Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

32, Sneer

Xie Zhinuan did not care about Madam Yuan’s opinion of her, whether she liked her or not.

She did not live by depending on Madam Yuan either. If they got along, she would visit more often; if not, she simply would not visit in the future.

She aimed to repay the lifesaving kindness of Old Master Yuan and Madam Ni, not Madam Yuan.

Upon arriving at Madam Yuan’s room, Yuan Cheng was also there, and several types of fabric were displayed on the table, along with a brocade box.

“Zhinuan, sit!” Yuan Cheng was very polite.

After calling out ‘uncle,’ Xie Zhinuan sat down.

Yuan Cheng was somewhat like Old Master Yuan, straightforward and direct. He made it clear that everything on the table was for Xie Zhinuan to take back to Xiaohe Village.

“All for me?” Xie Zhinuan was somewhat surprised and, after thinking for a moment, shook her head, “No need, I have already accepted the silver.”

“Do you think they’re not good enough?” Yuan Cheng asked.

Xie Zhinuan shook her head.

It was not about the quality of the items.

“I’ve already bought fabric!”

“Girl, this is just a small gesture from your uncle, and there’s this too!” Yuan Cheng took out a small gold Yuanbao and slid it towards Xie Zhinuan, “This is for you as well!”

Fearing that Xie Zhinuan would refuse, Yuan Cheng added, “Actually, your uncle has another small favor to ask of you. I hope that when you have time, you will visit the restaurant often and give us some guidance!”

Xie Zhinuan immediately understood Yuan Cheng’s intention.

Giving cooking advice wasn’t difficult.

“Then I will accept it!”

Yuan Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.

“Uncle, actually, there’s something else I need your help with!”

“What is it, just tell me!”

“I want to buy a maid or a servant woman who knows martial arts and can drive a donkey cart. If she knows some medical skills, that would be even better. If you come across someone like that, no matter the cost, could you please front me the money?”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cheng glanced at Xie Zhinuan.

This young lady was attractive and would inevitably attract trouble when out and about; it was indeed necessary to have a couple of people skilled in martial arts by her side.

“Got it, I’ll keep an eye out!”

Xie Zhinuan took all the items back to her room, and Azhu looked on with extreme envy.

After opening and examining the items, she took out a pair of silver earrings and a piece of fabric and handed them to Azhu.

Azhu was momentarily stunned, then overjoyed, “Thank you, Miss!”

Xie Zhinuan smiled.

It was just a trivial matter to her, and she didn’t take it to heart.

Perhaps because of the fabric and earrings, Azhu became even more attentive, treating Routuan exceptionally well.

During dinner, Yuan Wang said a few words to Xie Zhinuan, who responded coolly, without excessive enthusiasm.

Madam Yuan thought this attitude was very sensible of Xie Zhinuan, but at the same time felt that she lacked taste for not admiring her eldest son.

She was quite conflicted.

Yuan Wang kept sneaking looks at Xie Zhinuan, mesmerized even by her half-turned face as she ate demurely.

“Zhinuan, eat more!” Yuan Cheng said softly.

He had never spoken so gently to his own daughter.

“Alright!” Xie Zhinuan responded.

She had a small appetite and didn’t eat much.

Yuan Cheng talked about having Donghua take her back to Xiaohe Village the next day as the restaurant business had just started to pick up and he couldn’t leave.

Neither did he dare to.

Yuan Wang wanted to say that he would accompany her on the trip back, but he didn’t dare voice it, as doing so would reveal what was in his heart.

He snuck another look at Xie Zhinuan, saw her nodding obediently, and his affection grew even stronger.

When Li Hengyi again visited Yuanji, Donghua immediately led him to a private room on the second floor.

“Bring some scallion tofu!”

“…”

Though puzzled, Donghua quickly went to make arrangements.

The scallion tofu was soon brought up.

Without having to taste it, Li Hengyi knew the dish wasn’t made by the same person who cooked at noon.

He glanced at Yuanbao.

And made no move to eat.@@novelbin@@

Yuanbao was momentarily confused, “My lord, please wait a moment!”

Yuanbao went downstairs to the counter, and with a serious expression, inquired, “Where is your shopkeeper?”

“…,” Donghua was taken aback, seeing Yuanbao’s attire and realizing he was not someone to be trifled with, “Please wait, I’ll call our shopkeeper right away!”

When Donghua arrived, dinner was nearly finished.

“Shopkeeper, two gentlemen have arrived outside; you should go and see them!”

“…”

Worried about troublemakers, Yuan Cheng quickly put down his chopsticks, told Xie Zhinuan to eat slowly, and hurried out.

With Yuan Cheng gone, the atmosphere at the dining table was a bit off.

Madam Yuan remained polite, but distant, unlike when Yuan Cheng was present.

Xie Zhinuan, sharp as she was, immediately noticed but kept silent.

She thought that it would be best to visit less often in the future. Even if she had to go to a county town, she’d choose a different one, even if it was further away.

Yuan Wang, however, kept stealing glances at Xie Zhinuan.

When she finished eating and put down her cutlery, he quickly finished the rice in his bowl and laid down his chopsticks as well.

“Aunt, I have finished eating. Please take your time!”

“You’re finished? Then go tidy up. You will return to Xiaohe Village tomorrow, so don’t leave anything behind!”

“Alright!”

Xie Zhinuan agreed, then left the room.

A cold sneer just curled the corner of her lips.

Chapter 34