“Good, good! My dear granddaughter, come sit down and eat slowly.”
Her grandmother welcomed both mother and daughter to their seats and sent a servant to summon her grandfather.
While waiting for him, Yun Qingyi cut the pastries into smaller pieces and inserted tiny bamboo picks into each one. As she leaned closer to hand the plate to her grandmother, she caught a familiar scent.
Crispy fried fish.
The freshness of the fish, the savoriness of soy sauce, and the sweetness of the glaze—there was no mistaking it.
Her grandfather was quite thoughtful after all. When he had something delicious, he shared it with his wife.
“Grandmother, did you enjoy the crispy fish?”
Her grandmother smiled.
“Your grandfather told me you made it yourself. That old rascal treasures it dearly.”
“He brought home two large packages but only gave me five pieces. He said he was saving the rest to enjoy slowly with his wine.”
For a brief moment, Yun Qingyi was puzzled by the mention of two packages. Then she immediately understood.
Her grandfather had bullied her little brother and confiscated his share too.
My little brother is mine to spoil, she thought. I’ll have to teach that old fox a lesson later.
“Qingyi’s here already? You’ve only just recovered from a serious illness—you should be resting more. Why are you out and about so soon?”
Before she even saw him, she heard her grandfather’s voice calling from outside as he hurried over.
Yun Qingyi stepped forward to greet him and finally got a good look at the old man.
He wore a loose, pale green robe embroidered with bamboo leaves, giving him an air of leisurely elegance. Having rushed over, he was breathing slightly hard, and a few strands of hair had fallen out of place.
There was none of the imposing dignity one would expect from the Grand Tutor.
Madam Fang laughed teasingly.
“Father, you’re truly biased. Whenever I come home on my own, you don’t even show your face. But when Qingyi visits, you can’t even be bothered to put on your shoes.”
Her tone was playful, but there was genuine emotion behind her words.
When she was younger, she had once been the sole focus of her family’s affection. Even after giving birth to two sons, that hadn’t changed. But the moment Yun Qingyi was born, the Fang family’s boundless love shifted entirely to their granddaughter.
It was seventy percent a joke and thirty percent real jealousy.
Yun Qingyi stepped forward and curtsied.
“Greetings, Grandfather. Thanks to your blessings, my health has fully recovered. Today, I made a few pastries, and Mother was thinking of you and Grandmother, so we came to share them with you.”
Her graceful words instantly dispelled the lingering sadness in Madam Fang’s heart.
“Good, good!” her grandfather replied warmly. “I’m always delighted when my granddaughter comes to visit. But you mustn’t tire yourself out.”
“I will remember your advice, Grandfather.”
After exchanging a few polite words, Yun Qingyi decided it was time to stand up for her younger brother.
“A few days ago, when Qingshi returned to school, I sent some crispy fish with him. Grandfather, did you happen to see it?”
The Grand Tutor looked momentarily embarrassed before flashing her a placating smile.
“Qingyi, you’re being unfair. My household is so large, and yet you only gave me such a small package.”
“Qingshi is just a child, but you gave him so much. I only took a few pieces from him—mostly so your grandmother could try them too. I wanted her to know how talented our Qingyi is.”
Far away at the Imperial Academy, Yun Qingshi suddenly sneezed.
“Could Grandfather be scolding me again?”
He instinctively feared the old man.
What a crafty old fox, Yun Qingyi thought, pouting slightly.
The sight instantly alarmed the Grand Tutor.
“My precious granddaughter, your cooking is simply too delicious. Grandfather couldn’t resist. I won’t do it again.”
“Next time you make something tasty, just send a larger portion directly to the Fang residence.”
“Your grandmother has spent decades caring for this family. We can’t let her go without good food.”
His desperate attempt at self-preservation, especially bringing Grandmother into the conversation, made Yun Qingyi relent.
She decided to let him off the hook.
Although she had playfully “scolded” her grandfather, both grandparents felt deeply comforted.
They adored their daughter, and over the years, they had watched her shed countless tears over Qingyi’s condition.
Madam Fang had once confided in them that while her three sons loved their sister dearly, people’s hearts could change. In the future, once they had families and careers of their own, who could guarantee they would continue caring for Qingyi with the same devotion?
Because of that fear, she had made preparations.
She quietly saved money for Qingyi’s future. Any money, paintings, antiques, or valuables her parents and brothers gifted her, she accepted without refusal. Some she sold for silver notes, storing everything away for her daughter.
At the same time, although she spoiled Qingyi, she never tolerated bad habits such as arrogance, laziness, or selfishness.
Even when all hope of intellectual recovery seemed lost, she never compromised on teaching Qingyi good character.
She wanted to ensure that one day, after she and Yun Jingxing were gone, Qingyi could still live with dignity.
It had been many years since Madam Fang had spoken so playfully with her parents.
Now, with her daughter’s recovery, she seemed to have regained a piece of her younger self.
Yun Qingyi poured a cup of tea for her grandfather, grandmother, and mother before placing the flower pastries in front of them.
Her grandfather chose the jasmine pastry first.
He inhaled its delicate floral fragrance before taking a bite.
The flaky crust and fragrant jasmine filling melted together, releasing a refreshing aroma that instantly filled his mouth.
The filling was silky smooth, sweet without being cloying. The floral notes blended perfectly with the sweetness.
A delighted smile spread across his face as he savored the peaceful joy of the moment.
Her grandmother selected the lily flower pastry.
The lily petals decorating the top released a subtle fragrance. She lightly touched the paper-thin crust with her fingertips, appreciating its delicate crispness.
The gentle sweetness of the lily combined beautifully with the smooth filling.
As she tasted it, the tension in her expression gradually eased.
This first bite did more than please her palate—it touched her heart.
Her daughter’s difficult years were finally over.
From now on, only prosperity and happiness awaited her.
“Qingyi, these pastries are truly unique. They’re lighter and more refreshing than those from Qinxin Studio. I like them very much.”
Her grandfather immediately chimed in.
“My dear granddaughter, Grandfather loves every single one of them. It seems your crispy fish isn’t the only thing you’re good at making. Whenever you create something delicious in the future, remember to send some to me. Grandfather loves you the most.”
When she first arrived, Yun Qingyi had thought her grandparents were dignified and reserved.
Yet a few pastries had revealed their adorable side.
Lowering her voice, Grandmother turned to Madam Fang.
“You used to worry that Qingyi would be bullied outside, so you always kept her close and never let her attend gatherings with other young ladies.”
“Now that she’s healthy, bright, and clever again, shouldn’t you start taking her out to meet people?”
Her words struck a chord.
For more than a decade, Yun Qingyi had been confined to the inner household. She knew none of the noble daughters in the capital and had long since lost touch with the childhood friends she once had.
She barely understood the relationships among the various noble families anymore.
The timing had never been right before.
Now, it was time for her to live a normal life.
“Mother is absolutely right,” Madam Fang agreed. “I should start taking Qingyi out more often.”
To spend more time with her daughter, she had stopped attending aristocratic gatherings years ago.
Everyone knew about the Yun family’s circumstances, and gradually, invitations to the Yun residence had stopped coming altogether.
However, in a few days, the Fifth Prince would be hosting a banquet attended by many of the capital’s noble families.
Madam Fang thought it would be the perfect opportunity for Qingyi’s debut into society.
After sharing her thoughts, her mother immediately took out an invitation.
“When the time comes, you two can accompany me.”