Chapter 10: Cooking

Part 1

Shi Lian had only come because of her stepmother’s instructions. But because of her quiet nature and Sang Wan’s unfamiliarity towards her, Sang Wan was left in an uncomfortable situation. Similarly, for a girl who puts her own safety first, there was nothing she could say to her sister-in-law. But luckily, with the chirpy little girl, the awkwardness between the two were not that bad; they were at least able to have a few conversations with each other.

The thought of Shi Fengju accompanying Sang Wan to the Sang family early in the morning made Gu Fangzi’s heart feel somewhat sour. But immediately, she got over it. Lifting her slender white fingers, she knocked softly onto Shi Rui’s forehead and laughed softly, “You ah, only know how to play and care not for anything else! However, tomorrow will not be possible. Your big sister has to go for her homecoming tomorrow!”

“Homecoming? What is homecoming?” Shi Rui was startled and asked cluelessly.

The maidservants in a corner giggled among themselves. Sang Wan and Gu Fangzi couldn’t help but laughed. As for for Shi Lian, she finally had enough with the teacup and rested it on the table before laughing with the rest of them. Seeing that everyone, except her, was mysteriously laughing; she glanced to her right, then to her left before asking with a perplexed look on her face. “Did I… did I say something wrong?”

“What does a kid know?” Gu Fangzi glanced at Sang Wan intimately before smiling, “homecoming means to return to the parental home. Tomorrow, your big sister has to return to her parental home! Why don’t we wait a few days when the weather becomes a little warmer and pick a sunny afternoon to enjoy ourselves in the garden? We might as well fly kite too! What do you say?”

Gu Fangzi took the initiative to help herself out of predicament; Sang Wan naturally thought the least she should do was show some sign of gratitude. With that, she nodded her head slightly.

Shi Rui gave an “ó” to show she understood; but once she heard that she could also get to do kite flying, she was overwhelmed with excitement that she couldn’t stop grinning and clapping, and started talking about the big swallow kite in her chamber.

“We’ve sat for quite a while already; let’s not trouble big sister Sang Wan any further and head back now.” Shi Lian showed a tired smile as she spoke.

“That is so!” Gu Fangzi hurriedly smiled and nodded. Turning to Sang Wan, she continued, “Cousin-in-law Sang Wan still has to prepare dinner later on so we should take our leave soon! Before that, let me give you a huge hint; Aunt Wang Shi loves to eat winter melon soup. Xī xī, if cousin-in-law were to prepare it, I’m sure Aunt Wang Shi will be pleased!”

Part 2

“Is that so? Hēhē, many thanks to cousin Fangzi for the advice!” Sang Wan’s eyes glistered and her lips hooked a smile; however, her hand that was clutching the handkerchief was rather tight.

In her past life, Gu Fangzi also showed her kindness by giving her an advice. And sure enough, she heeded her advice and made winter melon soup. However, that soup was tampered with; and once Wang Shi ate it, she developed red rashes all over her face and was mocked by that Zhuang lady. And because of this, Wang Shi no longer wanted to see her again as she was so furious at her that her teeth itched!

“Cousin-in-law, you’re welcome!” Gu Fangzi giggled and mischievously winked at her before leaving together with Shi Lian and Shi Rui.

Sang Wan secretly sighed. Winter melon soup…winter melon soup!

Now that Gu Fangzi had announced in front of so many people that Wang Shi’s favorite dish was winter melon soup, if she were to not make it, it would seem as if she does not put Wang Shi of high importance; and deliberately rejecting Gu Fangzi’s good heart! This winter melon soup… even if she were unwilling to prepare it, she would still have to prepare it.

Though it was said that the new daughter-in-law would be preparing the dishes, in actual fact, the kitchen staff would be coming out with a lists of dishes and the new daughter-in-law would just have to pick the dishes enough for a table. Other than the one or two dishes prepared by the new daughter-in-law, the rest of the dishes would be prepared by the kitchen staff. To have the daughter-in-law prepare an entire table of dishes, where would she have the energy to do so?

For this dinner in her past life, she made winter melon soup and steamed mandarin fish. Since there was no way of escaping from preparing the winter melon soup, Sang Wan decided to simply go on with those two dishes.

“Ma’am,” Zhide rejected the keys and took a step back before giving a smile, “This, it would be better if Ma’am returns these to the Young Master personally! These keys are the Young Master’s most treasured item. All of us Nubi do not dare to touch it!” Of course, such an important item was not something Zhide dared to touch as it might arouse suspicions.

Sang Wan almost choked to a point where she might have fainted! How could her luck be so good? Does this mean that there is no way of escaping from heaven’s will? She trod cautiously and persevered forward, and was just one step away; were they all for naught?

“Ma’am, it’d be best to head there quickly; Young Master is still waiting for it! Ó, Nubi will look after the fire here!” sensing Sang Wan’s hesitation, Zhide spoke sensibly.

Since their exchange had reached to such a point, there was no reason left that could justify her hesitation. Shi Fengju is her husband; a husband is like a god, and his words are the heavenly edict. One does not comply only when one does not wish to live to see another day.

And that god directly concerns her life and death; a being that she can never provoke.