A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Chapter 1293 - 1291: Taking a Stroll

"He didn’t say anything, and I didn’t feel it was right to ask!" Xia Tingfeng lazily remarked.Ni Manxue glanced at him sideways, showing her confusion.

Xia Tingfeng further explained.

"It’s been a while since we brothers met, so naturally, we should catch up. Asking later won’t be too late!"

"I can’t just open with that question, can I?" His expression was slightly awkward.

Ni Manxue: "..."

Indeed, it wasn’t an easy topic to broach right away, you couldn’t just start with a line like:

’Hey, which family’s girl are you interested in? I’ll have my wife arrange a match for you later!’

Hmm... It sounded strange, so Ni Manxue didn’t blame him.

Regarding Xia Jingfeng’s marriage.

With Xia Jingfeng’s birth mother not around, Lady Yao being unavailable, and Lady Wen not present either.

Jingfeng didn’t even have a female head of the household to attend banquets, making discussions about marriage rather inconvenient.

The so-called "eldest sister-in-law like a mother,"

As Lady Hou, it was natural for Ni Manxue to step in, and this was one of the purposes of their visit this time.

"I’ll ask him about it later!"

"When it comes to marrying a wife and marrying off a daughter!"

"As the man’s side, we should be proactive; we can’t expect the girl to chase us!"

Xia Tingfeng breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course!"

"You’re certainly more suited to handle these matters!"

I’ve never seen any man taking care of his brother’s marriage arrangements, isn’t it always the women?

Ni Manxue thought about it and nodded in agreement.

They chatted a bit more about other things, then each stood up.

...

After an early dinner that evening,

Xia Tingfeng, as usual, changed into a light outfit and went to the backyard to practice martial arts.

Xia Chengze and Xia Chenghui, the two brothers, also accompanied their father.

Ni Manxue, having nothing much to do, took Dong’er to watch.

At dusk, the sky was painted with flowing clouds, and a golden light like brocade streamed down across the heavens.

The exquisite little garden, verdant bamboo grove, elegant pond, and small bridge seemed to be dusted with gold.

Even the Taihu Stone beside the pond appeared graceful and delicate.

Ni Manxue and Dong’er sat in the small, red-lacquered, carved, octagonal pavilion, looking across the pond at the father and sons practicing martial arts under the bamboo.

Her gaze was sometimes appreciative, sometimes affectionate, and she always had a smile on her lips.

Dong’er handed a cup of red date tea prepared earlier, smiling.

"These young masters are so skilled at such a young age; they surely have a bright future ahead!"

Ni Manxue took the teacup and smiled.

"I’m not hoping for much!"

"As long as they find a stable job in the future, marry well, and live a good life, I’ll be satisfied!"

For a Martial Family, peace and stability are the greatest blessings.

"I remember when I was young, father went to war, and mother often worried at home, unable to sleep through the night!"

"I just hope my children can live safe and sound!"

Dong’er smiled, comforting her.

"Madam, rest assured, for now, our Great Chu Dynasty is in a peaceful age!"

"There’s no need for wars, and the young masters will surely be safe and sound!"

Ni Manxue smiled.

"Let’s hope so!"

"By the way, is the hot water ready? They’ll need a bath later!"

Dong’er quickly responded.

"It’s ready!"

Only then did Ni Manxue pause her words, holding the exquisite teacup, watching earnestly.

An hour later,

Xia Tingfeng finished practicing martial arts with his sons.

They strode towards the pavilion, where Ni Manxue was.

"Mother! Is there tea? I’m dying of thirst!"

"Mother, me too!"

Both sons clamored for tea.

Ni Manxue hurriedly smiled and ordered tea to be poured.

"Don’t rush, there’s plenty of tea!"

As she finished speaking, Dong’er handed two bowls of tea.

After Xia Chengze and Xia Chenghui drank their tea, they were almost immediately ushered away by Xia Tingfeng.

Ni Manxue was somewhat displeased.

"I didn’t even get to say a word!"

Xia Tingfeng sat beside her with a grin, his expression teasing.

"Can’t Madam speak with me around?"

"You!"

Ni Manxue gave him a discreet pinch.

"You know I don’t mean that!"

Xia Tingfeng didn’t even flinch and continued.

"Then what do you mean?"

He paused, then added.

"As long as those two rascals are here, your heart is never with me!"

"Look, I haven’t even had a sip of tea yet!"

Ni Manxue, feeling exasperated, glared at him.

"Can’t you just help yourself to the tea on the table?"

"You have hands and feet; do I really need to feed you?"

Xia Tingfeng, feeling rather hurt, immediately furrowed his brow and spread his hands.

"See, I told you!"

"Fine, fine, I really can’t believe you’re jealous of your own children!"

Ni Manxue begrudgingly got up to fetch him a bowl of tea and handed it to him.

"Is this satisfactory now? Are you pleased?"

Xia Tingfeng gave a mischievous smile.

"I’m pleased now!"

Because he used to serve in the court, he wasn’t home much.

So whenever he was home, the first thing he did was clear away the two hooligans around his wife.

To make more time to be with his wife.

Ni Manxue didn’t say much, after all, the children were always around while her husband wasn’t always accompanying her.

Unexpectedly, now that the whole family was out together, he still wanted to ’monopolize’ her as before.

Hmm...

Ni Manxue thought, this man is so childish!!

After sitting for a while, they bathed, changed clothes, had a little supper, and finally went to rest together.

...

In the following days,

Xia Jingfeng happened to be busy with a major case, tied up beyond belief.

Xia Tingfeng wasn’t worried when he found out.

Instead, he took advantage of the situation, accompanying Ni Manxue to explore Jinling City.

Ni Manxue had long been eyeing the trinkets in Jinling City’s street shops.

This time, accompanied by her husband, she spent several days exploring every corner of the city.

When shopping,

The couple dressed like ordinary citizens, matching the style of young couples in the city.

Ni Manxue mainly led the way, picking out items.

Xia Tingfeng followed behind, primarily serving as the wallet and a moving rack.

They left the house empty-handed in the morning.

By the evening, Xia Tingfeng was loaded with all sorts of trinkets.

They left early and returned late, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Or rather, it was Ni Manxue enjoying herself.

As for Xia Tingfeng, well... he seemed a little embarrassed, and his face a bit dark.

After three consecutive days of this, he couldn’t endure anymore and had to plead.

"Wife, I... I have something to do today! Could you...have the eldest and the second son accompany you instead?"

Ni Manxue was firm.

"No way!"

She raised an eyebrow.

"Didn’t you say you didn’t like them being around?"

"Don’t you...enjoy being with me? Hmm? Husband?"

The wife was too cunning.

Xia Tingfeng rubbed his nose, at a loss for words.

Ni Manxue continued with a playful smile.

"Husband!"

"I’ve heard... there’s another street in the south of the city selling the latest silk fabrics. I’d like to take a look tomorrow. Would you...accompany me?"

"I’ll accompany you! Is that not enough?"

Xia Tingfeng forced out a smile, trying to look pleased.