Because of this incident, Fu Tingyun asked Yu Wei to inquire about the Li family’s situation.

Yu Wei returned and reported, “According to that old woman Huang, Madam Li is a second wife, and the Li family’s Thirteenth Young Master was born to the previous wife, who passed away from illness when he was not even six months old. The Li family’s Old Madam adored this grandson and raised him in her quarters since he was little, spoiling him greatly. Even if Master Li spoke to him a bit sternly, the Li family’s Old Madam would be displeased, let alone Madam Li. Madam Li doesn’t dare discipline him at all and can only coax him with kind words. When the Li family’s Tenth Young Master went to study at the Imperial Academy, he made a fuss about wanting to come see the excitement, so the Li family’s Old Madam had Madam Li bring him along to the capital. He’s usually quite obedient, but no one expected him to behave this way this time. Madam Li was extremely worried and, upon returning home, first wrote a letter to be delivered to Master Li before bringing gifts to our home to apologize. The Li family’s Tenth and Thirteenth Young Masters are born of the same mother, and it’s said that when the Tenth Young Master learned that Madam Li had written to Master Li, he was quite displeased, feeling that Madam Li had reported on the Thirteenth Young Master to their father, which has made these days quite difficult for Madam Li.”

Fu Tingyun frowned involuntarily and decided to go to Yuming Mountain early for the summer retreat: “…That Li family’s Thirteenth Young Master is, after all, just a child. If he causes any trouble, Madam Li can’t control him, and it would be inappropriate for us to reason with a child. As it happens, the courtyard over there has been repaired nearly completely, and when the children go over, they can help with tending to the flowers and trees. Firstly, it allows the children to become familiar with various plants, and secondly, it gives them something to do with their hands. Isn’t that better than staying here and being upset with the Li family?”

Yu Wei nodded repeatedly and smiled, “That would be good. Given children’s nature, by the time we come back down the mountain and return home, the Li family’s Thirteenth Young Master will likely have forgotten all about this matter.”

Fu Tingyun then had her send a message to her Third Sister: “Ask her to bring the children and join us in going up the mountain. Summer has just begun, yet the wind already carries heat when it blows against one’s body. This year is likely to be a scorching summer. I hear that Third Sister’s husband is strict with the children, and Chun Bing has to practice three thousand characters every day. When the weather gets just a bit hot, his clothes become damp with sweat, and for this reason, Third Sister specifically bought him a little maid just to fan him. If they come with us to Yuming Mountain, the children will be more comfortable.”

Yu Wei smiled in agreement and instructed the maids and servants of each household to pack their trunks, while she went to the Shen residence.

Third Sister hesitated a bit: “Isn’t it a bit too early?” This year had an intercalary sixth month, so it would be hotter than usual. Their family was neither a wealthy merchant family nor high-ranking officials with power, so they couldn’t afford ice from cellars to combat the heat. The adults could manage, but as a mother, she felt distressed for her children. If they could go with Fu Tingyun to Yuming Mountain and stay for a few months, she would certainly be delighted. However, if they went up the mountain, they would not only need to bring trunks for the entire summer and maids and servants to attend to them, but to avoid disrupting their studies, the tutors hired for Chun Bing and Yuan Xiao would also need to be brought along… Her main concern was that this seemed a bit too disruptive.

Yu Wei had been with Fu Tingyun for many years and could read this much from her expression.

She smiled softly and said, “There’s another matter for inviting you over.” At this point, her tone paused, “Our Madam is with child…”

“Ah!” Before Yu Wei could finish, Third Sister’s face showed both surprise and joy. “This Quanhui, how could she not give me any hint?” Then, covering her mouth with a smile, she added, “She is quick.”

Yu Wei also smiled, “We are, after all, just servants. If you could go and keep our Madam company, our Madam would have someone to confide in and someone to consult with when matters arise…”

“Exactly, exactly.” Previously thinking she was taking advantage of others, Third Sister had felt somewhat uncomfortable, but now that she was going to help Fu Tingyun, her discomfort vanished like smoke. She happily said, “I’ll go with you right away to see Ninth Sister.”

Yu Wei smiled in agreement and accompanied Third Sister back to Shi Family Alley.

When the two sisters met, there was no shortage of laughter and giggles. After consulting the almanac together, they decided to set off for Yuming Mountain four days later. As for the Dragon Boat Festival, Third Sister laughed and said, “Let your brother-in-law come up the mountain… The scenery of Yuming Mountain is renowned for its beauty. Doesn’t he enjoy drinking wine and composing poetry? Let him go lament the passing of spring and feel melancholy before the mountain of trees.”

These words made everyone burst into laughter.

Although Third Sister spoke with confidence in front of Fu Tingyun, after returning home, she still had to discuss this matter with her husband.

A father’s love for his children remains in his heart.

Third Sister’s husband hesitated, “I fear there will be no one to supervise the children’s studies?”

Third Sister had already planned for this and smiled, “The children are growing up, and we can’t manage every aspect of their lives forever, can we? Over these years, Chun Bing and Yuan Xiao have been by your side and have grown to be quite obedient and sensible. This is the perfect opportunity to try loosening our grip a bit and see if the two children have truly taken your daily teachings to heart. If they become lax, you can simply bring us back.”

Third Sister’s husband thought her reasoning made sense, then remembered another matter: “I promised the children I would take them to see the dragon boat races at the Western Garden on the Dragon Boat Festival.”

Third Sister was momentarily taken aback.

A promise made to children certainly couldn’t be broken.

She thought for a moment and said, “Well, Yuming Mountain isn’t as far as Zhangye. We can come down the mountain early in the morning on that day and return the next day.”

Third Sister’s husband, seeing there were no more concerns worth worrying about, smiled and said, “Alright then! You can go stay on the mountain with Ninth Sister and the others for a while.” Then, with an apologetic look in his eyes, he lowered his voice and said to Third Sister, “Next year, I’ll try to get some ice to help you and the children stay cool during the summer.”

Third Sister felt a warmth in her heart, but on the surface, she pouted coquettishly, “Wouldn’t that just benefit the breeze in Ninth Sister’s mountain villa courtyard?”

Third Sister’s husband roared with laughter.

Afterward, he let out a light sigh and stepped forward to take Third Sister’s hand.

Third Sister’s face immediately turned crimson, trying to pull her hand from her husband’s grip while stammering, “I, I need to go instruct the kitchen to prepare the meal!”

Third Sister’s husband grinned, exerted a slight force, and Third Sister tumbled into his embrace…

The residence on Yuming Mountain was similar to Fu Tingyun’s home in Shi Family Alley, both having three courtyards. However, the back wing had an additional courtyard, which was very large and filled with camphor trees.

Yuan Xiao and Xiao Gongzi were like little birds released from their cages, darting around in the grove.

Xu Gongzi looked on with envy and followed behind them.

Youyou then pulled Xu Gongzi back: “Stay with your sister. The grass in the grove is deep; be careful of grasshoppers jumping out to bite you.”

“Grasshoppers don’t bite people,” Xu Gongzi blinked his big eyes, not afraid at all. “Master says toads, cockroaches, and bedbugs don’t bite people either.”

Youyou was at a loss for words and could only say, “Anyway, you’re still too young, you’re not allowed to go.” Her tone carried a hint of helpless authority, and she tried to coax him, “If you obediently listen to your sister, I’ll wash some cherries for you to eat later.”

Xu Gongzi replied, “If sister doesn’t wash them, A-Luo will.” He wasn’t buying Youyou’s words.

Youyou felt both anxious and embarrassed.

Chun Bing, who had been standing behind Youyou without speaking, suddenly said, “You’re too short. If you get lost in the grass, we won’t be able to see you. Then we’ll all have to go looking for you, which will delay our mealtime.”

Hearing this, Xu Gongzi began to hesitate.

Youyou, seeing a spark of hope, quickly added, “That’s right! Every time you run off, we have to search everywhere for you. If we can’t find you, Xiao Gongzi will also be scolded by Mother…”

Xu Gongzi’s hesitation grew stronger.

Chun Bing took the opportunity to take Xu Gongzi’s hand and instructed the servant boy at his side, “Go call the Second Young Master and Cousin back.” Meanwhile, he discreetly headed toward the main hall.

Xu Gongzi, seeing the servant boy acknowledge with a sound and dash off to find Yuan Xiao and Xiao Gongzi, finally relaxed and followed Chun Bing to the main hall.

Youyou breathed a sigh of relief. After lunch, she directed the maids to arrange her favorite things nicely. Seeing A-Luo still busy with the maids setting up the room, she went alone to the side room south of the west wing, where Chun Bing was staying.

Chun Bing’s servants were arranging the room, while he was organizing his books. Seeing Youyou enter, he smiled and asked, “Is Xu Gongzi being naughty again?”

“No,” Youyou was somewhat embarrassed. “He was called away by Master An.” As she spoke, she sat on a nearby embroidered stool and muttered, “He behaves well when he sees Master An.”

“Master An is his teacher, naturally, he becomes well-behaved in front of his teacher,” Chun Bing smiled dismissively. He turned around and produced a small pouch from somewhere, “These are peach blossom cakes. Father brought them back from drinking at Elder Chen’s house last time. He said they’re palace desserts. Try them and see if you like them.”

When Youyou heard this, her eyes curved into crescent moons with delight.

She happily accepted the pouch and opened it to find four or five pink pastries shaped like peach blossoms, complete with yellow stamens, made to look just like the real thing.

“How beautiful!” Youyou held them in her hand, reluctant to eat them. She jumped down from the chair and said, “I’ll take them to show Mother.”

Hearing this, Chun Bing’s face turned crimson, and his tone became somewhat ambiguous: “There are only these few pieces, not enough to share, that’s why I didn’t bring them out earlier.”

Youyou tilted her head upon hearing this and carefully counted the peach blossom cakes: “One for Mother, one for Third Aunt, one for Eldest Cousin, one for Second Cousin, one for Xiao Gongzi…” Then there were no more.

She couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed.

Chun Bing then said, “Yuan Xiao and I have already eaten ours, so these are just for you all.”

Youyou thought for a moment and counted again: “One for Mother, one for Third Aunt, one for Xiao Gongzi, one for Xu Gongzi…” Plus one for herself, it was just right.

Her eyes curved into crescent moons again with delight, and she excitedly carried the pastries to her mother’s room.

Fu Tingyun was sitting with Third Sister, having a private conversation: “…As soon as he returned, I became… I was really afraid people would laugh… That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

“You and your husband are loving and affectionate, others would only envy you. What do you have to be embarrassed about?” As Third Sister spoke, she saw Youyou enter and promptly changed the subject.

Youyou somewhat obsequiously ran up to Fu Tingyun and Third Sister, holding out the pastries for them to see: “Mother, Third Aunt, these are from Eldest Cousin. He said Third Uncle brought them back from the palace, and they’re delicious!” Then she carefully took one and gave it to Fu Tingyun, and another to Third Sister.

Third Sister exclaimed in surprise, “His father brought back a box with twelve in total. I gave five to Chun Bing and five to Yuan Xiao… I didn’t expect Chun Bing to have kept them all this time…” She was quite astonished.

Fu Tingyun was also very surprised.

Knowing that Chun Bing had only received five, she placed the peach blossom cake back in Youyou’s hand: “You children eat them! Mother won’t have any.”

Third Sister also returned the peach blossom cake to Youyou’s hand, smiling, “Aunt has already eaten some, you children enjoy them!”

Youyou’s eyes darted around, and she said, “Then Aunt and Mother can share one piece!” Without further discussion, she carefully broke the peach blossom cake into two parts, thoughtfully handing the portion with three petals to Third Aunt, and the portion with two petals to her mother.

Third Aunt looked at this and exclaimed, “Oh my!” pulling Youyou onto her lap. “My child, you’re truly heartbreaking.” Then she removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and put it on Youyou, “Third Aunt won’t eat it. This is a reward for you to wear and play with.”