Seeing him leave, Yin Canwen wanted to follow, but as an outsider, it was inappropriate to enter an unmarried woman's courtyard. He could only suppress his thoughts and sip the tea in his cup.
The Bai family's carriage arrived quickly, stopping directly at the side gate. After a brief greeting to Uncle Bai Si and Bai Siruo, Feng Jinyao hurried back to Ning An Yuan.
Coincidentally, the brother and sister entered the room one after another.
After waiting for a while in the corridor, Feng Jinyao changed her clothes and transformed back into that elegant young lady from a noble family.
"Ayao..."
"It was my own whim to go, Second Brother, please don't blame my cousin."
Feng Er looked at her helplessly. He knew how determined his sister was. If Feng Jinyao hadn't wanted to go herself, even nine horses couldn't have dragged Bai Siruo away. He was too lazy to argue with her about it.
However, Feng Jinyao, seeing Feng Er's serious expression, asked in a low voice, "Did you bring that Young Master Yin back to the mansion?"
"Why?"
"It's nothing. He is truly talented. Father and eldest brother would surely like him if they met him."
This was true, but unfortunately, they would have to return to the academy shortly after sitting for a while, likely before their father and eldest brother returned.
"It's hard for commoners to produce noble sons. If that Young Master Yin has any difficulties, Second Brother should offer more support."
In fact, Feng Er knew what to do without her instruction.
Befriending him was genuine, and it was also beneficial for the family. Seeing Yin Canwen's promising future, being on good terms with him could bring more allies in the imperial court for the Feng and even the Bai families in the future.
Feng Er was not foolish; he understood everything clearly.
"In a few more days, the academy will close. I've already spoken with eldest brother about inviting him to live with us, so he doesn't have to travel back and forth from Cangzhou. If any accidents happen on the road and he misses the spring imperial examination, all these years of hard study would be in vain."
Feng Er's plan was excellent, and Feng Jinyao praised it. Moreover, with their eldest brother and father present, they would naturally entertain this distinguished guest well. Most importantly, everything she had planned would proceed more smoothly.
Wen Mengsheng, have a good last New Year's Eve. As husband and wife, I will not let you be alone on the road to the underworld.
Thinking of this, two shallow dimples appeared on her lips, making her look cunning and playful.
After three heavy snowfalls in winter, the eleventh year of Tianqi in the Great Jin officially entered its final days.
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, a faint aroma of porridge wafted from every household.
In the Feng family, this was the first time the eldest sister-in-law, Madam Wen, was in charge of household affairs. Naturally, she dared not slacken.
Before dawn, she was already in the kitchen arranging the preparation of Laba porridge.
In the cold winter, a bowl of warm porridge was most refreshing and invigorating.
The glutinous rice had been prepared long ago, and the pot contained selected red beans, peanuts, lotus seeds, red dates, and dried longans. Considering Madam Feng's health had not fully recovered, dried tangerine peel, ginseng tendrils, and other medicinal herbs were added to nourish the spleen and stomach and stimulate appetite.
The cooks had never met the eldest madam, but Zhu Jin, her maid, had seen her a few times. Unsure of how to proceed, she cautiously stepped forward and asked, "Eldest Madam, this porridge is almost ready. Would you like to taste it first?"
Madam Wen looked at the bubbling Laba porridge in the pot and knew it was almost time.
"Zhu Jin."
"Yes."
Zhu Jin stepped forward, took a white porcelain bowl, and scooped out a little. Madam Wen took a few sips. The taste was good, so she looked approvingly at the cook before her.
"You've done well. Go and collect your reward money."
The cook's face creased with more wrinkles upon receiving praise.
"Distribute it according to the courtyards. Mother dislikes sweets, so send it directly. Third sister likes sweets, so add a little brown sugar powder. If she wants to add it, it will be convenient."
"Yes. Eldest Madam is truly thoughtful. You know the family's tastes better than I do."
After a few flattering words, she hurried off to distribute the Laba porridge.
The white porcelain bowls contained freshly cooked Laba porridge, and on a plate were pickled garlic and three or two golden-yellow fried dough sticks prepared by Madam Wen. They were just fried and perfectly crispy.
The portions were not large but were the perfect accompaniment to the Laba porridge.
Soon, maids from various courtyards came to collect food boxes, two or three at a time.
Seeing the eldest madam standing in the kitchen, they were a little hesitant. It was Xiuqiu, Feng Jinyao's maid, who first broke the awkward silence. After bowing to Madam Wen, she took her food box and left first.
The maids behind her followed in an orderly fashion and then left. The large kitchen was filled with wisps of smoke. The cooks and maids who had been busy all morning, in addition to eating Laba porridge, also received some reward money. Thus, everyone in the mansion was quite pleased with the eldest madam being in charge of household affairs.
From now on, the wind should also blow towards the usually deserted courtyard of the eldest branch.
In Ning An Yuan, Yun Xu was helping Feng Jinyao with her washing and dressing. A soft silver and green lily skirt paired with a hair ornament adorned with cloud-like curls and flowers enhanced her beauty and elegance.
Today was Laba Festival, and it was the day of the temple fair at Fahua Temple. More than half a month ago, Madam Bai's eldest aunt had sent an invitation, saying they would go to join the festivities today. Madam Feng's health had not fully recovered, and Madam Wen was managing the household affairs, so only Feng Jinyao could go.
Naturally, she had to dress up.
Lamei, who had gained Feng Jinyao's favor, had moved from the outer courtyard to serve inside the inner room. However, she was not yet allowed to handle personal matters and was only helping Xiuqiu with breakfast outside.
When Xiuqiu took the food box, she saw the brown sugar powder and couldn't help but smile.
"Eldest Madam's thoughtfulness is indeed meticulous. Knowing that Miss likes sweets, she even prepared sugar powder."
Feng Jinyao smiled gently, "Eldest sister-in-law is indeed thoughtful."
Since she took over the management of the household, Feng Jinyao had enjoyed a few days of ease. Some people were naturally suited for managing a household, like Madam Wen. She could easily remember all the trivial matters with meticulous attention to detail, which was admirable.
When the food box was opened, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
After eating half a bowl of Laba porridge with fried dough sticks, a servant waiting at the door sent someone in to say that the Bai family's carriage had arrived.
"Tell my aunts that I will be there shortly."
"Yes."
This was Feng Jinyao's first time attending a temple fair in both of her lives.
In her previous life, she was naturally carefree and disliked crowds. After marriage, she mostly stayed lazily in her courtyard and rarely went out. When she did go out occasionally, it was at Wen Yuwei's instigation, interacting with the wives of high-ranking officials. She had never experienced a temple fair attended by common people.
Suppressing the slight excitement in her heart, she instructed Xiuqiu to manage the affairs of the courtyard at home and left with Yun Xu and Lamei.
The carriage that arrived today was spacious, accommodating the two aunts from the Bai family, Bai Siruo, and Feng Jinyao.
The maids followed on both sides of the carriage, ready to be summoned by their mistresses.