The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

“The eldest son is very busy each day yet still has time to care about me. I feel bad to impose such a nuisance on him…”

Banqing and Ning Feng exchanged another knowing look.

In this polite exchange, those not in on the truth may really believe that these two men genuinely cared for each other in their daily lives.

However, unfortunately for them, they had seen the true behaviors of these two men too often. They wouldn’t be fooled by this false facade.

Chu Jinnian and Fan Wenxuan, the two businessmen, lavished praises on each other for quite some time.

It was only when Ning Feng announced that dinner was ready that their mutual praise came to a close.

As they moved to the garden, Ning Feng rushed off to arrange the spread.

Dinner was remarkably sumptuous. It included crystal shrimp dumplings, Chu Jinzhou’s favorite, and tofu skin fish soup, which Fan Wenxuan was fond of.

However, these two sat at the table for a while, but there was no sign of Chu Jinnian.

“What could the Young Master be doing, not even coming for dinner?” Fan Wenxuan asked.

“I do not know,” Ning Feng shook his head. “I’ve already sent someone to inquire.”

Just as they were talking, Jing Zhao hastily approached to bow and pay his respects, “Mr. Fan, Third Young Master, the Young Master has sent me to pass on a message. He said you don’t need to wait for him for dinner.”

“Furthermore, the Master has instructed me to tell Mr. Ning Feng to prepare a bowl of tofu soup for him in a while, and also get two pots of tea ready.”

“Right away, sir” Declared Ning Feng as he ordered his staff to get the tofu soup and tea ready.

Fan Wenxuan frowned, saying, “How come the Young Master is so busy that he doesn’t even have time for dinner?”

Just a bowl of tofu soup in the study would suffice?

Aside from this, Chu Jinnian had traveled day and night from the capital city to spend more time with Chu Jinzhou. Now he was hiding in his study, even refusing to come out for dinner. Fan Wenxuan firmly believed that Chu Jinnian must be dealing with some extremely difficult matter.

It seemed he would need to hunt Chu Jinnian down after dinner to see if there was anything he could help with.

While Fan Wenxuan contemplated this, Jing Zhao continued, “The Master also said that Mr. Fan and the Third Young Master must be tired from today’s work, so it would be best to rest early after dinner.”

Do not disturb him.

Jing Zhao dared not utter this remaining half-sentence aloud.

Fan Wenxuan was taken aback once more.

What kind of difficult matter would even exclude his participation?

Meanwhile, Chu Jinnian was in his study, sitting erectly.

He moved all the papers, ink, brushes, and other items on his desk to the side, cleaned his hands, and then carefully placed the food box onto the table and cautiously lifted the lid.

The scent of sweet osmanthus wafted out instantly.

The one-inch square osmanthus cake, mixed with white and a little golden osmanthus, was pleasing to the eye. A whiff wafted a sweet smell, accompanied by an inviting fresh fragrance.

Looking at all the osmanthus cakes, Chu Jinnian felt slightly overwhelmed. He picked up one, then another, but couldn’t decide which one to start with.

After hesitating for quite some time, Chu Jinnian finally popped a piece in his mouth. The osmanthus cake melted instantly, leaving a sweet, yet not overly saccharine taste. The lingering scent of osmanthus and the cake filled his mouth, even after he had swallowed it down.

Delicious!

That was Chu Jinnian’s first impression after tasting the osmanthus cake. He quickly devoured what was left in his hand, savoring it to the point of even licking the remaining powder from his fingers.

Truly delicious.

Chu Jinnian had a sip of tea and cocked his head to look at the osmanthus cakes in the food box.

Indeed it was the craftsmanship of Zhuang Qingning. Even an ordinary osmanthus cake was made so delicious that he, who rarely ate cakes, couldn’t resist it.

Unfortunately, osmanthus cakes couldn’t be stored for a long time. If they could, he would’ve taken some back to the capital city. Careful rationing might have been able to make them last until his return during the Lunar New Year.

Chu Jinnian sighed and picked up another piece of osmanthus cake.

When Jing Zhao came with the tofu soup, Chu Jinnian was still sitting on his chair, reclining slightly with his body fully leaning against the chair back.

Jing Zhao was slightly taken aback.

Chu Jinnian, with his noble identity, always exuded an unrivaled elegance in his every move. Such a lazy and somewhat vulgar sitting posture was something that was rarely seen from Chu Jinnian.

“Master, your tofu soup and tea are ready,” Jing Zhao brought the items over and placed them carefully on the table.

“Thank you.” Chu Jinnian nodded his acknowledgment.

The hand resting on the chair arm only slightly twitched its fingers.

This gesture made it seem as if only his head and hands could move, while everything below his neck was incapable of moving.

Jing Zhao was both surprised and worried, “Master, are you…”

I’m fine.

“It’s nothing,” Chu Jinnian replied with some difficulty.

Despite Jing Zhao’s palpable disbelief, Chu Jinnian was somewhat impatient, “I really am fine, you can go.”

“Alright.”

The servant was still worried, but since his master didn’t wish to disclose more, he didn’t further inquire and left the room.

Only after Jing Zhao closed the door behind him did Chu Jinnian struggle to rise from his chair using the chest rest.

Indeed, it was no major issue- it was simply a result of his gluttony. He had finished all the osmanthus cake in one sitting and was now overstuffed. He found it difficult to move but didn’t want his subordinates to see him in this embarrassing state.

Chu Jinnian laboriously drank half a cup of tea and slackened his belt a bit before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.

—-

The following day, as per routine, Chu Jinnian took Chu Jinzhou to visit Zhuang Qingning.

“Miss Zhuang.”

While allowing Chu Jinzhou and the others to read silently, Chu Jinnian found the opportunity to retreat to the courtyard and sipped the Sui Han San You (“Three Friends of Winter”) tea brewed by Zhuang Qingning, “I have to leave for the capital city tomorrow. I won’t be able to tutor them.”

“However, don’t worry Miss Zhuang. After tomorrow, Mr. Fan will have finished his chores and will be able to tutor them.”

“In these days, Master Chu has had a hard time.” Zhuang Qingning thanked him and filled his teacup, “Master Chu, be careful on your way to the capital city, and may your journey be safe.”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss Zhuang,” Chu Jinnian replied with a smile.

After hesitating for a moment, he said, “I have a small request to make.”

“Please, Master Chu, go ahead.”

“About the previous marriage agreement… Once I return to the capital city, my grandmother will certainly ask about it. Even if I tell her about our engagement, she may not believe me. Would Miss Zhuang be able to give me a token that I can show her as evidence?”

“Anything will do, Miss Zhuang, you don’t have to go to any trouble, anything you pick will work.”