Arc 2: Part 9
Xiao Qingwan knew well the principle of following a hard hit with a sweet date.
After scolding Bai Zhu, she softened her tone and coaxed, "Listen to me, I am the one who cares about you most. You liked the fabric in my room, right? How about I have someone tailor it into a set of clothes for you?"
Tong Su stopped her actions, innocently raised her head and said, "Sister, you used to say that Bai Zhu's craftsmanship was not good, and you would not let me give the things I made to others. Now that there are many talented chefs in the kitchen, why is it that you insist only on eating what Bai Zhu makes?"
Xiao Qingwan furrowed her brows in annoyance. "Bai Zhu! It took a great deal of effort to bring you back. All I want is to eat the snacks you made. Is it necessary for you to resist so much?"
"Bai Zhu just does not understand," she said. "You said that whenever I don't understand something, I should ask you. You always want me to make so much food. There's no way you can eat it all by yourself."
"All I think is that what you make is delicious," Xiao Qingwan continued. "You know how hard it is for me to manage everything here. There are a few people in the mansion that also enjoy your food and they would ask for it. They are unreasonable and rude, and it is not easy for me to deal with them."
Tong Su shook her head and said slowly, "I'm afraid I can't. I was beaten yesterday and I'm covered in injuries. You won't let me see the imperial doctor, so I can only go to the medical clinic today. I probably won't be able to make it to the kitchen."
How naïve the original body was.
She foolishly saw Xiao Qingwan as the one and only caring sister, totally oblivious to the fact that Xiao Qingwan was using her as if she were a mere maid.
"What, a medical clinic? You can't go!" Xiao Qingwan's face changed instantly.
"If I don't go to the clinic, what can I do about my hand?"
To prove her point, Tong Su extended her hand toward Xiao Qingwan. Her arm was covered in a multitude of greenish-purple bruises. The sight was appalling and made one's heart tremble.
"Sister, of course, Bai Zhu wants to help you, but how can I cook looking like this?"
"Bai Zhu!" Xiao Qingwan exclaimed.
Xiao Qingwan had not expected that today's Bai Zhu would be so difficult to deal with. The Thirteenth Regiment Leader was urging her, and who knows when Xiao Lingchen would wake up. If there was a delay in her plans, how could she explain herself?
With her mind in turmoil, Xiao Qingwan managed to suppress her annoyance and put on a pretense of being a caring sister, half-threateningly persuading Tong Su.
"You naughty girl, why didn't you tell your sister about your injuries? Would I stop you from seeking medical help? If you help me make some food, I'll send a note to Doctor Liu and ask him to come examine your wounds. Is that okay?"
Tong Su smiled, her eyes sparkling clear, as if she could see right through Xiao Qingwan's plans. Xiao Qingwan avoided her gaze guiltily.
"It seems like the few maids serving in my courtyard were sowing discord. They told me that even if I were to get injured, I shouldn't seek treatment because you wouldn't allow it. You hold a noble status managing household affairs — how can I allow a few lowly maids to tarnish your reputation? Sister, you agree, right?"
"Of...of course..."
Xiao Qingwan felt even guiltier, having ulterior motives as she does.
Those maids had been assigned by her to monitor Bai Zhu, and when it came to mistreating Bai Zhu, they had always been loyal helpers. It wasn't surprising that they would say such things.
In normal circumstances, Xiao Qingwan would even openly praise those maids. However, now that Bai Zhu has directly pulled off her fig leaf, she dared not to cross her.
Xiao Qingwan made a tough decision, "Bai Zhu, those maids tried to strain our sisterly relationship, I will send them away immediately. After you finish making the desserts, I'll bring all the maids in the mansion here. Whoever you take a liking to, they'll serve you. How does that sound?"
No comments:
Post a Comment