novelhk Page 86
Page 86
My lady, we absolutely cannot let these "sisters" into the house so easily! Not even the two aunts who watched her and her brother grow up!
I must carefully check it myself!
With that thought, she immediately put on an innocent and cheerful smile, and ran towards Su Mu like a fledgling returning to its nest, pouncing precisely...
She nestled into his warm and generous embrace, burying her face against his chest and rubbing it against him.
"Good morning, brother!" She lifted her little face, her smile as bright as the rising sun, as if those complicated thoughts from just moments ago had never existed.
"Good morning, Xiaoxiao." A gentle smile spread across Su Mu's eyes. He habitually raised his hand and ruffled her soft hair, the gesture natural and affectionate.
"Good morning, Aunt Hu!" Su Zhixiao seemed to have just noticed Hu Chanyuan, lifting her little head from Su Mu's arms and obediently greeting Hu Chanyuan.
She greeted him, her bright eyes subtly observing the other person's expression.
"Yes, good morning, Xiaoxiao too." Hu Chanyuan's expression remained unchanged, her smile gentle and warm, her response impeccable, befitting a kind elder.
His appearance showed no sign of anything amiss.
Su Zhixiao's sudden "attack" was intended to see if she could elicit any weakness from Aunt Hu, such as a fleeting moment of panic, or...
It was a faint trace of guilt.
However, Hu Chanyuan handled the situation too calmly. After greeting her, she turned back to focus on stirring the white porridge in the clay pot, her expression focused and...
peaceful.
Seeing this, Su Zhixiao had no choice but to suppress her doubts for the time being. Firstly, there was no concrete evidence, and secondly, the most important thing today was to be with her brother.
Shopping and sightseeing! That's the most important thing, and we absolutely can't let these unfounded speculations spoil the fun.
"Brother! When are we leaving?" She immediately forgot her worries, like a kitten eager to go out and play.
They jumped around excitedly a few times beside Su Mu.
Su Mu was amused by her lively appearance, reached out and embraced her slender waist, leading her to sit down at the table. "Have breakfast first, then we'll go." This is Hu...
My aunt cooked some porridge, and I gave her a few pointers. You can be a little judge and give it your opinion.
"Okay!" Su Zhixiao immediately sat up straight, adopting the posture of a serious "professional judge," her feigned solemnity...
The little face made Su Mu and Hu Chanyuan unable to help but laugh.
Su Zhixiao was very serious! She secretly resolved that if there was anything wrong with the porridge, she would point it out strictly and without mercy!
In her opinion, how could someone who couldn't even cook porridge properly be qualified to be a woman by her brother's side? With this "picky" mindset, she scooped up...
I carefully blew on a spoonful of the glistening white rice porridge before putting it in my mouth.
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The rice grains had already bloomed and were perfectly soft, the rice soup was thick and smooth, and the pure aroma of rice filled the mouth with just the right amount of warmth, flowing smoothly down the throat.
As you slide down, warmth instantly spreads throughout your body.
"It's...it's very delicious." After a moment of silence, Su Zhixiao gave her evaluation somewhat hesitantly. Simply put, the porridge truly tasted extremely good.
Excellent, the heat was just right.
Although she often asks her brother for cooking advice, this is probably the best she can manage at her best. Even with her brother's guidance...
But even in this bowl of plain porridge, one can taste Aunt Hu's dedication and remarkable improvement in her cooking skills.
"If it's delicious, then drink more." Su Mu picked up a bowl for herself, took a sip, and nodded in praise, "Hmm, Aunt Hu's cooking skills have improved even more than yesterday."
Quite a few.
"It's all thanks to Mu'er's excellent teaching." Receiving Su Mu's affirmation, Hu Chanyuan's face immediately lit up with a smile, her satisfied expression subtly revealing...
She felt a wife's happiness as she prepared breakfast for her husband and daughter, thinking, "If you like it, I'll make it for you every day these days."
Su Zhixiao keenly sensed this subtle "family of three" atmosphere and couldn't help but hum a couple of times in her heart.
She wasn't a "daughter" at all; she was her brother's kitten, her brother's wife! Thinking this, she scooped up... with a hint of resentment.
He took a big mouthful of porridge and swallowed it down forcefully, as if he wanted to swallow that little bit of injustice as well.
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Chapter 113 A Battlefield? A Small Scene
"Everyone's up so early!" Li Zhaoning's voice came from the doorway.
She had already changed into the python robe symbolizing her status as a prince, carefully concealing her ample bosom beneath the solemn court attire.
They were all ready to go out.
"Aunt Ning/Your Highness," the three greeted her in unison. Li Zhaoning smiled and nodded in response, her gaze lingering on Su Mu for a moment longer.
Only then did he gracefully take his seat.
"Aunt Ning, Aunt Hu cooked some white porridge early this morning, why don't you try some?"
Su Zhixiao still harbored a sliver of resentment. Unable to discern the flaws in the porridge herself, she pinned her hopes on Prince Li Zhaoning, who had grown up in luxury.
She greeted him warmly, a barely perceptible anticipation hidden in her eyes.
"Okay." Li Zhaoning took the bowl of porridge that Su Mu had served her, picked up the porcelain spoon, gently blew away the rising steam, and elegantly put it into her mouth.
The rice porridge was warm and smooth. She savored it for a moment before looking up at Hu Chanyuan. "Hmm, the cooking time is just right, the rice aroma is rich..."
Yuan's skills have indeed improved. I imagine Mu'er must have provided a great deal of guidance in this.
"Your Highness flatters me," Hu Chanyuan said, unable to hide her smugness. She was already pleased with the sudden increase in the close relationship between Li Zhaoning and Su Mu recently.
Being calculating, he naturally wouldn't let go of this opportunity to show off his advantages in front of Su Mu.
"It's all thanks to Mu'er's generous teaching; I, as her aunt, have also benefited greatly." The enchanting scene from last night still lingers in my heart.
Then, her tone shifted abruptly, adding a subtle sharpness, "Next time, let Mu'er give Your Highness some pointers. Your Highness's skills will definitely improve."
It can also lead to significant improvement.
Li Zhaoning raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly. Hu Chanyuan's porridge was indeed exceptionally well-cooked, and she herself was usually busy with official duties, so her culinary skills were naturally lacking.
Being unfamiliar with the subject, he had no time to ask Su Mu for guidance.
She understood immediately; Hu Chanyuan was using this as an excuse to show off, firstly implying that her cooking skills were inferior to Hu's, and secondly implying that she wasn't like Hu, able to frequently interact with Mu...
Spending time with children.
But she didn't show it on her face.
Since returning, he had been intimate with Mu'er twice. Mu'er treated him with a gentle yet firm attitude, which greatly comforted his body and mind.
Let's not bother with a fox like you who hasn't even gotten a bite yet. She probably isn't that bold.
She finally replied calmly, "Chanyuan is right. I should indeed find an opportunity to learn some cooking skills from Mu'er."
“Yes,” Hu Chanyuan’s smile deepened, and she continued, “As the saying goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. And if it’s culinary skills…”
"If I'm not skilled enough, I'm afraid I won't be able to capture Mu'er's gentle heart."
These words, like a victor's declaration, fell softly, yet stirred ripples in the quiet dining hall.
Li Zhaoning's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the soup spoon, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
Do you really think I'm easy to bully? Hmph! Do you think this will decide the outcome? Your cooking skills may be excellent, but Mu'er has never cared about such things!
Although she didn't directly refute him, her words carried a hidden sharpness: "My cooking skills are indeed mediocre, and I don't usually have much free time to invite Mu'er..."
Teaching. If I had time, I would prefer to do other things with Mu'er.
These words had a hidden meaning, which Su Zhixiao might not have understood, but Hu Chanyuan could hear in them a boastful tone.
Hmph! Last night I consummated my relationship with Mu'er and became her woman completely. Can you really do the same?!
Li Zhaoning hadn't finished speaking: "But even with my current mediocre cooking skills, if I were to personally cook porridge, I imagine Mu'er would..."
I will never choose anything else.
Hu Chanyuan couldn't help but think to herself, "Your cooking skills are more than just mediocre, but given Mu'er's personality, she certainly won't be picky about food. On the contrary, she might even smile and eat it all."
Just drink all that hard-to-swallow white porridge.
After Li Zhaoning finished speaking, she stood up and slowly walked behind Su Mu, gently placing her hands on his shoulders and leaning close to his ear.
Her breath was sweet as orchids, and she asked in a low voice, "Is that right, Mu'er?"
Su Mu accepted it readily, turning her head to return a gentle smile: "That's only natural."
"Mu'er is so sensible~" Upon hearing this, Li Zhaoning's smile grew even brighter, and she bent down to give Su Mu a brief but clear hug.
The interaction resembled the closeness of an elder towards a younger person, yet the proximity and proactive gesture added an indescribable sense of intimacy.
"!!" This scene startled both Su Zhixiao and Hu Chanyuan, who were standing to the side.
The usually composed Hu Chanyuan could no longer maintain her composure. Li Zhaoning's actions not only neutralized her offensive but also, through a hug,
Her silent display of the extraordinary intimacy between her and Su Mu was truly ingenious!
What shocked her even more was that Xiaoxiao was sitting right in front of her. How dare Li Zhaoning do this?!
What is there to be afraid of? Li Zhaoning thought to himself, after all, something even more intimate had already happened that night, which could also be considered as...
Although she thought this way in her heart, she still harbored a hint of testing and trepidation when facing Su Zhixiao.
The hug was handled with great finesse; if judged solely on the perspective of an elder showing care for a younger person, it would be understandable. But could Xiaoxiao accept it? This action also...
Testing the waters. If Xiaoxiao doesn't react strongly... then perhaps we can push our luck a little further in the future?
Meanwhile, Su Zhixiao's heart was in turmoil. She had just been secretly pleased that Aunt Ning had verbally outmaneuvered Aunt Hu, effectively diminishing Aunt Hu's arrogance.
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However, Aunt Ning actually made such an intimate gesture towards her brother!
Although Aunt Ning was dressed in a python robe and had her breasts bound, and her posture was relatively dignified, the aura she exuded when she bent down to embrace them made...
She keenly sensed something unusual.
"Aunt Ning, you—!" Su Zhixiao couldn't help but exclaim, her little face filled with surprise and dissatisfaction.
"Alright, Xiaoxiao." Su Mu spoke at the right moment, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable soothing power, instantly calming the atmosphere.
Then, he reached out and gently cupped Xiaoxiao's puffed-up face, his fingertips tracing her delicate skin before softly lifting her cheeks.
He leaned down and placed a light, lingering kiss on her chin.
"Mmm~" Su Zhixiao's unfinished words were completely cut off. Her pent-up jealousy instantly vanished under this sudden sweet onslaught.
A tingling sensation spread along my spine.
The imposing manner she had just displayed, as if she wanted to "punish someone," vanished in an instant, leaving only a blush on her cheeks and slightly rapid breathing.
Having successfully calmed the easily agitated kitten in her arms, Su Mu turned to Hu Chanyuan and said sincerely, "Thank you so much, Aunt Hu, for getting up early this morning to prepare this..."
The porridge was delicious. I'd like to try your cooking again tomorrow.
The resentment that Hu Chanyuan had felt earlier because of Li Zhaoning's actions quietly dissipated with Su Mu's earnest praise, and a smile returned to her face.
With a satisfied feeling of being recognized: "Alright! Just wait and see!"
Finally, Su Mu patted Li Zhaoning's hand, which was still resting on his shoulder, and said gently, "Aunt Ning, after the Tianjiao Gathering ends in a few days, you will need to..."
"When I have some free time, would you mind if I personally gave you some cooking lessons?"
Upon hearing this, Li Zhaoning's smile deepened, clearly pleased with Su Mu's promise: "Okay, I'll definitely make time then, okay?"
I'd like to ask you for advice.
Seeing that the three of them had calmed down and the tense atmosphere in the dining hall had eased, Su Mu gently helped Xiaoxiao, who was nestled in his arms, up.
Rise up and stand firmly.
He naturally took her small hand, his gaze sweeping over the three women present, each with their own unique charm, before finally settling on Xiaoxiao's expectant face.
A slight upturn at the corners of his lips, his voice clear and gentle: