Chapter 40 It’s Me
Hearing the familiar voice, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, but when she came back to her senses, she felt weak all over.
Zhao Yan hugged her tightly with heartache, and kissed her hair from time to time.
After she calmed down, he looked at the alley behind her with cold eyes. The man had already run away.
He brought her to the light. Her face was pale. He couldn't help but hold her in his arms without hesitation and kissed her gently on the lips. "Huatang is fine, don't be afraid."
Yu Huatang finally recovered and realized that they were too close. She pushed him away with her hand and said, "Thank you for just now, sir."
The word "Sir" suppressed the emotions that had just risen in my heart.
Zhao Yan secretly glanced at her a few times, suppressing the pity in his heart. "Don't walk at night in the future. Even if it's something very important, you must find a companion. If you really want to go, come to Anfu. If you feel bad, give Anfu some wages."
Yu Huatang was also a little scared, "Okay, thank you, sir."
Knowing that she must be frightened, he didn't want to stay here any longer, "Let's go, we're going the same way, I'll just take you back."
Yu Huatang nodded, got on the carriage without saying a word, and just leaned aside with his eyes closed.
When he arrived at the courtyard, he said thank you and quickly opened the door and went in.
Zhao Yan knew that she must have been surprised tonight. After returning to the courtyard, he asked Anfu to boil a bowl of calming medicine. After it was cooked, he brought the medicine over to her.
In the house, Yu Huatang felt the warmth of her body after taking a hot bath. She was only wearing a long gown and sitting quietly by the bed. The fear brought by the man just now still did not disappear. She walked quietly in the middle of the night, staring at the candlelight in the house, and she was afraid that she would not be able to fall asleep tonight.
At this time, there was a knock on the door. She was a little stunned and slowly walked over to open the door.
Zhao Yan stood by the door holding the medicine. The moonlight fell on her, spotless, yet her pale face made people feel distressed. He calmed himself and said, "This is a prescription for warming and nourishing. You just had such a big shock, I'm afraid you will have nightmares tonight. Drink it quickly."
Yu Huatang actually wanted to refuse, but thinking that she had to go to Yan's house tomorrow, she took the drink without hesitation and drank it.
"Thank you, sir."
Zhao Yan knew that she had a heavy sense of responsibility and that she would have to go to Yan's house to make lanterns tomorrow, which would be very tiring and exhausting. He did not want to disturb her rest. "I'm leaving now. Remember to close the doors and windows."
After saying that, he looked at her deeply for a few seconds, then turned and left.
After drinking the medicine, Yu Huatang felt sleepy and fell asleep immediately. She didn't wake up until dawn the next day.
She had a dreamless night. The prescription was indeed effective and she felt much better than before.
…………
She packed up in the morning and left for Yan's house early because she had something on her mind. Hua Shi saw that she had arrived early and talked to her for a while, and then told her the requirements for the lantern. "Everything else will be according to your ideas, but this time, you have to help me carve a peony flower on it. The guest likes this."
According to Hua's request, Yu Huatang was busy for most of the day. Seeing how hard she worked, Hua asked her to come over and have some tea and snacks and chat.
In the past she would have refused, but today she had other purposes.
After a while, the maid placed a row of exquisite pastries on the table. She took a small bite and found them fragrant and delicate, melting in her mouth.
"How is it, Miss Yu? Do you like this snack?" Hua said as she picked up another piece and handed it to her.
She glanced at the exquisite box. It didn't look like something from Quanzhou. "Madam Hua's things are naturally good. I enjoy them as well. This tea cake must have been made with palace craftsmanship. Especially the pattern, it's so gorgeous and beautiful."
Hua looked at her and smiled, "I knew it would be a waste to give these snacks to you. After all, my husband's family is a distinguished family. To be honest, these snacks are from the imperial court. I only got this one box, and since we have some friendship, I'm letting you taste it. I wouldn't give it to anyone else."
Yu Huatang chuckled softly and praised, "Madam Hua is truly blessed. Lord Yan must have used up a lot of connections for this tea."
Hua rolled her eyes. "How could he have bought it? He's the kind of person who hides in bed and feels bad when he spends money. How could he have bought it for me? This was a gift from a nobleman above. My old Yan was lucky to have gotten it."
Yu Huatang continued to flatter, "Master Yan has found a nobleman. I think it's because of the trade with Tuque that Master Yan has been promoted by the nobleman. I guess he's going to get a promotion."
Hua Shi waved her hands when she heard this, "That's not the case. Forget about getting promoted. I just hope I don't get implicated."
Yu Huatang asked in confusion, "Why did Madam say that?"
"I heard someone wants to investigate the case, and my old Yan is really worried..." Hua said, glancing at her again, "Forget it, you don't understand this. Just listen. I have no one to talk to anyway, so I'll chat with you for a while."
Yu Huatang continued to eat a few bites of tea and snacks, and listened to Hua talk about some random family matters.
By sunset, she had finally finished the first lantern. "Mrs. Hua, take a look. Is there anything else you'd like to change?"
Hua looked at it for a few seconds and said with satisfaction, "How can I not trust your craftsmanship? But can you help me make a mechanism, like the kind that pops out after the candle flame burns out?"
Yu Huatang nodded, "Do you want to give someone a surprise?"
After it was completed, he showed it again, "The mechanism can only be this big. If it's any bigger, it won't look good."
Hua also operated it and saw that it was done, and said with greater satisfaction, "Okay, I understand."
He put the things on the table, took out a bag of silver from the drawer next to him and handed it to him, "Here."
Yu Huatang shook his head and refused, "Haven't I already paid?"
Hua glared at her and said, "This money is for you alone. You can do something for me. I know you don't like pollen or anything like that. Consider this as a token of my appreciation."
Yu Huatang refused again, "Madam already pays me enough. Even if my master were to do it, he wouldn't dare charge so much."
"Silly girl, I won't give it to you when your master comes. This is our fate and a favor. It's not easy for a woman like you to make a living by your own cooking skills. I usually see that you don't care about material things and your clothes are ordinary. I can't stand it. Keep these and buy something you like."
Yu Huatang felt helpless. "Since Madam has said so, I would be ungrateful if I refused. I also sincerely thank Madam for your consideration. It is only possible for a woman like me to take on so many jobs."
"Look at what you said. This is all the reputation you earned with your own skills. Don't be so modest!" Mrs. Hua said as she pulled her along.
After that, the two talked for a while, and Yu Huatang took the goodies and left Yan's house.
When she got to the lamp master's hall, she held the bag of silver and looked at it for a long time.
Xu Fu knew that Senior Sister would always receive rewards for making lanterns, and today she received a lot more. He said, "Senior Sister, Madam Hua is so kind to you. The rest of us might not get a single cent if we go."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
