I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Wasn't there a surprise in Chapter 158?

Just as Lady Tao, the wife of the young duke, was about to enforce family discipline to punish her daughter-in-law, a steward came to report that the mansion had been burglarized, and that things from the kitchen and several storerooms nearby were gone.

The matter wasn't over yet. Zheng Siju (Zheng Sihan's half-brother), the fourth master who managed the business of the Duke of Wu's mansion, also rushed over from outside, saying that his study had been burgled and his house had been broken into.

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly left to check if anything was missing from their rooms, including the young Duchess Tao.

That speed was simply indescribable.

The Duke of Wu's mansion was now in complete chaos.

The group of people who were just crying in front of Zheng He's body are now reduced to just this one group of "women's soldiers".

Seeing this, Xie Ruyue stared at Zheng He's tattered body and burst into maniacal laughter, as if she had gone mad.

News of the theft at the Duke of Wu's mansion quickly spread throughout the capital, reaching all the major families and noble households.

This even reached the ears of Emperor Shengde, who was holding court in the palace.

Emperor Shengde, Cang Lingyuan, sat majestically on the dragon throne that symbolized his supreme power, looking at the quiet Duke of Wu standing at the head of the table with a smile in his eyes.

Was it stolen?

Dongfang Jin, well done! I'm looking forward to it...

……

Dongfang Jin knew without even thinking that what was happening in the capital was nothing short of chaos.

Let her do whatever she wants, it's none of her business, since she didn't leave any evidence anyway.

Who would have thought it would be her and Ryuji?

As soon as they got home, he dragged Long Er into the kitchen and made him start the fire.

Ryuji: "..." Speechless.

Isn't there a surprise?

How did he become the one who starts the fire?

What a surprise!

Dongfang Jin ignored the frustrated Long Er and instead carried a large bowl of leavened dough out of the Ruyi Realm.

He had just woken up and brought out a bowl of freshly ground pork. Looking at the contents, he shook his head.

Take out a bunch of scallions, chop them, put them in a large bowl, add salt and sesame oil, marinate for a while, then pour them into the minced meat and stir.

Pinch off a piece of dough, divide it into small portions, roll them out, and wrap them into buns.

Ryuji: "..." Shocked!

"Did you get all of these from the Duke of Wu's mansion?"

Dongfang Jin rolled out the dough: "Hmm, this saves time. They haven't steamed them yet, and I was thinking of giving them some to eat as a waste, so I collected them all."

Ryuji...

I'm very curious about what she's holding; how can it hold so much stuff?

Retrieving objects remotely!

The myths and legends are still true, umm, magic... now I understand.

"The steamed buns they make aren't as delicious as yours."

Dongfang Jin glanced at him: "That's because they're lacking seasonings."

Long Er pouted, feeling a little aggrieved: "I want to eat mutton buns."

Dongfang Jin: "..." What is this idiot trying to do?

That expression looks just like Caiwei's.

I can't bear to look at this, it's too offensive!

However, remembering that there was still a pot of unseasoned mutton filling in the space, he also brought it out from there.

Five-spice powder, sunflower seed oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, salt, MSG, ginger, and scallions.

I grabbed a handful of Sichuan peppercorns and put them in a bowl, then scooped in some warm water from the pot and let it soak.

Upon seeing these items, Dongfang Jin took out a small manual grinder.

Wash and chop the ginger, then put it into a food processor and grind it. Pour the mixture into the ground lamb.

As Long Er tended the fire, he questioned the meaning of life, his eyes glancing at the grinder every now and then.

What is that? Why do ginger chunks and scallion segments turn into pieces when pulled by a rope?

If this mechanism were used at the border, then...

The more I thought about it, the more excited I became.

Dongfang Jin glanced at him sideways, said nothing, and continued rolling out the dough, wrapping the buns, and putting them into the steamer.

Seeing the peppercorn water change color, I stopped what I was doing, poured the peppercorn water into the minced meat, and started stirring, adding water three times to finish stirring.

Add sunflower seed oil, five-spice powder, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, MSG, and salt. Stir until the mixture becomes sticky and then push it to one side. Next, chop the scallions, pour them out, add salt and sesame oil, and stir well.

Next, start kneading the dough, divide it into small portions, pour the mixed scallions into the meat filling, stir well, and then sprinkle a layer of green scallions on top.

Roll out the dough and then wrap the buns.

Long Er was stunned by her smooth, clean, and efficient movements; she was incredibly fast.

When Jun Qixian, Jun Wenhui, and Gu Yumei entered the kitchen, Dongfang Jin had already steamed a pot of buns.

Next, Jun Qixian started the fire, Long Er ground the beans, and Dongfang Jin handed over the task of making dumplings to Aunt Hui and Gu Yumei.

She started frying dough sticks in the pot on the other side.

Breakfast consisted of millet and rice porridge, steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk.

Just as they were about to eat, Ruyi telepathically communicated with Dongfang Jin, and Lu Xi, who was serving the county magistrate, knocked on the door.

Dongfang Jin told Long Er to eat quickly and go back to his room afterward.

Just as the group was puzzled, Dongfang Jin said to Shen Qijun, "Xiaojun, go open the door. Lu Xi, the magistrate's bodyguard, has arrived."

Shen Qijun stood up: "It's Auntie."

Jun Wenhui also stood up: "Coming at this hour, you probably haven't had breakfast."

Jun Qixian got up, took over a few small bowls, one containing steamed buns and fried dough sticks, one containing porridge, and one containing soy milk. She also picked up a plate of pickled vegetables.

"Brother Long, let my brother bring you some food to your house."

Long Er knew Lu Xi and knew that he could show his face now, so he had no choice but to nod. Therefore, he also hated Lu Xi.

This grudge led to a constant clash between the two whenever they met, marking the beginning of their love-hate relationship...

Jun Qirui glanced at his sister but said nothing, because he saw no love in her eyes.

After the two of them left with their things, Gu Yumei finally realized what the magistrate had said.

He glanced at the composed Dongfang Jin and the Jun family mother and daughter who showed no surprise whatsoever, and was greatly alarmed.

Since the three of them moved into this courtyard, they have seen so many differences.

Although she was filled with doubt and shock, she also knew what she should and shouldn't ask.

She is now on the same side as Chenglin's family, and no matter what happens in the future, her family will stand with Chenglin.

After thinking it through, her mind became firm. She would no longer secretly imitate Sister Hui's every move. From today onwards, she would take the initiative to boldly learn those etiquette rules.

For no other reason than for her two sons, she could not back down or stand still.

She also had to learn the martial arts they practiced and the knowledge they acquired; she couldn't miss out on anything.

Ruyi's words reached Dongfang Jin's ears: "This Gu Yumei is quite good. With such a steadfast mother, her two sons can't be bad either."

"Well, Chenglin said that if we go to Beijing in the future, we should leave Xiaohui with her and her son, and Xiaohui can stay with Jingye."

It seems it's time to put hiring people on the agenda.

[Yes, the house does feel a bit deserted. Just like Ryuji said, there's no one to pass on messages.]

When Lu Xi and Shen Qijun came in, Dongfang Jin and the others had not yet started eating.

"Let's eat together, and talk after we finish."

Lu Xi didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to Jun Qirui. He was cold, so he didn't sit next to the three children.

As soon as he sat down, Gu Jingye pulled his sister and Shen Qihui to bow to him, saying, "Greetings, Uncle Axi."

Lu Xi took out a package from his pocket: "Not bad, you've learned etiquette very well."

These are some rare things that your uncle and the county magistrate brought back from their visit. Here, have some to eat.

Gu Jingye didn't take it, and bowed again: "Thank you, Uncle Axi."

When Gu Yumei saw her youngest son's actions, her panicked heart immediately calmed down.

When did her youngest son acquire such abilities? It hasn't been long.

Looking at her eldest son, she noticed an even more striking change. What incredible luck she had!

Then she remembered her husband's wish before his death: to study.

Her two sons got the opportunity to study so easily, and she didn't have to worry about the money for their education. Their teacher was a scholar.

Dongfang Jin helped open it. The paper was the same color as modern kraft paper, but softer.

"What is it?"

Lu Xi picked up a meat bun: "Sunflower seeds, they say this is a specialty of the northern plateau of the Eagle Clan."

We went with the flow this time, accompanied by Dean Yan and several students who will participate in next year's spring examination.