Madam Li was somewhat surprised. “Oh? Judging by the way you put it, these pastries are available for purchase?”
Xu Jinxin nodded with a bright smile. “Madam, it seems you haven’t gone out shopping in quite some time, have you?”
“You may not know this, but a pastry shop called Fuduo opened in the eastern part of the city. The signature products of their shop are the very palace-style pastries everyone is enjoying today!”
Madam Li froze for a moment. It was true that she had not gone shopping in a long time.
As she grew older, she had become disinclined to go out.
Seeing the confusion on her mother-in-law’s face, Madam Li leaned close and whispered a few words in her ear.
Only then did Madam Li understand. She looked at Xu Jinxin with a complicated expression.
“Madam Li, the pastries you provided us today are actually limited-edition items from that shop?”
“I’ll have my daughter-in-law prepare a generous red envelope for you later. We can’t let you lose money!”
Xu Jinxin covered her mouth and laughed delightedly.
“Madam, if you’re giving me a generous red envelope, then naturally I wouldn’t hesitate to accept it.”
“But today’s red envelope shouldn’t go to me. It should go to someone else!”
Madam Li was utterly puzzled. “Someone else? Who?”
With a bright smile, Xu Jinxin drew Duoduo over to them and looked at Madam Li.
“Madam, the person I’m talking about is, of course, Princess Changle!”
Madam Li looked at the beaming Duoduo, even more confused than before.
“Madam Li, stop keeping me in suspense! You’ve talked me into a muddle!”
Duoduo gave Madam Li a radiant smile.
“Madam, Fuduo is my shop.”
Madam Li’s eyes widened. She stared at Duoduo in complete disbelief.
A moment ago, her daughter-in-law had told her that the Fuduo pastry shop did such brisk business that it only opened for half a day each day.
Its signature products had to be reserved in advance.
Every day, a long line formed outside the shop, with everyone waiting for the doors to open so they could rush in and buy something.
The shop’s business practices were unlike anything they had ever heard of, and the pastries were unexpectedly delicious.
What was more, the shop introduced new varieties every so often.
The pastries were both beautiful and tasty, like works of art that people could not bear to part with.
Many people in the capital even regarded giving pastries from Fuduo as a way to show their status.
Madam Li had never imagined that such a prosperous shop was owned by Princess Changle.
How old was Princess Changle?
She was even a year younger than Madam Li’s great-grandson!
It really was true that comparing people only made one feel inferior!
Madam Li’s daughter-in-law was equally astonished as she looked at Duoduo.
A bashful smile appeared on her face. “May I ask the princess something? I have a small favor to request. May I speak?”
Duoduo tilted her little head and smiled. “Okay!”
Since Madam Li’s daughter-in-law had brought it up, she probably wanted to ask for something related to pastries.
It was nothing major.
For matters within her power to decide, Duoduo did not mind forming a good connection with her.
Seeing her daughter-in-law’s expression, Madam Li angrily tapped the back of her hand.
The slap, however, was extremely light.
“You spoil her again!”
“She’s a perfectly healthy child, yet she doesn’t eat proper meals and only eats pastries!”
Madam Li’s daughter-in-law blushed and hurriedly explained, “Mother, I was only thinking that your birthday is coming up!”
“I heard Madam Li mention that there’s something called a birthday cake. It’s both beautiful and delicious!”
“I wanted to ask the princess whether I could reserve one in advance.”
When Madam Li heard this, she immediately realized that she had misunderstood her daughter-in-law and hurriedly apologized.
“Mother misunderstood you. I’m sorry!”
“It’s only a birthday. Why make such a complicated affair of it?”
“As long as our whole family sits together and enjoys a reunion dinner, that’s enough!”
Hearing her mother-in-law apologize to her in front of outsiders, Madam Li was deeply moved.
Her parents-in-law were both kind people who treated her like their own daughter.
Her husband was also very good to her, and even the younger members of the household treated her with respect.
Her own mother often said that she had married into a blessed family.
“That won’t do!” Madam Li said, affectionately taking her mother-in-law’s hand.
“My husband said that this year we must give Mother a proper birthday celebration!”
Madam Li patted her daughter-in-law’s hand with satisfaction.
“Knowing that you have such thoughts is already enough to make Mother happy.”
“But we can’t hold a birthday celebration this year!”
Madam Li’s daughter-in-law was astonished. “Why not, Mother?”
Seeing that Xu Jinxin and Princess Changle were also looking at her curiously, Madam Li let out a sigh.
“Have you forgotten? His Majesty is unwell this year.”
“His Majesty’s own birthday celebration was canceled this year. How could we hold one for ourselves and appear to outdo him?”
Madam Li’s daughter-in-law did not quite understand.
What did the emperor’s poor health and canceled birthday celebration have to do with her mother-in-law?
Xu Jinxin glanced at Duoduo, who gave her a quick wink.
Xu Jinxin smiled and said, “Madam, you are truly blessed. I can’t help but envy you!”
Madam Li was taken aback. “Madam Li, what do you mean?”
Xu Jinxin covered her mouth as she laughed. “Just look at you. You have children and grandchildren filling your household, and every one of them is capable and filial!”
“I envy you for such good fortune!”
“In my opinion, having the whole family sit together for a reunion dinner and enjoy a sweet, lovingly decorated cake afterward would make the occasion all the more perfect!”
Madam Li was stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Madam Li, you certainly have a silver tongue!”
“After hearing you put it that way, I’d feel guilty not ordering a cake and making good use of all this good fortune you speak of!”
Xu Jinxin laughed merrily. “Ah! No wonder people say that ginger gets hotter with age!”
“I couldn’t hide even this little scheme from you, Madam!”
Madam Li laughed so hard that she could barely close her mouth. “Very well! Since that’s the case, Princess Changle, would it be possible for me to order a cake?”
Duoduo nodded with a beaming smile. “Of course! What kind would you like?”
Madam Li paused.
“I’ve never seen this thing called a cake before. What does it look like? How am I supposed to describe what I want?”
Xu Jinxin waved her hand with a smile. “That’s all right! The princess can draw it!”
Madam Li’s daughter-in-law hurriedly sent someone to fetch brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.
The people who had originally been chatting with Madam Li all gathered around with curiosity.
They wanted to see what this so-called cake was and what kind of pastry had to be eaten on a birthday.
The maid soon placed the prepared brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone on a low table nearby so that Duoduo could draw comfortably.
Yingniang came over and sat beside Duoduo. “Princess, do you need my help?”
Duoduo nodded with a bright smile. “Big Sister, help me prepare the colored paints, okay?”
Yingniang nodded. “What would you like to draw?”
Duoduo tilted her head. “Let’s draw a birthday honoree first!”
Everyone gathered around. Duoduo picked up the brush and began sketching.
