Xie Nanjia slept until the sun was setting before she was awakened by the Fourth Aunt. The Fourth Aunt said she was hungry and asked Xie Nanjia to cook for her.
The two of them ate something on the way before entering the capital, and have not eaten a single grain of rice since returning home.
I was so sleepy before that I ignored my hunger. Now that I have had a good sleep, my stomach started to sing the empty city tale.
Xie Nanjia went to the kitchen and took a look. Apart from the pile of firewood chopped by Feng Lun and the two jars of water carried by Xiao Xizi, there was only half a bag of rice left. There was not even a vegetable leaf, let alone meat.
There was no choice but to light a fire and cook a pot of rice porridge.
The Fourth Aunt knew very well that that group of people were deliberately making things difficult for her, but it was useless to complain. She just ate her porridge in silence, waiting to see the Marquis first.
Unexpectedly, just after she took a few bites, the little maid from Qin's courtyard suddenly came over to call her, asking her if she had rested enough, and the lady wanted her to come over and talk.
The Fourth Aunt looked at the sky and realized that the Madam didn't want her to go over to talk, but just wanted her to go over to serve dinner.
She didn't dare to disobey, so she put down the bowl of porridge, changed her clothes, and took Xie Nanjia to Qin's place.
When we arrived, we saw that food was being served in Qin's room, with a large table filled with a wide variety of dishes.
The Fourth Aunt swallowed her saliva as she watched, and respectfully bowed to Qin, washed her hands, and went to serve her the meal.
Qin said hypocritically, "Fourth sister just came back, so you should have rested for a while. But Third sister is not feeling well, and I am bored alone, so I asked you to come and talk with me. You won't think I am unkind, right?"
The fourth concubine said, "Madam, what are you talking about? It is my duty to serve you."
Qin smiled and said to Madam Cao, "Look, Fourth Aunt has become more talkative after not seeing her for a month."
Matron Cao followed suit with a smile: "He is much calmer than before."
The tones of their voices were like those of a puppy commenting on a formerly naughty but now well-behaved puppy, and they didn't care at all what Fourth Aunt would think.
The fourth concubine thanked the lady for her compliments while diligently serving her the food.
At today's meal, it was obvious that the Madam wanted to take advantage of the Fourth Aunt, so the other maids tactfully stepped aside, leaving all matters to the Fourth Aunt alone, and no one helped her.
Xie Nanjia naturally couldn't go forward, so she waited against the wall with the maids. She and the Fourth Aunt could only be relieved when the Madam finished her meal.
She stood in the farthest corner, trying to reduce her presence so as not to inadvertently offend anyone and bring herself into trouble.
At this time, footsteps were heard outside, and the maid at the door called out "Second Young Master". Before everyone could react, a tall figure in red walked in.
"Madam, the food here smells so good. I could smell it from far away, so I came here specially to have a taste." Zhao Jingyu waved his folding fan lightly and walked into the hall with brisk steps, bringing the aroma of ambergris to the room, and the smile on his face was like the spring breeze in March.
Everyone, including Qin, was shocked.
The Second Young Master has never taken his stepmother seriously, let alone on ordinary days, even on holidays and his wife’s birthday he has never come to sit with her for a while. Today he actually wants to come and have a free meal. How delicious must the food be to attract this gentleman
If it was really because of the food, I'm afraid the chef in the mansion would be in tears upon hearing it.
All the chefs in the capital city feel honored to receive a word of praise from the Second Young Master, and the chefs in the mansion dream of getting a word of praise from the Second Young Master!
"Greetings, Second Young Master." The maids and servants all greeted Zhao Jingyu.
When Xie Nanjia saw Zhao Jingyu, he had the illusion that he hadn't seen him for many years. Then he followed everyone else and bowed, wondering what was wrong with this guy? Why did he suddenly come here to eat
In order to prevent Zhao Jingyu from seeing her, she hid in the corner again.
Qin hid her surprise, ordered someone to add more bowls and chopsticks for him, and said with a smile: "Madam Cao, please write down today's dishes in the notebook. Make them every day in the future, so that I can see Yu'er every day."
Everyone in the room smiled to show his respect.
Aunt Cao really asked the little maid to take note of the dishes.
Zhao Jingyu smiled and said, "Madam, if you really miss me so much, I will come to bother you more often in the future."
Qin said, "What mother doesn't miss her son? I wish you would come three times a day, but you stay out all day and don't even see me for ten days or half a month."
The way they spoke really sounded like a normal mother and son chatting about family matters, without any awkwardness at all.
Zhao Jingyu smiled and sat down opposite the lady. He glanced at the Fourth Aunt intentionally or unintentionally: "Hey, isn't this the Fourth Aunt? I heard that she went to the farm to recuperate. How come she is well now?"
The fourth concubine blushed and said, "Thanks to the second young master, I am well now."
Zhao Jingyu nodded and asked with interest, "Hongou Manor has beautiful scenery and simple folk customs. Are you used to living here, Fourth Aunt?"
"…" The fourth concubine choked and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master. I'm used to living here."
Zhao Jingyu asked some other questions, and the Fourth Aunt answered them one by one.
Everyone looked at them in surprise. The Second Young Master said he came to eat for free, but he didn't eat a single bite and was just talking to the Fourth Aunt. Could it be that he came here specially to see the Fourth Aunt
Qin was also confused, thinking, when did these two people become so familiar with each other, and how come I didn’t know about it
"Eat quickly. There are so many things you can't say after you finish eating. The food won't taste good if it gets cold." She interrupted their conversation with a smile.
Zhao Jingyu laughed, stopped asking questions, and picked up the chopsticks.
Qin ordered Yunyan: "Go and serve the second young master some food."
Yunyan blushed slightly and was about to go over, but Zhao Jingyu waved her hand and said, "I don't want to bother you, Sister Yunyan. Just call a little girl over."
As she spoke, her peach blossom eyes swept over all the maids in the room, and she casually pointed at Xie Nanjia who was standing in the corner: "Let's pick her, she looks familiar."
Xie Nanjia: “…”
As soon as Zhao Jingyu said he was looking for the little girl, she had a bad feeling. As she expected, Zhao Jingyu came for her.
All the maids in the room stared at her with jealous eyes, as if she had got a great job.
Yun Yan said to her with a sullen face: "The Second Young Master wants you to serve him, why don't you come quickly."
Xie Nanjia had no choice but to walk over reluctantly.
Qin said, "She was brought back from the manor by the fourth aunt. She looks familiar to you. Have you seen her at the manor as well?"
"Oh?" Zhao Jingyu looked as if he had suddenly realized something. "No wonder, you are from Zhuangzi. What's your name?"
Xie Nanjia was speechless: "My name is Xiu'er, sir."
"Xiu'er?" Zhao Jingyu repeated the name meaningfully. "I remember now. You served me in the mansion, right?"
"Yes, Second Young Master." Xie Nanjia tried his best to suppress his anger.
Zhao Jingyu continued, "Since you wanted to come to the Marquis' Mansion, why didn't you come with me, but came with Fourth Aunt instead? Am I not as pretty as Fourth Aunt?"
Everyone in the room thought he was joking and started laughing.
Xie Nanjia was almost angry to death. She really wanted to slap him and ask him how he had the nerve to bring up this matter. If he hadn't left without saying goodbye that day, how could she have come here until now and suffered so much with the Fourth Aunt.
Zhao Jingyu saw the flash of anger in her eyes and felt relieved, so he let her go and ordered, "Give me a bowl of soup."
He calculated that Qin would definitely make things difficult for Fourth Aunt tonight, so he rushed to see Xiu'er, wanting to see if Xiu'er had changed after not seeing her for more than a month.
When they met, he found that Xiu'er was still indifferent to him as before. He was secretly unhappy and wanted to piss her off.
Qin Shi didn't know about the private entanglement between the two, and smiled and said, "This girl is really lucky. She serves the second young master and the fourth concubine. I think she is smart and capable."
Yun Yan secretly disdainfully thought that being able to serve others at the farm did not necessarily mean that she could do the same at the mansion. There were rules everywhere at the mansion, especially for dining. She was quietly waiting to see Xiu'er make a fool of himself.
However, that was not the case. Xie Nanjia served the entire meal without making any mistakes. Instead, every move she made was smooth, elegant and graceful, which made everyone look at her with admiration.
The Second Young Master was very pleased with her service and casually gave her the white jade pendant on his folding fan as a reward, which made all the maids in the room get red eyes.
Qin saw this and became more and more confused about the purpose of Zhao Jingyu's visit today.
She guessed for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so she smiled and said to Zhao Jingyu: "You came at the right time today. I have something to tell you."
"What's the matter?" Zhao Jingyu asked.
Qin said, "In a few days it will be your sister-in-law's 77th day after her death. I have invited monks from the Fanyin Temple to pray for her soul. People who are friendly with us will come to pay their respects. If you have nothing to do on that day, go over and help entertain the guests."
Xie Nanjia was pouring tea for Zhao Jingyu. When she heard this, she was startled and almost spilled the tea.
"It's the seventh day of the seventh month so soon?" Zhao Jingyu stopped laughing and became serious. "Don't you have your brother to entertain the guests? Why do you need me?"
Qin said, "Your brother has to accompany the people in the general's mansion, so he may not be able to spare time. You didn't make it to your sister-in-law's funeral. If Qiqi doesn't show up, people will gossip about it."
The three words "General's Mansion" almost made Xie Nanjia lose control. She quickly put down the teapot, retreated behind Zhao Jingyu, clenched her hands tightly in her sleeves, and forced back the tears that were about to burst out of her eyes.
Don't you just want to see me get talked about? Zhao Jingyu sneered in his heart, but his face remained calm: "Okay, for the sake of my sister-in-law, I'll go."
"That's great." Qin said happily, "You've grown up and become sensible. Mother is very happy."
Zhao Jingyu was particularly annoyed when she called herself her mother in front of him. He felt disgusted and did not sit any longer. He got up and left.
Qin casually told Xie Nanjia to see him out.
Xie Nanjia followed him out the door and said, "Goodbye, Second Young Master."
Zhao Jingyu turned around and propped up her chin with a fan, and asked in a sly way, "Why, you can't bear to leave me?"
"..." Xie Nanjia lowered his eyes and said, "Second Master, you misunderstood. This is just a polite remark."
Zhao Jingyu laughed loudly and walked away.
Xie Nanjia watched him walk out of the yard, wondering how she would be able to see her parents and brother on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
I didn't expect that just as I walked back to the hall, I heard Qin say to the fourth concubine, "I sent you to the farm because you were disrespectful to the Crown Prince's wife. Now that you have returned without permission, I am worried that the people in the General's Mansion will be unhappy if they know about it. So from today on, you will stay in Qingfeng Courtyard and don't go anywhere. Don't rush to see the Marquis. Everything will be discussed after the ritual is over."
Xie Nanjia and the Fourth Aunt were both stunned.
How can I see my relatives if I’m not allowed to go out
How can the conditions be improved if I am not allowed to see the Marquis
The fourth concubine was furious, but dared not speak out. She gritted her teeth and said, "I will follow Madam's arrangements."
Qin was very satisfied and told her to go back and have a good rest. She also asked Yunyan to pack some of the untouched dishes on the table for the Fourth Aunt to take back, saying that the Fourth Aunt came back in a hurry and she had not had time to ask someone to prepare the ingredients, so she and her servant had to make do with a meal first.
The way of sending away beggars was so infuriating that the Fourth Aunt gritted her teeth. She returned to Qingfeng Courtyard and became furious. She smashed the food boxes to pieces and called Qin a vicious old woman.
After scolding for a long time, without hearing Xie Nanjia's response, he angrily asked, "Are you mute?"
Xie Nanjia said: "Even if we scold her to death here, it will be useless. We still have to find a way to see the Marquis. If we can't see the Marquis, there will be a lot of days like this in the future!"
The fourth concubine was so angry that she let out, "She told me not to see the Marquis, how can I see him?"
Xie Nanjia said: "Maybe the Marquis will come to see you!"
The fourth aunt rolled her eyes at her and said, "You are just daydreaming."
Just as he finished speaking, someone knocked on the door: "Open the door, Fourth Aunt, the Marquis is here!"
(End of this chapter)