Hehuan stepped forward to pay her respects, then took out the items one by one from the octagonal food box.
"This is rose crisp, and this is wick cake."
The two stacks of pastries, judging by their appearance, were not from the capital city's bakeries, and indeed, they were rarely seen.
"Where did these come from?"
"Sister Zhujin, who is by the side of the First Madam, made them. She was always good at these things, but she's been busy taking care of the First Madam lately and hasn't had time. Now that the First Madam is much better, Sister Zhujin has gotten an idea, saying there are hundreds of snacks from Shuzhou and she wants to make them for everyone to try one by one."
When the master's mood brightened, the servants also gained a bit of spirit.
This was a good thing.
Feng Yunhe also smiled, her clear, bright eyes filled with pleasant surprise.
"Even I haven't tasted Zhujin's cooking in over a year. Auntie, please try them, they taste very good."
As they were talking, Feng Jinxu arrived, treading on the snow. He was eight feet tall, with a solemn demeanor, and wore a silver-grey sable cloak, making him appear even more aloof and pure, like the bright moon in the clear sky.
Following behind him was the guard who had delivered the message last time. Upon seeing him, Feng Jinyao felt that faint sense of familiarity resurface in her heart.
"Greetings to Father."
"Greetings to Eldest Master."
"Mm." Feng Jinxu finished his matters early today, so he specifically came to see if Feng Yunhe, who was staying here, had made any progress.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, he saw a room full of people preparing to have tea and snacks. A glance revealed a touch of surprise.
They were actually snacks from Shuzhou!
For some reason, he was suddenly reminded of the time when he and Madam Wen had just gotten married. He had found these snacks quite delicious.
Alas, later they had a falling out, and he had basically not entered Madam Wen's room much, let alone tasted these snacks again.
Sensing her elder brother's nostalgia, Feng Jinyao quickly gestured for Hehuan to offer the snacks.
"Big Brother, you've come at the right time. Please try some too. These were just sent by Eldest Sister-in-law."
Hehuan lowered her head and stepped forward with the snacks in hand. Feng Jinxu glanced at her, and no emotion stirred within him. Instead, the guard beside him exclaimed in surprise.
"Hehuan? What are you doing here?"
This caused everyone present to be surprised.
"You know her?" Feng Jinxu asked, frowning.
The guard immediately realized he had overstepped and quickly bowed, cupping his fist.
"Eldest Master, she is my sister. I just don't know why she is here."
"This servant sold herself into the manor a few days ago and is now serving in the First Madam's chambers. Today, I was ordered to bring food for Third Miss and Young Master."
"You..." The surprise in the guard's eyes turned into confusion, even anger.
If the timing were not wrong, he would have questioned her on the spot.
On the other hand, the maid Hehuan's face was full of determination.
Suddenly, Feng Jinyao understood. She finally knew what that sense of familiarity was.
In her previous life, after her elder brother was ambushed and killed, it was this guard who escorted his body back. Unfortunately, he was also injured during the ambush. After burying her elder brother, this guard also disappeared.
At the time, it was said that their father had given him some money and let him return to his hometown.
Thinking about it now, she seemed to have seen this guard once outside Wen Mengsheng's study.
However, at that time, she hadn't thought much of it.
It was just a fleeting glance. If he hadn't been wearing the exact same clothes today, she probably wouldn't have remembered.
Now, it seemed there was something fishy going on. If her elder brother's death was truly related to the Wen family, then this guard could not escape responsibility, and might even be the one who fanned the flames.
Thinking of this possibility, her vigilance immediately rose, and her gaze towards him became filled with suspicion.
It was a pity that he was an outsider, and her second brother was not in the manor. It was inconvenient for her to investigate many things.
Her gaze fixed on Hehuan beside her, her eyes covered with a layer of coldness.
Since they were siblings, some things would have to be investigated through her, and perhaps that was the only way to find out.
She refused to believe that if her brother betrayed his former master, her sister could remain unscathed!
With this thought, she had a plan.
"This girl Hehuan is quite good. She has learned her manners well and is lively. If Eldest Sister-in-law is willing, I would like to have her. My household matters are numerous and complicated right now, and I am short of staff."
After tentatively saying this, her elder brother showed no particular expression, but the guard beside him furrowed his brow even deeper. In Feng Jinyao's eyes, this held a different meaning.
"If you like her, ask your Eldest Sister-in-law. If you ask, I believe she will agree."
Feng Jinyao smiled faintly, her expression towards Hehuan now holding a hint of determination.
After enjoying the tea and snacks, Feng Yunhe took a newly written calligraphy post to show Feng Jinxu.
For someone so young to possess such calligraphy skills was rare. His eyes showed some admiration, but he still spoke, advising against arrogance and urging her to strive harder.
Feng Yunhe also respectfully replied, "Yes," no longer showing the dejection she had before, but instead appearing more excited. This behavior made Feng Jinxu somewhat puzzled.
He always felt that her resistance towards him was not as deep as before.
Turning his head, he saw Feng Jinyao smiling at his son, which made him even more confused. What secret communication were these aunt and nephew having?
"Yunhe has been staying with you these days. A'yao, please take more care of him. When he goes to the academy next spring, he won't be laughed at by his peers."
"Big Brother, rest assured."
After speaking, she sent someone to fetch several bolts of brocade and said to her elder brother.
"Eldest Sister-in-law has not been feeling well these past few days, so her winter clothes haven't been made. I just received some good fabric, with elegant and refined patterns. Big Brother, please help me deliver these to Eldest Sister-in-law."
Her words were implicitly offering a way for the couple to reconcile.
Feng Yunhe's eyes were filled with hope. If his parents could reconcile and return to how they were before, he would naturally be happy.
"Mm."
Hearing his affirmative reply, Feng Yunhe's gaze towards Feng Jinyao held more gratitude.
The courtyard where the First Madam resided was lively at this moment.
Because the knot of pent-up emotions in her heart had been untied, Madam Wen was more spirited than usual.
She was currently leading her maids to collect the first snow of winter, storing it in urns and burying them under the plum blossoms. They would be retrieved in the spring to make tea, and the tea brewed with this snow would have a natural fragrance of snow and plum blossoms.
When Feng Jinxu entered with his son, he happened to see her standing in the corridor, collecting snow.
Gentle and moving, intelligent and virtuous.
In a daze, he seemed to be back to the time when they first met. Her sweet smile at that time had captured his heart.
As he was reminiscing, he saw a maid beside her suddenly exclaim, "Eldest Master!" The picturesque scene, mixed with past memories, was shattered.
When Madam Wen turned around, she saw her husband standing with their son at the moon gate, a faint sense of father-son affection seemingly lingering around them.
Zhujin was the most astute. It had been so many days, and this was the first time the Eldest Master had stepped into the courtyard. How could she be negligent?