Taking the empty basket from the maid’s hands, Liu Mama entered the Upper Chamber with a smile in her eyes.
Seeing that not only had the milk tea in the basket been finished, but even the cake had been completely eaten, Zhuang Mingxiang couldn’t help but feel surprised: “Such a large piece of cake, and it’s all gone?”
Liu Mama nodded with a smile: “Indeed, it’s all gone. I’ve always said he’s loved sweets since he was little!”
“It was said that Jiang Lai, who serves the heir, personally brought the basket out and even asked how the milk tea was made—how it had both tea and milk flavors without any fishy smell. He mentioned that neither he nor the heir had ever seen such a way of preparing it.”
Zhuang Mingxiang also smiled: “Ah Hui may not excel in other areas, but when it comes to food, she has the most insight.”
Liu Mama: “Yes, Jiang Lai also praised the cake for being delicious. And of course it was delicious—the heir finished it all!”
Zhuang Mingxiang: “Since he likes it, we’ll send him more next time.”
Liu Mama nodded: “Alright. Should we still say it was prepared by the young lady? Or perhaps say it was your instruction?”
Although Liu Mama was originally Old Madam’s companion, she had served Zhuang Mingxiang for seven years, and Old Madam and Zhuang Mingxiang had a harmonious mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship. Moreover, Liu Mama’s deed of servitude was even held by Zhuang Mingxiang, so she naturally hoped Zhuang Mingxiang could build a good relationship with the future head of the marquis household and live well.
After thinking for a moment, Zhuang Mingxiang shook her head: “Let’s still say it was prepared by Ah Hui.”
Cui Lang was the last among the potential future husbands she had selected for Hui Hui, and she already felt it wasn’t ideal. Now, with yesterday’s incident involving Pei Zizhao, she had an even stronger premonition that it might not work out.
So, it was very likely that Hui Hui would end up marrying Jiang Shen, who was pursuing an official career.
If she married Jiang Shen, although there was the favor of the marquis’s support and the pressure of status, the marquis was after all getting old, while Jiang Shen was only twenty-one. The marquis could protect Hui Hui now, but not in the future.
If there was no opportunity, then so be it. But if there was a chance, she still wanted to add another layer of security for Hui Hui.
“Madam truly dotes on the young lady,” Liu Mama agreed.
Zhuang Mingxiang smiled: “I am her mother, and she is my daughter. It’s only right that I dote on her.”
She then instructed Liu Mama: “Although sweets are good, one shouldn’t overindulge. Even for a young man like the heir, eating too many sweets isn’t good. From now on… send him some every three to five days.”
Liu Mama agreed again: “Yes.”
…
Zhuang Hui did not know about sending milk tea and cake to Zhao Changting.
She didn’t know the first time, and later, since it was sent every three to five days without involving her, she remained unaware.
In the days that followed, she lived a secluded life, counting the days as if they were years, hoping time would pass quickly.
But when it came to Zhao Changting, her luck as a transmigrator clearly took a turn for the worse. No matter how careful she was, on the afternoon four days later, while returning to Lanyuan after her etiquette lessons, she still ran into Zhao Changting.
He was leading a group of people, seemingly moving something to the rear courtyard, and happened to come face-to-face with her.
It was already difficult to avoid such a direct encounter, especially since he was accompanied by servants. With so many eyes watching, avoiding him would have been too improper.
Therefore, Zhuang Hui had no choice but to take a deep breath, brace herself, and step forward.
When she reached him, as the gravel path wasn’t wide enough, she and Grape stepped aside to make way, bowing her head and greeting him: “Heir.”
The two were now about an arm’s length apart. At such close distance, even with her head lowered, Zhuang Hui could sense Zhao Changting’s imposing stature and intimidating presence.
In truth, since transmigrating to ancient times, aside from the initial hardships of traveling with Zhuang Mingxiang from Mobei back to Jingcheng, Zhuang Hui had been eating well, drinking well, and resting well. As a result, she had even grown taller than in her previous life—by the previous world’s measurements, she had shot up from 162 centimeters to at least 165 centimeters.
Yet even at this arm’s length, Zhao Changting was still looking down at her.
How could an ancient man have developed so well?
Was it from training in Mobei? Or was this simply the standard for devoted second male leads?
As Zhuang Hui’s thoughts wandered, she heard a soft snort from Zhao Changting beside her.
He seemed quite displeased.
Zhuang Hui didn’t understand. She had been avoiding him and hadn’t offended him in any way. Why was he snorting at her?
Though she didn’t dare raise her head to look directly at him, Zhuang Hui subtly shifted her eyes, catching a glimpse of him from the corner of her vision.
Just in time to capture Zhao Changting’s displeased gaze.
Zhuang Hui: “…”
Zhuang Hui: “…”
Zhao Changting showed no intention of speaking to her. Leaving behind a dissatisfied snort and a displeased glance, he strode past her and walked ahead.
Once he had passed, Zhuang Hui dared to lift her head and look.
It turned out Zhao Changting had ordered someone to move several baskets of persimmons—bright red and looking quite delicious.
Also, Zhao Changting was indeed extremely tall. The person beside him was likely his attendant, who was already not short, but standing almost shoulder to shoulder, Zhao Changting was still a good half-head taller!
No wonder he could kick and break Pei Zizhao’s leg with one foot. Terrifying!
Zhuang Hui couldn’t help but shiver slightly. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she noticed the attendant beside Zhao Changting suddenly glance back at her. Seemingly surprised to meet her gaze, he paused for a moment before breaking into a smile.
Not only was his smile exceptionally bright, but he also nodded enthusiastically at Zhuang Hui.
Zhuang Hui felt utterly unsettled. What was he smiling about?
And why was he nodding?
This was clearly their first meeting. Why would he act like this? Could it be that Zhao Changting had said something to him?
Probably not… right?!
Was harboring improper thoughts about one’s stepsister something to be proud of?!
Zhuang Hui couldn’t figure it out, and since the other person seemed even more peculiar than his master, she didn’t dare linger any longer. Quickly averting her gaze, she turned and hurried away, pulling Grape along with her.
Jiang Lai’s smile slowly faded, and he couldn’t help but wonder: What expression was that on the young lady’s face just now?
Why did she look as if she had seen some heinous villain, frightened and wanting to hide?
He was such an upright and kind young man—why would the young lady react like that?
Unable to make sense of it, he decided to humbly seek advice from his master.
But as soon as he turned his head, his master said with disgust, “What kind of expression is that? Wipe that drool off your face—it’s about to drip onto your front.”
Huh? Really? Jiang Lai hurriedly wiped his chin.
Of course, there was nothing there—his chin was perfectly dry!
Jiang Lai protested, “Master, what nonsense are you talking about?”
Zhao Changting: “Hmph. Weren’t you addicted to the cakes she made and the milk tea she brewed? Seeing her is like seeing cake and milk tea to you, isn’t it?”
Nonsense! The young lady is so beautiful—she could never be compared to cake and milk tea.
He was simply grateful to the young lady for making such delicious food. Having just returned from Daxing today, he got to eat it again, and his heart was so delighted that he couldn’t help but smile at her when he saw her.
Who would have thought that it seemed to have frightened the young lady?
Jiang Lai protested, “It really is delicious! If you don’t try it, you won’t know. If you don’t believe me, just taste it next time. Liu Mama said she’ll send more.”
Zhao Changting showed no interest. “Not interested.”
“What a waste of good food!” Jiang Lai immediately retorted.
Zhao Changting ignored him.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Lai suddenly said, “Young master, the cake and milk tea were specially made for you by the young lady, but you didn’t eat any of it—it all ended up in my stomach.”
As a servant, how could he be worthy of troubling the young lady to work so hard?
“Maybe I should tell Liu Mama that you didn’t take a single bite, so the young lady won’t have to go through the trouble anymore.”
Zhao Changting replied, “No need. Since you like it, let her keep sending it.”
Jiang Lai hesitated, “But…”
Zhao Changting said, “It’s unlikely she actually made it herself. It’s probably just a polite gesture.”
A young lady who could fall ill for four or five days without any apparent reason—going into the kitchen and personally preparing food?
Even if she truly had the intention, which he doubted, would her health even allow it?
In any case, Zhao Changting didn’t believe Zhuang Hui had made it herself.
Although Jiang Lai hadn’t lived in the main residence for seven years, he was already thirteen when he left and had spent several years moving around the inner quarters. So, as soon as Zhao Changting said this, he understood immediately.
In wealthy households, masters often didn’t personally handle many tasks. For example, when it came to preparing food, servants would do the work, and the master would simply arrange it on a plate—that could be considered “personally made.”
The same applied to needlework. An embroiderer would do most of the work, and the master would add a few finishing stitches—that too could be called “personally made.”
Once he understood this, Jiang Lai felt no psychological burden choosing the delicious food over the young lady’s supposed effort of arranging it on a plate every few days.
Of course, even if the young lady only went through the trouble of arranging the plate, he was still deeply grateful.
So, when the young master distributed the persimmons produced at the Daxing estate, he would pick the largest, reddest, and finest basket and personally deliver it to the young lady’s Lanyuan!
…
After dinner, when Zhuang Hui returned to her residence, she learned she had received a basket of persimmons.
Grape had accompanied her out today, while Yingtáo had stayed behind. As soon as she returned, Yingtáo smiled and stepped forward, saying, “These are from the young master’s estate in Daxing. He picked a few baskets of the best ones to distribute around the mansion. Jiang Lai, the young master’s attendant, personally delivered them. Miss, the persimmons are so big and red—they look absolutely delicious!”
Birds of a feather flock together. Zhuang Hui loved to eat, so those around her shared the same fondness.
She wasn’t surprised to receive a basket of persimmons, as she had already learned during dinner at Yi’an Hall that Zhao Changting had sent persimmons to various parts of the mansion. Given his thorough and considerate nature, it was only natural that he wouldn’t leave her out.
But when she saw the plate of persimmons Yingtáo brought out—truly large and red, with just three filling the entire plate—they were noticeably better than the ones she had seen at Yi’an Hall. A faint suspicion arose in her heart: was she being treated differently? And when she saw that the entire basket was of the same quality, she was certain—she really was being treated differently!
The persimmons she received were of far superior quality even compared to those given to her mother!
Yingtáo, however, remained unaware and continued, “The tenants on the Young Master’s estate are truly remarkable. Although the ones sent to the manor are surely the best picks, each one is so large and red, without a single flaw—it’s truly rare!”
Zhuang Hui, however, had no energy left to speak and could only offer Yingtáo a dry, forced chuckle.
Yingtáo found this strange. “Miss, won’t you have one?”
The young lady loved fruit, and the names of all her maids, big and small, were based on the fruits she enjoyed. For instance, since the young lady loved cherries the most, that was her—the most capable first-rank maid.
Her next favorite was grapes, so the other first-rank maid was named Grape.
Following them were two second-rank maids, one named Peach and the other Persimmon.
The young lady clearly loved persimmons!
Zhuang Hui replied weakly, “Mm, I already had some at Mother’s place. You can take these and share them with the others.”
So she had already eaten some!
Yingtáo didn’t doubt it. Since Zhuang Hui hadn’t returned, she hadn’t eaten any beforehand and was now craving them. She immediately agreed, took the persimmons away, fetched a few more, and shared them with the other servants in the courtyard.
Zhuang Hui slumped over the table and let out a heavy sigh.
She truly didn’t want this special treatment. What exactly was Zhao Changting’s mindset toward her now?
Was it because her face was identical to Wang Li’s that he extended his affection to her, unable to resist paying her a bit more attention? Or… had he genuinely developed feelings?
It must be the former, which was why he only appeared at her door once and then, after many days, they happened to meet by chance.
If it were the latter, he was, after all, someone in the book who would control his stepsister’s freedom—he wouldn’t likely refrain from other actions.
Moreover, he seemed quite displeased with her, probably because he resented her looking exactly like the person he loved?
Yes, that must be it. So she still had a chance to avoid him.
But why was time passing so slowly? When would it finally be next month?!
Anxious and impatient, Zhuang Hui became even more cautious when going out afterward. To avoid Zhao Changting, she was even willing to take detours along small, seldom-used paths.
Whether it was the effect of taking the longer routes or because Zhao Changting was too busy to pay attention to her for the time being, she didn’t encounter him again for over ten days. Even during the family’s twice-monthly gatherings for dinner at Fushou Hall, Zhao Changting was absent that day due to other matters.
Whatever the reason, it all proved that Zhao Changting wasn’t particularly concerned about her.
Zhuang Hui breathed a huge sigh of relief.
As time went on, she even began to entertain the hopeful thought that perhaps not all the events from the book would come to pass.
The book was the book, and reality was reality. Since she had transmigrated into the book, she was now living in reality. Moreover, because of her transmigration, she had already altered some of the book’s plotlines.
For instance, she had only recently remembered that in the book, after Zhuang Hui followed Zhuang Mingxiang into the Zhao family, Marquis Changping and Old Madam treated her so well that, to improve her prospects for marriage, they suggested she change her surname.
But she was unwilling. She didn’t want to take her biological father’s surname, Wang. Yet Zhuang Mingxiang, as a woman, refused to abandon her daughter no matter the circumstances, so she preferred to take Zhuang Mingxiang’s surname, Zhuang.
Besides, not being biologically related meant not being related—changing her surname wouldn’t change that, so there was no need to pretend.
Zhuang Mingxiang not only agreed but, due to Zhuang Hui’s lazy, pleasure-seeking nature, also decided against letting her climb too high by marrying into an exceptionally prominent family. Thus, she proactively declined Marquis Changping’s suggestion to change Zhuang Hui’s surname.
She had already altered part of the plot, so with a bit more effort, perhaps the rest of the plot could be changed as well?
If that were possible, it would be truly wonderful!
Zhuang Hui thus spent September peacefully and safely, and soon October arrived.
In October, it wasn’t just the mornings and evenings that turned cold—even the daytime grew much chillier. Especially on the first day of October, she woke up shivering and sneezed, hurriedly adding another layer of clothing.
She had thought today would pass as uneventfully as the latter half of September, but after breakfast, while she was learning etiquette and rules from Zhao Jingzhi and Matron Li, Zhuang Mingxiang sent Liu Mama over to announce that someone from the Tang Family had arrived.
“It’s the Tang Family’s Second Madam and her eldest daughter,” Liu Mama whispered, carefully observing Old Madam’s expression.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingzhi immediately frowned and pouted, whispering to Zhuang Hui, “Tang Wanying is here again. It seems the Tang Family still hasn’t given up, still dreaming of marrying her off to Eldest Brother!”