The three of them sat beneath the pavilion in the courtyard. In front of Qiao Mu sat nothing but a bowl of plain white congee.

Pale, colorless, without a hint of flavor to it.

She looked at the two across from her with a puzzled expression, lifted the bowl, and took a small spoonful.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao sat directly across from Qiao Mu, huddled close together.

In front of the two of them was a spread of all kinds of delicious food.

The variety was great and the colors appealing, but on closer inspection, all of it was light, mild fare.

“Xiao Yingtao, have a shrimp — it’s so fresh and delicious!”

“Jiu’er, I think the mushrooms are amazing too. Here, have one.”

“This soup isn’t bad either. I simmered it for two hours — want a bowl?”

“Thanks, Jiu’er, mm… it’s really good, a little sweet!”

“Jiu’er, do you want this meat-sauce steamed bun? I’ll get it for you.”

“Sure, we’ll split it — I can’t finish one alone.”

“Wow! What kind of meat is this? It smells amazing!”

“Beef.”

“The seasoning is just right! Not too salty, not too bland!”

“Of course — look who made it.”

“Jiu’er really is the best! How does that saying go… able to command the hall above, and command the kitchen below.”

“I don’t think that’s quite how I taught it to you.”

“Right, right… a lady in the parlor, a cook in the kitchen! Jiu’er, where on earth did you learn these sayings? Even I still don’t know.”

“There’s plenty you don’t know. Learn slowly!”

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao chattered away, taking turns feeding each other bites, eating happily.

With a loud “clunk,” Qiao Mu set her bowl down hard on the table.

“Who exactly is the one about to give birth here? You two are eating so well! And I’m stuck drinking watery congee — without even any meat in it!”

Qiao Mu stared at her pale, colorless congee, looking utterly pitiful.

Xiao Yingtao stood, walked over, and sat down.

“There’s meat in this congee.”

She glanced at the bowl, then looked up at Qiao Mu with a serious expression.

“Jiu’er simmered it using top-grade lean meat. She was worried that seeing chunks of meat would kill your appetite, so she strained the meat out.”

“So what? Doesn’t it taste good?”

Qiao Mu pouted and glanced at Xiao Yingtao.

“I want shrimp. I want the meat-sauce buns. I want that…” She pointed at the piece of meat Feng Jiu’er had just picked up.

“What is that? Jiu’er, can I have some?”

“Of course.” Feng Jiu’er picked up a bowl and walked over.

“Try it. If it’s fine, I’ll give you more.”

Qiao Mu huffed, took the bowl Feng Jiu’er handed her, and picked up the chopsticks offered to her.

She ate a bite of meat, and quickly took a second bite.

Seeing this, Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao leaned toward each other at the same moment, exchanging a glance.

Xiao Yingtao gave Feng Jiu’er a thumbs up, and Feng Jiu’er returned an “okay” gesture, both of their faces breaking into triumphant smiles.

“Xiao Yingtao, have some shrimp — it’s been a while since we’ve had shrimp this fresh.”

Feng Jiu’er pretended to be unconcerned and returned to her seat.

Xiao Yingtao also returned to her own seat and sat down.

“There isn’t much shrimp left today, I…” “I said I want some too!”

Qiao Mu cut off Xiao Yingtao’s words. “Didn’t you hear me?”

“You really want it?”

Feng Jiu’er picked up the biggest one and waved it slightly.

“Mm.”

Qiao Mu reached out.

Feng Jiu’er stood, holding the peeled shrimp meat, and handed it over.

“Eat this first. After all, my little nephew is in your hands — oh wait, no! He’s in your belly.”

“Jiu’er, what did you just say?”

A steady voice came from outside.

Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao turned around; Qiao Mu looked up too, and saw Feng Jiang striding in, looking travel-worn.

Qiao Mu only glanced at Feng Jiang once before lowering her eyes and continuing to eat.

“Little…” Xiao Yingtao started to say something, but Feng Jiu’er pulled her back.

“You already said what needed saying — what’s left for anyone else to add? Hurry up and eat!”

“Oh.” Xiao Yingtao lowered her gaze and nodded.

When Feng Jiang walked into the pavilion, all three women were eating, as though they hadn’t even noticed him return.

He glanced at Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao, then strode over to Qiao Mu’s side and sat down.

“Xiao Qiao.”

Feng Jiang ruffled Qiao Mu’s hair. “What’s wrong? You look worn out.”

Feng Jiang’s large hand came to rest on Qiao Mu’s forehead, checking her temperature, then his gaze shifted back to Feng Jiu’er.

“Jiu’er, you’ve examined Xiao Qiao already, haven’t you? What’s wrong with her? What’s going on with my little nephew?”

Feng Jiu’er took a sip of soup and looked up.

“You should tell him yourself.”

Feng Jiang’s thick brows furrowed, his gaze returning to Qiao Mu.

He cupped her hand in both of his and asked gently, “What exactly is going on? I’ve only been gone a few days, and you’ve already grown so thin.”

“You weren’t home, so I had no appetite.”

Qiao Mu glanced at him.

She ate two shrimp, then pushed the bowl toward Feng Jiang.

“This is Jiu’er’s thoughtful gesture — you eat it.”

Qiao Mu looked up at Xiao Yingtao.

Xiao Yingtao had been watching Qiao Mu closely the whole time. The moment Qiao Mu glanced up at her, she understood.

“Qiao Mu, do you want a meat-sauce bun? Jiu’er made this sauce herself too — it’s my first time tasting anything this good.”

“Mm.” Qiao Mu nodded. “Half of one, to start.”

“Coming right up.”

Xiao Yingtao took the half-bun she’d prepared and hurried over in two steps.

Qiao Mu took the bun, sniffed it, and only then put it in her mouth.

The other three at the table watched her without blinking.

Only after she had swallowed the bun did Feng Jiu’er and Xiao Yingtao let out deep sighs of relief.

Feng Jiang looked up again at the two of them.

Xiao Yingtao met his gaze but eventually lowered her head.

“Young Master Jiang, I don’t know — oh wait, no, I do know, but I’m not telling. Ask Qiao Mu yourself.”

Feng Jiang knew there had to be something going on, especially since he already had a suspicion of his own, which only made him more anxious.

“Xiao Qiao, tell me — is it what I think it is?”

He freed one hand and placed it on Qiao Mu’s lower belly.

“What are you doing?”

Qiao Mu pushed his hand away. “It’s all your fault! You’re the reason I have no appetite for anything.”

“It’s all your fault! I threw up everywhere today! All your fault!”

Qiao Mu set down the half-eaten bun and glared at Feng Jiang.

She let out a long breath in one go, took a few deep breaths, then turned and picked the bun back up.

“Jiu’er said I need to stay happy and not get angry, for the sake of our child — I won’t get angry anymore.”

“Our child.”

Feng Jiang’s large hand was trembling. “Xiao Qiao, are you saying — there really is a child of ours in there?”

“I’ve said it already!”

Qiao Mu frowned.

Feng Jiang immediately snapped to attention, tenderly smoothing the crease between her brows.

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s true, it’s true, I won’t ask again. Just eat well, all right? Eat well.”

“Mm.”

Qiao Mu, looking somewhat wronged, lowered her eyes. “Xiao Yingtao, get me another half — that one was good.”

“Coming right up.”

Xiao Yingtao could hardly contain her joy.

Right now, nothing mattered more than Qiao Mu eating well.

Feng Jiang, beaming, picked up the shrimp Qiao Mu had left half-eaten, took his chopsticks, and popped one into his mouth.

He savored it happily for a moment, then looked up.

“Jiu’er, can you tell roughly when… Xiao Qiao will… give birth?”