A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1438 - 1436: Serving Tea 2

"It’s quite different from what I imagined; other families are much better than yours!"

"Even Wei Yu’s house is better than yours!"

Yue Er said bluntly.

Shih Shaoling nodded awkwardly.

"Both my father and mother are frugal people who dislike extravagance, especially my father!"

"He only has a few servant boys by his side, not even a maid."

"My mother only has a few young maids to serve her!"

Unlike other high-ranking officials in the capital, who can’t leave the house without ten or so advisors and guests surrounded by a crowd.

Madam Shi isn’t like other ladies who have a convoy of carriages and maids when they go out.

The Shi Family has always preferred to keep a low profile; they feel that other families only put on a show for appearances, while a simple lifestyle is more reassuring.

Yue Er nodded.

"I think it’s quite nice!"

"I don’t like having people with me when I leave the palace either!"

"But your family is a bit too shabby; didn’t my father grant you a residence? Why don’t you live there?"

"If outsiders see this, they might think my father mistreats his meritorious officials, which would lead to rumors and make people feel disheartened!"

Shih Shaoling hesitated but still honestly explained the reason.

"My mother loves this place!"

"She married my father in this house back then, so she has never wanted to move!"

That’s sentimentality, and Yue Er didn’t say more.

When the carriage stopped by the side, Shih Shaoling helped Yue Er down from the carriage.

Several palace maids and maids also came down from the carriages behind them one after another.

Yue Er inadvertently looked back and felt a wave of exasperation.

She turned and whispered to Ying Luo.

"Didn’t you say not to bring so many people?"

Ying Luo was innocent.

"Princess, there aren’t many people, only sixteen!"

"Back when the Second Princess and Third Princess were married, they brought this many people along; logically, you should have at least twenty!"

When the Second Princess and Third Princess first went to their husbands’ families after marriage, they brought this many people to display status.

Of course, this is customary, as a princess represents the entire Royal Family; it wouldn’t do to look shabby on your first day of marriage.

Yue Er sighed slightly in resignation.

"Alright, let’s go."

There’s no choice; it’s not like she’s trying to show off.

But in this simple courtyard, she felt uncomfortable dressed as she was.

...

Noticing her discomfort and assuming she was nervous, Shih Shaoling quietly comforted her.

"Don’t worry; my mother is very kind!"

Yue Er didn’t speak, just managed an awkward smile and nodded.

She wasn’t nervous at all, okay?

If anything, the Shi family should be the ones feeling nervous.

Indeed.

Hand in hand, just before stepping into the gate, they heard a flurry of footsteps inside.

Shortly after, the doors of Shi Mansion suddenly opened as Shi Yang and his wife hurriedly came out to greet them.

"Your Highness The Princess, we..."

"Father, mother, please rise!"

Before they could finish, Yue Er quickly stepped forward to personally help them up.

There’s a saying: "Once a teacher, always a father."

As General Shi’s student for so many years, she had long regarded him as the most respected elder, her most beloved master.

Madam Shi was her master’s wife.

With that in mind, the words "father" and "mother" carried genuine warmth.

General Shi was a bit taken aback.

"Your Highness The Princess suddenly graces our humble abode; I’m afraid our hospitality is inadequate, please forgive us..."

This time, before Yue Er could speak, Shih Shaoling spoke directly.

"Dad!"

"No need for formalities anymore; we are all one family now!"

Although his words seemed a bit blunt, Yue Er agreed nonetheless; the sentiment was right.

"We are all one family!" she echoed.

(Though they couldn’t be true family, they could at least be courteous and harmonious.)

Since the princess said so, Shi Yang and Madam Shi nodded obligingly.

"Please, Your Highness!"

"Our humble abode is simple; please forgive the lack of refinement!"

Yue Er: "..."

Her master had always treated her so strictly; now, with a sudden change of roles, she felt so out of place!

Awkwardly, she managed a random response and stopped speaking.

...

In the main courtyard.

Madam Shi sat uneasily in the main seat, accepting the tea-offering ceremony from her ’daughter-in-law.’

Yue Er knelt on one knee on a cushion, took the teacup handed by Ying Luo, and respectfully presented it.

"Mother, please!"

Madam Shi quickly took it, smiling as she took a sip, then hurriedly brought out a gift.

It was a pair of delicate and polished Mutton-fat Jade Bracelets.

"Although it’s not something valuable, I’ve kept these close for over twenty years; I acquired them years ago, a rare item, I hope you won’t disdain them!"

Yue Er glanced at it and immediately recognized the bracelets were indeed extraordinary.

She took them and handed them to Ying Luo, bowing in thanks.

"Thank you, mother!"

Madam Shi could hardly contain herself, bending quickly to help Yue Er up.

"Please, Your Highness, don’t be so formal!"

"Your visit today has already graced our humble home!"

When she first learned her son would marry a princess, she was somewhat despairing.

Dreams of asserting herself as a mother-in-law evaporated; she wouldn’t even get to drink daughter-in-law tea.

In other families, daughters-in-law care for husbands and serve in-laws, but in hers, they’d have to treat the daughter-in-law like an ancestor.

Though her son became a prince consort, it was a superficial glory.

Who could know the real struggles? Her heart ached for her son.

Hence... during that time, other noblewomen openly and secretly mocked her.

’Luckless!’

’What good is glory when you can’t enjoy peace in this life!’

’They say a thousand-year daughter-in-law becomes a mother-in-law; you’ve done that but still have to endure, it’s pitiful!’

While verbally expressing sympathy, their hearts reveled in schadenfreude.

Thus, Madam Shi refrained from going out for a time; even now, she seldom does, pushing away invitations when she could.

She had mentally prepared herself.

After all, she’d heard about Fourth Princess from her husband.

The treasure daughter of the Emperor and Empress, cosseted dearly; at her house, she shouldn’t suffer.

Being a conventional mother-in-law wasn’t possible.

Not drinking daughter-in-law tea was bearable.

Personal grievances were understandable.

Above all, Fourth Princess must not suffer the slightest grievance.

And now...

Seeing the docile and sensible Fourth Princess beside her filled her with emotions.

’The Lord said the princess was a bit willful; how completely untrue that seems now!’

She felt unexpected delight, smiling constantly with sparkling eyes.

"Have you had breakfast yet?"

Yue Er smiled and shook her head.

"No!"

Then she looked at Shih Shaoling apologetically.

Madam Shi immediately ’understood,’ and cheerfully hazarded.

"Quickly, have someone prepare breakfast!"

"Luckily I had made preparations!"

"Though our food can’t compare with the palace’s Imperial Chef, Your Highness, please bear with us!"