Fu Yuanzheng had been waiting in the pavilion all along. Anying had already reported every word of their conversation to him without missing a single detail.
Seeing Yao Chengcheng looking around for someone, Fu Yuanzheng suddenly curved his lips into a faint smile.
He was almost certain now that the person before him could not possibly be the original Second Miss Yao.
Earlier, when Yao Duoduo had repeatedly provoked her, she had cleverly and skillfully shifted the conflict, forcing Yao Baowang to step forward.
She was intelligent.
And she knew exactly how to exploit Yao Baowang’s selfish nature.
Yao Duoduo’s level of cunning was nothing in front of her, so how could she possibly be manipulated by a mere legitimate daughter?
That raised the question.
Who was she?
A ghost?
Or a demon?
Fu Yuanzheng’s long fingers brushed the edge of his sleeve—a habitual gesture when he was deep in thought.
“Aji, have Auntie Mu bring me the soap ball from that day.”
Aji let out a surprised “Ah!” Though puzzled, he knew exactly what the Prince was referring to and hurried off.
Half an hour later, Fuman went to fetch Yao Chengcheng, who finally met Fu Yuanzheng in the Qinzhuyuan Garden.
“Your Highness?” Yao Chengcheng hadn’t found the Prince in the garden earlier and was now beginning to wonder if she had overthought things.
Why would the Prince care about the Yao family? He probably didn’t give it a second thought. As for those words earlier, they were likely just a warning to the Yao family not to flaunt the Prince’s name for their own gain.
Fu Yuanzheng looked up and, as expected, didn’t mention the Yao family. Instead, he had Aji bring something over. Yao Chengcheng took one look—wasn’t that her soap!
Why was this still an issue!
“What is this?” Fu Yuanzheng asked calmly.
Yao Chengcheng’s mind raced: “Your Highness… isn’t this just a soap ball?”
“I’ve never seen one like this before. Where did you get it?”
Could she say it was from the Yao family? Absolutely not!
The excuse she used to deal with Chef Kong wouldn’t work in front of the Prince! What should she do?
Yao Chengcheng had a sudden flash of inspiration and lowered her head. “I made it.”
“?!”
Everyone in the hall stared at her in astonishment. Fuman exclaimed, “Chef Yao, you have this skill too?!”
Yao Chengcheng looked up again, her eyes reddening. “Your Highness, I’m just a lowly concubine-born daughter from a modest family. I can’t compare to the Prince’s household or other noble ladies. You have no idea how fierce the struggles within the inner courtyard can be. My birth mother and I have had a difficult life, so I’ve practiced cooking and other skills just to survive…”
Fu Yuanzheng: “Is that so? Then tell me, how did you make it?”
This she could answer! Yao Chengcheng was grateful she had read so many novels in the past.
“Making soap balls mainly requires lard and lye. The lye can be made from crushed and boiled seashells. Melt the lard, pour in the lye, and then let it saponify… and you get soap. But I added a bit of fragrance and other things to this one…”
Fu Yuanzheng: “Is that so? I find the scent and color of this soap ball to be of superior quality. If you say you made it, then make another one—no, make ten of them for me to use.”
Yao Chengcheng: “…”
Fu Yuanzheng: “Is there a problem?”
Yao Chengcheng gritted her teeth. “No. But the process for making this kind of soap is complicated. I need time.”
“That’s fine.” Fu Yuanzheng looked at her and spoke word by word. “I can wait.”
What could Yao Chengcheng say? She could only agree.
Seeing her pale and troubled expression, Fu Yuanzheng’s lips twitched upward again briefly.
But he quickly caught himself, and the faint smile gradually faded from his face.
“I will look after your mother’s affairs,” Fu Yuanzheng suddenly said.
Yao Chengcheng looked up in surprise. “Really?!”
Was the Prince truly not just brushing her off?!
“Hmm.” Fu Yuanzheng recalled her conversation with Du Ping’er. It probably wasn’t her biological mother, but that mother-daughter affection didn’t seem fake.
“However—I do not like the rest of the Yao family. In the future, unless necessary, there is no need to return.”
“Of course! I don’t like them either!” Yao Chengcheng was overjoyed. This was exactly what she wanted.
Fu Yuanzheng was curious. “What I mean is, you may never have any connection with the Yao family again. I will not allow them to leverage your influence outside either. You will no longer be the Second Miss of the Yao family, but you are not my wife either. You will truly just be a servant.”
Did she even understand what that meant?
Yao Chengcheng nodded. “I understand! That’s precisely what I want!”
This time, it was Fu Yuanzheng who was taken aback.
After a moment of silence, he said softly, “Good. You may leave.”
Was that it?
She hadn’t completed her daily quota yet!
“Your Highness… did you eat the soup dumplings I made for you this morning?”
Fu Yuanzheng was momentarily stunned. “No, I wasn’t hungry.”
Yao Chengcheng was extremely disappointed. “Oh, alright.”
She had originally hoped to accumulate enough Satisfaction Points to level up today.
But who was she to argue? She was a servant, and he was the master. Yao Chengcheng could only withdraw.
Because of this Yao family matter, she had gained nothing today.
She was feeling quite weary.
Back in her room, Yao Chengcheng couldn’t help but think about the soap matter.
“Bobojii, how much for ten bars of soap?”
[Host, 20 silver coins.]
Yao Chengcheng checked her balance, her heart aching… Actually, it wasn’t just about the 20 silver coins. She was afraid that if the Prince really asked her to make them, to make lots and lots of them, what would she do?!
Would all the money she earned have to go toward buying this stuff?!
If only she really knew how to make it…
Yao Chengcheng suddenly sat up!
Why not?!
She had the System!
If she could really learn, she might even be able to open a workshop here! Then more money would come pouring in!
How narrow-minded she had been! The Prince wasn’t making things difficult for her; he was practically paving the way!
After Yao Chengcheng left, Fu Yuanzheng found himself lost in thought for the first time.
Who was she? What was she?
This question was like another stone, disturbing the lake in his mind once more.
It seemed a bit interesting.
This monotonous life.
Recalling Yao Chengcheng’s disappointed expression as she left, Fu Yuanzheng suddenly thought of something—
“Fuman.”
“Yes, Your Highness, I’m here.”
“Reheat the buns from this morning. I’ll try them.”
Fuman: “!”
“Your Highness, they’re cold. Shall I have Chef Yao make fresh ones?”
“No need. She must be tired today too. Just reheat them.”
Fu Yuanzheng had never been particularly demanding about food. During his campaigns at the border, he had eaten coarse fare like dry biscuits.
What was wrong with eating reheated food?
Fuman acknowledged and went to do so.
He returned shortly with the food.
Fu Yuanzheng slowly picked up his chopsticks.
…
Yao Chengcheng went to bed after her bath.
She was already drifting off to sleep when—
[Congratulations, Host! 200 Satisfaction Points have been credited!]
Bobojii’s voice suddenly rang in her mind, and Yao Chengcheng instantly perked up!
Hehe.
Hehehe.
She knew it! The Prince must have eaten them!