Wang Si did not think highly of Zhao Yuan.
Having lived a second life and now staying in the Duke’s residence “under someone else’s roof,” she would inevitably have many interactions with Zhao Yuan in the time to come.
Wang Si: …
Her grandfather and grandmother’s wisdom and kindness, along with her uncle and aunt’s tolerance and generosity, had almost made her believe that the Duke’s household was truly harmonious.
She had nearly forgotten that someone like Zhao Yuan existed in this residence.
“So this must be Ninth Cousin. I made some milk egg custard today—why don’t you try some as well?”
Wang Si quickly composed herself, a smile blooming on her face.
Knowing what kind of person Zhao Yuan was, Wang Si didn’t bother to play polite games with her.
Because people like Zhao Yuan simply didn’t think normally.
Reasoning with her?
Impossible.
Zhao Yuan had her own twisted sense of right and wrong:
Anything good was naturally hers—it was her blessing and ability;
Anything bad was someone else’s fault—she was just the innocent victim.
In her mind, all logic in the world revolved around her. If there was a conflict, it must be the other person’s fault.
Since reason wouldn’t work, there was no point in trying.
Wang Si had many things to do. She had neither the patience nor the desire to placate someone like Zhao Yuan.
Yes—no desire.
With her abilities and advantages, it wouldn’t be difficult for Wang Si to win Zhao Yuan over.
But she didn’t want to.
In this second life, she would not scheme endlessly, nor would she wrong herself.
Why should she flatter someone like that?
More importantly, Wang Si knew that she and her mother wouldn’t stay in the Duke’s residence for long.
In her previous life, her mother remarried after a year.
If nothing unexpected happened, things would likely unfold the same way this time.
At most, they would stay for a year. Even if she fell out with Zhao Yuan, it wouldn’t affect her life much.
With this in mind, Wang Si no longer cared about sparing Zhao Yuan’s feelings.
Ahem… as she stepped closer to the Duchess, she noticed the bowl placed in front of her grandmother.
That… was supposed to be egg custard?
It hadn’t even set properly—just a watery mess.
The surface was uneven, full of holes like a honeycomb.
With such an appearance, it was hardly presentable.
Even the very first egg custard Wang Si had ever made didn’t look like this watery, curdled failure.
Suppressing a laugh, Wang Si instead uncovered her own dish and presented it to both the Duchess and Zhao Yuan.
A pale golden custard, smooth and tender, gently jiggling like jelly, almost like solidified cream.
Freshly steamed, it still emitted a faint warmth.
Along with the steam came a light, pleasant fragrance of milk.
Seeing her granddaughter’s work, the Duchess’s face showed satisfaction and pride:
Yes!
This was what food should look like—appealing in color, aroma, taste, and presentation.
Just by appearance alone, it outclassed Zhao Yuan’s by miles.
Zhao Yuan also saw Wang Si’s custard.
Boom!
Her face flushed bright red.
How could Wang Qi make something this good?
No!
Impossible!
In a fit of anger, Zhao Yuan blurted out without restraint, “Wang Qi, did you really make this? Or did you take something the kitchen made and pretend it was yours?”
Shameless—cheating in front of Grandmother.
Claiming it was homemade when it wasn’t.
“Cousin, what are you saying? Of course I made it. Or… are you assuming that because you had the kitchen help you?”
Since Wang Si had decided not to endure or suppress herself, she chose to confront her directly.
Tilting her head slightly, she feigned realization. “That must be it. Otherwise, why would you think that?”
You assume others cheat because you yourself want to cheat.
“Nonsense! I didn’t! I—I even hurt my hand making this for Grandmother!”
As she spoke, Zhao Yuan pitifully held out her slightly reddened hand.
“Cousin, what you just said is inappropriate. What do you mean you got hurt making food for Grandmother? Are you blaming her?”
Tsk, with this level, she still wanted to play emotional manipulation?
Even in modern times, Wang Si wouldn’t tolerate it—let alone in an era where filial piety was paramount.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, the Duchess’s gaze toward Zhao Yuan turned colder.
“I’m not! I didn’t! Wang Qi, you’re talking nonsense!”
Zhao Yuan wasn’t completely foolish.
She had some cleverness and paid close attention to her grandmother’s expressions.
The moment the Duchess’s gaze cooled, Zhao Yuan noticed.
“Wang Qi, how dare you poison Grandmother’s opinion of me!”
“When did I ever blame her?”
“I just wanted Grandmother to see my sincerity!”
She had even gotten hurt for her.
Her mother had taught her: “The child who cries gets the milk.”
Whatever she did for her elders, whatever hardship she endured out of filial piety—she had to make it known.
Otherwise, who would recognize her efforts?
Feeling wronged, Zhao Yuan hurriedly explained, “How could I blame Grandmother? I just started learning, and my skills aren’t good. I was clumsy and got hurt by accident!”
As she spoke, she lifted her head, looking pitiful. “Grandmother, you must believe me! Wang Qi—no, Cousin—misunderstood me!”
Having calmed down, Zhao Yuan’s mind began working again.
She even thought: I have no blood relation to Grandmother, but Wang Qi is her beloved daughter’s child.
In terms of blood ties, I’m already at a disadvantage.
And now, my cooking is worse than hers—or rather, my ‘boldness’ is inferior—
After all, I’m a proper and filial girl. I wouldn’t resort to cheating.
Even now, Zhao Yuan firmly believed that the flawless custard was not made by Wang Si.
That belief subtly showed in her words.
The Duchess: …Even if it were made by someone else, so what?
Her Si’er was a noble young lady—not a concubine’s daughter, and certainly not a cook.
As long as things were handled properly, whether she made it herself or not didn’t matter.
In fact, if she had to choose between a “handmade failure” and a “perfectly made dish by someone else,” she would choose the latter.
Elders do appreciate sincerity.
But they aren’t here to eat scraps or accept garbage.
With Zhao Yuan’s level of skill—what a waste of ingredients.
Just looking at it ruined her appetite.
Wang Si’s dish, on the other hand, was just right—beautiful, delicious, and well-executed.
The elders could enjoy it, and she fulfilled her filial duty.
Perfect.
The Duchess had already favored her biological granddaughter, and now, seeing the contrast between the two, her judgment leaned even more toward Wang Si.