The second young master got the beauty and never went out again. He did not allow anyone to enter his room except Wei Jun.
After the relief grain arrived, Hu Sanmu asked him to preside over the distribution of the grain. Wei Jun said that he was sleeping and only sent a guard to supervise. He also instructed Hu Sanmu to give an extra load of grain to Xiu'er's family and to personally help Xiu'er's mother deliver the grain home.
When the news came out, the villagers were talking about it, saying that the girl Xiu'er was the reincarnation of Daji, who was charming and seducing her master. In less than a day, she had bewitched the second young master and made him fall in love with her without knowing day or night.
Even Xiu'er's mother was ridiculed and mocked, saying that she was half the mother-in-law of the second young master, and half the relative of the marquis's mansion.
Xiu'er's mother was so angry that her heart ached, and she scolded those gossipers on the spot.
Those people were afraid of Xiu'er who had risen to the top of the social ladder, so they did not dare to argue with her and could only suffer in silence.
Hu Sanmu personally delivered the food to her, and even advised her hypocritically: "Xiu'er's mother, don't be upset. Those people are jealous of your Xiu'er's good fortune. There are so many girls in the farm, but only Xiu'er is loved by the second young master. This is a good thing that other families can't even think of. Look, because of the second young master's grace, your family has been given an extra load of food. You should be happy..."
"Get out!" Xiu'er's mother picked up a big broom and beat him out, then closed the door and burst into tears.
Those short-sighted guys, what do they know? The Second Young Master is just looking for some temporary fun. There are so many beauties in Beijing, how could he possibly take a country girl back with him? When he leaves, Xiu'er's reputation will be ruined. How can she get married in the future
Xiu'er's mother didn't know if she was worrying too much. Zhao Jingyu didn't have any bad intentions towards Xie Nanjia as he showed outside. He just let Xie Nanjia give him a massage, then yawned and went back to the bedroom, where he slept until sunset.
His bedroom was guarded by Wei Jun, and no one else had a chance to get close.
Xie Nanjia wanted to chat with Wei Jun about family matters, but was afraid that being too proactive would arouse his suspicion, so she gave up the idea and went to stroll in the yard by herself.
Several girls were talking under the pavilion in the yard. When they saw Xie Nanjia coming, they dispersed with gloomy faces.
Xie Nanjia had no intention of getting along well with anyone. He just walked around the yard by himself, thinking about how to get information from Zhao Jingyu and Wei Jun.
After walking around twice, she turned into the kitchen.
The two cooks were married women. Even without Xie Nanjia, they would not have had the chance to receive the favor of the second young master, so they were quite polite to Xie Nanjia.
Xie Nanjia said she wanted to cook some food for the Second Young Master, and they agreed without saying anything.
Not all ladies from wealthy families are ignorant of housework. In order to please her father, Xie Nanjia once studied cooking from the cook in the general's mansion.
She was smart and studious, and had a talent for cooking, and was often praised by her father. Several adults in the court who were on good terms with her father would go to the general's mansion for meals every now and then. If they were lucky enough to have a bowl of pigeon soup she stewed, they would brag about it for several days.
Everyone said that whoever married Miss Nan Jia would enjoy endless delicious food for the rest of his life. However, after she married into the Marquis' Mansion, she never cooked a meal for Zhao Jingping because she was angry with him.
Marquis Dingyuan could often drink the pigeon soup she cooked. Every time it was because Zhao Jingping displeased the marquis and was whipped by him. She felt relieved when she saw it, so she cooked soup for the marquis.
At that time, she could never have imagined that one day she would cook for Zhao Jingyu, her despicable half-brother.
When Zhao Jingyu woke up, it was already dark. His stomach was growling with hunger. He walked out of the bedroom in disheveled clothes and asked Wei Jun to bring him food.
After a while, the cook came over with the food and filled the tables.
Zhao Jingyu washed his hands and face, then sat down at the table. Perhaps because he was very hungry, the food smelled particularly delicious to him.
The two girls serving in the room were named Chunfang and Hongxing. They served the second young master meals together.
"Where's Xiu'er?" Zhao Jingyu picked up the soup bowl and took a sip.
"Xiu'er is in the kitchen." Chunfang replied.
Zhao Jingyu wanted to say something, but suddenly he was stunned for a moment, then picked up the soup and took another sip.
"What kind of soup is this?" he asked.
"It's pigeon soup." Hong Xing answered quickly.
"Who did it?" Zhao Jingyu asked again, his brows furrowed, his expression unfathomable.
What's wrong? Does it smell bad? The two girls were terrified and answered in unison: "It's the sleeves, it's made of the sleeves."
Zhao Jingyu slammed the bowl of soup on the table: "Call her in!"
(End of this chapter)