Su Xiaoqi’s gaze was sharp and undisguised, making He Qiulei feel a bit embarrassed. A look of apology crossed his round, plump face as he explained in a low voice:
"I didn't know when we were in Mianzhou City, but after following Brother Shen and his wife all the way here, and tasting the pastries and food made by his wife, I dared to guess.
Otherwise, it's only natural to think, who else in Mianzhou City could be as skillful and ingenious as his wife, able to make such delicious pastries."
He Qiulei's mouth…
Su Xiaoqi's expression softened.
In fact, she wasn't worried about He Qiulei knowing her connection with Chen Jinji.
She just didn’t like He Qiulei investigating her.
Learning that he had deduced her connection to Chen Jinji solely from the food and pastries she had made along the way, she felt it was acceptable.
After all, she had known He Qiulei was clever for some time. It wasn't surprising that he had figured this out so easily.
If he wasn't this capable, they likely wouldn't have wanted to associate with him.
Seeing the softening of Su Xiaoqi's expression, He Qiulei's eyes lit up. He knew he had succeeded.
Of course, there was no hope for the pastry shop business.
"Then, I'll go prepare the shop first, and then Madam can come and see where it's best to set it up," He Qiulei said.
Su Xiaoqi smiled, "There's no need. I trust your judgment."
He Qiulei had managed his family's business for many years and had accumulated considerable private wealth. If he couldn't even handle such a small matter, he wouldn't be He Qiulei.
With the matter settled, He Qiulei left, full of satisfaction.
He felt that the gains from today were far greater than all the gains he had made since arriving in the capital.
Meanwhile, Su Xiaoqi took the opportunity to slip back to her room and began stocking up on grain in the backyard.
Otherwise, if she suddenly produced so much grain, someone was bound to get suspicious.
The next day, Su Xiaoqi was ready and about to get into her own carriage when Zhang Yu came to say that the Duke's mansion had sent a carriage again.
And with it came their cousin, Miss.
"Cousin Miss?" Su Xiaoqi took a moment to recall the title before realizing who it referred to.
She immediately ran out with excitement.
The carriage was parked at the second gate. A young girl in a fiery red riding outfit stood by the carriage, her hands behind her back, gazing at a blooming apricot branch on the carriage roof.
Su Xiaoqi was overjoyed: "Yiyi, you're here."
"Sister Xiaoqi, oh, I finally get to see you! I've missed you so much. A day apart feels like three years, and we haven't seen each other in so long, I don't even know how many autumns have passed."
Du Yiyi hugged Su Xiaoqi and began to chatter incessantly, like a dam bursting, her words flowing out like a torrent, impossible to stop.
Su Xiaoqi looked at her. She seemed to have bloomed a little, her skin delicate, her features exquisite. Her phoenix eyes were large, with long, fluttering lashes, making her exceptionally beautiful.
She raised her hand and gently tickled her cheek. Du Yiyi just smiled, not avoiding her touch, letting her do as she pleased.
After a happy reunion, Du Yiyi eagerly pulled Su Xiaoqi towards the carriage.
"Oh right, I came to invite Sister Xiaoqi to my maternal grandmother's place.
I've seen my maternal grandmother, and she told me you removed an arrowhead that had been embedded in her arm for over twenty years. You're so amazing."
Du Yiyi was definitely a fan. Her sparkling big eyes, coupled with her exaggerated tone, made Su Xiaoqi feel helpless.
"It's nothing, really. I've just learned some humble skills," Su Xiaoqi wanted to explain, but didn't know where to start.
Fortunately, after praising her, Du Yiyi didn't dwell on the matter any further.
Instead, she instructed the carriage to start.
Zhang Yu and Guo'er followed.
Su Xiaoqi glanced behind them and saw a nanny standing at the second gate, bowing respectfully as she watched their carriage depart.
A thought struck her, and she said, "Guo'er, go and ask Nanny Zhao to come with us.
Noble families have their own set of rules. She isn't from here originally, so there are many times she won't remember the proper etiquette.
Seeing the nanny guarding the second gate just now reminded me that the Old Madam had told her that when going out, even if not for show, one should at least have a steward nanny accompany them.
She suddenly remembered Nanny Zhao, whom the Old Madam had given her.
Nanny Zhao was also very happy to accompany Su Xiaoqi to the Duke's mansion and quickly got ready.
Du Yiyi also recognized Nanny Zhao and was very happy to see her with Su Xiaoqi. She said that her maternal grandmother must dote on her, and that made her feel relieved.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the innocent and cheerful Du Yiyi, feeling happy herself.
After all, even though she and Du Yiyi were as close as sisters,
they weren't born from the same womb.
Now that she had become the Old Madam's granddaughter through Madam Gu, Yu Shi, she couldn't compare to Du Yiyi, the biological granddaughter.
Su Xiaoqi had never intended to compete, but outsiders would surely think otherwise.
However, she didn't care about those people. What was precious was that Du Yiyi didn't care either.
Du Yiyi was her first true, close confidante of the same age in this era, and Su Xiaoqi cherished her.
Du Yiyi's attitude could influence her emotions.
The fact that Du Yiyi showed no oddity at Nanny Zhao's presence indicated that she was a genuinely sincere person.
Su Xiaoqi felt relieved and warm at heart.
She thought that since arriving in Daliang, although she had encountered some unpleasant people, there were ultimately more good people.
The two chatted and laughed all the way to the Duke's mansion.
Upon arriving before the Old Madam, they paid their respects. When asked why Shen Yun wasn't with them,
Su Xiaoqi and Du Yiyi suddenly remembered that in their excitement of reuniting after a long separation, they had forgotten him.
However, Su Xiaoqi wouldn't admit that. She thought for a moment about Shen Yun's whereabouts in the past few days and slowly said, "Shen Yun is going with some classmates to visit their teacher for commentary on their essays."
No one doubted her words.
In fact, it was true. Su Xiaoqi had indeed heard Shen Yun mention it briefly.
So, she quickly let go of the matter without guilt.
Du Yiyi stuck out her tongue at Su Xiaoqi, looking guilty.
Su Xiaoqi patted her shoulder to comfort her.
The Old Madam, lying in bed, watched their interaction and knew that their bond was very strong.
She smiled. As people age, they simply wish for their younger generations to get along harmoniously, to gather around the elderly lively and enjoy the joys of family.
Su Xiaoqi chatted with Du Yiyi but didn't forget the Old Madam. She found an opportunity to check her wound. With the help of the spatial spiritual medicine, it was recovering quite well.
Thus, even the Old Madam herself said, "I thought that in my old age, this wound would take at least half a month to heal.
Unexpectedly, it has scabbed over in just a few days and is almost healed."
She was very surprised and grateful to Su Xiaoqi.
She beckoned Su Xiaoqi over and pulled her to sit on the bed, fondly stroking her forehead.
"The Old Madam is blessed. Now she has an extra granddaughter to care for her," Nanny Zhao said opportunely to add to the pleasantries.
The Old Madam also held Du Yiyi's hand, looking contentedly at these two caring granddaughters.
"Who says not. Yiyi is filial. She brought me many good gifts when she returned from Yizhou Prefecture," the Old Madam said with a satisfied smile.
Su Xiaoqi quietly asked her if the wound still hurt and if she had any discomfort in other parts of her body.
The Old Madam recalled and shook her head, "To tell you the truth, if I lay down for too long before, my back and arms would ache, and I always felt short of breath.
But now, I'm much better. Everywhere feels fine." The Old Madam's spirit grew better as she spoke, and she became more animated, wanting to sit up as she talked.
Su Xiaoqi quickly pressed her back down.
Although she appeared to be recovering well, the Old Madam was elderly after all, and her physical foundation was weaker. It was still best for her to rest well.
"That's because Sister Xiaoqi has excellent medical skills," Du Yiyi poked her head out, feeling proud.