Chu Wang Fei

When Qu Fei Qing saw the people who are coming towards them, her eyes couldn’t help but flash disgust. But because of their identities, she can only go forward with Yun Qian Meng to greet them.

“Fei Qing greets two shushus1 and two shenshens2.”

“Qian Meng greets two jiujius and two jiumus.”

The first one who opened her mouth, a middle aged beautiful woman is Qu Fei Qing’s san (third) shu’s wife. Originally, she was the doctor of the minister of revenue Tan family’s legitimate daughter. Then she married Fu Guo Gong Fu’s third master who is born from a concubine, as an official wife.

Now Qu Yan is the vice minister of revenue. This Tan family’s Miss is also someone who acts according a situation. Becoming a wife of a vice minister of revenue made her become a little rude when seeing Fu Guo Gong Fu’s eldest Miss. That pair of shrewd eyes revealed a deep disdain.

“Jing Qing, come meet your Fei Qing jiejie.”

Her body turned slightly and shouted towards a girl in a pink dress behind her. That voice sounded arrogant like she was in her own house.

When Yun Qian Meng her that girl’s name, she frowned. If going according to the rules, a child born of a concubine line can’t have the same letter in her/his name as the children born from the legitimate line.

But this Qu Yan has always been ambitious. Even naming his daughter, he used the letter ‘Qing’ which sound the same as the letter ‘Qing’ in biaojie’s name. People who aren’t familiar with Qu family will certainly confuse Qu Jing Qing as a legitimate granddaughter of the Qu family. But this also let Lao Tai Jun unable to find any fault at the name. After all the two letters only sound the same, but they are different letters. If they let Qu Jing Qing change her name, that Qu Yan will certainly let everyone in Jingdu know that Lao Tai Jun as the legitimate mother couldn’t tolerate the illegitimate children. Therefore, Lao Tai Jun and Qu Ling Ao can only close their eyes and did as if nothing happened.

曲景清: qū jǐngqīng: the qing here means clear

曲妃卿: qū fēi qīng: the qing here means high ranking official or a term of endearment used between spouses

Thinking like that Yun Qian Meng looked with slightly curved eyebrows at Qu Fei Qing. Qu Fei Qing was also looking at her. In those big eyes crossed a touch of frustration. The originally raised lips are now also pinched.

“Jing Qing greets Fei Qing jiejie, greets Qian Meng meimei.”

By this time, that Qu Jing Qing already stood before the two. She slowly bowed to the two, but that knee only bent a little forward. It didn’t show much of an arc. Presumably letting this Miss from the concubine line bow to them, her heart must be very unhappy.

“Meng er greets Jing Qing jiejie.”

Yun Qian Meng saw that Qu Fei Qing also looked unhappy, she smiled lightly and returned the greeting. Then she straightened up and looked at Qu Jing Qing.

Today, Qu Jing Qing is dressed in a pink dress. On that pink dress is covered with a pale violet muslin. The skirt and cuffs is embroidered with dyed gold threaded peach flowers. It looked truly fascinating.

In the past months, Yun Qian Meng has been trying hard to learn everything from the ancient times. If she still has her ability of ‘see and never forget’, this golden threads used on Qu Jing Qing, is the finest thread that every Misses want. From Qu Yan’s salary, he will need to save for a whole year before he could buy a liang (around 50 grams) of these golden threads. But from the peach flower embroidery on Qu Jing Qing’s body, he must have spent a great deal of money. Being a minister must be good, even a vice minister’s daughter can wear something more luxurious than the empress. Don’t know what kind of effect will come out of it, if this is seen by those furens and Misses.

“Jing Qing jiejie’s dress is really more beautiful than flowers. If you stand in the garden, people really won’t be able to tell who is a person and who is a flower.”

Yun Qian Meng opened her mouth to compliment Qu Jing Qing, making Qu Fei Qing look puzzled at her.

Tan shi heard Yun Qian Meng being so sensible, those lips painted in rouge laughed. Her eyes are full of pride. She couldn’t help but show of: “Of course, don’t you see how much money is spent on our Jing Qing’s golden threads? We……”

“Shut up!”

At this time, Qu Yan shouted while frowning. It scared Tan shi that she immediately shutted her mouth. She looked cautiously at Qu Yan and then obediently stood behind him. Qu Yan has the aura of a smart middle aged man on him. Compared to Qu Ling Ao’s outspokenness, just with one glance you’ll know that this Qu Yan is a cunning man. And just now, he timely shouted to stop Tan shi. It’s to block Yun Qian Meng’s intention. Therefore, this made Qu Yan put his gaze onto Yun Qian Meng. That pair of calm eyes, with a touch of cold looked at the smiling Yun Qian Meng. He found out that he couldn’t see even half through this waishengnu who the outside called coward and timid. This made Qu Yan’s heart uncomfortable. If the rumors are false, then Fu Guo Gong Fu has one more helper. For him this isn’t a good thing.

Yun Qian Meng is generously letting Qu Yan slowly look at her. That smile remained consistently on her face.

Now, Qu Qing Fei also felt that the attitude of Qu Yan is strange. That pair of eyes looked at Qu Jing Qing. On her mouth slowly formed a slight smile.

“Yi, isn’t this Meng er?”

The one who came to them is the fourth master from the concubine line, Qu Fu. He is really the same as his name. This fourth master is trying the whole day to make poems. He doesn’t care about the affairs of the state. He only relied on the face of Fu Guo Gong Fu to get the position of being an idle person in the capital. He muddled every day off. These also showed that this fourth master isn’t seeking to make progress. Plus, he is from the concubine line. So those Misses are reluctant to marry him. Fu Guo Gong Fu can only selected a legitimate daughter of a rich merchant to marry him. So compared to that Tan shi’s arrogance, that shi (fourth) jiumu is a lot more low-key. Because her parents is well off, the dress that she is wearing isn’t less than that of Tan shi. Bai shi is a daughter from a merchant family. On her body is more or less, the aura of a clever person. It can be compared to the wife of the vice minister of revenue, Tan shi. One can imagine, when two equally skilled people at scheming get together, there will be much to fuss about.

“Yes! Meng er greets shi jiujiu, shi jiumu.”

Yun Qian Meng saw that Qu Fu has a literary aura. It’s just that that pair of eyes is red because of staying up late at night. His skin is too yellow like he has is sick. And Bai shi who is standing next to her husband but didn’t show any care. Presumably this Qu Fu has been stained by some bad practices of the scholars. He has some literary talent, he’ll go around searching for his beauty. It seems that compared to the ambitious Qu Yan, Qu Fu doesn’t need to try too hard. After all, he is just a wall that can’t help in this struggle.

“Wen er, still nor coming to greet your da jiejie and your biaojie? All day you’re so timid, how do you look like houfu’s Miss?”

That Bai shi coldly shouted at a skinny little girl behind her. The voice is cold without feelings. With a glance, you can know that this isn’t Bai shi’s biological daughter.

That little girl suddenly heard her name, her body trembled. On her face flashed fear, but she couldn’t go against the official wife of her home. She can only slowly step forward. With the head down, she greeted Qu Fei Qing: “Greetings to da jiejie, greetings to da biaojie.”

The voice is as small as a mosquitoes’. The body is thin as paper. It made the always good hearted Qu Fei Qing feel heartache for her. But after all, this is the family mater of shi shu’s (fourth uncle) home. Moreover this Qu Nian Wen is also from a concubine line. There is really no need to get in conflict with san shu and shi shu because of her, lest to not make it difficult for Lao Tai Jun and daddy.

But, although Qu Fei Qing is reminding herself like that in her heart, her eyes still flashed that she couldn’t bear to see her (QNW) like that. Yun Qian Meng knows that she has a good heart, so she patted Qu Fei Qing’s hand without being seen. Then she bowed in front of the few people in front of her: “Biaojie and I still needs to go prepare Lao Tai Jun’s gift. Excuse us first.”

After saying that, Yun Qian Meng pulled Qu Fei Qing who is still feeling bad, away.

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“Pei! Look at that cheap face! Does she really thinks that she is houfu’s Miss? What does it matter if she is a treasure? Her biological mother died and she has been rejected by Chen wang. Her life is wretched!”

The two figure hasn’t gone far yet, when that Tan shi couldn’t wait to curse at Yun Qian Meng’s back. With her hands on her hips, she showed her mood without care of the place that she is now at. It let Qu Jing Qing pull at Tan shi’s sleeves a little shameful.

Qu Yan couldn’t stand this appearance of Tan shi that didn’t care about the situation. Obviously, she is also a Miss from a good family, why are her manner so outrageous? Now they are on Fu Guo Gong Fu and today is Lao Tai Jun’s birthday, on the fu there are many people. If this is seen by someone with schemes, the hat of the vice minister of revenue can be brought down. Thinking like that, Qu Yan’s expression turned serious. He shouted towards that Tan shi: “Be careful of your words and actions! Don’t become a joke in front of everyone!”

In front of his younger brother, Qu Yan didn’t want to bring out his family matter, so he only reminded Tan shi with a few words.

Tan shi is obviously someone who bully the weak but is afraid of the strong. Just now she was cursing, but now being reprimanded by her husband, she immediately quieted down. But that pair of eyes glared fiercely at the direction where Yun Qian Meng disappeared. From a point where Qu Yan couldn’t see, she silently say ‘pei’ at that direction. Then did she feel comfortably to follow Qu Yan to Lao Tai Jun’s Rui Lin yuan.

At this side, Yun Qian Meng pulling Qu Fei Qing quickly went to Ting Yu Xuan. Then did she let go of Qu Fei Qing’s hand.

But obviously Qu Fei Qing has been influenced by those people. She is feeling a bit down. Yun Qian Meng saw that, she patiently enlightened her: “Biaojie, everyone has their own life. Although they can’t choose their birth, but they can choose their road. If Qu Nian Wen is a cowardly person, even if you speak up for her today, it won’t change anything. On contrary, it’ll let shi jiumu hate her more. When they go back, she’ll torture her. That being the case, it would be better to close our eyes. Why should you look at everything and put it in your heart? Wouldn’t that block yourself?”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Yun Qian Meng racked her brains to comfort her and also seeing her point, her bad mood gradually improved. She pulled Yun Qian Meng to spoke some words from the heart: “Meng er, to say the truth, I am really envious of you. Although you were born into such a family, but you’re patient, unyielding and know how to deal with situations unlike me who has been protected too well by the family. Seeing that the outside world is so dirty and cruel, I am actually a little afraid of getting in contact with people.”

Hearing that she is saying words in words, Yun Qian Meng’s eyes couldn’t help but flash a hint of worry. She asked concerned: “Why is biaojie saying that? Meng er couldn’t be more envious of you. In this life, Meng er expect nothing. I just wish that Lao Tai Jun will live long, da jiujiu and da jiumu will be healthy, that biaojie and biaoge will marry well and that Fu Guo Gong Fu will have peace and stability. Those are all what Meng er desires.”

Originally this is a happy thing, but who will know that after Qu Fei Qing listened to Yun Qian Meng’s words, she got sadder. She glanced at the maids in the garden and pulled Yun Qian Meng into the inner room. Then she whispered: “Meng er, I also won’t kept it away from you. You also know, this year I am sixteen. Those matchmakers will come into the fu every day when they have nothing to do. These past few days, Lao Tai Jun, daddy and mother are also helping me choose my future husband. But I haven’t even seen the face of my future husband and need to marry into his family. I don’t want to be like gugu……”

She hasn’t finished talking, but Qu Fei Qing knew that she has said something wrong. She immediately covered her mouth. With eyes full of apology, she looked at Yun Qian Meng. Yun Qian Meng only calmly smiled. She didn’t put Qu Fei Qing’s slip of tongue into her mind. On contrary, she is happy for her: “Waizumu’s, da jiujiu and da jiumu’s eyes must be good. Moreover, with mother’s lesson, I believe that they will certainly be more careful in choosing biaojie’s husband. Biaojie should just relax and don’t bother anymore with it.”

But Qu Fei Qing hasn’t said the other half of her words. The color of her eyes turned darker. She leaned on Yun Qian Meng and said: “Meng er, I’m afraid that zumu nor daddy will have a say in my marriage. Mother went into the palace a few days ago, the empress dowager also talked about this matter. She also let mother bring the portrait of the one’s she (JSY) has set her (JSY) eyes on into the palace to let her review them. I’m afraid that my marriage won’t be that simple. Perhaps…….”

The remaining words, Qu Fei Qing didn’t say them, but Yun Qian Meng has understood. How can a marriage of an official’s daughter be so easy to solve? Not to mention, it’s the empress dowager’s family. Qu Fei Qing as the eldest granddaughter must take up the prosperity of the family onto her shoulders. Thus, the empress dowager wouldn’t let go of such good opportunity to win over the officials. As for herself, if it wasn’t because that Yun Qian Meng committed suicide in the hall and let the empress dowager lose face, she is afraid that her marriage with Chen wang wouldn’t end so soon.

Thinking about that, Yun Qian Meng is really grateful to the previous Yun Qian Meng. Regardless of what the outside world is saying about her, at least she is a free person now. And because her reputation isn’t very good, it let the empress dowager has lest calculation for her. It’s just that Qu Fei Qing is different from her. She is the eldest legitimate Miss of Fu Guo Gong Fu. People will be thinking about her from birth. That she could stay at Fu Guo Gong Fu till sixteen, presumably Lao Tai Jun and da jiujiu has contributed to it a lot. Otherwise, she would’ve long been a political victim of the empress dowager’s.

In this ancient imperial supremacy, even the modern Yun Qian Meng is helpless. That kind of deep and suffocating despair made people unable to breath, but if you struggle against it, you’ll die sooner.

Therefore, Yun Qian Meng can only try to comfort Qu Fei Qing: “Biaojie, even if you’re married, you’re still Fu Guo Gong Fu’s daughter. You’re still waizumu’s beloved granddaughter, da jiujiu and da jiumu’s beloved daughter and also da biaoge’s beloved meimei. If an outsider dares to bully biaojie, I believe that they absolutely will not stand it. And Meng er will always stand at biaojie’s side and will never let biaojie suffer any injustice.”

Qu Fei Qing saw Yun Qian Meng’s serious expression, she laughed. She stretched her hand, hugged Yun Qian Meng and whispered in her ear: “Thank you.”

Because of this soft thanks, Yun Qian Meng smiled. Then she put some distance between them and changed the subject: “No matter what happens in the future, Men er is still biaojie’s meimei. Today is Lao Tai Jun’s good day. We should celebrate well with her.”

Being reminded by Yun Qian Meng, Qu Fei Qing remembered the ingredients in the kitchen that Yun Qian Meng has let her prepare. At this moment, she can vaguely smell the scents in the room. For a time, Qu Fei Qing temporarily discarded the troubles and pulled Yun Qian Meng to the small kitchen.

At this time, in the small kitchen, the mamas are carefully watching the fires. On the stove, waves of heat went straight out. The fragrance went into the people’s noses, making people couldn’t help but have appetite.

Qu Fei Qing couldn’t control herself, and ran to the stove. She reached out her hand to pick up the lid. Fortunately, a sharp- eyed maid stopped her. Otherwise, that delicate skin of Qu Fei Qing would have been burned.

Yun Qian Meng was also scared that she sweated because of Qu Fei Qing’s move. She quickly grabbed Qu Fei Qing’s hand and examined it. Nervously, she asked: “Are you alright? Were you burned?”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Yun Qian Meng really cared about her, she gently smiled. She pulled her sleeves and said assured: “Nothing happened. What are you making? It’s even more fragrant than what our houfu’s cook make.”

Yun Qian Meng smiled mysteriously. She turned to look at the female cook who is watching the fire: “Did you watch the fire according to my instructions? No one touched the ingredients that I prepared, right?”

That female cook saw that Yun Qian Meng is so careful, her heart became more cautious. She answered seriously: “Answering Miss’s question, everything has been prepared according to cousin Miss’s instructions. This lid has never been opened.

Qu Fei Qing heard the female cook’s answer, her eyes is full of questions. She whispered to Yun Qian Meng: “From the moment we left till now, has been an hour and half. What will took so long to stew?”

Yun Qian Meng got a maid to help her roll up her sleeves. She took the other ingredients and started cooking. She still patiently answered Qu Fei Qing’s question: “Lao Tai Jun is already old. She can’t eat food that are too hard. So when preparing food for her, be sure to pay attention to the hardness of the food. Elders have a weak stomach, they can’t take stimulation well anymore.”

Qu Fei Qing is still puzzled, but she felt that everything Yun Qian Meng say is right. So, she stood behind Yun Qian Meng and opened her eyes widely. Curiously, she watched her (YQM) nimble fingers play with the colored ingredients.

“If biaojie has nothing to do, can you go get some green tea for Meng er?”

Yun Qian Meng saw that Qu Fei Qing’s body is almost glued on her back. This small kitchen is small. Moving the body is really not convenient and now there’s one more person who does not work. Yun Qian Meng can only send her away.

Qu Fei Qing saw that she finally has something to do, she happily walked out. The space around Yun Qian Meng became more spacious.

Qu Fei Qing came back as fast as a gust of wind. Her hands is holding different kinds of green tea. A little difficult, she asked Yun Qian Meng: “Meng er, this is Yu Qian Longjing, this is Bi Luo Chun, this is Pu Er tea and this is Tie Guan Yin. So many teas, which one do we use?”

At this time, on Yun Qian Meng’s forehead is little droplets of sweat because of the temperature in the kitchen. She who is busy, glanced quickly at the teas in Qu Fei Qing’s hand. She said: “Bi Luo Chun. Remove the leaves and let the maids grind them into powder.”

Qu Fei Qing is a lady, when did she ever went to the kitchen? At this time listening to Yun Qian Meng saying these things, she understands only a little. The big maid next to her is someone clever. Once she heard Yun Qian Meng’s instructions, she took the tea bags from Qu Fei Qing.

Qu Fei Qing saw that her task has been stolen, she got anxious. She wanted to go pull Yun Qian Meng to ask her to give another task. Unexpectedly, at this time, Yun Qian Meng is chopping. Being pulled by her, the knife in her hand slipped and cut the left index finger. It immediately bled. It scared Qu Fei Qing. She immediately took out her handkerchief to wrap the wound. Her mouth is constantly apologizing: “Meng er…I…it’s all my fault…come quickly with me to see the doctor.”

Yun Qian Meng looked at her flustered expression. She felt that it is her that bullied Qu Fei Qing. She raised her finger to carefully look at it. The knife cut is deep but has not reached the bones. She wrapped the handkerchief tightly around her finger and continued chopping.

“Biaojie, I’m fine. However, you better go out first. The small kitchen is really hot. You go out take a breath. When everything is done, I’ll go see a doctor.”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Yun Qian Meng is so insistent and also saw that she caused Yun Qian Meng to cut her finger, she also didn’t dare to stay. She can only went out of the small kitchen and let the maid call a doctor. She stayed outside of the small kitchen.

Without Qu Fei Qing, Yun Qian Meng did things more quickly. After three hours, every dish has been prepared. The green tea powder is also ready.

Qu Fei Qing only heard a frying sound from the small kitchen. After an hour, she saw Yun Qian Meng came out with the maids carrying different delicacies.

“Meng er, the doctor has come.”

Qu Fei Qing stepped forward, pulled and looked carefully at Yun Qian Meng’s hand. That piece of pink silk handkerchief has been covered in blood. She felt really painful in her heart.

Yun Qian Meng was worried that when the dishes get cold, it’ll affect the taste. She quickly went with Qu Fei Qing to the inner chamber. At the same time that she let the doctor diagnose her wound, she also let the maid wipe the sweat from her face and put a faint layer of powder. Then they rushed to Rui Lin yuan. But they haven’t reached Rui Lin yuan yet when they saw those two jiujius standing at the door.

They met again. This time, Qu Yan’s eyes are full of anger. He actually turned a blind eye on Qu Fei Qing and Yun Qian Meng. Tan shi seeing her husband like that, couldn’t help but go forward and say sarcastically: “Meng er really is filial, coming to Fu Guo Gong Fu to fawn. Presumably, it’s to let Lao Tai Jun get a good marriage for you!”

Yun Qian Meng glanced over. She saw that the few people who were full of pride just now, are now dejected. She smiled at Tan shi and said in a low voice: “At least my fawn is still useful. Sorry for making san jiumu disappointed.”

While talking, they saw Qu eunuch came out of the inner room and welcomed them inside. They left a few people gritting their teeth.

Yun Qian Meng thought that after waiting for such a long time, only Fu Guo Gong Fu and the empress dowager will be left, but the moment she stepped into the inner room, not even one has left. They are all sitting in their place and watched her with curious eyes.

“Finally, you’ve come! Everyone is hungry!”

The empress dowager saw that Yun Qian Meng was slightly stunned, she said those words.

Yun Qian Meng smiled gracefully and bowed with Qu Fei Qing. Then she stood up. She followed the instructions and put the dishes onto the long table. The crowd’s attention couldn’t help but fell onto the first dish. They saw on the circular, white porcelain place was two cranes drawn out of pine tree. They couldn’t help but be attracted to the beautiful pattern.

“Waizumu, the first one is a cold dish. It’s called: Pine Crane Longevity. It’s made from mushrooms, chicken jerky, cucumber, egg whites and egg pine. This dish is also made from pine and cherry. This dish is light and most suitable as appetizer. And around the dish are: five sons celebrating birthday, four oceans celebrating, accompanying each other on the road, three stars watching over you. These five sons celebrating are five different types of nuts. Four oceans celebrating are the four seafood dish. Accompanying each other on the road are the taro and fresh mushroom. Three stars watching over you are the cold hericium erinaceus. Asking emperor, empress dowager, empress and waizumu to have a taste.”

Everyone hasn’t eaten yet, but they’ve already been attracted to this unique platter. They are not convinced that Yun Qian Meng can make such a lifelike dish from such simple ingredients. They picked up the food, looked and looked. After hearing Yun Qian Meng’s speech, they were surprised. They put the food full of expectation into their mouths.

“Really delicious, but fresh and clean nor with an aftertaste of oil. Moreover, this chicken is so good to chew, letting even me with a bad teeth to eat it with relish.”

Lao Tai Jun opened her mouth to praise.

Qu Fei Qing looked admiringly at Yun Qian Meng.

From the other people’s face, it can also be seen that they are satisfied with this appetizer. In particular, the emperor who is used to eating fine but tasteless dishes. He took a few more bites. Yun Qian Meng didn’t show happiness because of Lao Tai Jun’s praise. She turned and personally put the hot dish on the table.

“Lao Tai Jun, the first hot dish is for you to have many grandchildren. It’s pigeon egg holing on deer horn. The second hot dish is represents family love and joy. Its chicken roasted with quail. The third hot dish is represents living forever. It’s sea cucumber boiling with potherb mustard. The fourth hot dish is represents good fortune. Its crab cooked with tofu. The fifth hot dish is representing without worries. Its vegetarian hodgepodge. The sixth hot dish represents prosperity in five lifetimes. It’s steamed butterfish. The seventh hot dish represents Peng Zu (legendary figure of Taoism who lived 800 years) offering life. It’s pheasant thick soup. The last hot dish represents recovering one’s youthful vigor. Its turtle stewed with young chicken. This is followed by soup named Ganquan (county in Yan’an) Jade Liquid. Its ginseng boiled with pigeon.”

After all the hot dish has been served, did Yun Qian Meng retreat to a side, waiting for everyone to have a taste.

But at this point who still have the mind to taste. They have been shocked by Yun Qian Meng dishes’ names.

“Really a smart and thoughtful yatou, ah! Lao Tai Jun, you really are someone blesse, ah. To give you a birthday celebration, this yatou actually thought of such auspicious name for these dishes. Really letting this old man open his eyes. In the past on the camp, when it’s the head general’s birthday, at most we will get one bowl of longevity noodles. Fortunately, this old man came today. Otherwise, I’ll miss so many good things.”

Chu wang has always been straightforward. Now seeing so many food, all those diseases got better. The cough also seemed to have healed. He praised Yun Qian Meng from head to toe again.

“Wangye is overpraising Qian Meng. Qian Meng just took the essence of the ancessors and used it for my own purpose. It’s not an outstanding performance.”

Yun Qian Meng bowed at Chu Nan Shan. Her voice was calm and didn’t have a hint of a spoiled Miss.

Chu wang saw her being so rational, he wanted to open his mouth to praise some more, but in his ears came the cold voice of Chen Lao Tai Jun: “Wangye’s cough seems to have been healed. At this moment, you can even talk so loudly.”

Being exposed in public, Chu wang didn’t care. He pulled Chu Fei Yang’s sleeve to let him take out the bottle of pills for him.

Chu Fei Yang is only looking with a slight smile at his yeye. He slowly took out the bottle of pills. Then he slowly took out a pill. Chu wang quickly threw the pill in Chu Fei Yang’s palm into his mouth.

Yun Qian Meng is standing near them. Her eyes are sharp. She discovered that Chu wang’s pill is just an almond. For a time, she felt it’s funny. But she also got curious about this Chu wang who everyone respects.

While Yun Qian Meng was focused on Chu wang, the food has been served. The four Lao Tai Juns are old. They didn’t like the hard food and those rich in flavors. On contrary, they like Yun Qian Meng’s dishes made from ordinary ingredients.

Although the emperor and empress is young and they didn’t have any special preference for these soft foods, but the food Yun Qian Meng made, all little flavors of the ingredients can be dug out. Plus the fact that when Yun Qian Meng is cooking, she only used a little bit of oil and salt. She didn’t add other spices to provide flavor. It let the emperor and empress eat in joy.

Especially Yu Qian Di. He actually fell in love with the potherb mustard which he has never eaten. He eats and eats.

After the meal, the hearts of everyone are very satisfied.

Jiang Mu Chen put down the chopsticks. With eyes full of inquiry, he looked at Yun Qian Meng. He saw that she saw that everyone is finished. She turned and walked out.

When Yun Qian Meng walked pass him, Chu Fei Yang smelled a hint of scent on her. He narrowed his eyes slightly and looked carefully at Yun Qian Meng’s whole body.

Yun Qian Meng went away and came back. In her hands, she is holding a plate of dessert. That dessert is as green as jade. It’s a small, round, green cookie. The edges of the cookies are sprinkled with sesame seeds. The color is really bright, very nice to look at.

Yun Qian Meng saw that everyone is looking at her full of expectations, she didn’t talk in circles. She explained with a smile: “Lao Tai Jun, this is birthday points: the hand of the Buddha rubbed on the top. Its only Buddha green tea cookie. Just naming it to get good luck. Asking emperor, empress dowager, empress and Lao Tai Jun to not dislike it.”

Lao Tai Jun is already very satisfied with today’s dishes. How could she still pick at Yun Qian Meng’s fault?

After Yu Qian Di picked up a Buddha green tea cookie, she also picked one. She gently took a bite. A surge of green tea fragrance burst in her mouth. This Buddha green tea cookie looked like dessert, but it only brought a little sweetness. Presumably, it’s still Meng yatou who is caring. She knows that elders can’t eat too much of sweets, so she reduced the sugar.

The crowd also didn’t think that such a beautiful delicate Buddha green tea cookie will have such a fresh taste. It also removed the greasiness that was just in the mouth.

A moment later, there isn’t even one Buddha green tea cookie left from that full plate. Everyone looked at Yun Qian Meng while stroking their slightly swollen belly. They have an incredible expression on.

Chu Fei Yang noticed that Yun Qian Meng’s sleeve is contaminated with a little of red. The smiling eyes became slightly serious.

Hai Tian noticed everyone’s expression. They looked at Yun Qian Meng full of appreciation. In her eyes flashed that she can’t accept it. After drinking a gulp of tea, she said smilingly: “Emperor, empress dowager, Miss Yun’s skills is really good. Thinking about it, Miss Yun must be proficient in the four arts (zither, chess, calligraphy and painting). Don’t know whether Miss Yun wants to perform for us?”

After hearing that, Yun Qian Meng lifted her eyes and looked at Hai Tian. She saw that in Hai Tian’s smiling eyes, little hate can be detected. Those slightly lifted lips are full of pride.

Yun Qian Meng has no desire to compare with her. Plus, today she has already shone in front of the people. If she shine anymore, she is afraid that she won’t be able to live a free life anymore. So she politely declined: “Junzhu is looking too highly at Qian Meng. If we has to say who is the most talented in Xi Chu, then surely no one can compare to junzhu. Moreover, there’s a limit to a person’s ability. Qian Meng learned cooking with her heart and didn’t have much time to study poetry and literature. Asking junzhu to understand.”

But Hai Tian doesn’t intend to let Yun Qian Meng go. Seeing her refusing like that, Hai Tian got really angry in her heart. She firmly believe that Yun Qian Meng thought that she already shone and got everyone’s praise, so she (YQM) didn’t put her (HT) in her (YQM) eyes anymore. The smile in those eyes disappeared. Her mouth sneered. With a cold voice, she continued to attack: “Miss Yun doesn’t put ben junzhu in your eyes?”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Hai Tian is being so aggressive, her heart formed resentment. Just now Meng er served everyone with a meal. Now this Hai Tian still wants Meng er to perform? What does she think Meng er is? Meng er is xiangfu’s Miss. Even if she didn’t have xiangye’s love, but she is still a lady. Does Hai Tian thinks that she is a servant that will come just because Hai Tian called?

Yun Qian Meng is restraining the anger in her heart. Although she didn’t know what Hai Tian misunderstood, but she can’t expose her in public. She can only use her brain to search for a solution.

Everyone also heard that in the tone of Hai Tian is full of challenge at Yun Qian Meng. They also know that the junzhu that lives in Hai wangfu has great ambition. And because she has the looks and the talent, she is very arrogant. Seeing that Meng er has shone in cooking, presumably the heart of this junzhu is unhappy. She must make Yun Qian Meng into a fool.

When everyone thought that Yun Qian Meng has been intimidated by Hai Tian’s challenge, Yun Qian Meng still has a calm expression. The tone of her voice is indifferent. The slight smile on her face turned deeper.

“Junzhu’s speech is wrong. To can be in junzhu’s eyes, its Qian Meng’s honor. But today is waizumu’s birthday. Qian Meng has already offered a gift, how can I occupy the time for others to offer their gifts? Qian Meng’s san jiujiu and shi jiujiu waited for a long time outside. Even if Qian Meng is really talented, but I also understood that today’s star is waizumu. How can I steal the limelight?”

One speech to retreat, turning from the defensive to the offensive, making the aggressive Hai Tian even if she has fire in her heart but she couldn’t release it. That pair of eyes looked at Yun Qian Meng. Then she looked at the higher seats. The empress dowager’s expression isn’t as good as before. Hai Tian forced herself to swallow the anger in her heart. She smiled at Yun Qian Meng: “Since it’s like that, it’s Hai Tian who overstepped her bounds. If there’s another opportunity, I would like to learn poetry and literature with Miss Yun.”

Lao Tai Jun has always protected her family. Seeing that Hai Tian still dared to be so arrogant at her place, the smiling eyes cooled down. And she also saw that Yun Qian Meng was busy for half a day but didn’t get to have a meal yet, she said considerately: “Meng er and Fei er, go down and have a meal.”

Yun Qian Meng knows that Lao Tai Jun said that for her. She bowed with Qu Fei Qing and went out.

“Look at what I just said. That Hai Tian is obviously not a good person.”

Going out of the yuan, Qu Fei Qing began to fight for justice. Just now, if it wasn’t because of Yun Qian Meng’s clever reply, she would have rushed forward and set Hai Tian straight.

At this moment, there isn’t any anger detected on Yun Qian Meng. She pleasantly took a deep breath. She shook Qu Fei Qing’s arm and said: “Meng er knows that biaojie loves Meng er the most. However if biaojie got angry, doesn’t that mean that you fell into that person’s trap? Others treating us like that, instead we should be happier. We can’t be in pain because of that and make the enemy happy. If biaojie get angry, I believe that that person will even wake up laughing from her dreams.”

Qu Fei Qing saw that Yun Qian Meng turned fallacious reason into reasons and also teasing her, for a time her cheeks turned red form shame.

By this time, the mama at Ji Shu Yu’s side came over to get Qu Fei Qing to go to the front yard to entertain the other women.

Yun Qian Meng saw that this is the opportunity da jiumu made to let Qu Fei Qing learn how to be in charge of a fu. She smiled and advised Qu Fei Qing who didn’t want to leave.

When there is only her left in the garden, the smile on Yun Qian Meng’s face disappeared. Thinking about Hai Tian’s actions, she thought that it’s appropriate to stay far away from Chu wangfu. But what you’re afraid of will come at you. When she turned around, she saw that Chu Fei Yang is standing behind her. One pair of black eyes shining with laughter is staring at her, scaring Yun Qian Meng that her heart skipped a beat. Then she immediately adjusted her composure and took a step back to put distance between her and Chu Fei Yang.

“Greetings to Chu xiang.”

Chu Fei Yang saw Yun Qian Meng’s panic the moment she saw him and he also saw how she is calming herself now. In his heart, he felt that she is really different from others. If it was another woman, being approached by a strange mane, they will be already in fear and panic. But Yun Qian Meng can react in an instant and can put an extremely calm attitude to ease herself. What kind of woman is she? What did she experience? Why is she calm like she has already lived for a few lifetimes?

However, this time Chu Fei Yang came to the garden it’s not to explore the mystery around Yun Qian Meng. He pulled out a white porcelain bottle and put in front of Yun Qian Meng. He said in a serious tone: “The hand is injured, don’t let it get in contact with water. Apply this cream daily. Not even ten days, the skin will recover as new.”

Yun Qian Meng looked at the bottle in front of her, but didn’t reach her hand out to accept it. On contrary, she is thinking about the reason that Chu Fei Yang has come. Moreover, Xi Chu has very strict requirements for women. It’s absolutely not permitted for man and woman to be alone.

Chu Fei Yang has no room to let her slowly ponder. Plus the fact that he is originally not someone who follows the etiquettes. Seeing that Yun Qian Meng is thinking, he put the bottle of cream into her hands. And he himself disappeared from the garden without a breath.

Yun Qian Meng looked at the bottle of cream in her hand. While her heart is upset, but she can only hid it in her sleeves. She decided to go back to Qu Fei Qing’s Ting Yu Xuan to rest. But she hasn’t even walked hundred meters, when she saw Rong Yun He coming towards her. Yun Qian Meng wanted to avoid, but when Rong Yun He saw her, he actually accelerated his speed. He quickly walked to her. He put a blue bottle in front of her. Then he cleared his throat and said awkwardly: “Zumu let me give this to you.”

While talking, he put the bottle next to Yun Qian Meng’s feet. Then he turned and left. Yun Qian Meng looked at the blue bottle next to her feet and thought about the white bottle in her sleeves, she felt a headache forming.

Comments:

1. 叔叔 (Shūshu): father’s younger brother

2. 婶婶 (shěnshen): shushu’s wife