Chapter 117: Poisonous Scheme

It was almost noon and everyone in the kitchen was busy preparing food.

Aunt Zhao came over and called out, "Sister-in-law Li."

The cook who was busy at the stove looked up and saw it was Madam Zhao. She quickly put down her work, wiped her hands on her apron, and walked over and said with a smile, "Madam, you're here. But is there anything Second Madam would like to eat that you would like us to prepare?"

Zhao Ma Ma laughed and said, "Don't you know our grandma? She's the most unpicky person. When has she ever been picky about anything except Second Master's? Isn't it always what your kitchen cooks that Second Grandma eats?"

Sister Li asked, "What's this, Madam?"

Nanny Zhao took Rong'er's hand and said with a smile, "Today, we have a new concubine in our house. I was afraid you wouldn't recognize her, so I brought her here so you can all recognize her. Don't neglect Concubine Rong in the future."

The news of Rong'er being promoted to concubine had spread a long time ago, and the kitchen naturally knew about it too.

But she didn't expect that the second wife, who was the main wife, would protect her so much.

"So there's a new concubine in the mansion! Thanks to Mammy for reminding us, otherwise we wouldn't know what would happen if we neglected her."

Sister Li said this, and then looked at Rong'er, surprised and respectful, "So this is Aunt Rong, what a sign."

Rong'er felt comforted by the compliment and nodded at her with a smile.

Zhao Ma Ma said, "Madam Rong and I came here for another matter. You all know that the Second Master is injured. In the past, it was Second Madam who took care of the medicine. But now that there is a new concubine, the Second Master only wants her to serve him. Naturally, our grandmother can't always interfere. The concubine is all alone, and our grandmother is still selecting the maids to serve her. I think the concubine must know nothing, so I came here to teach her."

Sister Li nodded and complimented, "Second Madam is indeed very considerate. With a master like Second Madam, not only is Auntie comfortable, but we servants are also comfortable."

Aunt Zhao smiled kindly, "Second Master's medicine cannot be delayed. Where is the medicine pot? I'll ask Auntie to boil it right away."

"Here it is." Sister Li walked to the closet, opened it, took out the medicine jar, and placed it in front of Madam Zhao and Rong'er. "It's cleaned every day. The stove is by the wall and burns coal. If you don't know how to adjust the temperature, just ask us."

Rong'er nodded, took the medicine stove and looked at Madam Zhao: "Madam, where's the medicine?"

Zhao Mama was startled, as if she had just remembered, and slapped her thigh: "Look at my memory, there are still three doses of the medicine prescribed by the doctor. They were originally stored in Second Madam's room. Last night, Second Master stayed in Shen's room, and Shen's wife sent someone to ask for them, saying that it would be convenient for boiling medicine. Our grandmother had to give them away, but now there is no medicine to use..."

Rong'er bit her lip and said angrily, "Second Master is by my side now, so I have to take care of him. I'll ask for it! I dare not refuse her!"

Aunt Zhao quickly grabbed her and said, "What are you doing, Aunt? I know you two don't get along. If you go over there and don't say a word, there will be a quarrel. It will make the Second Master worry again. Doesn't he feel bad about hurting you?"

Rong'er suppressed her anger and said, "Then Ma'am, are you going?"

Nanny Zhao didn't reply and looked at the few people in the kitchen who had been watching the fun silently.

These people were all maids who did odd jobs in the kitchen and made fires. When they saw Zhao Ma Ma looking at them, they immediately turned their heads away and dared not look at her again.

Madam Zhao called the two maids and said, "Please go and tell them that it's the Second Madam's order."

The two maids were both servants and rarely went into the inner courtyard on weekdays. Running errands was always less stressful than working in the kitchen, and they could also sell well to Luo Zhen. Who knows, Luo Zhen might think of them when she needs help in the future. Naturally, the two of them were willing to do it, so they took off their aprons and went out.

If there are fewer people in the kitchen, cooking will be delayed.

Sister Li was a little anxious, but she didn't know what to say.

Nanny Zhao pretended not to know and only explained the details of Rong'er's medicine preparation and the tonic soup that Pei Ji usually drank.

Sister Li and two or three others were busy as a top.

The girl who was in charge of the fire reminded me, "Sister-in-law, the egg custard in the steamer is ready."

Sister Li was kneading dough, her hands full of batter and she could only anxiously say, "One of you go get the egg custard out. If you stew it any longer, it will become overcooked. The girl next to Aunt Shen won't agree."

The other two were also busy, and Zhao Mama said at the right moment, "Madam Rong, please go and help. I'll clean up the stove. It's time to get the herbs back so we can start boiling them right away."

Rong'er heard that the egg custard was for Aunt Chen, and she was extremely unwilling in her heart. But seeing that everyone was busy in the kitchen, and Zhao Ma Ma had spoken again, she couldn't disobey, so she had to respond reluctantly. She walked over with an unhappy look on her face, picked up the steamer lid, found a rag to pad her hand, and brought out the bowl of egg custard.

Suddenly someone patted her left shoulder. She turned her head subconsciously, but saw Mrs. Li busy with work with her back to her, and the girl who was lighting the fire had her head almost buried in the stove.

The other one was squatting on the ground picking vegetables.

She paused, then turned to look to the right. She saw Aunt Zhao, who had just been tending the stove, had come to her side. She patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't be upset, Auntie. You're an Auntie now. You can tell Sister Li what you want to eat."

Rong Er was stunned for a moment and said awkwardly: "I'm not arguing about this."

Nanny Zhao took the fine cloth beside her, walked back to the stove, and said with a kind smile, "That's right. A harmonious family is the root of everything, and not fighting is a blessing. Second Master can see the goodness of Auntie."

Rong'er raised her chin slightly and muttered softly, "No matter how I am, the Second Master will know that I am good."

Nanny Zhao didn't look at her again. She looked at the red-hot fire and smiled.