Chapter Fourteen: A Chance Encounter at the Restaurant Arriving at Zui Xiang Lou, Hua Ling led Yuechun inside. The moment they entered, it felt completely different—the décor was splendid, and there were many patrons. The aroma of food kept drifting over, making Hua Ling feel even hungrier.
Hua Ling found a seat and sat down. Yuechun did not dare sit; naturally, she stood behind Hua Ling to serve her. Seeing her like this, Hua Ling pressed her lips into a smile and said, “Sit down, quickly. I already told you, this isn’t like home. Sit down, or I’ll get angry.”
Only then did Yuechun dare to sit. She had never imagined that one day she would be able to eat at the same table as Madam. This was an enormous honor.
Just then, the waiter hurried over with a smile and said, “What would the two of you like to eat?”
“Bring a few of your signature dishes, and a pot of tea,” Hua Ling said casually. She did not know what dishes they served here, nor what was good and what was not. But signature dishes were bound to be delicious, so that was how she ordered.
“Very well. Please wait a moment, it’ll be here right away.” With that, the waiter dashed off like a wisp of smoke.
“There really are quite a lot of people here. It seems its reputation is well deserved,” Hua Ling said, looking around.
“I heard Miss Cousin say that Master often comes here to eat as well, so the food must be very delicious,” Yuechun said without thinking. The moment she finished, she abruptly covered her mouth. Oh no—how could she mention her in front of Madam?
Hua Ling, however, seemed not to mind and replied casually, “Is that so? I’d rather not run into him today, lest I lose my appetite.”
Yuechun was startled again. Madam actually said something like that! Heavens, what woman would dare say she would lose her appetite upon seeing her husband? Moreover, their master was so handsome and dashing—who knew how many noble young ladies he had charmed?
Seeing Yuechun’s astonished expression, Hua Ling laughed. She knew that women in ancient times always regarded their husbands as their heaven. Saying something like this was practically treasonous. But she did not explain. In any case, Yuechun would slowly come to understand her way of doing things.
After a short while, the waiter came over carrying a large tray and said with a smile, “Madam, your dishes are here.” With that, he set them down one by one, placed the teapot at the end, then bowed and withdrew.
Hua Ling looked at the dishes on the table, her appetite greatly stirred. Sure enough, they were excellent in color, aroma, and taste. She picked up her chopsticks, took a bite of one dish, tasted it carefully, and said, “Yuxiang eggplant. Mm, not bad. The heat was controlled just right!”
Hua Ling said this with satisfaction. When she looked up, however, she discovered that Yuechun had not moved her chopsticks at all. She could not help frowning. “Yuechun, why aren’t you eating? If you still don’t eat, I really will get angry. Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who told you to eat with me, so it’s fine. Hurry and eat! We’ve been hungry all morning.”
Yuechun nodded gratefully. Madam truly was different now—compared to before, it was like heaven and earth. But she liked the Madam of now. She was kind, did not make others suffer grievances, and treated servants like them well too.
Yuechun had only just picked up her chopsticks and had not even had time to take any food when she discovered that Mu Yelei had somehow appeared behind Hua Ling. Frightened, she hurriedly stood and said, “Master.”
Hua Ling heard this, looked at Yuechun, and said, “Oh, it’s fine. Don’t worry, I won’t tell your master. Honestly, hurry and sit down to eat. Let me tell you, these braised pork ribs are delicious too. If you don’t eat soon, I’ll finish them all.” Hua Ling held a pork rib with her chopsticks and gnawed at it with great enjoyment, eating with exceptional gusto.
Hearing Hua Ling’s words, Yuechun nearly fainted. In a small voice, she said, “Madam, Master is here.”
“What?” Hua Ling was startled. She turned her little head and looked around, then frowned and said, “Where? Yuechun, hurry up and sit down. Mu Yelei won’t come. He’s so busy, how could he come here? Besides, even if he did come, so what? Could he stop people from eating? Sit down already!”
Yuechun helplessly rolled her eyes, then said in an even smaller voice, “Madam, Master is behind you.”
Hearing this, Hua Ling seemed somewhat doubtful. She blinked, turned her head, and sure enough, saw Mu Yelei. She glanced at him and said, “Do you want to eat a little with us? Oh, right. A busy man like you naturally wouldn’t have the time. How could you be like idlers like us, with nothing to do all day? Since that’s the case, I won’t waste your precious time. Please suit yourself.”
Hua Ling had no favorable impression of him at all. She made a gesture to send him off, then immediately lowered her head and continued gnawing on her fried rib. She paid no attention whatsoever to the gasps her words caused among the people around them. The crowd did not know Hua Ling, but they all knew Mu Yelei. Hearing her speak to the Chancellor in such a manner, murmurs broke out nonstop. Coupled with the fact that they had just heard the maid beside her call her Madam, everyone then understood that this woman was the wife the Chancellor had neglected for a year.
Mu Yelei had not expected to run into her here either. He had originally wanted to come over and greet her, but after hearing her speak that way, he gave a cold snort and swept his sleeves before leaving.
Hua Ling knew that everyone around was pointing at her and whispering, so she simply stood up and said, “Fellow townsfolk, uncles, elders, aunties, brothers and sisters, hello, everyone! I know you are all very curious about me, so this humble woman will introduce herself. My name is Xia Ziying. I hope everyone will just remember my name and not connect it with any certain important person. Thank you very much. That is all I have to say. Those who should drink, please drink; those who should chat, please chat; those who should eat, please eat. Please don’t keep focusing your gazes on me. Thank you!”
After Hua Ling said this, laughter broke out among the crowd. They had not known that the Chancellor’s wife had such eloquence. Everyone chimed in, “Madam is right. Everyone, continue. Do what you were doing, and don’t disturb her.”
The atmosphere instantly became lively again. Only, no one noticed that far away by the entrance, Mu Yelei’s figure had paused, nor did they notice the scrutinizing gaze of Prince Qing, Jin Junxi, standing on the second floor.
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