Chapter 102: So It Really Is You
Wen Yao froze for a moment—so they were inviting her to cook.
Seeing her brows knit slightly, the old maid quickly added, “Don’t worry, Miss. You won’t be doing this for nothing.”
Wen Yao didn’t really mind whether it was paid or not. The two hundred taels the Xie family had given last time was already quite generous. Anyway, it was just one meal. What if the Old Madam didn’t even eat what she made?
When the carriage arrived at the Xie residence, it didn’t stop at the front gate but entered directly through the side gate. The maid helped Wen Yao down and whispered instructions to a young servant girl beside her.
The girl dashed off, and the maid led Wen Yao forward at a leisurely pace.
It was the same route as last time, but at a fork they turned and headed toward the inner courtyard.
When Wen Yao saw Qiu Rongrong again, the woman’s attire was far simpler than before. Without the elaborate accessories from last time, she now gave off a capable and shrewd air.
She sat casually on a couch beside a brazier that warmed the room.
“Madam, Miss Wen has arrived,” the maid said with a bow.
Wen Yao smiled faintly and nodded—neither humble nor overbearing. After all, she wasn’t a servant of the Xie family.
Qiu Rongrong glanced at her and gestured to the other side of the couch. “Miss Wen, please sit.”
Wen Yao thanked her, sat down, and asked directly, “Madam, you were looking for me?”
To Qiu Rongrong, Wen Yao looked like a ten-year-old girl, barely older than her own son. Yet she had sent people to investigate, and the suddenly famous country cook was indeed a ten-year-old girl from the Wen family. When she first heard “Wen family, ten years old,” she had suspected it might be them—she hadn’t expected it to truly be her.
After studying Wen Yao for a moment, Qiu Rongrong smiled. “I didn’t expect it to really be you.”
“What do you mean?” Wen Yao tilted her head, puzzled.
Seeing her dazed expression, Qiu Rongrong smiled again and said lazily, “The Old Madam hasn’t had much appetite lately. No matter what the cooks prepare, she says she has no appetite, and even the physician can’t find the cause.”
For some reason, Wen Yao felt there was a trace of sarcasm in the curve of her lips.
Thinking of the carriage incident last time, Wen Yao suddenly sensed gossip in the air. Her eyebrows shot up with curiosity.
Qiu Rongrong noticed her reaction but continued calmly. “A few days ago, a servant returned from visiting family and attended a banquet. He said the cook’s skills rivaled a restaurant chef, so I had someone look into it. I didn’t expect it to be you.”
Now Wen Yao understood—they wanted her to cook and see if the Old Madam would eat.
“So, Madam wants me to make a meal for the Old Madam?” Wen Yao pointed at herself.
Qiu Rongrong nodded. “Yes. Don’t worry—you won’t work for nothing. Whether she eats or not, you’ll receive five taels of silver. If you truly solve her loss of appetite, there will be an additional reward. Little girl, can you do it?”
At the mention of five taels, Wen Yao’s eyes lit up. It was just cooking a meal—how hard could it be? And if the Old Madam liked it, there would be extra reward money.
“Whether I can or not, we’ll have to try. By the way, does the Old Madam have any dietary restrictions or dislikes?”
Qiu Rongrong glanced at the maid who had brought Wen Yao in. The maid stepped forward immediately. “The Old Madam is elderly. She prefers light flavors and sweets. Because her teeth are poor, the food must be soft and glutinous.”
Wen Yao nodded. Got it.
“Then may I borrow the kitchen, Madam?” She might not be completely confident, but she was about eighty percent sure.
Qiu Rongrong opened her mouth as if to say something.
After thinking for a moment, Wen Yao boldly asked, “Madam, is there something else you wanted to tell me?”
She had always had a good impression of Madam Xie. Although there had been a tiny unpleasant moment last time, today the woman had been courteous and without airs.
Qiu Rongrong gave a bitter smile. “I thought you were young and naive. I didn’t expect I couldn’t hide it from you. Since no one else is here, I’ll tell you the truth.
This may be the Old Madam deliberately making things difficult for me. No matter how well you cook, whether she eats or not, you’ll be paid. I just don’t want you to think your cooking isn’t good, so I’m telling you in advance.
Of course, it’s also possible she’s genuinely unwell—but the chances aren’t high.”
This wasn’t the first time the Old Madam had deliberately made trouble. As a second wife, Qiu Rongrong had always been looked down upon by the Xie family. Recently, the family’s business had declined, and as the mistress of the household, she had been using her own money to support the family.
They spent her money yet still looked down on her. But for her son’s sake, she had to endure it.
The Old Madam had been causing trouble for half a month simply because she asked Qiu Rongrong to contribute funds for relatives during the New Year. Although Qiu Rongrong agreed, she gave only half the amount requested. The Old Madam felt slighted and began stirring up trouble.
Wen Yao wasn’t like hired cooks. She was her son’s savior, so Qiu Rongrong didn’t want her to be wronged.
Though Wen Yao didn’t know all the details, she understood enough. The inner courtyards of ancient households were truly full of schemes.
Seeing Qiu Rongrong frowning, Wen Yao comforted her. “Madam, don’t worry. Leave it to me.” She even winked playfully.
Qiu Rongrong laughed at her cute expression, feeling her gloom ease a little. “About last time, I’m truly sorry. I didn’t mean to dismiss you with money. Please don’t hold it against me.”
Honestly, Wen Yao wouldn’t mind being “dismissed with money” a few more times—but she couldn’t say that aloud. She flashed what she thought was a proper ten-year-old’s smile and said:
“It’s fine! I should be thanking you instead. With the money you gave us, my family bought land, built a house, and even bought a cow. We’re the ones who should thank you.”
