Chapter 281: The Assimilated Crowd
Qiu Rongrong’s face darkened instantly, and Qiaoyan obediently lowered her head. She knew that the moment these words were spoken, her young mistress was bound to be enraged.
Sure enough, Qiu Rongrong said in a dark, cold voice, “She certainly has nerve—asking my guest to cook a meal for her!”
Wen Yao was drinking her tea leisurely, showing no displeasure whatsoever. She merely smiled and said to Qiaoyan, “Sister Qiaoyan, please make a trip over and tell the people attending the old lady that my father is now an official, making me a proper official’s daughter as well. If the old lady wishes to invite me to cook for her, she’ll have to show some real sincerity.
“Then again, what choice do I have when my dad is merely a minor seventh-rank sesame official? Even if he reports directly to His Majesty, isn’t he still just seventh-rank? Just tell her that inviting me to cook is fine, but it’ll cost fifty taels of silver per meal. I’m not above bending my knee for fifty taels.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Qiu Rongrong broke character and burst out laughing, and even Qiaoyan couldn’t help but chuckle. Complying with a “yes,” she stepped out to dismiss the people from Old Mistress Xie’s room.
Qiu Rongrong sat down opposite Wen Yao and teased, “Miss Wen’s status has truly risen with the tide nowadays. If I want to eat a meal cooked by Miss Wen in the future, I’m afraid it won’t be easy to manage.”
Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. “Easy to talk, easy to talk! If Sister Qiu wants to eat, I’ll pay fifty taels out of my own pocket.”
With that, both girls burst into laughter.
On the other hand, over at Old Mistress Xie’s courtyard, hearing Qiaoyan’s reply left the old woman completely stunned.
“What official status? She’s just a peasant girl—what is she pretending to be an official’s daughter for?” Even at this point, Old Mistress Xie was still trying to find a way to control Qiu Rongrong, hoping to use her friend to make her lose face.
Standing in the courtyard, Qiaoyan didn’t even bother stepping inside, replying neither humbly nor arrogantly: “It seems Old Mistress has been staying in this courtyard for too long and is likely unaware of the affairs outside. Then allow this servant to take the opportunity to inform you.
“A few days ago, Lord Wen cultivated new high-yield crops and won His Majesty’s favor. He is now a seventh-rank Agricultural Director, standing on equal footing with our County Magistrate. Even the Magistrate must follow Lord Wen’s orders.
“Additionally, there is something Old Mistress might not know yet: our Madam’s estate has now been borrowed by Lord Wen to cultivate the new crops as well. Our Madam has stated that starting now, the household expenses must be appropriately reduced. After all, such a large estate will have no income going forward, and Madam still has to allocate money from elsewhere to support the estate’s workers, making funds a bit tight.”
Old Mistress Xie said in disbelief, “What? On what basis should our household expenses be reduced just because her estate was requisitioned?”
Qiaoyan smiled, though the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Then this servant wouldn’t know. Old Mistress likely understands better than this servant. I have finished saying what needs to be said, so I shall take my leave. Oh, right, Old Mistress—Madam also mentioned that if Old Mistress insists on having Miss Wen cook a meal for you, then Old Mistress will have to pay the fifty taels of silver out of your own pocket.
“This servant takes her leave.”
With that, Qiaoyan didn’t even bother looking at the old crone’s face, turning around and walking straight out.
Reaching the courtyard entrance, Qiaoyan paused slightly, casting a glance at the two young servants guarding the door.
The two servants glanced at Qiaoyan, gave a slight nod, and continued standing obediently in place to guard the door.
Only then did Qiaoyan depart, ignoring the cries of “Old Mistress, what’s wrong with you?” echoing from the courtyard behind her.
Regardless of how big of an official Wen Xiuyi actually was now, Wen Yao was a genuine official’s daughter, certainly not someone anyone could boss around as they pleased.
Having made up their minds to partner with Li Yi, it wasn’t just about roasted duck anymore; the milk tea shop had to be arranged as well. After all, the opportunity to expand business to the capital didn’t come along every day.
To prepare early, Wen Yao and Qiu Rongrong specifically selected a few individuals with quick hands and sharp minds to begin training them. Once Li Yi arrived, he could take them straight away, and they would be ready to work upon arrival.
Similarly, Wen Xiuyi wasn’t idling either. He spent this period running everywhere with Magistrate Chen. When Wen Yao saw Magistrate Chen again, she almost failed to recognize him.
The pot-bellied Magistrate Chen had lost a significant amount of weight—his big belly was gone, and his skin had darkened, yet compared to before, he now carried a bit more vigor and spirit, looking even more like a proper official than before.
Magistrate Chen was also complaining incessantly. Had he known earlier that Wen Xiuyi turned into a complete lunatic once he focused on agricultural matters, he certainly wouldn’t have agreed to get involved. But now that he was on this thief’s ship, he couldn’t get off even if he wanted to.
“Eldest Niece, you must prepare something good to nourish me today! Your father has really run me ragged during this period. Call me when the food is ready!” It wasn’t Magistrate Chen’s first time visiting the Wen household. Compared to putting on official airs every time he came in the past, this time he didn’t treat himself like an outsider at all, flopping right onto the reclining chair in the courtyard, covering his face with a fan, and drifting off to sleep.
Old Madam Luo knew Wen Xiuyi was returning early today, so she had come over from the workshop to take a look. Entering the gate, she saw someone swaying on the reclining chair and thought it was Wen Xiuyi.
However, seeing her eldest son walk out of the room, she froze for a moment and asked Wen Yao, “Who’s that lying over there?”
Wen Yao cast a glance. “Lord Chen.”
“Who?” Old Madam Luo thought she had misheard, her voice rising quite a bit.
Magistrate Chen pulled the fan away, glanced over, and offered a greeting: “Aunt has arrived.”
The corner of Old Madam Luo’s mouth twitched, and she nodded. “Ah, rest up, Lord.”
“Mm.” Magistrate Chen covered his face with the fan again and continued sleeping.
Old Madam Luo pulled Wen Yao into the kitchen, looking puzzled. “Why did your father bring him back?” Was this still the Magistrate Chen they knew?
Old Madam Luo had realized that her eldest son possessed a magical power: no matter how high-ranking an official was, after hanging around her eldest son for a while, they ended up looking no different from them.
Wen Yao jutted her chin toward the outside and said, “They went to the lower villages today and happened to pass by our house, so they came back to rest their feet. My dad said they have to return to the yamen after eating. Grandma, ask Second Aunt to catch a duck, have Uncle Lu get a few fish, and get a chicken from the village.”
Old Madam Luo stole a glance at the person swaying on the reclining chair and nodded. “I’ll go now. Do you need anything else?”
“That’s all,” Wen Yao said. Whatever was missing, she could quietly retrieve from her space later.
Before long, Old Madam Luo brought all the ingredients over. The duck and chicken had already been cleaned over at the old compound, along with fresh vegetables picked from various households.
It didn’t take long for Wen Yao to cook a table full of piping-hot dishes, and Magistrate Chen woke up from the appetizing aroma.
“No wine?” Magistrate Chen looked at the table full of delicacies without wine and felt it was a bit of a pity.
Wen Xiuyi shot him a side-glance. “We still have serious business later, so don’t drink. Once Yao Yao’s fermented wine is ready, I’ll have her send you a few jars so you can drink your fill.”
Though it was a pity, facing the delicious food, Magistrate Chen still chose to eat first.
Eat my fill before discussing anything else.
