The next morning, Yao Xiaocui got up early to cook porridge for Zhou Jing'an and went inside without asking for his permission.
"Brother Jing'an, I specially cooked some porridge for you. Get up and have some."
Zhou Jing'an had just woken up and, upon hearing the voice, assumed it was Ning Huan preparing medicine for him. However, he never expected it to be Yao Xiaocui.
He said angrily, "Get out!"
Yao Xiaocui was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Zhou Jing'an to say such a thing. She brazenly held up the bowl of porridge and leaned closer, saying, "Brother Jing'an, try it! My porridge tastes delicious."
Seeing that the woman was still trying to get closer, Zhou Jing'an immediately became furious: "I told you to get out, didn't you hear me!"
He raised his voice, startling Yao Xiaocui so much that she dared not go any further. But she was unwilling to leave just like that; Zhou Jing'an hadn't even drunk a drop of the porridge she had painstakingly prepared.
Ning Huan walked in when she heard Zhou Jing'an's voice. Originally, she didn't want to pay attention to this matter, since her future divorce and marriage with Zhou Jing'an would be irrelevant to both of them.
However, she was worried that Yao Xiaocui might be reckless and accidentally bump Zhou Jing'an's leg, which would ruin all her efforts.
"Go out. He needs to drink a bowl of herbal soup to regulate his body before breakfast."
Ning Huan leaned against the door and said slowly, "You're quite diligent in sweeping the yard. If you didn't get around to sweeping it last night, get up early this morning and clean it up."
Yao Xiaocui clenched her fists tightly, feeling a hundred times unwilling but having no other choice. It was just chores, she'd do it; she'd do it at home anyway, so doing it here would be the same.
Given time, she was convinced she wouldn't be able to find an opportunity to seduce Zhou Jing'an.
If she succeeds, she'll live a life of luxury, and even the position of a high-ranking official's wife will be hers.
Thinking of this, Yao Xiaocui was no longer angry. She picked up the bowl of porridge, turned around, and left.
Zhou Jing'an was furious when he saw Ning Huan looking at him as if she were watching a good show: "Don't let that woman into my house again next time!"
Ning Huan shrugged: "She has legs, how can I control where she goes? Besides, her porridge looks really good, why don't you try it next time?"
"you!"
Hearing this, Zhou Jing'an was so angry he didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected Ning Huan to have no reaction at all. That was understandable, but for some reason, he just felt uncomfortable.
Just as the two were talking, Fan Juan's voice came from the doorway: "Sister-in-law, I'm here again."
When Ning Huan went out, she saw Fan Juan and Yao Xiaocui fighting over the broom. It looked like the two were fighting, but Yao Xiaocui secretly pushed the broom into Fan Juan's hands.
She'd be crazy to follow suit if someone offered to help her with cleaning and chores so early in the morning.
Ning Huan narrowed her eyes and said, "Juan, give the broom back to her. This girl was specially hired by my mother-in-law to do chores. She's very hardworking and can't sit still for a day without doing chores. There's no need to argue with her."
It turned out she had been specifically hired to do work. Upon hearing Ning Huan's words, Fan Juan quickly let go of her hands. Yao Xiaocui rolled her eyes in exasperation; Ning Huan always made her uncomfortable.
She knew perfectly well that she had come to take care of Jing'an, yet she was always being made to do these chores. It was so rare for a simple-minded woman to come and help her, but now she had to stop her from doing those things.
Seeing Yao Xiaocui's darkened face, Fan Juan seemed to sense something was amiss. After following Ning Huan into the house, she asked, "Sister-in-law, is that girl in the yard...?"
Ning Huan nodded: "My mother-in-law found her, but unfortunately, she is not only far from good-looking, but also not diligent in her work and not particularly bright. My husband doesn't like this girl at all."
Fan Juan's mouth dropped open in surprise. She never expected that a daughter-in-law as good as Ning Huan would be disliked by her mother-in-law.
Besides, the maids in that courtyard aren't particularly pretty, and they certainly aren't as smart and capable as Ning Huan. I don't know what Aunt Yao was thinking.
Ning Huan can heal the sick and save lives, and she can also collect herbs to make money. What's there to complain about with such a capable wife?
Fan Juan shook her head, truly unable to understand. She simply decided to stop helping Yao Xiaocui with chores. Then she looked at Ning Huan and said, "Sister-in-law, I came here to see if there was anything I could do to help you. Since you don't need me to sweep the yard, how about I make you breakfast?"
Ning Huan smiled and shook her head, saying, "I prepared breakfast at home last night before going to bed. We can just heat it up in a pot and eat it in a bit."
Upon hearing this, Fan Juan lowered her head in disappointment.
Ning Huan knew that Fan Juan wanted to do something to repay her kindness, but she really didn't need it. Moreover, seeing Fan Juan's pale face and weak body, she couldn't bear to let her do any work.
However, if Fan Juan didn't do it, she would feel very guilty and uncomfortable.
Ning Huan paused for a moment and then said, "But sister, I went to town a few days ago to buy fabric to make winter clothes for the four little ones. I'm clumsy with my hands, but I've heard many people in the village say that you're very skillful. Why don't you help me see how to sew them for them?"
Fan Juan immediately looked up at Ning Huan, her eyes shining. She nodded repeatedly and said, "Okay, okay. To be honest, I'm only good at needlework. I'd be happy to help if I can."
Because Fan Juan was also there, Ning Huan made a lot of breakfast, including Yao Xiaocui's portion from the courtyard.
Ning Huan made small wontons, some pastries, and steamed buns. The little ones also needed an extra egg to supplement their nutrition. Zhou Jing'an needed more nutrition, so she also cooked him a vegetable and lean meat porridge.
Ning Huan actually wanted to give them some milk or something, but unfortunately, cattle and sheep are very precious here, and there's no way to get them right now.
She thought that she must give the little ones some milk when she had the chance in the future.
When Yao Xiaocui and Fan Juan saw the lavish breakfast, they were both stunned. Fan Juan's family usually just made some porridge for breakfast, mixed in with the leftover soup from the night before, and that was it. Yao Xiaocui's family didn't even have porridge; the girls could only eat porridge soup.
Ning Huan's breakfast included wontons filled with meat, and even the porridge contained vegetables and lean meat. The aroma was enticing, and the taste was delicious after just one bite.
Fan Juan felt a little embarrassed. She had come to help, but hadn't done anything and had ended up having such a lavish breakfast.
Yao Xiaocui was also a little embarrassed. She had never eaten such good food before. Suddenly being served so many delicious dishes and told that they were for her, she was at a loss for what to do.
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