Two days later, Feng Yun returned from the Jieqiu Mines and went straight to Andu City.

He Qia had some free time today, so she brought an official matchmaker to visit the family.

"Ordinarily, I’d be considered family to the bride, but since I’ve promised to secure a prominent matchmaker for your son, I must keep my word. Here I am, visiting in person."

He Qia had interrogated her son after returning from Yutangchun that day.

He Chuandong confessed everything clearly and honestly.

He admitted his feelings for the female proprietor of Yutangchun, but the lady had made no promises to him, nor had there been any private dealings.

In other words, although the pair had taken a liking to each other, everything between them was still innocent and aboveboard.

He Qia breathed a sigh of relief.

Their He Family was not from a minor background to disregard all the rules of propriety.

If it weren’t for his son’s unwavering resolve, coupled with the matchmaking efforts of the Princess of Yonghuai, the He Family would not have been very keen on this marriage.

The lowly status of Wen Hui was one thing, but she had also once been a girl from Yutangchun...

They say courtesans sell performance, not their bodies, but how many of them can truly be clean?

He Qia understood the nuances and was somewhat disgusted.

But this aversion stemmed mainly from fear of gossip from others; it was an issue of maintaining face...

Towards Wen Hui herself, he actually held no prejudice.

A capable young woman, she was savvy, perceptive, reserved in speech, and had managed Yutangchun with remarkable order, adept in all domestic spheres.

It was only her familial background that was lacking...

"Ah," He Qia sighed, "children have their own fortunes. Since she is the girl my son has set his heart on, we as parents should do our part to fulfill it."

And so, the matter was settled.

However, a chill lingered in Feng Yun’s heart.

Her visit today was also driven by the intent to scout the path for Wen Hui.

In He Chuandong’s household, not only was the senior generation still alive, but his grandparents were all living together under one roof. He Qia was somewhat reasonable, but the expression on the face of Mrs. He had been extremely stiff from beginning to end, as if she was trying to swallow a fly without being able to spit it out, her smile twisted and awkward.

Wen Hui’s entry into the He Family would likely bring her some hardships. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Feng Yun decided to tell her the truth.

"You need to think this through. They say marrying is like a woman’s second reincarnation; one wrong step, and all following steps will err."

Although in her previous life, Wen Hui bore He Chuandong a chubby boy and won his immense affection,

back then, Wen Hui was only a concubine of He Chuandong...

And with the two of them not interacting much ordinarily, how the days truly passed, only Wen Hui of the previous life knew.

What can an outsider like me see?

Wen Hui hesitated, "What does Lord He say?"

Feng Yun smiled lightly, "He insists on marrying none but you. If he weren’t so adamant, I doubt his mother would have agreed."

Wen Hui pursed her lips and bit down on her silver teeth.

"If he does not leave, then I will not abandon."

Feng Yun sighed inwardly.

Apart from supporting them, all she could do was use her influence to smooth out the path for Wen Hui, to earn her a greater dignity so that she may face less bullying in the He household.

This time in Andu City, Feng Yun brought some mung bean cakes made at the village manor.

The method of making mung bean cakes was something she learned from a book.

The instructions were simple, and she succeeded on her first try; then she chilled them in a well for several hours. They were refreshingly cool and deeply satisfying, leaving an enduring aftertaste.

She was very pleased by them, and the Young Emperor liked them so much he couldn’t get enough.

Feng Yun thus placed some in Yutangchun as a new offering.

Unexpectedly, the following day, amidst the summer heat, Wen Hui came looking for her in Huaxi Village. Feng Yun thought there might have been some complication with her and He Chuandong’s marriage, but to her surprise, Wen Hui wiped the sweat from her forehead and said excitedly:

"I’m here to learn how to make mung bean cakes from the lady."

The mung bean cakes weren’t only a new item at Yutangchun; no one in any other capital city had tasted them before...

Wen Hui had tried them yesterday and found them exquisitely delicious, offered some for tasting at half price as part of a promotional deal, and several of Yutangchun’s regular clients tried them.

Today, those same clients returned, asking specifically for mung bean cakes, particularly the chilled kind.

Feng Yun readily agreed and immediately instructed:

"To make mung bean cakes, you need fine rice. Since rice is precious, the price of the cakes must be appropriately high."

Wen Hui, having been in business for so long, grasped her intent instantly. As soon as Feng Yun spoke, the understanding clicked.

"Rest assured, my lady, the mung bean cakes will undoubtedly be Yutangchun’s signature treat this summer, and will not be sold cheaply."

Feng Yun cracked a slight smile, "I’ll leave the pricing to you."

After the cakes were made, she sent some to Yangxin Restaurant, also had some delivered to Doctor Yao, and to Yun Village as well as Taiping Garden.

Of course, for the Governor’s Office, Feng Yun did not make a personal appearance; instead, she had Wen Hui, the future daughter-in-law, take them back to He Chuandong.

When Yutangchun added mung bean cakes to the menu, they chose a pleasant-sounding name for them.