"No, I’m just trying my cooking skills, so I only made a little. Please go back and tell Master Lu that we’ll invite her to Lixiang Courtyard for a taste when there’s an opportunity in the future." Qu Fulan said tactfully.
She didn’t even send any to the old lady’s side, fearing that her skills might have declined due to not cooking for a long ti. She was rely practicing for now and would later invite the old lady and others for a taste.
Who would have thought Master Lu would co knocking first?
Not to ntion there wasn’t any leftover now, even if there were, Qu Fulan wouldn’t have given it to Master Lu.
Knowing full well soone dislikes you, and still giving them sothing to eat?
How is that possible?
The young maid was easily dismissed with a few words.
Hai Xia and Douya started discussing the matter, full of disdain in their tone, but they had only exchanged a few sentences when another maid arrived.
This ti it was Hai Yue.
Hai Yue?
The very Hai Yue who once eagerly wanted to beco the Heir Pei’s maid. Ever since Qu Fulan beca the Heir Pei’s maid, she’d been so busy she hadn’t seen Hai Yue in ages, almost forgetting about her.
What brings her here now?
Could it be that the maid sent by Master Lu didn’t get anything and complained to the old lady, and now the old lady sent Hai Yue to diate?
Qu Fulan quickly dismissed this speculation.
Not that the old lady inherently disliked Master Lu, making it unlikely to speak on her behalf—if there was to be any diation on Master Lu’s behalf, she would have sent Hua Hao and Yueyuan, not a second-tier maid.
As it turns out, Qu Fulan’s guess was correct.
Hai Yue was indeed not representing the old lady; she was representing Master Lu.
"Master Lu says she’s troubled Miss Qu to cook again and make a fresh portion of what you are eating, then send it over."
Before Qu Fulan could say anything, Hai Xia couldn’t help but speak up, "Hai Yue, while others might not know, you have been a maid in the old lady’s courtyard for so long. Shouldn’t you know by now? Fulan is now the Princely Heir’s maid, serving only him. Please go back and tell Master Lu."
Hai Xia’s words were quite pointed.
Having served in the old lady’s courtyard for so long, aning she isn’t anymore?
So she is now... Master Lu’s maid?
Qu Fulan’s speculation was quickly confird.
Hai Yue replied, "Why is it okay for her to cook for you, but not for Master Lu? You are all maids; just heed the master’s words instead of fussing over so many rules. Please Fulan, do us the favor, so I can wait here to avoid troubling soone to deliver after it’s done."
Oh, pushing the limits, are we?
Qu Fulan, accustod to presenting civility before force, had already shown civility earlier; now ca the turn for ’force.’
Without looking at Hai Yue, she addressed Hai Xia and Douya, "Continue eating, where did we leave off in our conversation?"
Hai Xia also reacted quickly, promptly ignoring disrespectful individuals, and resud their previous topic, completely treating Hai Yue as air.
Seeing this, Hai Yue beca enraged and embarrassed, "Qu Fulan, don’t overdo it!"
Qu Fulan, upon hearing this, couldn’t even bother with verbal sparring, directly calling in the guards, "Escort her out, tell Master Lu to restrain her maids properly. Not just anyone can enter the Lixiang Courtyard. Regarding the matter earlier, I’ll explain clearly to the Princely Heir when he returns. Off you go."
If it cos to threats, who can’t manage them?
Considering she’s from a respectable family, how could she lack manners? Her maids can be commanded however she likes; what right does she have to order others’ maids? No wonder the old lady dislikes Master Lu.
Upon hearing the order, the guards flanked Hai Yue and "politely" removed her; Hai Yue, again simring with anger and fear from Qu Fulan’s words—the anger at Qu Fulan making a big deal, the fear that the Princely Heir might find out—dared not speak a word.
"When did she beco Master Lu’s maid?" Qu Fulan asked after the person left.
"Not long after you beca the Princely Heir’s maid, a maid’s household contract ca due in Master Lu’s side and she left the residence. The old lady originally intended to find soone from the new bunch to fill the position, but Hai Yue volunteered herself, claiming she was dull-minded and hoped to learn sothing by following Master Lu, which the old lady naturally approved."
Maids transferred from the old lady’s side usually got an upgrade; Hai Yue was now Master Lu’s first-tier maid.
No wonder she volunteered, otherwise if she couldn’t beco the Heir Pei’s maid, how long would she have to serve under the old lady before seeing any advancent?
Now, speaking of Hai Yue’s return, the guards delivered Qu Fulan’s words word for word, Master Lu’s face fluctuated between green and red with anger.
It was only now she learned that it was Qu Fulan making the food; she initially assud it was from one of the courtyards. Had she sent soone over to ask, they would surely give her face; after all, she was the teacher of the young ladies in the mansion.
Who would have thought even a maid wouldn’t hold her in regard, speaking threateningly, utterly impertinent.
"Don’t be upset, Master Lu. Qu Fulan rely relied on the Princely Heir’s power for intimidation. The Princely Heir is known for his good nature; if he knew of his maid’s impudence behind his back, he certainly wouldn’t stand by." Hai Yue advised.
Master Lu shook her head, "No need to stir up trouble, I have my plans."
In this mansion, it’s comparatively better with the second and third branches; being the young ladies’ teacher, there’s so level of respect for her.
It’s different with the old lady and the Princely Heir—they don’t like her, which she knows, so she didn’t intend to make a fuss.
Master Lu slowly closed her eyes.
In the evening, Pei Ji’an returned from his engagents, and he asked as soon as he entered, "Where’s Fulan, is she at Lixiang Courtyard?"
"Heir Pei, Miss Qu is at Lixiang Courtyard; she made so food in the evening and invited Hai Xia and Douya to eat together. They’re still eating now."
The respondent took the fan and whip from Heir Pei’s hand as others led the horse to the stable.
Pei Ji’an, upon hearing this, said nothing more. He first returned to Lixiang Courtyard to change clothes, then went to pay respects to the old lady.
Unexpectedly, he learned sothing amusing there.
"Tonight, Fulan made so food, Master Lu caught the scent and wanted so, so she sent soone to ask Fulan for it."
Pei Ji’an paused his tea-drinking, then put the cup down, the curve of his lips faintly amused, "Did Fulan give it?"
The old lady replied, "No, she even sent the guards to rebuke Master Lu."
Pei Ji’an found it amusing, "What did she say?"
"She told her to manage her maids well; Lixiang Courtyard isn’t open to everyone."
The old lady knew all the happenings in the manor daily; if it were trivial matters, she wouldn’t bring them to her grandson, but this matter had also displeased her.
Pei Ji’an, upon hearing it, laughed heartily, "Fulan really did credit to my reputation." After laughing, his expression turned serious, "What gave those people the illusion they can command those around ?"
Having dealt with a few before, why don’t they rember?
"Just handle it, don’t make a big ss, otherwise when your father returns, it’ll be difficult to account for it." The old lady advised.
It’s one thing not to ntion it, but upon ntioning it, Pei Ji’an’s smile turned colder, "What difference does it make if he returns? A favor paid off over the years, that’s enough."
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