Chapter 5

In the small kitchen, the rich aroma of bean porridge was spreading. Wen Weili took a large bowl, filled it almost full, put it in the food box, and brought it back to the courtyard.

"Zhiyun, how about some bean porridge tonight? It's delicious and nourishing."

Wen Weili pulled Zhiyun into the room and opened the lid of the food box. The aroma of porridge made Zhiyun swallow her saliva. Because she was angry with the young lady, Zhiyun had been wiping the courtyard absent-mindedly all afternoon. She was so restless that she even forgot whether she was wiping the floor or the windowsill. At this moment, looking at the young lady's concerned eyes, she picked up the bowl of porridge and tears fell unconsciously.

"This porridge is so hot," Zhiyun exaggeratedly stuck out the tip of her tongue, "Miss, this porridge is too hot, let me let it cool down a little first."

Wen Weili didn't expose the issue. She held her chin up and smiled softly, "Well, this porridge actually scalded Zhiyun. It's all my fault for bringing it too early."

"What are you saying, young lady? I am humble. The porridge was given to me by young lady herself. How dare I blame you!" Zhiyun felt more and more aggrieved. She knew in her heart that there was a huge difference between herself and young lady, but she couldn't help but remember that young lady once said that she was like her sister and would treat her well. Sure enough, it was just her delusion.

"Since you feel wronged, why don't you speak up?" Wen Weili took Zhiyun's hand and said, "I've told you before, I treat you as my sister. If you hadn't insisted on following me into Prince Huai's mansion, I would have just returned you to civilian status and let you leave."

"Miss..." Zhiyun's tears rolled down like beads from a broken string. "Zhiyun is very worried. Miss is obviously not such an arrogant and domineering person. She usually just likes to cook quietly at home. Why would she go to the main courtyard again and again and act so arrogant and overbearing? It's like she has become a completely different person."

Did her change scare Zhiyun? Wen Weili laughed instead, took out a handkerchief embroidered with small white flowers, and gently wiped Zhiyun's tears. "It's my fault for not telling Zhiyun in advance. I acted like this because Xinxin needed me to do this."

"Prince Huai? Why does Prince Huai want to..." Zhiyun lowered her voice involuntarily and looked at Wen Weili in confusion.

"Prince Huai's Mansion is nominally Xinxin's Prince Huai's Mansion, but who knows, except for those old people, there are actually few people who care about Xinxin well." Wen Weili said.

Zhiyun screamed and then covered her mouth. She stared with her round eyes, as if she understood something.

"Yes, that's what you think. So, I'm here to help Xinxin," Wen Weili said, her hands on her hips proudly. "If Xinxin didn't have me, she would definitely be bullied."

Zhiyun looked at the young lady's proud expression and burst out laughing. "Young lady is really great. Zhiyun knows now and will help you better. Do you need Zhiyun to be arrogant too?"

"No, no," Wen Weili shook her head. "Just keep Zhiyun as kind as before. They will definitely try to win you over. If there is any unusual movement, just report it to me immediately."

"Okay." Zhiyun returned to her usual lively self and happily finished her bean porridge.

"Miss, the bean porridge is really delicious this time," Zhiyun said happily, touching her bloated stomach. "Miss, your cooking skills have improved again."

Wen Weili had a mysterious smile on her lips, "No, no, it's not that my cooking skills have improved, but that your mood has improved."

"I don't understand. The young lady always speaks so strangely." Zhiyun muttered, cleaned up the dishes and took them back to the small kitchen.

Wen Weili was just about to wash up when she received the news. She changed her clothes, put on some makeup, and met the little girl who had come to inquire about the news on her wedding night again in the corner of the courtyard.

"I hope you're doing well, sister." The little girl was very polite. She greeted them and slipped a small piece of silver to Wen Weili. "Are you busy lately, sister?"

Wen Weili didn't take the silver, but complained with a sad face: "Don't mention it, this Madam Li is really not easy to serve. She wants this and that and is dissatisfied with it. Alas, she is very arrogant."

"Didn't my sister follow Madam Li into the mansion? Could it be that Madam Li was not like this before?" The little girl's eyes flashed, and she had a hint of doubt about Wen Weili.

Wen Weili, however, questioned the little maid first: "Aren't you from the main kitchen? Madam Li said a few days ago that we would only eat in the small kitchen, so why are you being so attentive? Could it be that..."

The little girl was unhurried and replied with a smile, "Everyone in Prince Huai's mansion knows that Madam Li is the most favored. Even the princess has to give her some respect. The chefs in the main kitchen all want to do their best for Madam Li. Sister, you must help me. Madam Li's job here is very coveted. My master also wants to do his best to please Madam Li."

Wen Weili pretended to suddenly understand and said "Oh" meaningfully. She put her thumb, middle finger and ring finger together, twisted her fingers, and signaled the little girl to give her more silver.

The little girl quickly handed over a whole piece of silver, and reluctantly she and Wen Weili each held half, gritting her teeth and saying, "Sister, please don't lie to me. I just want to share Master's worries. If you can't explain anything, I won't have much money to give you as a filial gift."

"Humph, you're just trying to curry favor with your master," Wen Weili said deliberately, sounding materialistic and greedy. "I'm the cook in Madam Li's mother's family. If Madam Wen hadn't given me a large sum of silver, I wouldn't have come."

As expected! The little girl was delighted, and her suspicions were dispelled. This cook was not Madam Li's confidant, but just a short-sighted traitor. She loosened her grip and gave the silver to Wen Weili.

"Sister, you're so generous! This big kitchen has so much money, I'm really envious." Wen Weili happily picked up the silver and looked it over, as if casually saying, "The small kitchen is so stingy. The monthly salary is so low, and the master doesn't like to reward people. It really makes everyone resentful."

"Is that really the case? I really wronged you, sister." The little girl chimed in with a few words of comfort, then suddenly asked, "So, in my opinion, Madam Li's maid also lives such a hard life?"

"Why are you asking this?" Wen Weili did not answer, but looked at her warily.

The little girl was even more relieved, as if she was genuinely concerned for Wen Weili, saying, "Sister, although Madam Li's reward is small, water flows upwards, and people tend to move upwards. If you stay here and become a maid and still find it difficult to make ends meet, wouldn't that be a waste of your talent?"

"That's right," Wen Weili said thoughtfully, "my sister is really thoughtful." She praised the little girl, "No wonder you can thrive in the kitchen. You really have a sharp mind."

"That's nothing," the little girl said with a shy smile. "Master often reminds me to think more about the future in everything I do."

She looked at Wen Weili sincerely, saying, "Since you came from Madam Li's mother's family, your cooking skills must be extraordinary. My master loves people with good skills. If you can learn from him, you will definitely gain something. Who knows, you might even be able to make a name for yourself in the kitchen."

"．．．．．．." Wen Weili did not agree easily, but showed some hesitation on her face.

The little girl comforted her, "I know you're worried. You can try to learn from my master first. If you like it, you can go to the main kitchen later."

Wen Weili was finally persuaded. She nodded with satisfaction, "That's fine, but I'm afraid I won't have much time recently. I heard that Madam wants to establish her authority in Prince Huai's mansion so that she can live comfortably in the future. She's usually very strict with me."

"Thank you for telling me, sister." The little girl smiled, handed over a small piece of silver, turned around and left in a hurry, thinking that she had completely controlled the cook.

Little did they know that Wen Weili stretched and told the informant to keep an eye on the little girl.

In the side room, the little girl vividly performed for her master what she had just overheard. She could actually play two roles and fully display the conversation just now.

"This cook is just a small thing. You should take her out of the kitchen as soon as possible and send our people in." The little girl's master decided the life and death of the 'cook' with her words. She turned to look at the maid, "Tomorrow, have Madam Hui pretend to surrender, so that Madam Shu will be forced to surrender to the princess. I want them to fight as soon as possible."

"Yes, my lord, but the princess is already under our control. Supporting this Madam Li seems to be disadvantageous to us."

"We are not trying to control the princess, but to cause chaos in Prince Huai's mansion. The more chaotic the water, the easier it will be for us to take action. Do you understand?"

"I understand." The maid received the order and led everyone in the room out, ignoring the little maid in the corner.

"What do you think?"

A strange 'gurgling' sound came from the little maid's throat, and she smiled sinisterly, "This is... our chance. The master has been patient for many years. We... will kill him with one blow!" Her intermittent words were filled with strong murderous intent, and her red eyes became more and more vivid, as if blood was about to drip.

At this time, the dusk was boundless and poured in through the window. The two of them were immersed in the dim evening light. The master's face turned out to be the green-clad beauty that day, Lu Yi.

The next day, Madam Hui came early to visit Wen Weili. She and another concubine, Madam Mei, discussed this with deep worry, "I wonder how long Madam Li's success will last. If I attach myself to her now, and the princess gains power in the future, wouldn't it be easy for her to control me?"

Madam Mei wore a red plum fur collared cape. She had a beautiful face and a scholarly smile. "Hui'er, why worry? Madam Li and the prince were childhood sweethearts. They've had a certain friendship since they were young. I'm afraid they were already in love, but one day the princess entered the palace first. She must have felt wronged. I'm sure the prince loves her even more, so much so that he gave her the same rights as the princess."

"Madam Li is a beauty, and since their wedding night, she has changed from her gentle and cautious demeanor in the Wen Mansion. The prince also visits her room every day, so she must have won his favor. A few days ago, the princess complained to the prince about Madam Li, but the prince said she was corrupted by those around her and drove away several of the princess's servants. Do you think this honor will disappear easily?"

Madam Hui became more convinced as she listened. She looked at Madam Mei with gratitude and said, "Mei'er, I'm lucky to have you. If I surrender to Madam Li soon, she will definitely rely on me. Who knows, she might even persuade the prince to come to my room more often."

Madam Mei smiled softly on her pretty face, but she sneered in her heart. Madam Li was obviously a difficult person to get along with. Since she and the prince were in love, how could she push the prince to other women? She was really stupid.

Sure enough, in front of Mrs. Li's courtyard, both Mrs. Hui and Mrs. Mei were turned away.

The maid guarding the door apologized, "I'm so sorry, madams, my master hasn't gotten up yet."