After seeing Li Shun off, Yu Jinghong quickly turned to Shen Yanchu. “Wife, we mustn’t tell the girl about these gifts.”
“Why? These are rewards for our daughter, aren’t they?” Shen Yanchu asked.
“These gifts are meant to thank Yu Hua for solving the treasury crisis—but she doesn’t know that. If we give them to her now, how would we explain it?”
“You have a point, but as her parents, can we really withhold her wealth? If she finds out later, how would she see us? You know her—she’s greedy.”
“As long as we don’t mention it, and I’ve instructed the servants to stay tight-lipped, she won’t know a thing.”
“But there’s no wall the world can’t see through. Eventually, she’ll find out.”
“We aren’t keeping these gifts out of greed. Let’s store them in the treasury. Later, they can serve as her dowry.”
“But doesn’t she always say she won’t marry?”
“We can’t let her decide everything. When we grow old and can no longer work, who will care for her?”
Meanwhile, Yu Hua woke up at dusk, stretching lazily. “Huamei, Dujuan, I’m hungry.”
Huamei immediately responded, “Miss, I knew you’d be hungry. Your meal is ready. Dujuan went to fetch it.”
Dujuan quickly brought the food, and Yu Hua began eating ravenously.
“Miss, slow down. No one’s fighting you for it.”
“I can’t slow down; I’m starving! After this, we’re going out to have fun.”
“Miss, it’s this late, and you still want to go out?”
“Of course! Otherwise, we’d waste such a beautiful day.”
Huamei curiously asked, “Where do you plan to go?”
“The streets of the capital are so lively. Let’s walk around, see what’s good to eat, and maybe buy some to bring back.”
Dujuan was delighted. “I’ll prepare right away.”
Soon, they arrived at a busy street. Yu Hua’s eyes lit up at a wonton stall. She ran over. “Sister, three bowls of wonton, please.”
“She’s so pretty… why’s she selling wontons? From now on, I’ll call her Wonton Beauty,” Yu Hua thought.
The stall woman, smiling, replied politely, “Miss, please wait a moment. Your wontons will be ready shortly.”
Huamei and Dujuan followed.
“Why are you just standing there? Sit and eat together!” Yu Hua urged.
Huamei, flustered, said, “Miss, how can this be? We’re your servants; we shouldn’t eat at the same table.”
Dujuan also looked incredulous. “Miss, you just ate. How can you still want wontons?”
“Eating is eating. Wontons are wontons. Sit! I command you!”
Reluctantly, the two girls sat on either side of her.
The Wonton Beauty quickly served three steaming bowls. “Miss, enjoy.”
Yu Hua’s mouth watered at the aroma. Dujuan quickly offered a handkerchief.
“Stop fussing! Just eat!” Yu Hua snapped, digging in.
Huamei laughed, “Miss, slow down! Careful, it’s hot.”
“Who would have thought such delicious wontons could come from a small street stall? Try it, it’s amazing!”
Dujuan and Huamei began eating as well.
While Yu Hua enjoyed her meal, a hoarse voice suddenly called out, “Daughter-in-law, how many wontons did you sell today? Hand me the money—I need to buy ink, paper, and brushes for Tianxiang.”
“Mother, business was slow today… not much money was made,” Wonton Beauty stammered.
“That won’t do! If you don’t earn money, how will Tianxiang have materials to study? He must become a top scholar. Don’t ruin this chance for him.”
“Host, there’s gossip. Big gossip. Want to hear?” the system whispered in Yu Hua’s mind.
Yu Hua’s eyes brightened. “Of course! What is it?”
“It’s about this Wonton Beauty,” the system revealed.
The stall woman looked confused. “Is Miss speaking? But she didn’t open her mouth…”
Dujuan and Huamei were used to it, eating quietly while listening to the gossip.
The old woman (Wonton Beauty’s mother-in-law) looked suspiciously around. Only Yu Hua, Huamei, and Dujuan were present, eating silently. “Who is speaking?” she wondered.
“This Wonton Beauty was once a wealthy girl. After her husband cut ties with his family, she now runs this stall to support him, Ma Tianxiang, in his studies to become a top scholar,” the system explained.
“That’s good! Once he becomes a top scholar, she won’t have to toil in the sun selling wontons,” Yu Hua thought.
“Host, don’t get too optimistic. Her husband Ma Tianxiang has secretly taken a concubine, supported by the money Wonton Beauty earns. The old crone here is Ma Tianxiang’s mother, and the concubine already bore him a son. After he passes the exams, they plan to divorce Wonton Beauty and live happily ever after with the concubine.”
“That’s despicable! A true ancient Chen Shimei!” Yu Hua fumed.
Huamei and Dujuan looked puzzled. “Who’s Chen Shimei?”
No one explained.
Wonton Beauty clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
“Even worse, the old crone knew all along and often visited to help care for their child.”
“Absolute cruelty!” Yu Hua thought.
Wonton Beauty bit her lips until blood appeared.
“Today, the mother-in-law came asking for money to buy toys for the concubine’s child. And that scumbag husband is off cozying up with the concubine right now.”
“Unbelievable! Scumbags never change!”
“Worst of all, the concubine lives directly across from Wonton Beauty’s house. That’s why he returns home so late, lying that he was studying when he was actually with her.”
“This is infuriating! I can’t stand it!” Yu Hua exclaimed.
Unable to hold back, Wonton Beauty ran into the kitchen, grabbed a cleaver, and was about to storm out.