Chapter 1031 - 1028: Little Thoughts

“Madam, why aren’t you angry?” Although Zhao Qingqing was a food lover with a gentle nature, she was not ignorant. She carefully advised Ye Muyu, fearful of upsetting her, “At first I thought the same, but after getting to know you, I realized that everyone was just talking nonsense.”

“Madam, may I call you Sister Ye? I am fourteen this year, and I will have my hairpin ceremony next year. You mustn’t be much older than me.”

Ye Muyu looked into her clear eyes, “If Qingqing doesn’t mind, then please feel free to call me that in private.”

“Thank you, Sister Ye.” Zhao Qingqing’s eyes smiled like crescent moons.

Ye Muyu asked, “You have just eaten quite a lot of sweets. Would you like some sour plum soup or green tea?”

“Sour plum soup?” Zhao Qingqing asked curiously, “Is that like plum tea?”

“It’s a type of fruit tea with a sweet and sour taste, which you might prefer if you like sweets.”

Ye Muyu motioned to Su Mei, who then brought out the jug of sour plum soup. She didn’t offer Zhao Qingqing her own cup, but used the one from the boat instead.

“Qingqing, you should wash the cup first,” Ye Muyu said softly.

“Next time you go out, you could bring your usual cup with you,” she suggested.

Zhao Qingqing whispered in a hushed voice, “Sister Ye, are you afraid of being poisoned?”

“To be honest, Qingqing, I hadn’t thought about that until you mentioned it. I just find it more convenient and clean to bring my own cup. Of course, avoiding some trouble is also good,” Ye Muyu explained while Su Mei had already poured the sour plum soup.

Ye Muyu first took a sip before calling her to drink.

Zhao Qingqing held up the cup and drank, “It tastes really good, both sour and sweet.”

Her eyes immediately lit up, “Sister Ye, I think being able to taste good food is the most joyful thing in the world.”

“If you like, tomorrow I can have the instructions sent to your residence.”

Zhao Qingqing said, “Thank you, Sister Ye.”

“Come on, Sister Ye, let me take you to play.” Zhao Qingqing finished her sour plum soup in one gulp, stood up, and pulled Ye Muyu toward the bow of the boat.

Ye Muyu glanced at Lin Mianmian and the group approaching her but did not refuse Zhao Qingqing’s kindness and stood up to follow her away.

Lin Mianmian had come over with friends from the Lin residence, intent on causing trouble for Ye Muyu, but she only saw her leaving and twisted her handkerchief in extreme disappointment.

The young miss from Tongzhi’s family, curious, asked, “Mianmian, was the person who just left Madam?

“Hmm,” Lin Mianmian responded nonchalantly.

However, someone else spoke up, voicing exactly what she didn’t want to hear, “It seemed like Zhao Qingqing was the one who left with Madam. When did they become so close?”

“How would I know?” Lin Mianmian was somewhat agitated. She had only been away for a moment, and upon her return, Ye Muyu had found support. This was simply unbearable for her.

The other young misses sensed her mood, but the thrill of watching the drama unfold only deepened. There had never been any real friendship among them—just mutual use.

Lin Mianmian’s marriage to Chu Heng envied some, while others looked down on it.

The young miss from Tongzhi’s family, Zheng Mingyue, greatly admired Lin Mianmian. She had once met Chu Heng briefly at a clinic. While others dismissed Lord Chu for his humble background, he was still more promising than her father. Still young, he had already entered the Hanlin Academy — many young misses in the capital admired him, yet an official in Yuzhou had bolstered him in the official circle.

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