TRBDM -Chapter 140 Promise

Dou Shuyao’s face, which had just returned to its normal color, immediately flushed red again the moment he heard Xie Chuan’s voice.

Unfortunately, Xie Chuan, who had no sense of subtlety, only poured gasoline on the fire.

“Madam, what’s wrong? Are you running a fever? Why is your face so red?”

Nanny Zhang couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “Young master, where did you go so early this morning?”

“I went to the woods in the outskirts and hunted two wild pigeons. I brought them back to make soup for Madam.”

“Oh, young master, the outskirts aren’t close. What time did you leave?”

“I forgot. I went before dawn. I’ve sent the pigeons to the little kitchen; you’ll be able to eat them by noon.”

Nanny Zhang teased, “Young master, just two pigeons—how will that be enough? You can eat one in a single bite!”

“I’m not eating them. They’re all for Madam,” Xie Chuan scratched his head. “It’s my first time going, so I wasn’t experienced and only caught two. If Madam likes it, next time I’ll catch more so you can have enough.”

Dou Shuyao didn’t expect that after all the fuss Xie Chuan had made yesterday, he would head to the outskirts before dawn today to hunt wild pigeons. The man seemed to have endless energy.

Seeing Dou Shuyao remain silent, Xie Chuan leaned down and whispered in his ear, “Madam, is it good?”

Being that close to his ear, Dou Shuyao couldn’t pretend not to hear, so he lightly nodded.

Nanny Zhang’s smile stretched almost to her ears.

It seemed the matriarch would soon be able to hold a grandchild in her arms.

At Anhe Courtyard, Wei Zhaorong had long known Xie Chuan’s whereabouts.

Now, the entire marquis residence was under surveillance; every movement was under Wei Zhaorong’s control.

Even the few arrows Xie Chuan had let fly today were no secret to her.

As for the second branch, it was said that Xie Sheng and Shen Zhizhi’s relationship had hit rock bottom. Xie Sheng often returned late, sometimes not at all, no longer showing the devotion he once had for Shen Zhizhi.

Shen Zhizhi, however, had calmed down considerably. Confined to her bed and without access to money, she could cause no trouble.

“How’s the Shen family lately?” Wei Zhaorong asked.

“I heard they’re planning to sell the old Shen residence and set up a smaller house,” replied Nanny Qi.

Pampering a child excessively often leads to consequences—the old family estate couldn’t even be preserved.

The Shen family’s behavior mirrored exactly what she had seen in her previous life.

If Shen Zhizhi didn’t wake up to reality and continued to be dragged down by Shen Tianci, even Shen Zhizhi’s position as the second madam might be at risk.

She had once thought a mother’s status was secured by her son, but in reality, if one brought disaster upon oneself, someone as selfish as Xie Sheng would never continue to tolerate it.

However, this had nothing to do with Wei Zhaorong.

Once the second branch moved away, the marquis residence could unite as one, support the Tenth Prince to ascend, bring honor to the family, and live the rest of their lives in peace.

The children of the household would each establish their own families, with grandchildren around their knees, enjoying the joys of family life.

This was Wei Zhaorong’s wish upon being reborn.

As for Xie Yu, he was the child of the Princess, and would eventually return to her side.

Previously, when he had served as a servant in the marquis residence, he had endured hardships and suffered many grievances. If the Princess had blamed her, Wei Zhaorong would have willingly taken the punishment.

She didn’t have an all-seeing eye and hadn’t noticed Xie Yu in time, leaving her with a sense of guilt.

Fortunately, Xie Yu was naturally lively and adorable. After being pampered and raised with fine clothes and rich meals by Wei Zhaorong, his entire aura had transformed; there was no trace left of the servant he had once been.

Dusk fell. Xie Yu and Xie Lan had finished their lessons for the day and left the Dong residence.

“Third brother, I still don’t quite understand the etiquette part that Mr. Dong taught today. Can you teach me tonight?”

“Mm.”

The carriage rolled onto the street and passed a dessert shop.

Xie Yu’s mouth watered. “Third brother, it’s hot today. I want to buy a bowl of sour plum soup.”

Xie Lan was running a slight fever and didn’t feel very energetic. He didn’t want to move. “You go ahead. I’ll wait in the carriage.”

Xie Yu didn’t notice Xie Lan’s unusual state and happily got off the carriage.

The place he loved the most was the dessert shop.

The sweet-and-sour drinks were his favorite.

“Boss, I’ll have a bowl of sour plum soup, and another bowl of snow-soaked bean drink, please.”

Xie Lan didn’t like sweets. Earlier, when Xie Yu accidentally brushed against the back of his hand, he noticed that Xie Lan’s hand felt unusually warm. Thinking it was too hot, a bowl of snow-soaked bean drink would be perfect.

“Sure, please wait a moment.”

A gentle female voice sounded, and Xie Yu instinctively looked up.

The person before him seemed incredibly familiar—it was the lady from the day the carriage had collided.

“Madam? So you’re the owner of this dessert shop,” Xie Yu said, feeling that fate had brought them together again.

Zhao Lingchen lifted her eyes, her gaze so tender it almost overflowed: “It’s you, Xiao Yu… what a coincidence.”

Xie Yu laughed out loud. She even remembered his name.

The first time someone had called him Xiao Yu, he had found it very pleasant to hear.

“Such a coincidence! I used to buy desserts here too, but why have I never seen you before?”

Zhao Lingchen explained, “I only recently took over this shop.”

“I see,” Xie Yu nodded.

He said no more, patiently waiting as Zhao Lingchen filled his dessert.

But as he watched, he noticed something was off.

The lady seemed very inexperienced. Her well-maintained hands trembled, and she didn’t even know how to hold the long spoon properly. When pouring the dessert into the wooden jars, it dripped everywhere.

Xie Yu wanted to speak but held back.

Clearly, the owner was taking her task seriously. He held his patience, waiting.

Zhao Lingchen’s hands had never shaken like this in her life.

The cursed long spoon had such a long handle, while the jar’s mouth was so small. Pouring the dessert precisely into the jar required skill.

Every scoop she tried leaked half of it.

Eventually, Xie Yu couldn’t watch anymore. At this rate, the shop would be closed down soon.

“Um… let me help you,” Xie Yu said softly.

Zhao Lingchen wanted to refuse, but she really couldn’t manage the dessert properly, so she had no choice but to hand the spoon over.

“Thank you. I sprained my wrist yesterday, so I can’t hold the spoon well,” she offered as an excuse.

Ah, that explained it—no wonder she was so awkward, like it was her first time handling a long spoon.

“No worries. Pouring dessert is something I’m very good at.”

With practiced skill, Xie Yu quickly filled two jars, neat and precise, without a single drop wasted.

He pulled out some small silver coins and handed them to Zhao Lingchen. “Here, Madam Boss.”

Zhao Lingchen’s gaze remained fixed on his face. Distracted, she accepted the coins and then miscounted the change.

Xie Yu couldn’t help but worry—how could such a careless owner run a dessert shop?

“Um, Madam Boss, you gave me too much.”

Zhao Lingchen’s face turned slightly embarrassed as she took the coins back: “Thank you, Xiao Yu. I’m so forgetful.”

Xie Yu kindly reminded her, “Next time when you give change to someone else, be careful.”

“Mm.”

As he turned to leave, Xie Yu noticed the shop sign said Qin’s Dessert Shop, so he assumed her surname was Qin.

“Boss Qin, I’ll be going now.”

“Hey, Xiao Yu, will you come again tomorrow?”

Xie Yu thought she was just trying to attract business and nodded. “Yes, I love desserts the most.”

Zhao Lingchen’s peach-blossom eyes curved into a delighted smile: “Alright, I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow.”