"Is this okay?" Yang Chuxia said, "Everyone over in Dongyang is worried sick."
"Itās fine, but you mustnāt reveal his whereabouts, or itāll ruin his plans."
"Alright then." Yang Chuxia asked him again, "You must be hungry after the long journey back. Have a seat, Iāll fix something for you to eat."
"Okay, have the kitchen get some water ready. I want to wash up first." Ye Ziāan looked at his clothes with disdain, "I wanted to get back to the Capital City quickly, so I rode all the way and got dirt all over."
"Haha, just wait a moment." Yang Chuxia laughed; for someone with a bit of a cleanliness obsession, itās really unbearable to have dusty clothes. "Iāll be quick."
The kitchen usually has hot water ready at night, just in case the masters need it. Soon enough, the servants brought the water over. After Ye Ziāan finished bathing, Yang Chuxia brought over some steaming noodle soup.
"Chicken noodle soup?"
"Wow, your nose is pretty sharp." Yang Chuxia laughed, "I saw there was half a chicken left unused in the kitchen, so I used it for the noodles. Here, try it."
Ye Ziāan noticed the noodles were uneven in thickness and knew that Yang Chuxia made them herself.
"The wifeās cooking tastes great." Ye Ziāan took a bite and smiled at her, "I love the meals my wife makes."
"Then have some more. Thereās plenty in the kitchen."
Whether he was really hungry or genuinely liked Yang Chuxiaās noodles, he ate two large bowls before stopping.
"Wife, instead of going back, letās sleep in the side room." After finishing his meal, Ye Ziāan suggested.
"The kids are inside." Yang Chuxia said, "A bunch of them sleeping alone might kick off the blankets."
Now in September, though the days are warm, the nights get chilly. Itās easy to catch a cold without the blankets.
"Thatās exactly why we should be outside." Ye Ziāan picked her up, turning to Ming Lan, "Keep an eye on the little masters."
"Yes!"
Ming Lan watched them leave, thinking the bond between the master and mistress was truly loving, feeling a bit envious.
"Sis, what are you looking at?" Mingqiu, the young maid Yang Chuxia chose to eventually replace Mingcui, asked.
"Didnāt you notice how enviably affectionate the master and mistress are?"
"Everyone in He Residence knows that." Mingqiu laughed, "Though no matter how great their love is, I donāt envy it. I like silver! Iām going to earn lots and lots of silver."
Ming Lanās exasperation showed, "How much silver can you earn as a maid? You get a fixed sum every month. Itās more practical for a girl to find a good family."
"Hmph, I donāt agree." Mingqiu didnāt accept Ming Lanās view, thinking marriage isnāt the only path for a woman.
Indeed, sheād learned that the mistress owned many shops. Sheāll serve the mistress well first and then seek to help out at the shops. Eventually, sheād become a manager, surely earning more than now.
Well, Yang Chuxia was yet unaware she had unknowingly gained a future female manager with exceptional business talent.
"Wife..." In the side room, Ye Ziāan held her and wouldnāt let go.
"Are you sure you wonāt rest properly tonight?" Yang Chuxia saw his eyes start to twinkle again and nudged him.
"Arenāt I resting right now?" Ye Ziāan chuckled, "Oh, no, I shouldnāt call it resting, but training. Those with good stamina get stronger the more they train, while those with poor stamina suffer energy depletion. Clearly, Iām one of good stamina."