Cute Wife Gourmet

Chapter 88 Family Meeting
"What kind of mold? What pattern do you want?" Uncle Jiang asked.

Ye Jiayao gestured: "It's about this size, and it needs various shapes, such as heart shape, flower shape. As for the pattern on it, can you make it if I draw one for you?"

Uncle Jiang thought for a moment and said, "Okay, Shuanzi can do these delicate jobs, and he's better at carving than I am."

"Shuanzi?" Ye Jiayao was stunned for a moment before she realized that Uncle Jiang was talking about Jiang Li's nickname. She laughed and said, "Then I'll call you Shuanzi from now on? But I still think A-Li sounds better."

Jiang Li deeply agreed, but Uncle Jiang said, "It's just a name, Madam Third can call it whatever you want."

Ye Jiayao was troubled by this name: "Uncle Jiang, just call me Yaoyao from now on."

"That won't work, Third Madam," said Uncle Jiang.

Ye Jiayao was speechless: "I like you to call me Yaoyao, it seems intimate. Look, I call you Uncle Jiang and you call me Yaoyao, isn't that great?"

Uncle Jiang thought about it seriously and shook his head: "No, no, you are the third wife."

Ye Jiayao almost vomited blood. He was really stubborn!

Never mind, they can call it whatever they want.

"Then I'll start drawing the patterns later. How long will it take to finish?" Ye Jiayao asked.

Uncle Jiang looked at Jiang Li, and it was obvious that he was planning to give this job to his son.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "If it's not a very complicated pattern, I can probably finish it in a day."

"So fast?" Ye Jiayao was delighted.

Jiang Li nodded and thought, a day includes day and night, as long as the Third Madam wants it, he will do it even if he doesn't eat or sleep.

"Okay, I'll go draw the pattern now. You don't have to rush. Just make sure you do the work carefully. It will be fine if you can finish it within three days."

Usually the designs on mooncakes are flowers with various characters, such as blessing, longevity, champion, mid-autumn festival or brand. This time, it is specially used to celebrate the birthday of the old princess. Ye Jiayao plans to use the four characters of blessing, longevity and health, plus Helian's surname, to make up the five blessings. The patterns are peony and hibiscus, which symbolize wealth and good fortune.

She had learned carving, so she was also good at drawing. She drew five patterns in one breath and first picked out a pattern of peony and the word "Fu" for Jiang Li to make. If he did a good job, she would make other ones. Not only mooncake molds, but also molds for all kinds of pastries.

When she finished the painting and went out to find Jiang Li, Jiang Li was not there.

Uncle Jiang said that he asked Jiang Li to go out and buy something and he would be back soon and he would give the drawings to Jiang Li.

Ye Jiayao was puzzled. It was already evening, and except for some entertainment and dining venues, all other shops were closed. What could she buy?
A family meeting is being held in Prince Jing'an's Mansion.

The meeting was chaired by Xia Youshi, and the participants were the eldest son Xia Chunli, the eldest daughter-in-law Xia Qiao, the second son Xia Chunyu, who was also the future heir to the title of the Marquisate, and the third son Xia Chunfeng, who had just returned from the border.

The meeting had two contents. The first was the issue of gifts for the old princess of Prince Helian's 70th birthday. The second was that the old marquis was going back to Nanjing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. The old marquis had not celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival at home for many years. Xia Youshi wanted to make this Mid-Autumn Festival more lively and asked her sons for their ideas.

Xia Qiao's daughter Qiao Mingxiu had been thinking about this problem for a long time. She wanted to please her mother-in-law, so she winked at Xia Chunli, who said, "The old princess is a Buddhist, so why not let Mingxiu embroider a picture of Guanyin as a gift."

Qiao Mingxiu's maternal family is the Qiao family, the best embroidery family in Jiangnan. Most of the embroidery produced by the Qiao family is used as tribute. They are exquisite, unparalleled in the world and very precious. Qiao Mingxiu's embroidery is also amazing, especially double-sided embroidery. She has inherited the Qiao family's embroidery skills, which is her proudest skill. Naturally, she will not miss this opportunity to show off.

Xia Youshi said calmly, "Your idea is good, but when the old princess celebrated her 60th birthday, Princess Yide had already asked for a Suzhou embroidery Guanyin statue for her. If I remember correctly, that Guanyin statue was from the Qiao family."

Uh, how could she know what happened ten years ago? Qiao Mingxiu wanted to flatter him but failed, but she was unwilling to give up: "Then... you can embroider a longevity painting."

"Next year is the Empress Dowager's 70th birthday. I heard that the Queen is planning to embroider a longevity picture herself. You embroidered it in front of the Queen or gave it to the old princess. If the Queen knew about it, she would probably be unhappy." Xia Youshi said.

Qiao Mingxiu was at a loss. She couldn't give this or that as a gift, and she couldn't think of a better idea. She turned to look at Xia Chunli, hoping that he could come up with a good idea. Xia Chunli lowered his head and drank tea, pretending not to see anything.

Xia Chunfeng said: "Our family and the Helian family are old friends. I don't think it's necessary to be so particular. It's enough to show your kindness."

Xia Youshi said: "Then tell me, what does it take to show your gratitude?"

When speaking to her own son, Xia Youshi used a completely different tone, revealing her earnest hope.

Xia Chunfeng just said it casually, how would he know what to give?

"Ask my second brother, he has the most ideas." Xia Chunfeng pushed the arduous task onto his second brother.

Xia Chunyu is still thinking about Yaoyao at this moment. He doesn't know whether Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang can persuade Yaoyao to stay. There is still no news at this moment.

Everyone's eyes were on him for a long time, but Xia Chunyu didn't react and was still in a daze.

"Brother, brother, what are you thinking about? Mother is asking you a question!" Xia Chunfeng nudged his brother with his elbow. Xia Chunyu came back to his senses and asked blankly, "What?"

Xia Youshi rolled her eyes at him immediately, and scolded him, "Didn't you listen to what we said just now? What are you thinking about so intently?"

Xia Chunfeng reminded quietly: "The old princess' birthday gift."

Xia Chunyu suddenly realized and said thoughtfully, "I heard that on the eighth day of the eighth month, the Golden Buddha of Puji Temple will be consecrated. Master Hongji will personally preside over the ceremony and invite eminent monks from the five famous temples of Huaisong to attend. It would be a good choice to ask for a string of consecrated Canaan Buddha beads as a gift at that time."

Qiao Mingxiu said: "The old princess has been a vegetarian and chanting for decades. She has all the Buddhist beads she wants."

Her embroidered portrait was rejected, so what are the Buddhist beads for?
Xia Youshi naturally helped her son and said indifferently, "How can it be the same? The scale of this opening ceremony is unprecedented, with the six most famous monks in Huai Song chanting together. Not to mention the Buddhist beads, even a talisman is hard to come by. I'm sure the old princess will like it."

Qiao Mingxiu was not convinced. His mother-in-law was on the side of his second brother. No matter what his second brother said, he would accept it. As the eldest son of the family was not born by his mother-in-law, she was disgusted with him in various ways.

Xia Chunli said hurriedly, "Mother is right. Second brother's idea is very good, but it's not easy to ask for these Buddhist beads."

Xia Chunfeng smiled and said, "Brother, it is indeed difficult for others to ask for help, but if Second Brother comes forward, it must not be difficult. Everyone knows the friendship between Second Brother and Master Hongji."

Xia Youshi also thought there was no problem, so she said, "Chunyu, I'll leave this matter to you."

Xia Chunyu agreed.

"Next, let's discuss how to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival this year. We haven't had a real family reunion during Mid-Autumn Festival in our mansion for many years." Xia Youshi put forward the second agenda.

"Mom, you can decide on this. It's always been like this during the Mid-Autumn Festival." Xia Chunfeng said uninterested.

Xia Youshi scolded him, "You are so heartless. Your father hasn't been home for many years. It's rare for him to come back, but you don't even think about being filial to him. You have been raised for nothing."

Xia Chunfeng said innocently: "Dad is afraid of these tedious things and doesn't want to go back to Jin..."

He was halfway through his words when Xia Chunyu gave him a sharp look, "You little rascal, after being to the border, you have lost your way with words. Have all your thoughts been blown away by the wind and sand at the border?"
It's no use bringing up that matter. If mom is in a bad mood, everyone has to pay attention to her mood.

Xia Chunyu was about to speak when he saw Song Qi giving him a look at the door, so he said, "There's no rush for this matter. There's still time. Why don't we all think about it and discuss it another day."

Xia Chunli also said: "Second brother is right, let's think about it again, we must make it lively and let Dad have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xia Youshi sighed angrily: "Then we'll discuss it tomorrow."

As soon as the family meeting ended, Xia Chunyu was the first to leave. Song Qi whispered, "He has already stayed."

Xia Chunyu smiled slightly, as a big thing was resolved in his heart. Yaoyao now had a stable home, and Uncle Jiang's family would take care of her and watch over her in the future, so he could save himself a lot of worries.

"And how are you finding out about the Wei family member?"

Song Qi said: "Miss Ye Er is still in Yangzhou and will come to Jinling in a few days. Wei Liujiang is currently living in Minister Mu's house, but their own house is about to be renovated. Wei Liujiang is here to participate in the imperial examination. I heard that he is very talented and many people are optimistic about him."

Xia Chunyu sneered. Extraordinary talent? A bastard like this who cheated on his wife and then abandoned her is still a scum even if he is extremely talented. Everyone thinks highly of him? Then let everyone take a good look at him.

"Keep an eye on that side and report any news at any time," Xia Chunyu ordered.

"Second brother, what are you mumbling about? Who is Wei Liujiang? Did he provoke you? I'll go and deal with him." Xia Chunfeng had long noticed that his second brother was absent-minded, and was hiding aside and eavesdropping out of curiosity. At this time, he jumped out and spoke.

Xia Chunyu glanced at him and said, "It's none of your business. Just take care of yourself."

Xia Chunfeng was not happy and said unhappily, "What can I do? I'm almost bored. Second brother, I heard that Helian Jing has something to do. Can you arrange a job for me?"

Xia Chunyu glared and said, "Are you ready for the martial arts exam this fall? If you have nothing to do, why don't you practice martial arts? If you don't get into the top three this year, you will replace your father and go to guard the border."

Xia Chunfeng said depressedly: "Is it so easy to get into the top three? Do you think everyone is like you?"

Come to think of it, he and Xiaojing really share the same suffering. They both have such a strong brother who makes them look incompetent in comparison.

Seeing that his second brother was going to be mean to him again, Xia Chunfeng quickly ran away.

When he reached the door, he saw his eldest brother waiting for him. Xia Chunli smiled and patted his shoulder: "Your second brother is doing this for your own good. Don't take it to heart. In fact, you are very good. Big brother is optimistic about you."

Xia Chunfeng said shyly: "I know that my second brother is doing this for my own good."

In fact, the eldest brother is also very capable, but his identity means that he will not be the most dazzling one. There is no way, who made him a bastard?
(End of this chapter)