Arc 2: Part 27
"Winter hunting? So, are expectations for me to accompany you, and prepare meals for my brother?"
When Xiao Qingwan received the news, she was quite anxious.
With each passing day, her standing in the Xiao Mansion was gaining more respect. That was indeed a good thing, but it was all due to the meals she prepared!
If one day the truth were to be exposed...
No, she couldn't let that happen.
She must figure out a way!
"Miss," said the messenger sent by Little Thirteen sheepishly, "at the winter hunting event, a lot of young masters and daughters from affluent families will be there. It might help you relax a bit." He wracked his brain for comforting words, "The Emperor seldom leaves the palace—it's because Prince He Lian Prince is in the capital city that this trip..."
"Prince He Lian? The Emperor?" Xiao Qingwan interrupted with surprise, stepping forward to press the matter, "Will the Emperor be there? Will Prince He Lian be there?"
"Of, of course!"
Xiao Qingwan seemed to think of something then asked, "Is Bai Zhu going?"
"Yes, he is. The Taifu said that both of you should attend. Miss, I should report back to him now..."
"No, you wait a moment." Xiao Qingwan squinted, her tense facial expression suddenly dissolving into a slight smile.
Her laugh was filled with unrestrained joy and excitement, yet the messenger somehow felt a chill running down his spine.
"Don't hurry. I previously promised some friends toward a gathering when I visit another house. Why don't we just plan that for the winter hunt? Please report back to General Thirteen. I'm afraid I'll be needing him to prepare some ingredients."
Prepare ingredients? Were these rich young ladies planning a feast?
When Little Thirteen received the message, he found it quite strange but couldn't identify what was out of place. Left with no choice, he merely reported his confusion to Xiao Lingchen.
By this time, Xiao Qingwan had already begun to send out invites, simply stating that she had learned a new recipe and was inviting her confidantes for a gathering.
Being the eldest daughter in the Xiao Mansion and very popular among the capital's noblewomen circles, no one refused Xiao Qingwan's invitation.
As the news spread among the young ladies' friends, family, and their brothers, and Xiao Qingwan was intentionally fuelling discussions further, by the day of the winter hunt departure, the news about this small banquet had spread across half of the affluent circle.
Oddly enough, Tong Su was the last one to know.
At that moment, she was sitting in a carriage, jostling among a convoy of carriages from noble families, all headed towards the winter hunting grounds.
Xiao Qingwan, sitting beside her with a full-faced smile, was holding a tea bowl.
All maids had been sent to the back carriage.
"I will not help you. For your gathering, let the chefs and maids prepare the meals. Why do I need to take part?"
Tong Su frowned, her gaze coolly meeting Xiao Qingwan's.
"Sister, we had an agreement before: I would only cook for you. Then you said our brother has been working hard, so I started to cook for him too. But now, you want me to even prepare meals for other young ladies from noble families. Are you treating me like your personal chef?"
Xiao Qingwan leaned in closer, acting as if she had Tong Su's best interests at heart, and said, "Little sister, I am doing this for your sake. Eventually, you will have to marry. Normally, you stay at home, where would you get the chance to see the world? If you come with me and show off your culinary skills, won't that be impressive? Besides, if you happen to fancy any young master, later while arranging marriage, you'd will it as well.”
How could Tong Su believe her?
Was Xiao Qingwan hosting this banquet with such thoughtfulness just for her?
Impossible!
Tong Su retorted without hesitation, "Forget that I don't want to get married right now. Even when I do decide to, it would be by the command of my parents and the counsel of matchmakers, with my brother making decisions for me. As Bai Zhu, I dare not make decisions on my own. Moreover, if someone becomes fond of me merely because of my culinary skills, eventually when it comes down to proposing, would that person be marrying a wife or a servant who merely cooks?"
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