Upon hearing this, Li Rouniang quickly accepted the reward money and returned to the kitchen. She didn't keep it all for herself but distributed it among everyone. The people in the kitchen were all beaming with joy.
Manager Fan took his share of the silver, feeling a bit bitter, but still said a few words: "This is different. He's caught the eye of a nobleman, and he's been very generous this time."
"Manager Fan, that's really unfair of you. You took Rou Niang's money and didn't even offer a word of congratulations, instead saying such things," said Madam Liu.
The others quickly echoed his sentiments, and Manager Fan, feeling awkward, left. The group exchanged knowing smiles.
"Don't mind her, that's just how she is." Madam Liu pulled Li Rou Niang aside and asked, "How did you make the pastries yesterday? Teach me so I can make them for the Old Madam later."
“No problem.” Li Rou Niang began to share her thoughts with Liu Niangzi, and the two then discussed and explored the matter further.
A day goes by so fast!
After seeing Li Rouniang, Zhao Daya felt uneasy and guilty.
So she thought of arranging to meet Li Rouniang. She had already been sold to this place by her father and was in a pitiful state. She just wanted to settle down and live a peaceful life here, and didn't want to cause any major trouble.
Helping Steward Fan was out of necessity; yes, she was forced into it. So, as evening approached, she went to find Li Rou Niang.
Li Rouniang said coldly, "There's nothing left for us to talk about."
"No, Aunt Li, please give me a chance to explain. This isn't the place to talk. Come with me." After saying this, Zhao Daya led Li Rouniang to a rockery in the garden.
Li Rouniang didn't want to come along, but after thinking about it, she realized that they should really make things clear between them. After all, they would be working here in the future, and she didn't want any trouble to happen.
"Alright, that's enough for now. Go on," Li Rouniang said.
Zhao Daya looked around and, seeing no one, finally relaxed. He then pleaded softly, "Aunt Li, I'm sorry, I'm heartless. You saved me, but I listened to my parents and took Erni's jade pendant."
I even pushed you and Aunt Xiu! Actually, I didn't mean to. I just... sigh, I don't know what happened, I just pushed them.
It's all my fault. Hit me, yell at me, punish me however you want.
After Zhao Daya finished speaking, she gritted her teeth and knelt down in front of Li Rouniang, crying as she spoke.
"I only beg Aunt Li, please don't make this a big deal out of it. I don't want to leave the Liu family. If I leave, my father will sell me to another place. If no one buys me, he will sell me to a brothel."
Li Rouniang sighed. There must be something hateful about a pitiful person. But she didn't want to have too much to do with someone like Zhao Daya. Let bygones be bygones, and may they each live their own lives in peace from now on!
So she said, "From now on, you go your way, I'll go mine, we'll each go our own way, and pretend we don't know each other. There's no question of hatred or forgiveness. From now on, I'll treat you as a stranger."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Daya apologized repeatedly. Li Rouniang said nothing more and prepared to leave, but just as she took a step, a sudden inspiration struck her, and she asked another question, even though she thought it was unlikely.
But he still asked, "Do you know what exactly happened with the dishes the other day?"
She had only asked tentatively, but Zhao Daya's expression flickered, suggesting something else was on her mind!
Li Rouniang said with a stern face, "If you don't explain yourself clearly, this matter cannot be left unresolved."
“Aunt Li, it’s not my fault. I just wanted to take a look, but then someone called me. I was in a hurry and didn’t notice that any leaves had drifted in, which led to what happened later.”
I paid a heavy price for this; all my savings went to Manager Fan.
"So that's how it is," Li Rouniang thought sarcastically. "In that case, come with me to Steward Liu and explain things clearly. Otherwise, Xiuer will be unfairly tainted."
As Li Rouniang spoke, she grabbed Zhao Daya and tried to drag her to find Steward Liu. Zhao Daya resisted, and the two struggled.
Just then, someone was heard saying in the distance, "Who is making such a racket here?"
The two men were taken aback, only to see two elegantly dressed young men and their servants approaching from a distance. Both men were startled, realizing they had likely encountered a distinguished guest from the main courtyard.
"Young master, young master, please help me! This woman is pulling at me here and demanding money. She's being completely unreasonable!" Zhao Daya cried out anxiously, immediately kneeling down and loudly complaining.
Liu Qingfeng frowned: "Didn't you see any guests visiting? They don't understand any etiquette at all."
What else was there to say? Just then, Qian Duobao ran over excitedly and exclaimed, "Aunt Li, what are you doing here?"
Li Rouniang looked at him closely and realized that he had grown quite a bit taller since she first saw him, so she almost didn't recognize him at first glance.
"Duobao? What are you doing at the Liu family's?" Li Rouniang asked.
"Do you know her, Duobao?" Liu Qingfeng asked.
"Qingfeng, this is the Li family I was looking for, the family I mentioned to you. Aunt Li, this is Liu Qingfeng, my classmate," Qian Duobao introduced briefly.
"Where are you staying now? How are you doing? Well, I accidentally obtained the jade pendant that I gave to Erni, and that's how I found out you were here. I was thinking of finding you through Qingfeng, but I never expected that we would meet here."
Qian Duobao briefly explained that he was extremely shocked when he received the jade pendant, and only after inquiring did he learn about the events in Zhao Family Village.
He was very anxious, but fortunately, the jade pendant originated from Gui County, so he figured the person must be in Gui County and that's why he came here.
“I see. I got this job as a kitchen helper through a friend’s introduction.” Li Rou Niang nodded.
"What's wrong with you all?" Qian Duobao asked.
“This little girl did something wrong and made Zhao Xiuer take the blame. I want to take her to the steward so we can explain the situation properly,” Li Rouniang explained.
Zhao Daya's face had turned pale. How could she be so unlucky? They all knew each other.
The consequences were predictable: Zhao Daya was kicked out, and her parents were called to come and bail her out.
Zhao Dahu had barely had time to enjoy the money he'd just received from selling his daughter when he redeemed her. He was furious, and it was no surprise that he'd give her a good beating when he got back.
Manager Fan was also dismissed and sent to work on the estate, while Liu Niangzi from the kitchen was promoted and became the manager.
Li Rouniang took this opportunity to suggest leaving. She had originally intended to leave anyway; she figured that reselling all the rice and grain in her spatial storage would be enough for her to venture out and try her luck.
After all, she never intended to stay here for long.
Qian Duobao left with Li Rouniang. He wanted to see Erni; it had been such a long, long time since he had seen her.
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