National Master Mansion.

Knock knock knock——

Jiang Ning gently knocked on the large door, the sound penetrating the quiet morning with great force.

A moment later.

The sound of small, quick footsteps approached the entrance.

Then came the sound of the bolt being drawn back.

Clack clack——

The door hinge turned, not smoothly, clearly not well-maintained.

"Marquis?!!" As the door of the National Master Mansion slowly opened, revealing a crack, a young and innocent face appeared in Jiang Ning’s line of sight—it was Qinghe.

Jiang Ning smiled as he saw the familiar face.

Then Qinghe extended her slender arms, bracing against both sides of the door to open it with effort.

The door of the National Master Mansion was heavy to begin with, and combined with the friction sound from the door’s bearings, it was clearly not well-maintained.

Seeing Qinghe’s effortful expression, Ji Mingyue stepped forward, giving the left door a firm push.

With Ji Mingyue’s help, the door opened easily.

"Thank you, Seventeenth Princess!" Qinghe said, "Greetings, Seventeenth Princess!" She bowed to Ji Mingyue again.

"How have things been lately?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Reporting to the Marquis, everything is well!" Qinghe said as she watched Jiang Ning step over the threshold and quickly followed behind him.

"How’s the State Preceptor?" Jiang Ning asked again.

"The Master is the same as before, no changes." Qinghe replied.

Meanwhile.

Ji Mingyue followed beside Jiang Ning, with the Immortal Crane trailing behind them.

"Brother!!" As Jiang Ning rounded a tree, a tall and sturdy man approached him.

Jiang Ning looked up; it was Jiang Li coming toward him.

His hands were empty as he walked toward Jiang Ning.

"Brother, are you?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Just went to the market to buy some ingredients, I heard some noise in the front yard and wondered who it could be, turns out it’s my brother!" Jiang Li said, striding over.

Clenching his fist, he lightly punched Jiang Ning.

Thump thump——

The sound echoed like drums being struck.

"You’ve gotten sturdier!" Jiang Li laughed broadly, then looked at Ji Mingyue, who was a step behind Jiang Ning, and quickly bowed, "Seventeenth Princess!"

"There’s no need for that, Brother!" Ji Mingyue waved her hands repeatedly, a bit embarrassed, "I came so suddenly, forgot to bring gifts." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"The Princess needn’t speak so politely! You and Ah Ning both call me Brother, so we’re family; there’s no need to bring gifts home."

At this moment, Jiang Li looked at Ji Mingyue, who was following Jiang Ning, smiling with satisfaction.

At this scene, how could he not understand? He didn’t need to worry at all about Jiang Ning’s lifelong matters.

Then he quickly led Ji Mingyue and Jiang Ning toward the side courtyard.

...

A moment later.

"Uncle!!" Seeing Jiang Ning’s arrival, Little Dumpling, who was crouching to bathe Old Turtle, immediately dropped the brush in her hand and ran toward Jiang Ning.

Her twin pigtails bouncing up and down as she ran excitedly.

Watching the approaching Little Dumpling, Jiang Ning squatted down with a smile.

The next moment.

Little Dumpling barreled into Jiang Ning’s arms.

"Seems like you’ve grown taller!" Jiang Ning said as he patted her smooth hair, measuring her height a bit.

"Of course I’ve grown taller!" Little Dumpling nodded confidently, then said, "While Uncle was away, I’ve been eating my meals properly every day, drinking milk and eating eggs every morning!"

"Great job!" Jiang Ning praised her and ruffled her hair again.

"Pretty Auntie!" Little Dumpling now looked up at Ji Mingyue, making eye contact with her and showing a bit of shyness.

Jiang Ning gently patted Little Dumpling’s head.

Ji Mingyue also squatted down.

Then, Little Dumpling stood brightly on Ji Mingyue’s arm.

"Pretty Auntie, you smell nice!"

Hearing this, Ji Mingyue ruffled her hair.

"You smell nice too!" she praised.

Then she reached out and pulled out a scented sachet.

"This is for you; now you can smell even nicer."

At this moment, Little Dumpling’s eyes were instantly drawn to the scented sachet given by Ji Mingyue.

The sachet was embroidered with a phoenix in gold thread, dazzling in the morning light, exceptionally luxurious.

Little Dumpling carefully accepted it, sniffing it near her nose, her eyes curved into crescents, "It smells wonderful! Thank you, Pretty Auntie!"

Ji Mingyue smiled, helping her tie it around her waist, the golden phoenix gently swaying with her movements, as if spreading its wings.

"Ah Ning!!" a voice called out in surprise and joy.

Jiang Ning looked up.

Liuu Wanwan, wearing an apron, appeared in his sight.

At this moment, Liuu Wanwan still held a rolling pin covered in white flour, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, and her forearms dusted with flour.

"Sister-in-law!" Jiang Ning stood up.

"What would you like to eat, Sister-in-law will make it for you!" Liuu Wanwan said.

Hearing this, Jiang Ning replied without hesitation, "Braised beef noodles with three poached eggs!"

"I knew it!" Liuu Wanwan exclaimed, as if it was expected.

"Seventeenth Princess, why not stay for breakfast?" Liuu Wanwan suggested to Ji Mingyue.

"Sure!!" Ji Mingyue nodded enthusiastically.

Then she ran over to Liuu Wanwan.

"Sister-in-law, let me help you roll the dough!"

"No need, no need!!" Liuu Wanwan waved her hand repeatedly, "You’re the Seventeenth Princess, too precious to be in the kitchen."

Ji Mingyue smiled with a crescent-eyed grin, a hint of embarrassment on her face, "Sister-in-law, actually, I’m here to help under the guise of learning your cooking."

Seeing Liuu Wanwan’s puzzled expression, Ji Mingyue continued, "Sister-in-law, to be honest. A few days ago in Guangning City, I made Brother Jiang Ning’s favorite braised beef noodles and poached eggs, but they clearly lacked your flavor."