CHAPTER 348: CHAPTER 348: CATERING TO THEIR PREFERENCES

"Father, our family members in the Capital City are really no good!" After a moment of silence, Zhu Xianxian spoke again. "They haven’t found out a single thing about the County Princess’s preferences! How can we cater to her without knowing anything?"

Under such circumstances, forming a good relationship would just be difficult, wouldn’t it?

"My dear daughter, that’s why I came to you first. Apart from you, there’s no one else I can trust with this task!" Zhu Dewang said. "Your brother and some cousins avoided this disaster this time all thanks to you."

"First time?" Zhu Xianxian pouted. "Father, do you think I don’t know? The County Princess has been here for some days."

Zhu Dewang looked embarrassed, "Well, at first, we didn’t..."

Didn’t take her seriously.

"Father, how many times have I told you? Never underestimate anyone! Also, for a family to go far, it’s most important to discipline the younger members. Not to say this as your daughter, but if you leave the household to my brother and the cousins now, can they handle it?" Zhu Xianxian said seriously.

"Yes, yes, you’re right. After this matter is settled, I’ll surely discipline them strictly, not letting them cause trouble." Zhu Dewang quickly responded.

"I’m just unlucky, born to clean up their messes!" Zhu Xianxian muttered.

"How can you say you’re unlucky? You’re doing very well! Your husband treats you well and values you. He discusses everything with you, never ignoring your wishes. How many women envy that?" Zhu Dewang said with a smile.

His daughter, being his own, he believed he understood her quite a bit.

The couple had a good relationship. Even after several years of marriage, they were still as close as when they first got married.

Every time he praised his son-in-law, his daughter would be delighted.

Sure enough, Zhu Dewang’s words had barely landed when Zhu Xianxian’s face lit up with a smile. "Mudar is waiting for me to return. I won’t stay at home this time. I’ll go back to make some arrangements, then return home with your grandson and granddaughter. They’ve been talking about wanting to see you."

"Good, good, I miss the two little darlings too," Zhu Dewang said.

His son spent his days fooling around, and although he had a few women by his side, he didn’t have any offspring. Therefore, all of Zhu Dewang’s affection for his grandchildren was poured into Zhu Xianxian’s two children.

Of course, it’s also because the two kids were indeed exceptional.

His grandson, at a young age, already had his father’s demeanor, very brave, capable of taming wild horses on his own.

His granddaughter took after her mother, smart and courageous, skilled in both literature and martial arts.

After leaving the Zhu family, Zhu Xianxian didn’t directly leave the city. Her daughter liked the exquisite desserts from the city’s dessert shop, and she had promised to bring some back for her.

So, Zhu Xianxian headed straight for the pastry shop.

She had timed it well, as this was the exact moment when the osmanthus cakes came out of the oven.

If lucky, she could also get some red bean cakes and peach blossom pastries.

There were already quite a few people in line, so Zhu Xianxian hurried to the end of the line.

With the ringing shout of ’Freshly out of the oven!’, the line slowly started to move.

Unfortunately, by the time it was Zhu Xianxian’s turn, the freshly made osmanthus cakes were sold out, and so were the red bean cakes and peach blossom pastries.

"Waiter, clearly the line wasn’t long, how come they’re all gone?" Zhu Xianxian asked the shop assistant.

She wasn’t trying to make it difficult, it was just because she had promised her daughter before coming.

Children, after all, are particularly fond of tasty food, and if they don’t get it, they’re bound to throw a little tantrum.

"Madam, half of the newly baked osmanthus cakes were pre-ordered by someone." The shop assistant explained.

Who is this, buying pastries half an oven at a time, can they even eat it all?

"Has the person who ordered the pastries picked them up yet?" Zhu Xianxian asked.

"Not yet." The shop assistant answered.

"Waiter, could you see if you can spare a package of osmanthus cakes for me, just one package? The other person ordered half an oven, one package shouldn’t make a difference, right?" Zhu Xianxian negotiated pleasantly with the shop assistant, "I can pay double the silver coin."

The shop assistant looked troubled, "The customer has already paid. We can’t go back on our word. Madam, please don’t make it difficult for me! If you really want to enjoy it, come earlier at this time tomorrow, you’ll definitely get some! Alternatively, we have other pastries in the shop now, shall I recommend a few?"

"Waiter, I’m not making it difficult for you, I’m negotiating! How about this, if you can’t make the decision, I’ll discuss it with the shopkeeper?" Zhu Xianxian said.

The shop assistant hesitated a bit.

"No need to discuss with the shopkeeper, you can talk to me instead."

Zhu Xianxian turned around to see a elegantly dressed woman, with a faint smile on her face, looking quite distinguished.

"Madam, my daughter really loves the osmanthus cakes from this shop. I promised her before coming to the city to bring some back for her, but I came a bit late, so by the time it was my turn, they were gone." Zhu Xianxian spoke politely, "You must have a purpose for booking so many osmanthus cakes. Technically, I shouldn’t ask you for this, but I really can’t bear to disappoint my daughter."

"Waiter, spare a package of my osmanthus cakes for this lady." Meng Yao said calmly. She was originally going to share them when she got back, so one less package wasn’t an issue.

Zhu Xianxian was delighted and pulled out a piece of broken silver from her purse, handing it to Meng Yao.

This piece of broken silver could clearly buy several packages of osmanthus cakes.

Meng Yao had the shop assistant exchange the silver according to the price of one package of osmanthus cakes, kept the payment for one package, and returned the rest.

"Transaction complete. Your daughter will surely be very happy to eat the cakes she wanted." Meng Yao said with a smile.

"Thank you very much, madam." Zhu Xianxian didn’t try to return the extra silver; the lady clearly wasn’t in need of money. She was willing to spare a package of osmanthus cakes, not for the extra silver, but probably because she heard it was for her daughter, and generously gave it.

Zhu Xianxian guessed that this lady must also be a mother who treasures her child.

Meng Yao left with her pastries.

Zhu Xianxian also carried her pastries towards the outskirts of the city.

After walking a few steps, she stopped and looked back, but the lady was no longer in sight among the crowd.

She should have asked for the lady’s address, who knows, they might have become friends in the future.

But as long as she stays in Le’an, there’ll be opportunities to meet again.

Just as Zhu Xianxian left the city, she ran into Mudar.

"Weren’t you saying there was something to handle in the tribe? Why are you here?" Zhu Xianxian reached out to Mudar, and with a light pull, he helped her onto the horse, and the two rode together.

"It’s to pick you up, of course, so I rushed to finish dealing with it," Mudar said. "That young fellow Sanna, though young, is very competent and forthright. I originally thought it would take a long time to discuss, but unexpectedly, he agreed without any wasted words, directly settling the alliance."

"Are you talking about the young man Sanna recently found?" Zhu Xianxian asked.

"That’s him!" Mudar replied.

"He hasn’t been back for long, and already he’s being used so heavily?" Zhu Xianxian was surprised.

Nomadic tribes always have fierce power struggles. Even though Sanna is a minor tribe, they’re known for their bravery in battle and their skill in training horses, making internal power struggles intense.

Unexpectedly, a young man who returned not long ago was able to stand firm so quickly.

It shows this young man is truly capable.

Zhu Xianxian thought of her daughter, and couldn’t help but become contemplative.