The Eldest Young Master's Gentle Wife (9)

Jiang Zhe had previously squeezed out the time to handle Li Ming's issues. Returning to work, he was so busy every day, sometimes only returning to the Jiang estate in the middle of the night. 

Fortunately, he had a good memory, and continued to pressure himself to settle most of the work before the 10th, so that he could return to the Jiang family at noon. 

Mother Jiang had already prepared big table full of dishes. She stood in front of the door, looking forward to hearing the news that the “Eldest Young Master is back”. The smile on her face could not be concealed by anything. 

Mother Jiang pulled Zhang Ma over: “Come, help me see. Do I look alright?” 

Zhang Ma looked carefully and smiled: “Old Madam, rest a.s.sured.  Your bearing is perfect.” 

Mother Jiang was satisfied, and she continued to stare in the direction of the courtyard door. 

After a moment of effort, she asked again, “Why isn't Zhe'er here yet?” 

Zhang Ma: “My dear Old Madam, the entrance is quite a few doorways away from here. How can it be so fast?” 

Mother Jiang brows wrinkled slightly: “The Old Master is also too much. There are only so many people in the family, what's the use of such a big estate.” 

This sentence, Zhang Ma did not dare answer. 

Fortunately, after waiting in antic.i.p.ation for so long, Jiang Zhe finally appeared. Where would others appear in Mother Jiang's eyes? Walking forward a few steps, she pulled on her son's hands, “You're so cheeky, to specially come and visit today. Come, see if the dishes Mother prepared for you suits your appet.i.te.” 

Jiang Zhe well-temperedly walked along with her. Mother Jiang was almost the only one talking during the whole lunch, while Jiang Zhe will occasionally agree with her, and praise the food when he ate something nice. 

Every time that happened, Mother Jiang would always smile till her eyes closed. 

Mother Jiang said, antic.i.p.atory: “If Zhe'er likes the dishes here, then you should come often. It isn't far anyway.” 

Jiang Zhe paused while eating, then nodded. 

Mother Jiang face brightened up and she smiled widely, giving him more dishes. “Try this, these are pearl meatb.a.l.l.s. It's fresh, tender, round and juicy, salty, sweet and slightly spicy. And this too, this squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is also quite good.”

Jiang Zhe generally would not refuse what was given, but if it was something he didn't like, he would still refuse. 

This undoubtedly made Mother Jiang more energetic. 

Jiang Zhe said helplessly: “Mother, are you not hungry?” 

Mother Jiang: “Mother is not hungry.” 

Jiang Zhe: ……… 

He changed the way he said it, “It doesn't taste good for this son to eat alone. Mother, accompany this son to eat together. It will be livelier and even eating rice will be delicious." 

Mother Jiang heard his words and hesitated. Zhang Ma advised her by the side: "Old Madam, let's listen to the Eldest Young Master, otherwise the Eldest Young Master will be meaninglessly eating alone." 

Mother Jiang: “Alright, then.” 

Jiang Zhe used a pair of chopsticks to put some easily digested food in her bowl. “Mother, try some to see if you like it?” 

Mother Jiang: “What my son picks, Mother will like.” 

Jiang Zhe's smile froze, but it was quickly covered up. 

This type of heavy maternal love makes people not know what to say sometimes. 

Jiang Zhe ate finish lunch, accompanied Mother Jiang to chat for a while, and finally couldn't help but close his eyes and nod off. 

Mother Jiang asked concerned: “Zhe'er is tired?” 

Jiang Zhe: “A little bit.” 

Before Mother Jiang could persuade him to stay, Jiang Zhe rushed out: “But I still have things to deal with; I need to go back to the study room first.”

Jiang Mu: “Then alright.” 

Mother Jiang reluctantly sent her son away, and returned to the room for a short rest under the persuasion of Zhang Ma. 

Jiang Zhe rushed to his yard, mid-way ordering the Shui Gen: “Let Young Mistress personally send me a pot of Xingshen tea* to the study.” 

 Shui Gen: “Yes, Eldest Young Master.” 

After seven days, this is the first time that Li Cai Wei and Jiang Zhe had an exchange. She heard the message from Shui Gen and couldn't help but rub her ears. “Are you sure that the Eldest Young Master instructed this?” 

Shui Gen slapped his thigh: “Of course, Young Mistress. Without the Eldest Young Master's instructions, how would this servant dare to pa.s.s a message.” 

Shui Gen: “Young Mistress should hurry, this servant shall return first to the Eldest Young Master's side.” 

Li Cai Wei: “Ah? Wait a minute, I…” 

By her side, Cui Xi covered her mouth in happiness. Li Cai Wei didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she patted her, “You, this brat.” 

Cui Xi: “Alright, Young Mistress. Now isn't the time to pick on this servant. Eldest Young Master is still waiting for your Xingshen tea.” 

Li Cai Wei made a scary face: “Then aren't you going to prepare it.” 

Cui Xi meekly said: “Yes, Young Mistress.”  

After Cui Xi left, Li Cai Wei couldn't resist the smile in her lips. 

……………

In the study room, Jiang Zhe randomly took a travel literature book, and was reading it with relish. Upon hearing the knock on the door, his head didn't even lift as he said: “Come in.” 

Li Cai Wei deliberately put on a plain white cheongsam with light blue floral embroidery. Wearing a pair of white high-heeled shoes, her entire being looked bright and beautiful, like a blooming orchid, with an illusory fragrance. 

The slender high heel stepped on the floor, giving rise to a regular tempo. 

Jiang Zhe heard it and looked up. He was stunned for a moment, smiling: “Beautiful.” 

Li Cai Wei remembered the man to be usually more serious, frowning, and intolerant. This was the first time she saw this man smiling from his heart.

His eyebrows were arched, and the coldness in his eyes faded, replaced by a kind of unclear warmth, similar to the warm sun on a winter's day, a cool breeze on a summer's day. Though it's not strong, but once you experience it, it is impossible to forget. 

His warm praise still echoed in her ears, and without going through her brain, she blurted out what she felt, “You look beautiful too.” 

Shui Gen / Cui Xi: Σ ( ° △ °

) _ 

What kind of conversation is this. 

Who praises a man to be beautiful. 

Li Cai Wei also realized that it was wrong. She waved her hands, trying to explain it, only to find that she still had a gla.s.s teapot in her hands. 

Jiang Zhe lowered his eyes and chuckled, slowly getting up to walk over to Li Cai Wei. He took the teapot and placed it on the wooden desk, instructing Shui Gen: “Go out and keep watch.” 

Shui Gen / Cui Xi: “Yes, Eldest Young Master.” 

Before Cui Xi walked out, she turned around and gave Li Cai Wei a bright smile. 

Li Cai Wei's ears were burning red. Jiang Zhe poured a cup of tea and handed it to her: “Need to cool down?” 

At this moment, not only was her ears red, but her whole face turned red too.

————————-

*Xingshen tea 醒神茶 - Literally "Spirit/Mind-waking tea". It's a brew that includes ingredients to help re-energise your mind and wake you up. You can google recipes for it if you'd like.

TN: TEASING HUBBY!! It actually says that Jiang Zhe looks "good" aka 好看, but I felt like it didn't fit the context because saying a guy looks good isn't anything weird in english, so I changed it to "beautiful" instead. Usually you would call a guy good-looking or handsome, but I'm not sure what kind of connotation 好看 has either, tbh.