with her and welcomes her in with a smile.

“I know you like to eat snowflake cakes, so I had them prepared a long time ago and placed them in the side hall. This time I also added some soft cheese to make the filling, which I think will suit the taste better.”

 “I’ll remember it, madam. Thank you very much.”

While the two were talking, they entered the side hall.

This place is not as lively as the main house in the backyard, but it does not feel like a place of tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle. Luo Yi specially brought the snowflake cake here, and when he saw Mrs. Shao, he also followed suit.

Seeing this, Mrs. Shao replied calmly and then said.

“I heard a few days ago that Mr. Jiu and his family are back, so I couldn’t come to bother you. I only came here today. Please forgive Mrs. Jiu.”

Du Jingyi didn't even introduce Du Jingyi, Mrs. Shao already knew about it, which shows how accurate her vision is. When Luo Yi heard this, she waved her hands quickly, but then she felt that the movement was too big, so she immediately restrained herself. down.

 He turned to look at Du Jingyi with some guilt, as if he was afraid that what he just did was not in line with the rules.

"It's okay, Mrs. Shao is just like the elders in the family, there is no need to be so formal."

Hearing what Du Jingyi said, Luo Yi felt a little relieved, and then said that he wanted to go to the small kitchen again. Du Jingyi nodded after hearing this.

After watching her leave, Mrs. Shao said calmly.

“It’s rare for Madam Ninth to have a pure mind.”

“Yes, not only is her mind pure, but she is also as solid as a rock. Without her support, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to welcome our ninth brother and our two children back, so our entire Gu family is endlessly grateful to her.”

When Du Jingyi said this, his tone was full of sincerity. Mrs. Shao could hear it, so she replied with admiration in her eyes.

"Mrs. Gu is no less generous. Although I haven't seen much of the world, it's really rare for you to be able to take care of both the inside and outside in a high position like you."

 “Made the old lady laugh.”