Upon hearing this, Sheng Sanlang frowned.

What did Second Brother mean by that?

Seeing that Sheng Sanlang hadn’t even reacted, Sheng Erlang patted his arm. “Third Brother, compared to when you were at home, you’re really fat as two people!”

How had he gotten so fat? Where had that handsome younger brother with thick eyebrows and bright eyes gone?

Sheng Sanlang wasn’t annoyed upon hearing this. He said meaningfully, “Second Brother will understand when you return.”

Cousin and Xiu Gu’s cooking was so delicious—who could resist?

Besides, he’d willingly eaten himself fat. Why should he restrain himself?

Sheng Erlang shook his head, feeling Third Brother was beyond saving.

Grand Commander Luo’s somewhat dissatisfied voice rang out. “Brother-in-law, why stay elsewhere? Luo Manor is so large with plenty of rooms. Don’t go anywhere—just stay here.”

Second Uncle Sheng smiled. “It’s already arranged, not far from the Grand Commander’s manor. We can come over anytime.”

“Why bother with that? If you stay at Luo Manor, everything will be arranged for you, and the nephews can focus wholeheartedly on their studies.”

Second Uncle Sheng politely declined. “The rented place is quite peaceful. It’ll be convenient for them to invite fellow examination candidates over.”

The Jinlin Guard Commander and the scholarly civil officials were separated by too great a distance after all. Although the Sheng family had long accepted this connection, having the children enter people’s view by staying at the Grand Commander’s manor while preparing for the examinations in the capital wasn’t quite appropriate.

Hearing Second Uncle Sheng put it this way, Grand Commander Luo felt it made sense and no longer insisted. “If brother-in-law has any matters, just send someone with a message. On ordinary days, you must come often to drink wine with me.”

“Naturally.” Second Uncle Sheng smiled and agreed, then asked about something he’d been concerned with all along. “Is Sheng’er’s tavern business still doing well?”

Grand Commander Luo waved his hand. “It’s closed for the season.”

Second Uncle Sheng’s smile froze. “Closed?”

Wasn’t it making money hand over fist? How had it closed?

He had worried that his niece was just running it for fun, and by the time he returned to the capital, he wouldn’t be able to eat there anymore. He hadn’t expected his worry to come true.

Second Uncle Sheng suppressed his disappointment and inquired, “Why did it close when everything was going well?”

“New Year’s is approaching. I heard Sheng’er say it will reopen after the Lantern Festival.”

“I see.” Second Uncle Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Grand Commander Luo asked with a smile, “Is brother-in-law missing the tavern’s wine and food?”

Second Uncle Sheng chuckled. “Yes, I’ve been thinking about it ever since returning home.”

Grand Commander Luo laughed heartily. “The tavern’s cook lives at Luo Manor. After the tavern closed, the cook has been responsible for the masters’ evening meals at the manor. Brother-in-law should just come eat often.”

Hearing Grand Commander Luo say this, Second Uncle Sheng felt a pain in his chest, his mouth twitching.

He regretted it. Was it still too late to request moving back in?

Sheng Dalang and Sheng Erlang exchanged glances.

Second Uncle was acting a bit strange today.

Looking again at their younger brother who had gained two rounds of weight, the two brothers’ feelings grew even more complicated.

Meanwhile, Su Yao sat quietly the whole time, wearing an appropriately measured smile on his face.

Luo Chen swept Su Yao with the corner of his eye, his gaze full of coldness.

He didn’t like this person.

The door curtain lifted, and a servant reported, “Miss has arrived.”

Everyone couldn’t help but look toward the entrance, and saw a young woman in plain clothing walk in.

She walked steadily with large strides, looking more carefree and unrestrained than ordinary boudoir young ladies.

“Father, Second Uncle.” Luo Sheng approached and curtsied.

Second Uncle Sheng quickly said, “Sheng’er, no need for such formality. Come let your uncle look at you. Why do you seem thinner than when I left the capital?”

Sheng Dalang and Sheng Erlang looked at each other.

Second Uncle was really acting strange. Was he being too enthusiastic toward Cousin?

Luo Sheng looked at the two of them and greeted them neither warmly nor coldly. “Greetings, two elder cousins.”

The two quickly returned the courtesy.

Luo Sheng’s gaze shifted and fell on Su Yao.

Su Yao cupped his hands toward Luo Sheng. “Miss Luo, it’s been a long time.”

Luo Sheng nodded slightly, reserved and aloof. “Young Master Su.”

Surprise flashed through Su Yao’s eyes, quickly returning to normal.

Sheng Erlang looked at Luo Sheng with added scrutiny, feeling puzzled.

Hadn’t Cousin previously been crying and shouting about wanting to be with Second Brother Su? Why was she so cold toward Second Brother Su now?

Sitting in the spacious and wealthy flower hall, Sheng Erlang felt somewhat bewildered, feeling that after arriving in the capital, everything was somewhat different from what he’d imagined.

The handsome Third Brother had gained two rounds of weight, the fierce Cousin had become aloof, and the stern uncle he’d imagined was actually so amiable…

This feeling of things being out of control wasn’t very pleasant.

“Sheng’er, have lunch together with your second uncle. Have the cook prepare a table of dishes.” Grand Commander Luo spoke to Luo Sheng in a consultative tone.

Sheng Erlang shook his head secretly.

No wonder Cousin developed such an unruly temperament. Uncle truly doted on this daughter—even asking the cook to make a meal required discussion.

“Then Father and Second Uncle can chat. I’ll go make arrangements.” Luo Sheng prepared to take her leave.

Sheng Sanlang followed suit. “I’ll accompany Cousin.”

Second Uncle Sheng looked at his son warily.

The brat was being so proactive—could it be he wanted to sneak food?

Grand Commander Luo smiled. “Dalang, Erlang, you all go take a look around too and familiarize yourselves with the household.”

Sheng Dalang and the others rose and followed them out.

“Third Cousin, Luo Chen, you take the two cousins and Young Master Su to look around. I’m returning to Xianyun Courtyard.”

Watching the young woman depart, Sheng Erlang smiled. “I feel Cousin has changed quite a bit.”

Luo Chen said flatly, “She hasn’t changed. She still keeps two male favorites.”

Whether it was Su Yao or Second Cousin, he didn’t think having them look at Luo Sheng with new eyes was any good.

Sheng Erlang’s expression became strange. “Does Cousin really keep male favorites?”

He asked while looking at Sheng Sanlang.

Hearing Younger Cousin say this, it was still hard to believe.

Sheng Sanlang nodded. “Yes, just a few days ago she bought a new one from a male entertainment house.”

Sheng Erlang’s mouth twitched violently, his tone heavy. “Third Brother, you’ve changed too.”

A young lady buying male favorites from a male entertainment house, and Third Brother was treating it as perfectly normal!

The group chatted as they strolled, and before they knew it, they’d wandered into the garden.

At this season, the plants and trees were withered, but fortunately there was accumulated snow for decoration, so the garden still looked presentable.

“Second Brother Su, are you adapting well to the capital?” Sheng Sanlang asked with concern.

Cousin Luo didn’t like to talk much, which was fine among brothers, but it wouldn’t be good to neglect Second Brother Su.

“It’s fine. Second Uncle Sheng has taken good care of me. I’ll have to trouble you all going forward.”

Sheng Sanlang chuckled. “Second Brother Su is too polite. Our two families have been friends for generations—isn’t this as it should be?”

Just as the group was chatting idly, a large white goose was slowly approaching.

Fuxue hesitated. “Sister Hong Dou, this isn’t right…”

Sister Hong Dou actually wanted him to release the big white goose to bite someone, and bite a guest who had just arrived today at that. Wouldn’t this cause trouble?

The thirteen or fourteen-year-old youth looked timid, but Hong Dou had no sympathy whatsoever. She glared and said, “What are you afraid of? Do you know that person in moon-white clothing nearly got Miss killed?”

Fuxue blinked.

Nearly got Miss killed?

The hand gripping the big white goose’s wings loosened, and the youth said softly, “Big White, go.”

The big white goose that had long been ready to charge rushed out honking, and before the group could react, viciously twisted its beak into Su Yao’s leg.