It wasn’t until after lunch, when Zhao Jingzhi had returned to rest, that Zhuang Hui finally called Xing Yi and Xiānglí alone into the Upper Chamber.
But once they stood before her, she found herself at a loss for how to begin.
Should she ask directly, or approach the matter indirectly?
As she remained silent, Xiānglí, only fourteen years old and afraid of being sent back, grew uneasy.
Though their interaction today had been brief, she could sense that both the elderly lady she had met earlier and the young mistress before her were kind and easy to serve.
Moreover, protecting such a young lady of noble birth was both simple and safe work.
She didn’t want to be sent back—not only would she face the steward’s disdain, but she would also have to wait for a new mistress to choose her. Who knew whether the new mistress’s household would be safe or easy to serve?
If it were unsafe or difficult, she might not last long before losing her life.
Xing Yi, already a married woman, remained much calmer. She knew that she and Xiānglí had already been accepted, so the young mistress’s current demeanor likely meant she had some questions for them.
Seeing Zhuang Hui hesitate to speak, Xing Yi took the initiative and asked, “Miss, did you call us here for something?”
Zhuang Hui ultimately decided to ask, saying, “Tell me more about yourselves.”
Xing Yi and Xiānglí had already introduced themselves earlier, but since Zhuang Hui asked them to do so again, she must have felt their previous introductions were insufficient and wanted to know more.
Thinking this, Xing Yi spoke first: “My surname is Li, and my given name is Xiangxing. I’m originally from Baoding Prefecture. When I was fifteen, my family couldn’t afford the bride price for my brother’s marriage, so they married me off to my husband in a neighboring village.”
“My husband was the only son in his family and had been frail since birth. In the third year of our marriage, he passed away. My in-laws believed I brought bad luck and had caused his death. They also resented me for failing to bear him a child and for ‘eating for free’ at home, so they wanted to marry me off again to earn some money and adopt a child.”
“Although my husband was in poor health, he treated me very well—he was perhaps the kindest person in the world to me. When he died, I didn’t want to follow him, but I was truly heartbroken and had no desire to remarry.”
“But I couldn’t return to my parents’ home, and my in-laws kept pressuring me. In a moment of despair, I threw myself into a river.”
“I didn’t die. A matchmaker saved me and sold me to the current agency. At the time, I was thin and unattractive, so no family wanted to buy me. I stayed at the agency as a cook. During those years, I secretly learned some martial arts, thinking it would help me protect myself if anyone tried to force me into something again.”
“Unexpectedly, I learned quite well, which is how I got the opportunity to serve in the Marquisate this time.”
As Xing Yi finished speaking, she emerged from her painful memories.
The dead were gone, but the living had to carry on. It had been a long time since she had thought about these things.
Coming back to her senses, she heard two sobs—one from Xiānglí beside her, and the other… Xing Yi looked up in surprise at Zhuang Hui, who was wiping away tears.
Xing Yi felt both amused and a pang in her heart.
She had shared these sad stories before, but those who heard them either dismissed them, scolded her for being foolish to attempt suicide, or cursed her parents and in-laws. But no one had ever shed tears for her.
Indeed, those sold into the brokerage houses all had their own sorrows, many even more tragic than hers.
Only a young lady from the Changping Marquisate like this, and a simple-hearted, kind girl like Xiangli, could be so pure and compassionate.
But Xing Yi still smiled, feeling genuinely cared for.
Her tone softened with a hint of reassurance: “Miss, it’s all in the past now. I’m doing quite well. And serving a mistress like you, I’ll only be better off in the future.”
Zhuang Hui wiped away her tears and nodded gently.
Yet inwardly, she sighed. This was yet another area where ancient times fell far short of the modern era. While there might still be isolated, backward places in modern times where women faced situations like Xing Yi’s, in most places, girls lived far better lives than in this ancient world.
Thinking this way, even with Zhao Changting’s presence, Zhuang Hui felt her luck in crossing over was nothing short of miraculous. At least she hadn’t ended up in a situation like Xing Yi’s.
But alas… she was a person of little capability, unable to help more people.
Having crossed into this ancient era for eight years, all she could do was treat the girls around her well. And then there were her two small shops—since both catered to women, she employed female clerks.
Zhuang Hui closed her eyes briefly, pushing aside thoughts of matters beyond her control, and turned her attention to Xiangli.
Compared to Xing Yi’s experiences, Xiangli’s story was much simpler due to her young age. She was the second daughter in her family. Because the family was poor and she was only seven at the time—too young to work—her father sold her.
She was dark-skinned, thin, and not particularly pretty, but she was clever and quick to learn, showing great potential in martial arts. Not long after arriving at the brokerage house, the manager specially picked her out to learn combat skills.
After seven years of training, her skills were exceptional, ranking second among the four in martial prowess.
After briefly inquiring about their backgrounds—sharing a moment of tears with Xiangli and feeling compassion for Xing Yi—their relationship seemed to have grown closer. Zhuang Hui continued, “When you entered the marquisate, were you bound by a permanent or a temporary contract?”
A permanent contract meant a lifetime commitment; unless the master family decided otherwise, they would remain in the marquisate for life.
A temporary contract, on the other hand, was akin to a modern contract worker—once the term ended, they were free to leave if they wished.
Xing Yi replied, “I’m on a permanent contract.”
Xiangli added, “Me too.”
But Zhuang Hui hadn’t received their deeds of sale.
So she asked, “Do you know where your deeds are?”
Xing Yi thought for a moment and said, “I think I heard the Old Madam in the mansion mention something about sending them to the marquise.”
To her mother?
Zhuang Hui felt a slight relief and didn’t hesitate to ask further, “Who brought you into the mansion? Did they say anything to you? And… did the heir have any separate instructions for you?”
This time, Xiangli answered first, “It was a man named Jiang who found us. He didn’t say anything special, just told us to protect our mistress well. The heir… is that the one we saw this morning in the Old Madam’s courtyard? He never spoke to us separately.”
Though she was trained in martial arts, for some reason, she couldn’t even bring herself to lift her head in his presence.
Xing Yi nodded, “That’s right.”
Zhuang Hui felt even more at ease. It seemed not only were they not Zhao Changting’s people, but he also hadn’t intended to use them for anything. Indeed, it had been over a month now; if Zhao Changting had wanted to do something, he would have done it already.
Perhaps… he hadn’t even thought that far yet?
Or perhaps, he is currently still in the stage of bravely pursuing love?
I remember in the book, shortly after Zhao Changting returned to the capital, the female lead Wang Li also followed the male lead Zhou Peiyan back to Jingcheng.
However, due to the vast gap between their statuses, initially, not only did they face opposition from the male lead’s mother and his cousin who admired him, but there were also conflicts arising from differences in their perspectives, living environments, educational backgrounds, and so on.
So at this point, Zhao Changting still had a chance to pursue Wang Li, which is why he hadn’t paid attention to her.
That must be it. Zhuang Hui’s mood completely lifted. She looked at Xing Yi, then at Xiangli, and solemnly said, “Xing Yi, Xiangli, since you’ve come to serve me, from now on, you must listen to me in everything.”
“Aside from me, no matter who it is—whether it’s my mother, my grandmother, or even the Marquis or the heir—if anyone tells you anything or asks you to do something, you must inform me first.”
“You must never hide anything from me, even if they claim it’s for my own good!”
Zhuang Hui’s tone gradually grew serious. “Otherwise, afterward, I will no longer keep you here.”
Since they had just arrived, the young lady still didn’t trust them. Xing Yi and Xiangli both knelt down to pledge their loyalty.
But before they could kneel, Zhuang Hui stood up and supported them with one hand each. “Just stand and speak. I don’t encourage kneeling here.”
Xing Yi and Xiangli did not kneel but said in unison, “Rest assured, young lady. From now on, we will listen to you in everything.”
…
With Zhuang Hui fully recovered from her fever, Zhuang Mingxiang felt relieved.
On one hand, she made plans with her friend Wang Qiaoru, whom Zhuang Hui referred to as Aunt Wang, to visit her home on the fifteenth of this month. On the other hand, she finally remembered to thank Zhao Changting.
Although the incident with the Tang Family was triggered by Zhuang Hui helping to keep an eye on Tang Wanying, if Zhao Changting hadn’t appeared in time to save her, Zhuang Mingxiang naturally wouldn’t have agreed to let her daughter marry a fool like Tang Wei. However, her reputation would have been completely ruined. Not only might she have been unable to marry Cui Lang or Jiang Shen, but the psychological trauma would likely have haunted her for life.
Thus, Zhao Changting’s two acts of kindness toward Zhuang Hui were great favors that saved her life.
Zhuang Mingxiang would be grateful to him for life, but as the saying goes, he already had everything. She truly didn’t know what to give him. Weapons were something ordinary people couldn’t buy even with money, and he already had excellent horses.
Nevertheless, Zhuang Mingxiang sent word back to her family, asking them to do their utmost to find the best horses.
Even if they couldn’t compare to what Zhao Changting already had, good horses could still be rewarded to those around him.
In addition, Zhuang Mingxiang generously ordered four sets of jewelry from Zhenbao Fang, the finest jewelry shop in Jingcheng. She planned to give two sets to Zhuang Hui and the other two as a token of gratitude to Zhao Changting, to be given to Zhao Jingzhi.
After all, he was not yet married, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to give such gifts directly to him.
With these arrangements made, she also remembered his fondness for small cakes and milk tea. That day, Zhao Changting happened to be having lunch at home. Before lunchtime, Liu Mama personally brought small cakes, milk tea, and lunch over with the servants.
The lunch consisted of dishes commonly eaten at the time, especially as autumn turned to winter and the weather grew colder. Wealthy families with the means often enjoyed lamb hotpot and occasionally beef hotpot.
Zhuang Mingxiang gave the order that today’s delivery would be a lamb hotpot, accompanied by various vegetables, bean products, and noodles that Zhuang Hui had researched and developed to be cooked together.
But these were not the main focus. The main point was what Liu Mama was cheerfully explaining to Zhao Changting at that moment: “Although our family often ate lamb hotpot in the past, this one is different. This is a new way of eating that the eldest young lady researched. Besides cooking various vegetables in the broth, you can also prepare many kinds of dipping sauces to go with it.”
“Here are chili sauce, mushroom sauce, green pepper sauce, as well as sesame sauce and peanut sauce, accompanied by chopped scallions, soy sauce, and vinegar. You can mix several according to your taste and choose the one you find most delicious.”
“Our family’s elderly madam likes a mix of chili sauce and mushroom sauce, while the second young lady cannot eat spicy food, so she prefers mushroom sauce. The madam likes green pepper sauce, and the eldest young lady loves spicy food and also enjoys sesame and peanut sauce.”
Jiang Lai, listening nearby, was practically drooling, wishing he could accept it on Zhao Changting’s behalf and start eating immediately.
But after hearing all this, what Zhao Changting thought of was Zhuang Hui’s slender arms.
She clearly ate a lot, yet she never seemed to gain weight.
Zhao Changting was not someone who indulged in culinary pleasures, nor did he think Liu Mama’s lengthy explanation proved the food was particularly delicious. Thus, he replied in a flat tone, “Since it has already been delivered this time, I will accept it. But please do not send any more in the future—not just other foods, but also the previous snacks.”
Liu Mama was taken aback. “But… didn’t you enjoy them very much?”
Jiang Lai couldn’t help but let out a mournful cry, “Ah?”
Naturally, Zhao Changting couldn’t say that all the previous deliveries had ended up in Jiang Lai’s stomach, since they were nominally made by Zhuang Hui herself. So he simply said, “Even the most delicious things can become tiresome if eaten too often.”
So that was the reason!
Liu Mama breathed a sigh of relief, having thought Zhao Changting was displeased and that was why he refused.
“Alright, then we won’t send any more for now,” she said with a smile. “But as for this lamb hotpot…”
Zhao Changting interrupted her, “Don’t send anything else either. If I want something, I’ll send someone to the kitchen to request it.”
That was also acceptable. As the heir, he could have whatever he wanted.
Seeing Zhao Changting’s firm attitude, Liu Mama dared not say anything more and agreed, “The snacks are the same. If you like them, you can have the kitchen maids make them—it’s almost the same. Besides these, the eldest young lady has also taught the kitchen many new dishes. If you’re interested, you can always order them from the kitchen.”
Zhao Changting nodded.
After Liu Mama left, Jiang Lai patted his chest with a look of relief. Fortunately, the kitchen in the mansion could still make them, otherwise, if the heir had silently cut off his milk tea and small cakes, he really would have cried!
Zhao Changting glanced at him. “If you want to eat them in the future, ask the kitchen yourself.”
Jiang Lai grinned and nodded, stepping forward to start the fire for the hotpot. “Yes, sir! You must be hungry now. I’ll set up the stove and get it burning. Shall we eat now?”
Liu Mama had delivered the stove, the hotpot, various dishes, and all the seasonings together.
Besides the lamb bones already simmering in the pot, there were also two large plates of sliced lamb and plenty of side dishes. Even with Zhao Changting’s large appetite, it was impossible for him to finish it all alone.
But for some reason, he found Jiang Lai somewhat irritating.
Perhaps it was because he looked down on Jiang Lai’s gluttony—how utterly unimpressive!
Thinking this, Zhao Changting suppressed the words about to be spoken to drive the person away and ignored him.
This was tacit permission. Jiang Lai swiftly set the pot on the stove to heat while leisurely taking a small cake and stuffing it into his mouth. Finding it a bit dry, he was just about to take a sip of milk tea when, as he lifted the cup, an unwelcome voice sounded in his ear: “Bring it over.”
Jiang Lai doubted his hearing: “What?”
Zhao Changting: “I’m a bit thirsty today.”
So? Was he going to snatch his milk tea?
Jiang Lai really wanted to pretend he didn’t understand the meaning of those words and first lift the milk tea to gulp down a big mouthful.
Something he had drunk, the young master definitely wouldn’t drink again.
But after lifting it, he still didn’t dare and obediently brought it to Zhao Changting.
Zhao Changting took it but didn’t drink immediately. Instead, he said, “That thing called cake, right? Bring that over too.”
Jiang Lai: “…Are you hungry too?”
Zhao Changting raised an eyebrow at him: “Otherwise?”
Fine, bring it!
Jiang Lai turned to fetch the cake. Since there were several pieces on the plate, he ate one as he picked it up, took another as he quickly turned and approached the table, and by the time he set the plate down, only three pieces remained. He hurriedly grabbed another piece.
Zhao Changting frowned: “Is it that delicious?”
Jiang Lai suddenly smiled: “Try it, maybe you won’t like it.”
If he didn’t like it, there would still be one piece left, and he could still eat it.
“Try the milk tea too, maybe you won’t be used to it.” He didn’t mind anyway; even if the young master drank it, he could still have some.
Zhao Changting: “…”
He scooped a bite of cake into his mouth—soft, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweetness.
Jiang Lai watched him eagerly: “Does it not suit your taste?”
Zhao Changting simply ignored him, took a sip of the milk tea—still warm, with more tea flavor than milk and a hint of sweetness. He really didn’t care much for this, but the small cake was quite good.
Jiang Lai didn’t give up and continued asking: “Can you get used to the milk tea? Does it not suit your taste?”
Zhao Changting: “Hmm, I’m not used to it.”
Jiang Lai was overjoyed and immediately picked up the milk tea, gulping down two big mouthfuls: “I love it!”
As soon as he finished speaking, he reached for the cake again.
Zhao Changting directly swatted his hand away: “Go tend to the pot.”
It wasn’t until he was eating the delicious lamb hotpot, dipped in a spicy and savory mixed sauce of chili paste and mushroom paste, that Jiang Lai’s wounded heart from not being able to finish the whole plate of small cakes was finally soothed: “So delicious!”
“Better than any hotpot I’ve ever had before! Young Master, how did the young lady come up with such a delicious sauce? It’s amazing!”
Zhao Changting finished a piece of lamb before saying: “Even eating can’t shut your mouth!”
…
Liu Mama relayed the message to Zhuang Mingxiang, who didn’t overthink it and smiled: “He might really be tired of it. We’ve been sending it every three to five days—that’s indeed too frequent.”
Liu Mama thought the same but added: “However, the young master said not to send anything else in the future. If he wants to eat something, he’ll send someone directly to the main kitchen to say so.”
Zhuang Mingxiang nodded: “That’s fine too, even better. It saves us from sending something when he doesn’t want it and not sending when he does. For now, we won’t send anything. Once the jewelry set from Treasure Pavilion is ready, I’ll pick a time when he’s also around to give it to A Zhi. As for the horse, we’ll send it to him once we find one.”
With nothing further needing Zhao Changting’s attention, Zhuang Mingxiang shifted her focus to Zhuang Hui’s marriage prospects. Fortunately, she and Wang Qiaoru were close friends from their youth, and despite their differing social statuses now, their bond remained as strong as ever.
In fact, Wang Qiaoru even had some requests to make of her these days.
As for Wang Qiaoru’s son, his only shortcomings were his somewhat plain appearance and the fact that he was not a scholar.
But Zhuang Mingxiang was confident that Cui Lang had no other issues, such as character flaws. If he did, Wang Qiaoru, as her friend, would not—and dared not—harm her daughter.
Soon, it was the fifteenth of October. Since there was no adult male to accompany Cui Lang, Zhuang Mingxiang invited Wang Qiaoru to visit in the afternoon. She planned to chat with Wang Qiaoru first, then meet Cui Lang, and have Zhuang Hui exchange a few words with him over tea and snacks, concluding the meeting.
Zhuang Hui had been informed well in advance. Determined to succeed this time, she put even more effort into her preparations than she had for Pei Zizhao. She carefully shaped her eyebrows and applied makeup, not only adding color to her lips but also smoothing her complexion with face cream. Even her outfit was brand new.
When she went out, she brought along not only Yingtáo but also Xiānglí. Even though it was her own home and Cui Lang likely posed no danger, having them with her brought greater peace of mind!
Author’s Note: See you tomorrow.
However, I have to go out tomorrow. If there’s no update by three o’clock, it might be in the evening instead.