Chapter 76: Marquis Dingyuan’s Longevity Feast (1) (2/2)

Although Chu Lian had never eaten red bird’s nest before, as an experienced gourmet enthusiast, she knew that red bird’s nest was the best quality of bird’s nest available. Most of the nobility in the Great Wu Dynasty ate white bird’s nest, two whole grades lower than red bird’s nest.

Matriarch He’s red bird nest probably couldn’t be bought with money, and most likely came from the palace. The matriarch was good friends with the empress dowager, so it had probably been a gift.

Chu Lian didn’t dare to accept something that the empress dowager had given to Matriarch He.

She quickly shook her head. “Grandmother, there’s no need for that. My body’s perfectly healthy! If I take in more nutrients, I’ll get fat!”

“You’re worried about getting fat with such a tiny figure?” Matriarch He smiled broadly.

“Grandmother, if you really want to give it away, why not give it to Mother instead?”

Matriarch He froze for a moment and sighed. “Child, you’re always thinking of others.”

Chu Lian looked up at Matriarch He’s affectionate expression. “Mother is my husband’s very own mother. How could Mother be counted as an outsider?”

Warmth suffused Matriarch He’s heart and she poked Chu Lian’s little nose. “Sanlang’s wife, you really are such a good child. Alright, Grandmother will send some red bird’s nest to your mother. You had better take some back with you too.”

Since the matriarch had already put it this way, it would be unreasonable if Chu Lian continued declining.

Eldest Young Madam had arrived outside sometime while they were talking. She just so happened to overhear Matriarch He’s words upon entering. She lowered her head and frowned a little.

Since Madam Zou’s back was to the light, no one noticed the expression on her face.

A maidservant lifted up the curtain at the entrance of the room and let Madam Zou in.

“Grandmother.” After Madam Zou bobbed in greeting, she sat at Matriarch He’s other side.

Matriarch He smiled as she looked at Madam Zou. “Dalang’s wife, why have you come here so early?”

There was no change in the expression on Madam Zou’s face at all. The corner of her lips lifted elegantly. “Grandmother, have you forgotten? It’s rest day for all the stewards in our estate today.”

Every day, Madam Zou had to listen to all the stewards of every courtyard in the estate make their report. She would only come to Qingxi Hall to greet the matriarch when she was done. After that, she would visit her mother-in-law.

“That’s right, it’s the sixteenth today. Grandmother’s forgotten all about the date.”

Madam Zou exchanged small talk with the matriarch for some time, but seeing that Matriarch He didn’t mention the red bird’s nest at all, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.