Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

Pei Zeyu ignored her, focusing on kneading the flower in his palm. "If you want to see it, I'll show it to you another day."

It's a deal.

Having received permission, Liu Wenying also came to help.

She picked up the blooming crabapple petals from the table and rubbed and crushed them.

The vibrant red nectar gradually accumulated in the small white porcelain dish, making it look fresh and beautiful.

The two worked side by side and quickly prepared several dishes of natural begonia flower paint.

With the paints ready, Luo Luo and Ji Chuan held their brushes and diligently painted on the rice paper.

Watching her two children obediently drawing, Liu Wenying's playful side was also aroused.

Her gaze shifted, and while Pei Zeyu was tidying up the dishes, she dipped her finger in the juice of the begonia blossoms and quickly smeared it on his cheek.

The vibrant red floral pattern on his fair and handsome skin added a touch of allure, softening his dignified and restrained demeanor and giving him a captivating charm.

Pei Zeyu was slightly taken aback, then looked at her cunning and lively expression.

Before Liu Wenying could feel smug, he grabbed her chin.

Thinking he was going to retaliate, Liu Wenying closed her eyes.

The next moment, his fingertips, coated with flower juice, gently brushed across her lips, staining them with the color of the flowers.

The vibrant begonia color, like a natural touch of rouge, made her lips appear even more radiant.

Compared to what Liu Wenying did, he could be considered to have repaid evil with kindness.

Liu Wenying covered her mouth shyly, gently pushed him away, and said coquettishly, "What are you doing?"

Pei Zeyu chuckled softly, "It's just a matter of reciprocity."

For a moment, the two of them gently teased and joked, their love overflowing.

Little Jichuan, who was standing nearby, could see everything clearly. The little boy tugged at his sister's sleeve.

"Sister, look, Father and Mother are arguing again."

Luo Luo didn't even look up, her little hands firmly holding the paintbrush, already used to it all. "We'll just paint our own pictures."

Seeing his sister's calm demeanor, Ji Chuan nodded his little head as if he understood, obediently responding.

The two little ones were engrossed in their painting, oblivious to their loving parents behind them.

As the daylight was just right, customers flocked to Liu's Silk Shop.

Liu Wenying closed the ledger, stood up, and straightened her skirt.

The shop assistant behind the counter, who was arranging goods, looked up, smiled, and said, "Did the boss leave so early today?"

The other guys looked over when they heard this, their eyes filled with mischief.

Liu Wenying coughed lightly, feigning composure: "With you all looking after the shop, it's alright for me to leave early."

"You've made an appointment with Second Master Pei, haven't you? Today is..."

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Wenying lightly tapped his forehead with an account book, saying, "You talk too much."

Even so, Liu Wenying's ears turned slightly red.

The shop assistant behind the counter smiled and stepped back, gesturing for the others to continue their work.

As Liu Wenying left the shop, a carriage was already waiting outside.

Seeing her come out, the driver quickly put down his footstool: "Master, to Songhelou?"

"Um."

The carriage passed through the bustling streets and stopped in front of Songhelou after about 15 minutes.

This is the most famous restaurant in the capital, with three-story eaves, vermilion lacquer and gold plaque, and a constant stream of carriages and horses in front of it.

As soon as Liu Wenying got out of the car, a waiter came to greet her.

"Is that Master Liu? He's finally here. Lord Pei is already waiting in the private room."

She followed the restaurant waiter to the third floor, pushed open the door to the innermost room, and went in. Pei Zeyu was sitting by the window and looked over when he heard the noise.

He had changed out of his court robes, his hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and he was dressed in elegant white.

"Second Master, you've kept us waiting."

Pei Zeyu laughed and said, "I just arrived and changed my clothes, but you're right on time."

"Today is your birthday, how could I dare to be late?"

Liu Wenying sat down at the table, where teaware had already been laid out. She picked up the teapot and poured tea into a white porcelain cup, the emerald green tea soup rising in wisps of steam.

Pei Zeyu took the teacup from her, saying, "Why go to such trouble?"

Liu Wenying rested her chin on her hand and looked at him, her almond-shaped eyes curving up. "You only have one birthday a year, so naturally you have to put in a lot of effort."

"It's really hard to book a private room at Songhelou. I had to pull a lot of strings to get one. They have many chefs who can cook all kinds of cuisines from all over the country. Today, I'm going to make sure you get to try something new."

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

The restaurant staff filed in, each carrying a tray filled with various delicacies.

First came four cold dishes: crystal sashimi, pickled quail, mixed jellyfish head, and amber walnuts.

Next came the hot dishes: braised sea cucumber with scallions, steamed shad, crab meat lion's head meatballs, and roasted venison.

There's also Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup and crab roe soup dumplings as main dishes, and of course, a bowl of longevity noodles.

A table full of food, a dazzling array.

Liu Wenying picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of roasted venison on Pei Zeyu's plate. "Try this. I heard it's made with venison sent from beyond the Great Wall. The meat is extremely tender."

Pei Zeyu tasted it as instructed and nodded, saying, "It is indeed fresh and tender."

Liu Wenying scooped another spoonful of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for him. She was busy serving the food and didn't eat much herself.

Pei Zeyu glanced at her, picked up a piece of crystal sashimi, and held it to her lips. "Don't just think about me."

Liu Wenying paused for a moment, then ate with his chopsticks, smiling as she said, "Second Master has learned to take care of people too."

Pei Zeyu ladled out another half bowl of soup for her: "Of course, I learned it from you."

The two of them took turns using their chopsticks and spoons, enjoying a warm and affectionate meal.

Outside the window, the city bustles with activity; inside, the candlelight is warm and inviting, like an ordinary couple sitting and dining together.

When they reached the main course, Liu Wenying didn't forget to ask him how it tasted.

Pei Zeyu nodded after savoring the food. "The cooking time was just right. It truly deserves to be called a famous restaurant in the capital. But if I had to say what the best thing I've ever eaten is... it's still the fish soup at Daxiangguo Temple."

Old memories surged up, vivid and clear.

At that time, she was still the wet nurse of the Duke's mansion, and she went to the Daxiangguo Temple with the masters of the mansion to pray for blessings.

Unable to avoid being trapped on the mountain by heavy snow and cut off from the journey, the group was stranded on the mountain, suffering from hunger and cold and almost unable to survive.

Pei Zeyu was hungry and tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. He decided to wander around in search of a way to survive.

That very night, he met her as she was ice fishing in the back hills.

Later, he took her fish soup, which filled his hunger and warmed his body at the same time.

That was their first encounter, and also the most unforgettable food he ever ate.

A feast of delicacies cannot compare to a bowl of warm soup on a snowy day in one's youth.

"Fish soup?"

Liu Wenying paused, her hand still holding the food, as she remembered something.

"Back then, when you stole the soup I had worked so hard to catch and cook, I thought you were a scoundrel."

For the first time in his life, Pei Zeyu was called a scoundrel, and he couldn't help but laugh. "If I hadn't taken it, how could there have been any later?"

Yes, if it weren't for that heavy snow that blocked the mountain and that bowl of fish soup, they might never have crossed paths in their lives.

Liu Wenying's heartstrings were slightly touched. She picked up some food for him with her chopsticks and said, "There's a long road ahead. I can make more than just fish soup. I can make whatever you want to eat."

"it is good."

After the meal, the waiter cleared away the leftovers and served tea.

"Second Master, please wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Before he could answer, Liu Wenying had already pushed open the door and left.

Knowing that today was a special day and that she was sure to do something surprising, Pei Zeyu didn't ask any questions and waited quietly.

After about half a cup of tea, Liu Wenying returned from the mansion, carrying an exquisite white porcelain tray.

In the center of the tray were unique pastries he had never seen before. They were round and fluffy, covered with a layer of snow-white, delicate cream, like clouds and snow, and topped with bright red fruit and a few candles.

…………