As soon as Su Li entered the courtyard, she heard a commotion.
"Miss wants pomegranates, this servant can just pick them. If the Young Master sees you like this, we servants will be scolded again."
"That's right, Yao'er, you're still pregnant!"
"Oh, it's fine. This is a low stool. I just wanted to pick one myself. You're all too nervous."
Su Li entered and saw Wei Yuanyao standing on a low stool, reaching for a pomegranate.
In this courtyard, there was a tall pomegranate tree, now laden with fruit. Even Su Li felt tempted, let alone Wei Yuanyao.
Seeing Su Li enter, Wei Yuanyao waved to her, "Li'er, you're here. Look, these pomegranates are so big. Let's pick some to eat."
Su Li smiled, "Cousin, you'd better come down quickly, or this pomegranate tree might not survive."
Everyone chuckled along.
Qiandai smiled, "Miss Su Li is right. If the Young Master comes back and sees Miss like this, won't he chop down this pomegranate tree?"
Su Li helped Wei Yuanyao down, and they sat under the pomegranate tree.
A few maids, finding it novel, took baskets to pick pomegranates.
Wei Yuanyao looked longingly at the exceptionally large red pomegranates at the top of the tree, saying, "Look at those at the top, they must taste better than these."
Su Li softly called out, "Mo Yun."
Mo Yun flashed out, and to the envy of all the maids, leaped up, easily picking a basket full of red and large pomegranates.
Mo Yun effortlessly broke open a few and placed them on the table, then disappeared back into the shadows.
Huamei said enviously, "This sister is truly amazing!"
Siqin and a few other maids were about to help them peel pomegranates, but Wei Yuanyao quickly stopped them.
"Don't peel them for us. We'll peel as we eat, that's how it's flavorful. You all go ahead and eat some yourselves."
The few of them sat under the pomegranate tree, chatting and eating pomegranates, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Ji Huaiyan and Ji Huaizhou returned to the manor and heard that guests had arrived, so they walked towards the courtyard together.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw such a beautiful scene, and their hearts couldn't help but calm down.
Under a lush pomegranate tree sat three beautiful women.
They occasionally giggled, occasionally carefully eating pomegranates.
The inadvertent display of delicate charm, every frown and smile, was exceptionally captivating.
The maids saw them enter and quickly saluted.
"Eldest Young Master, Third Young Master."
Wei Yuanyao looked over and smiled, "Big Brother, are you here to see Eldest Sister-in-law?"
A single "Eldest Sister-in-law" made Ji Huaiyan's lips curve up a few degrees as he walked towards Qu Zhirou, whose face was shy.
The two cupped their hands towards Su Li and said, "Princess Consort."
Su Li nodded slightly, smiling gently, "Lord Ji, Cousin-in-law."
Wei Yuanyao handed Ji Huaizhou half a pomegranate, saying, "Taste this, it's really sweet. Let's pick some to make pomegranate fruit wine."
Ji Huaizhou smiled, "That's a good idea. We can drink it at our child's full moon celebration."
When Wei Yuanyao mentioned fruit wine, she felt her mouth had been bland recently and suddenly craved hotpot.
"Let's go to Jinzhao Zui for hotpot! Let's call Second Brother and His Royal Highness Prince Jing."
Ji Huaizhou refused, "No, you're pregnant now, you can't handle anything too spicy."
Wei Yuanyao unhappily slammed the table and stood up, complaining, "Ji! You only think about the baby, not me!"
Ji Huaizhou was helpless. Ever since Yao'er got pregnant, her tastes changed constantly, not to mention her temper had grown.
Su Li smiled, "Cousin-in-law, pregnant women have stronger cravings. If she's not satisfied, she'll dwell on it for days, and you'll probably have a hard time. If Cousin wants hotpot, let her eat it. She can just have the non-spicy kind."
Qu Zhirou also advised, "Exactly. The dishes at Jinzhao Zui are clean. It's fine."
Wei Yuanyao triumphantly lifted her chin. See? Sisters are the best!
Ji Huaiyan decided, "Alright. We have nothing planned today. Let's call Prince Jing and Second Brother and go together."
...
Yu Banxia sat at the table, thinking hard and feeling like she had been tricked.
After being a "salted fish" (someone idle) for a while, she realized how wonderful it truly was.
Now, she had inexplicably received a special exemption. Although she didn't have to report to duty daily, the imperial court was still paying her a salary.
Living as a freeloading "rice bug" without making contributions, she felt guilty taking the salary and couldn't feel at ease about it.
She slammed the table, "It's all Ji Huainan's fault!"
After saying that, she walked out.
At the door, Qingling, who was holding a cup of tea, saw her young mistress looking furious and quickly asked, "Miss, where are you going?"
"To find someone to argue with!"
Qingling was greatly alarmed. "Ah? Miss, wait for me!"
Qingling quickly went back inside, put down the tea, and followed her out.
Looking at the plaque of the Ministry of War, Qingling asked confusedly, "Miss, did we come to the wrong place?"
Come to the Ministry of War to find someone to argue with?
Yu Banxia didn't reply, simply stepped inside.
"This is an important military area! No idlers allowed!" The guard at the gate said fiercely.
Qingling was so scared she grabbed Yu Banxia's sleeve.
Yu Banxia calmly pulled out a token and said smugly, "See clearly?"
This token was given by the palace attendant beside the Emperor after the imperial banquet.
The soldier recognized the token and then allowed them to pass.
Yu Banxia walked in, took a few steps, then turned back and asked, "Hey, where is that Ji Huainan?"
"Secretary Ji should be in the armory."
"Then how do I get to the armory?" Yu Banxia continued to ask.
"Go in, head south, then west..."
"Stop, stop, stop. Don't tell me east, south, west, north. Tell me front, back, left, right," Yu Banxia interrupted the soldier.
Qingling knew her young mistress was terrible with directions. She used to have a good sense of direction, but ever since she woke up that time, it had changed.
"Miss, this servant knows."
Yu Banxia looked at the soldier and said, "You can continue."
Ji Huainan was enthusiastically inspecting weapons in the armory, feeling very excited.
He had long wanted to enter the Ministry of War, and now his wish was finally granted.
These were the most formidable weapons of Tianqi!
Just then, a soldier rushed in and said, "Secretary Ji, a Miss Yu is coming this way, looking furious."
Ji Huainan wondered, "A Miss Yu?"
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Does she have another good idea?
He quickly went out and encountered Yu Banxia approaching with her maid.
"Miss Yu..." Ji Huainan cupped his hands.
But before he could finish, Yu Banxia interrupted him.
"Ji Huainan, tell me, I have no past grievances with you, no recent enmity, so why did you harm me behind my back?"
Ji Huainan frowned, "Harm you? Miss Yu, what are you talking about?"
"What am I talking about? I'm talking about when you told the Emperor that I provided the formula for the poisonous smoke bombs. Couldn't you have just said you researched it yourself? Why did you have to drag me into it?"
Ji Huainan's mouth widened in surprise. "How could I dare to claim such credit? This credit rightfully belongs to Miss Yu."
Yu Banxia waved her hand, "I don't care for it."
Ji Huainan admired her inwardly. This woman was intelligent and talented, yet she didn't covet credit. Such indifference to fame and fortune was truly rare.
Yu Banxia just wanted to continue being a "rice bug," but she didn't expect him to overthink so much.
Looking at his admiring gaze, she found herself unable to utter the scolding words she had prepared.
"Anyway... anyway, you're just wrong!"
Ji Huainan cupped his hands again, "Although I do not believe I did anything wrong, since Miss Yu says I am wrong, then I apologize to Miss Yu."
This made Yu Banxia feel even more like she was punching cotton.
Just as Ji Huainan was about to ask if she had any new ideas today, someone else entered.
"Young Master, Eldest Young Master wants you to go to Jinzhao Zui."
Ji Huainan frowned. "Why go to Jinzhao Zui?"
Yu Banxia, however, was happy. "Jinzhao Zui? I haven't had hotpot in a long time. It's a good chance to have a meal."
After speaking, she ignored Ji Huainan and walked out with Qingling.
"Let's go, Qingling, this lady will treat you to hotpot and a little wine."
"Miss, the 'someone to argue with' you mentioned, was it Secretary Ji?"
"No more arguing. Can't argue with a dullard."
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