Chapter 268: So Happy!
Wen Yao’s sudden departure completely caught Lady Liu off guard. By the time Lady Liu recovered her wits and chased outside, Wen Yao was already downstairs. Having just finished giving her instructions to Manager Lu, she even thoughtfully looked back up at Lady Liu, gave her a wave, and offered a tiny smile.
Goodbye to you then! Best if we never meet again.
So furious she clutched the second-floor railing, Lady Liu wished she could dig her fingernails directly into the wood.
On the ride back home, Wen Yao sat cross-legged inside the carriage, holding a dish of grapes that Manager Lu had run out to present to her. They were freshly washed and arranged nicely on a small plate. Originally intended to be served up to the private room, since Wen Yao was leaving, they were given entirely to her for the road.
These grapes were a fresh shipment they had just acquired—exceedingly sweet.
Wen Yao sampled a few; they were indeed quite good.
“Let’s bring these home for Grandpa and Grandma to eat,” Wen Yao said after eating a couple. She popped a few into Nanny Shi’s and Nanny Du’s hands, shared some with Xun Feng, and packed all the rest back into the food box to take home as a treat for the elders.
Sitting across from Wen Yao, Nanny Shi asked, “Is Miss not sad?”
Wen Yao looked at her and smiled slightly. “Sad about what? Sad that she abandoned her husband and children, or sad that she tried to scheme against me?”
Looking at her optimistic young mistress, Nanny Shi couldn’t help feeling a pang of heartache after all, her eyes welling with mist.
Wen Yao couldn’t stand seeing this the most and immediately said, “Nanny, she is her, and I am me. Originally, I thought she genuinely regretted her past and felt guilty toward the three of us siblings. After all, she is my mother, so we could still visit each other during holidays in the future.
“I never expected that what she actually wanted was the secret recipe for my roasted duck.”
Wen Yao rested her chin on her hand, leaning against her leg as she twitched her lips. “Why did she only ask for the roasted duck? Looking down on me, is she? If we’re talking about value, I think the secret recipes for the milk tea shop are worth far more. There are so many varieties, a broad customer base, and it makes even more money than the roasted duck.”
That little bit of sadness in Nanny Shi’s heart was completely scattered by Wen Yao’s rambling. She gave a helpless laugh. “Miss truly has a naturally optimistic disposition. No matter what happens, it seems like nothing is ever a big deal to you.”
Wen Yao shrugged carelessly. “That’s right. Aside from birth, aging, illness, death, and making money, what else could possibly be a big deal?”
Both Nanny Shi and Nanny Du were amused by her. After a brief pause, Nanny Shi spoke up: “Actually, Mrs. Meng’s behavior is understandable to a degree. In a place like the capital, if you don’t have some foundation and ability, you simply can’t hold your ground. Given her background, combined with marrying Lord Meng halfway through life, if anyone with intent looked deeply into her origins, she would be looked down upon in a place like the capital.”
Wen Yao rested her head on her hand and listened attentively. Nanny Shi was also happy to teach her these things. It wasn’t about corrupting her young mistress; rather, since she would marry and manage a household of her own in the future, hearing about such matters beforehand was no bad thing.
Nanny Shi simply began sharing stories about the rivalries among noble ladies in the capital—ranging from clothing and makeup on a small scale to hosting various flower appreciation festivals, poetry gatherings, and banquets on a large scale, not to mention competing over their children’s marriages. In short, there were endless schemes and comparisons, with no one willing to be outdone.
Under such an environment, Lady Liu wanted to compete and win, yet felt deeply inferior due to her humble background, inevitably warping her personality.
Nanny Shi continued her analysis: “In fact, it’s not surprising at all that she set her sights on Miss’s roasted duck recipe. Setting aside whether our Yunwu roasted duck is famous across the whole nation, it certainly enjoys a fair bit of fame. As you can see, plenty of people flock to the roasted duck shop every day just for a taste. Not to mention a place like the capital—whatever trends emerge there spread like wildfire.
“With Prince Fu currently in the capital, I’m afraid our Yunwu roasted duck has long established its reputation there. Otherwise, Mrs. Meng wouldn’t have mentioned wanting to open a roasted duck shop in the capital to Miss.
“It’s not that our milk tea isn’t good—this old servant knows the milk tea shop earns no less than the roasted duck shop. It’s just that the milk tea’s reputation hasn’t spread that far yet. Some people have limited horizons, so we can’t blame her for failing to see it.
“Rarity makes a thing valuable, and the same goes for food. If the Yunwu roasted duck dominates the market exclusively in the capital, Mrs. Meng will have the confidence to socialize with those noble ladies. Put this way, does Miss understand?”
“I understand, I understand.” Saying this, Wen Yao felt a bit guilty. After all, a certain famous roasted duck was an iconic dish of the capital back in her world, but right now, this capital didn’t have it yet.
Nanny Shi observed Wen Yao’s expression, hesitated for a moment, and said, “Miss, this old servant has a few words, but I don’t know if I should say them.”
“Nanny, go ahead.” Right now, Wen Yao looked just like a well-behaved student listening attentively to lessons on inner-court struggles.
Amused by her adorable appearance, Nanny Shi’s eyes filled with doting warmth as she said, “Actually, Mrs. Meng’s actions served as a reminder to this old servant. Does Miss understand what Master’s current work represents for the Kingdom of Annan?”
Wen Yao nodded.
Seeing that she understood, Nanny Shi felt relieved. Her young mistress was indeed clever. She continued, “Master’s good fortune lies further ahead. He is bound to expand to the capital in the future. Miss might as well make plans early. Rather than letting others covet what you have, why don’t you take the initiative yourself and expand this business outward?”
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. “What does Nanny mean?”
Nanny Shi smiled modestly. “To speak somewhat presumptuously, our family’s only real connection in the capital is Prince Fu, along with Doctor Jin’s son—though that’s still separated by Doctor Jin himself, isn’t it?
“Prince Fu is famous in court as a leisure-loving prince who never meddles in state affairs. Prince Fu and Master are close friends, while the Heir of Prince Fu is good friends with Miss and the young masters. Is this not a ready-made opportunity?”
Wen Yao stroked her chin. “Would that… be a bit inappropriate? After all, Li Yi is imperial nobility. Would he actually do business to earn money?”
“Who could ever complain about having too much money?” Nanny Shi laughed.
Immediately after, a voice rang out from outside the carriage. Xun Feng laughed as he said, “That’s right! Who could ever complain about having too much money? Miss Yao Yao, if you look down on my Young Master, why don’t you partner up with me instead? If us guards in the Guard Battalion pool our funds together, we can still gather a bit of capital!”
Wen Yao and Nanny Shi paused at the same time. Having grown so accustomed to joking around with Xun Feng, they had completely forgotten that this man was left behind by Prince Fu.
Fortunately, Xun Feng was one of their own. Wen Yao simply lifted the carriage curtain and sat by the doorway, asking, “Is it really alright for your Young Master to do business? Isn’t it said that officials aren’t allowed to engage in commerce?”
Xun Feng chuckled. “My Young Master isn’t an official, so why wouldn’t he be allowed? Take the heirs of other princes’ manors—who among them doesn’t have a few storefronts or restaurants under their name? My Young Master is actually quite poor; he spends the Princess’s money. With just the King’s modest salary, it’s not even enough to feed the father and son!”
Wen Yao nearly burst out laughing. Xun Feng’s words were one step away from directly calling Prince Fu a freeloading husband—he truly dared to say anything!
“Brother Xun Feng, I admire your courage. You really dare to say anything!” Wen Yao silently gave him a thumbs-up.
Xun Feng chuckled, wiggling his eyebrows at Wen Yao. “Well, isn’t that because neither the Young Master nor the King is here right now? Miss Yao Yao won’t sell me out, right?”
Wen Yao shifted into a comfortable cross-legged position, nodding. “Of course. We’re buddies! How about I write a letter back to ask Li Yi about it?”
“Ask him! My Young Master will definitely be delighted!” Xun Feng thought gleefully to himself. He had to urge Miss Yao Yao as much as possible to partner up with his Young Master in business. That way, even when he returned to the capital in the future, he would still get to eat delicious food!
Ah, so happy!
