Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

In the countryside at the end of the Xu hour, the moonlight, like water, spills onto the path paved with bluestone slabs.

Tao'er and her group, exhausted but satisfied, finally returned to their rented country courtyard.

The lingering aroma of the daytime picnic and barbecue in the mountains still lingered, and everyone carried a strong smell of barbecue.

The children had a great time, their clothes covered in grass juice and charcoal ash, and their little faces were streaked with black marks, making them look like two little kittens.

"Move everything down here, be careful not to bump into anything."

While directing everyone to unload the barbecue grill, charcoal brazier, and remaining ingredients, Tao'er rubbed her slightly sore shoulders.

Everyone was in high spirits tonight, and she was busy helping out, but now she was starting to feel a bit tired.

Once everything was in place, Tao'er turned to Dongkui, who was still surrounding Ayan and Huanhuan, and instructed, "Dongkui, take Ayan and Huanhuan to take a bath."

Smelling like barbecue, I doubt I can sleep.

She paused, then added, "The two kids had a great time today, their clothes are all dirty and they're all sweaty, they're unusable if they don't wash them clean."

He laughed as soon as he finished speaking.

Ayan pouted and stammered, "Sister Tao'er, I can still use it after washing it..."

Huanhuan chimed in, "Sister Tao'er, I... I can take it after I wash it."

Xiao Yi and the others burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Okay, okay, you can take it after washing it. Go and wash up with your sister Dongkui!"

I'll be checking later!

Whoever washes the cleanest tonight gets to sleep with Sister Tao'er, but only for tonight!

Tao'er said with a smile.

The two children jumped up with joy.

"I want to sleep with Sister Tao'er."

Dongkui responded and smiled as she extended her hand to Ayan: "Ayan, let's go, let me take you to take a bath first."

To everyone's surprise, Ayan took a step back, her face instantly turning red to the roots of her ears.

He pursed his lips, his large, dark eyes glancing furtively to the side, then pointed and whispered, "I...I want Uncle Shi Qi to take me, not Sister Dong Kui, Sister Dong Kui is a girl..."

Tao'er was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but smile.

This little guy has really grown up; he knows the difference between boys and girls and has started to feel shy.

She glanced at Xiao Yi, who was packing his things, and then at A Yan, whose face was flushed, and a thought stirred in her heart.

Although the uncle and nephew had only recently recognized each other, blood is thicker than water, and it would be a good thing if they could take this opportunity to get closer.

So she nodded and said gently, "Okay, then let Uncle Shi take you there."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi paused in his actions and looked up at A Yan.

The little guy was staring at him expectantly, his little face flushed, his eyes filled with both anticipation and a hint of timid nervousness.

Xiao Yi's cold and hard eyebrows softened instantly, and a subtle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

He strode over, grabbed Ayan with his large hand, and hoisted him onto his shoulder.

"Ayan, you said it yourself."

You're not allowed to cry later.

"I'm going to scrub off a pound of mud for you today."

"Help!..."

I don't want it anymore...

Ayan was startled by the sudden action and immediately shouted.

Her little hands gripped Xiao Yi's collar tightly, her two little legs dangling in the air.

"Too late..."

Everyone burst into laughter again.

Xiao Yi steadily carried him toward the bathroom.

The moonlight stretched the shadows of the two figures, one large and one small, into very long shadows.

This joyful scene warms the heart.

Tao watched them leave, a slight smile playing on her lips, before turning her gaze away.

Dongkui then picked up Huanhuan and took her to get a bath.

As soon as Tao'er turned her head, she saw Elder Li slumped in a rattan chair in the courtyard, his face flushed, his eyes glazed, and he was muttering something incoherently. He had obviously drunk too much.

During the barbecue, everyone took turns toasting Elder Li, and he accepted every toast. Now, the effects of the alcohol were kicking in, and he was feeling a bit dizzy.

Tao'er shook her head helplessly and called Qingfeng over: "Qingfeng, please help Elder Li back to his room, pour him a cup of warm water, and I'll make some hangover soup and bring it to him later."

Qingfeng stepped forward and carefully helped Elder Li up.

Elder Li's steps were unsteady, half his body leaning against Qingfeng, muttering, "Tao'er... have another cup... it's delicious..."

Tao'er smiled and waved her hand, "Elder Li, you're drunk, go back and rest."

After Qingfeng helped Elder Li into the house, Tao'er was pondering what to do next when a clear voice came from behind her: "Tao'er, is there anything I can help you with?"

She turned around and saw Xie Jingchen standing nearby.

The moonlight shone on his tall figure, making his face appear as handsome as jade, though there was still a hint of languid intoxication between his brows.

He had drunk quite a bit, but he clearly had a high tolerance for alcohol, and his expression remained clear, only more relaxed and casual than usual.

Tao thought for a moment. Tonight, everyone drank a lot of wine and ate even more meat, but not a single grain of rice was eaten.

If I go to sleep like this, my stomach will probably be upset in the middle of the night. After a moment's thought, she had an idea: "You've come at the right time. Come with me to the kitchen and help out."

Make some hangover soup and cook a pot of porridge.

As she walked towards the kitchen, she explained, "We only ate meat tonight, no rice. Some porridge will warm our stomachs and help everyone sleep more comfortably tonight."

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Xie Jingchen's eyes.

I thought to myself that Peach Girl was so thoughtful, beautiful and kind.

He quickly followed Tao'er's footsteps, his voice filled with eagerness: "Alright, leave the fire-starting to me, you just need to take charge of the cooking."

Tao'er turned and glanced at him, somewhat surprised: "You can even start a fire?"

Xie Jingchen smiled gently, a rare hint of youthful spirit in his smile: "I learned it a long time ago, it's nothing to me."

The two entered the kitchen one after the other.

Tao'er deftly retrieved a clay pot and a soup pot from the cupboard, and then went to the yard to pick a few fresh perilla and mint plants.

The recipe for the hangover soup was taught to her by Uncle Li. It uses kudzu flower, Japanese raisin tree fruit, perilla leaves, and a little rock sugar, simmered over low heat. It has an excellent hangover-relieving effect and feels good in the stomach after drinking it.

Xie Jingchen squatted in front of the stove, skillfully picked up dry firewood, lit it with a tinderbox, and carefully stuffed it into the stove.

The flames licked the firewood, making a crackling sound, and the red light reflected on his face, flickering on and off.

As Tao'er sliced ​​ginger, she stole a glance at him.

This young master, who usually exudes an extraordinary air, was now squatting in front of the stove tending the fire, and he did it quite well, without the slightest hint of awkwardness.

She nodded to herself, realizing that this man was indeed quite different from those pampered young noblemen who never lifted a finger.

He lacked the arrogance and haughtiness typical of wealthy young men.

The water on the stove boiled quickly. Tao'er put the washed herbs into the pot, covered it, and simmered it over low heat.

On another stove, the porridge pot was bubbling and steaming, and the aroma of rice gradually filled the kitchen.

"Keep the heat low; the hangover soup needs to be simmered slowly to bring out its flavor."

Tao'er gave her instructions.

Xie Jingchen responded and used the fire tongs to stir the firewood in the stove, making the flames softer.

He looked up at Tao'er, who was standing in front of the stove stirring the porridge. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the steam, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

"Atao," he suddenly said.

"Hmm?" Tao'er didn't turn her head, focusing intently on the porridge in the pot.

"It's nothing..."

Xie Jingchen swallowed back the words he was about to say, but instead stirred the fire up a little more.

There are some things that are not appropriate to say now, so let's just leave them be!

About half an hour later, the hangover soup was ready, and a rich herbal aroma filled the entire kitchen.