Madam Xu’s mischievous and charming expression appeared on her beautiful face, adding even more allure.

Liu Muyue felt her ears burning with embarrassment and quickly looked away, saying, “Madam Xu, please don’t smile at me like that. My soul is almost flying away!”

Madam Xu pursed her lips to suppress a smile and said, “If I stop smiling, would that be acceptable? I’m a bit tired today, so I won’t keep you any longer. Next time you come, don’t bother queuing up, just come right in.”

As the pastries were handed to the maid beside Liu Muyue, there were no other people left in the pastry shop.

Madam Xu nodded slightly at Shen Cui as she personally escorted them to the door.

In total, there were three people in Shen Cui’s group who had queued up, so technically they could only buy fifteen pieces. However, because Madam Xu generously gave them a few extra pieces, they ended up with around twenty pieces.

Back in the carriage, Liu Muyue couldn’t help but smile, indicating her genuinely good mood.

Shen Cui, holding back her laughter, asked, “Have you known Madam Xu for a long time?”

Liu Muyue nodded and said, “Madam Xu is straightforward and beautiful. After visiting a few times, I gathered the courage to strike up a conversation with her. Don’t be fooled by her harsh words to those troublemakers; she’s actually very kind. Like the little maid, Xiao Yuan, and the other young maids working in the pastry shop, they’re all taken in by Madam Xu. What can children that young really do? It’s all because of Madam Xu’s kindness… Everyone in the shop is female, and Madam Xu is so beautiful. So, when faced with troublemakers, she has to be firm.”

Shen Cui nodded in understanding and sighed, “Women are facing difficult circumstances nowadays. Being too beautiful can sometimes be a curse.”

Thinking back to the troublesome man from earlier, Shen Cui furrowed her brows and said, “That man was dressed in silk, suggesting he comes from a wealthy family. He also seemed very disagreeable. What if something happens later…”

Liu Muyue hesitated slightly, furrowing her brows in thought. After a moment, she said, “Oh, that won’t be a problem. I didn’t want to say this, but since I’m only telling you, and you won’t spread rumors, it should be fine.”

Liu Muyue gestured for the maid to sit on the front of the carriage and lowered the carriage curtain.

In a hushed tone, audible only to each other, she shared some of Madam Xu’s past.

The Xu family had a solid background; their ancestors were the first royal chefs in the palace, and some family members still held positions there.

Without this foundation, it would have been difficult for a beauty like Madam Xu to thrive.

However, Madam Xu’s parents had passed away early, and she was raised by her grandfather.

A few years ago, her grandfather fell ill, and the most concerning issue for him was Madam Xu’s future.

He arranged a marriage for her.

After the mourning period ended, Madam Xu’s uncle and aunt hastily arranged her marriage.

Unfortunately, her first fiancé had an accident and died, falling down the stairs.

Immediately, the Xu family arranged another marriage for her, but without a caring elder to guide them and considering the superstitions surrounding such incidents, they struggled to find a suitable match.

Being left with few marriage prospects, Madam Xu refused to marry just anyone.

She also didn’t want to stay at home and tarnish the family’s reputation, so she decided to start her own business.

“I’ve been here many times and heard bits and pieces from others. Madam Xu’s elders didn’t treat her well. It’s said that her grandfather withheld the dowry he had prepared for her, intending to give it to her after she married. The little pastry shop she opened was funded by selling her own jewelry. However, the Xu family is influential, with connections in the palace, and their estate isn’t far from here. Most people wouldn’t dare to cause trouble. Lastly… despite running a pastry shop, Madam Xu is quite skilled with a knife. If anyone were to challenge her, they’d have to consider whether they’re up for it.”

Shen Cui thought about the massive steamer Madam Xu effortlessly brought out from the kitchen and guessed she had some martial arts skills, so she didn’t worry too much.

The two of them chatted affectionately for quite a while, and by the time they arrived at the entrance of Cuiwei, the carriage had already stopped.

Assisted by Liu Muyue, Shen Cui stepped down from the carriage, and hand in hand, they walked inside.

“Since our place is small, there’s no need to take you around; you can see everything in one glance,” Shen Cui said. Just then, a small figure rushed over like a cannonball. It was undoubtedly Xiaoci.

Though this little troublemaker had become somewhat more obedient recently, he still hadn’t shaken off his impulsive tendencies.

However, he was always tactful, ensuring he stopped at the right distance when approaching Shen Cui.

So, Shen Cui didn’t move, but Liu Muyue, unaware of this, instinctively stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Shen Cui.

Her maid also reacted similarly, stepping forward to shield her.

But with the unexpected presence of two people, Xiao Chi’s calculated approach failed.

As a result, he collided heavily with both of them, sending them tumbling to the ground.

The maid, about the same age as Liu Muyue, landed heavily on her bottom, tears welling up in her eyes from the fall.

Meanwhile, Xiaoci sitting on the ground, grimaced in pain.

Liu Muyue rushed to help her maid, while Shen Cui went to pull Xiao Chi up.

“What’s the rush?” Shen Cui was genuinely displeased.

When she visited the girls’ school, everyone, from Headmistress Chu to Chu Zhongling and Liu Muyue, treated her like an honored guest, making sure everything was perfect.

But now, returning to her own academy, she encountered such rudeness from this child.

Xiaoci now understood some basic manners and realized his mistake.

He stood up quietly without protesting.

Liu Muyue checked on her maid and found that she wasn’t seriously hurt, just a bit red from landing on her palms.

She reassured, “My maid is fine; please don’t be angry. I came here suddenly, and he didn’t know there was a guest. It’s really not a big deal.”

Seeing Xiaoci nursing his hand, Shen Cui’s expression softened, and she gently examined it, finding some abrasions.

Her anger dissipated instantly.

Liu Muyue, seeing this, said, “Since I’ve already escorted you back and it’s getting late, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll bother you again next time.”

As she spoke, she moved to help her maid clean up the scattered pastries.

Shen Cui quickly stopped her, insisting she would handle it later.

After ensuring that Xiaoci returned home and waited for her, Shen Cui escorted Liu Muyue and her maid out.

Liu Muyue wasn’t genuinely displeased, just a bit disappointed.

She joked with Shen Cui, “If I had known those pastries would end up scattered, I wouldn’t have bothered to bring them. I’ve been craving them since I smelled the aroma, but I endured it all the way here to avoid embarrassing myself in front of you!”

Shen Cui chuckled at her light-hearted tone. “It’s my fault for not being hospitable enough. I’ll make sure you get to eat them next time, and I’ll also give you a proper tour.”

“Well, my mistress is in luck then,” the maid chimed in, unfazed by the small mishap. “With a little bump, she’s earned herself another chance to visit your academy.”

Liu Muyue nodded in seriousness. “Exactly! If only I had let that child bump into me and then burst into tears, maybe Master Shen would have taken pity on me and let me stay at Cuiwei for a while to recuperate. What a missed opportunity!”

Their banter cleverly diffused the awkwardness Shen Cui felt.

After seeing them off, Shen Cui returned to her house, where Xiao Chi and Zheng Shi were cleaning up the pastries scattered on the ground.

“It’s such a pity,” Zheng Shi lamented, unable to stand seeing wastage as she brushed off the crumbs from the pastries.

Xiaoci, smelling the tantalizing aroma of the pastries, regretted it even more and said, “Let me eat them; I don’t mind if they’re dirty.”

Shen Cui, though caring about her son, wasn’t overly indulgent. “What’s the use if you’re not afraid? Eating those pastries might give you a stomachache.”

Xiaoci, about to say something more, noticed that Shen Cui had returned from seeing off the guests and immediately closed his mouth obediently.

Seeing that he at least understood right from wrong now, Shen Cui didn’t press the matter further.

She just instructed him to go into the main hall and then purchased some medicinal wine from the system to treat his injury.

This was the first time he had been injured since becoming a “human,” and he found the pain in his hand unbearable, tears welling up in his eyes involuntarily.

After applying the medicine, he voluntarily promised, “I won’t do something like that again next time. I didn’t realize getting hurt would hurt so much.”

Shen Cui didn’t hold a grudge against him, but to make sure he learned his lesson, she made him write a self-criticism after his injury had healed.

Later in the evening, Mei Ruochu and Mu Er Pang returned from their duties outside and naturally noticed Xiaoci’s injured hand. After inquiring about it, they learned what had happened.

“It’s indeed Xiaoci’s fault for bumping into the guest. But he knows he was wrong, and I believe he won’t do it again next time,” Mei Ruochu interceded, then added, “Since Xu Pastry Shop isn’t far from the Hanlin Academy, and I’ve almost finished tomorrow’s tasks, I’ll go early in the morning to queue up and buy some pastries. I’ll have them delivered to the female academy as an apology.”

Mu Er Pang chimed in, “Mother just said that the pastry shop sells pastries per person, so even if Big Brother Mei goes alone, he can only buy five pieces. That might not be enough for an apology. I won’t take a break tomorrow and finish my work early. We’ll go together.”