Glowing fireflies danced among the trees or rested on the green moss at the tree roots. Cicadas chirped and insects hummed, creating a scene both tranquil and warm.

Bai Qingyan had changed into water-green robes embroidered with camellia flowers and silver silk lotus patterns trimmed at the edges, paired with a lotus-colored silk skirt. She walked along the brightly lit corridor to Qinghe Courtyard.

In the main room, Dong Tingzhen was sitting by the window on a soft couch, tending to a three-legged gilt auspicious beast incense burner. She was replacing it with the calming incense she had specially prepared for Dong Shi today, carefully explaining to her what aromatics she had used.

Bai Qingyan stood in the courtyard, looking toward the half-open window lattice. She could see Dong Tingzhen sitting under the lamplight with a small copper spoon in her hand, gracefully adding incense to the burner. After covering the burner with its lid, she smiled and asked Dong Shi to smell it.

Dong Shi leaned her head close, gently gathering her sleeve with one hand while waving the other toward herself to catch the scent. She smiled in praise: “Mm, the fragrance is deep yet light, very pleasant.”

“If Aunt likes it, I’ll write down the formula later. If Aunt doesn’t want to make it herself, Zhenzhen can also do it for you…” Dong Tingzhen placed the silver spoon aside and said with a beaming smile.

“The eldest miss has arrived!” Nanny Qin saw Bai Qingyan and hurried out to lift the curtain, smiling as she said, “Madam is discussing incense with the young miss. Madam was also a master of incense-making in the past, but meeting our young miss, she can only admit defeat!”

Nanny Qin’s words contained much praise for Dong Tingzhen. After all… since the Bai family’s troubles began, Dong Shi had rarely smiled. This time, with Dong Tingzhen coming to Shouyang to keep her company, Dong Shi had become much more cheerful, often recalling amusing incidents from when she was still a young lady in the Dong family.

Mother was skilled at and enjoyed such refined pursuits, but after she began managing the household, she no longer had time for these activities.

Now that they had returned to Shouyang, it wasn’t as busy as it had been in the capital. Having Zhenzhen accompany Mother in preparing incense and playing the qin was excellent.

Nanny Qin smiled as she held the curtain for Bai Qingyan. Upon entering, she bowed to Dong Shi, while Dong Tingzhen quickly rose and gently called out, “Elder Cousin.”

Dong Shi’s attention seemed still focused on the incense as she pointed to the pastries and fresh fruits on the small table: “If A’Bao is hungry, have some to tide you over first. Nanny Qin is preparing some exquisite dishes for us to try today, but we’ll have to wait a while!”

“Exactly!” Nanny Qin smoothly picked up tea from the black lacquered, golden-decorated square tray carried in by a maid and served tea to Bai Qingyan. “Eldest miss, please wait a moment. This old servant heard from the mansion’s women about several dishes from Shouyang. Although the preparation is tedious and troublesome, they seem novel, so I wanted to let Madam and the two young misses try something new!”

“A third-generation elder knows clothing and adornment, a fifth-generation elder knows food and drink – Grandmother was most skilled in the ways of cuisine.” Bai Qingyan sat down on a stool and smiled as she accepted the tea Nanny Qin offered. “Nanny Qin has followed Grandmother since childhood, so naturally she is also skilled…”

Nanny Qin was part of Dong Shi’s dowry, born into the Dong family’s household.

The Dong clan had extremely deep family foundations in Dengzhou as well.

“Whether Elder Cousin is praising Grandmother and the Dong family, or praising Nanny Qin, Zhenzhen feels honored… and proud!” Dong Tingzhen covered her lips with a handkerchief as she laughed.

Just as they were speaking of the Dong family, a servant woman came to Qinghe Courtyard to deliver a message, saying there was a letter from the Dong family in Dengzhou.

Nanny Qin went out to receive the letter and brought it back to Dong Shi. As she read, she said to Bai Qingyan, “Your uncle writes that Changlan is coming to Shouyang. Your grandmother is having Changlan bring some things over.”

“In just a few days, it will be Aunt’s birthday. Grandmother and Little Uncle must have sent Brother Changlan to see Aunt!” Dong Tingzhen immediately guessed the Dong family’s intention in sending Dong Changlan to Shouyang.

This year, the Bai family was in mourning, so Dong Shi didn’t plan to celebrate her birthday – as long as her daughter could stay by her side for a meal, that would be enough. However, as a mother, Old Madam Dong naturally worried about her daughter.

Dong Shi’s brows showed happiness as she read Dong Qingyue’s handwritten letter several times. After calculating the dates and confirming that Dong Changlan would arrive on the twenty-first of the seventh month, Dong Shi looked up at Nanny Qin: “Changlan is bringing his wife and will arrive the day after tomorrow. Nanny Qin, tomorrow, have someone tidy up Junzi Pavilion. When Changlan arrives, let him stay in Junzi Pavilion.”

Now that the Bai family consisted entirely of women, Dong Shi was considering who should accompany Dong Changlan. Bai Qingyan put down her teacup and said: “I’ll speak with Bai Qingping later and have him come early to accompany Changlan, unless Mother wants to invite more clan brothers over?”

“Brother Changlan isn’t an outsider – why be so formal and find people to accompany him?” Dong Tingzhen didn’t mind at all. After all, the Dong family knew the Bai family’s situation well and had also heard about the Bai clan’s behavior.

When Dong Shi thought of the Bai clan members, she felt uncomfortable. Currently, she only regards Bai Qingping as a good child. She waved her hand: “Zhenzhen is right. Changlan isn’t an outsider – having Qingping come over will be sufficient.”

What Nanny Qin served today was Shouyang’s local Five Blessings Tofu, which required quite elaborate preparation. The silky tofu was thoroughly cooked in meat broth, drained and cooled, then pan-fried until golden on both sides. Neat cuts were made with a knife, rose honey paste was applied, and it was smoked with fruit wood. Dipped in sour plum sauce, it was crispy outside and tender inside, with the fresh fragrance of fruit wood melting upon the lips, creating endless flavor.

Shouyang had many famous local dishes, but not many could catch Nanny Qin’s eye. This Five Blessings Tofu… Nanny Qin had tasted it and found it good, which was why she dared arrange it for her master’s table.

After finishing their meal at Dong Shi’s Qinghe Courtyard, Dong Tingzhen walked shoulder to shoulder with Bai Qingyan. After stepping out of Qinghe Courtyard and entering the long corridor, Dong Tingzhen properly curtseyed to Bai Qingyan in earnest.

“Zhenzhen, why are you doing this?” Bai Qingyan thought Dong Tingzhen had something to ask for and lifted her hands to help her up. “If you have something to say, just speak.”

Dong Tingzhen shook her head, looking up at Bai Qingyan with reddened eyes: “Regarding Prince Liang’s matter, I’m so grateful for Elder Cousin’s wake-up call! Zhenzhen even judged Elder Cousin’s noble heart with my petty mind. If not for Elder Cousin, I would have been trapped in the mire without knowing it, being used while thinking he had genuine feelings for me.”

“You and I are sisters from the same family. Though we don’t share the same surname, blood kinship is the deepest bond in this world. I am your elder cousin… naturally, I should protect you!” Bai Qingyan smiled at Dong Tingzhen.

Blood kinship is the deepest bond in this world…

Hearing Bai Qingyan’s words, Dong Tingzhen remembered her father saying he would have the entire family face mountains of knives and seas of fire to fulfill her wish to be with Prince Liang. Yet at that time, she hadn’t even tried to stop her father – where had she placed blood kinship then?

The more Dong Tingzhen thought about it, the more guilty she felt. Tears couldn’t help but spill from her eyes as she wondered how disappointed her father and mother must have been with her then.

“Enough!” Bai Qingyan handed her handkerchief to Dong Tingzhen. “As long as you can turn back, Uncle and Aunt won’t blame you! Stay in Shouyang and relax during this time. When the weather cools down, you can go wherever you want – have Little Five and Little Six accompany you. They both love playing with you the most!”

Dong Tingzhen nodded, using the handkerchief to wipe away her tears before changing the subject: “I heard that Jinzhi went out today.”