Since we've come to the hot spring resort, we naturally have to soak in the hot springs.
Princess Ruining's plan was to go to the hot springs after dinner in the evening.
The three girls sat together and naturally had endless gossip to share.
Wang Zhilan usually appears well-mannered and quiet, but once she starts talking, she turns out to be the most talkative of the three.
Princess Ruining was already a common sight.
Yao Niang, however, was greatly shocked.
She came from the small county of Qingyun and had never seen any noble ladies before. She wouldn't say she felt inferior, but she did have a mental image of what a noble lady should be like.
She should be someone whose appearance and demeanor are all well-groomed, whose smile reveals only eight teeth, whose skirt moves as still as a mountain, and whose words are never superfluous. Only then would she fit her stereotypical image of a noblewoman.
The noble ladies I saw at the banquet seemed to be just like that.
When they get to know each other in private, they each have their own unique and vibrant personalities.
Wang Zhilan held a rose pastry in one hand and carefully held a handkerchief underneath to catch the pastry from falling onto her clothes.
As she ate, she mumbled, "Your cooking is absolutely amazing! I've never had such delicious rose cakes before!"
"Then come and play with me often from now on! I'll cook for you again!"
Yao Niang is not a vain person, but there is one thing she is extremely vain about—making food.
She enjoys cooking, especially for those close to her. She's happier if the other person enjoys the food, ideally finishing it all and still wanting more.
She used to have a very close and intimate relationship with Gu Pingsheng and his brother, and half of the credit goes to food.
Even the closest siblings in ordinary families will inevitably have a few arguments when they reach their teens.
She and Gu Pingsheng were different. Gu Pingsheng didn't want to offend her, fearing she wouldn't cook for him; she, on the other hand, could always appease Gu Pingsheng by providing him with food.
Therefore, even occasional minor squabbles can be kept to themselves.
Seeing Wang Zhilan's support greatly satisfied Gu Yaoniang's vanity, and her eyes crinkled with laughter.
Wang Zhilan nodded repeatedly: "Yao Niang, you don't know, my father also likes to eat snacks. My mother used to make snacks for fun when she had nothing to do at home."
Once, she set the kitchen on fire. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought she was refining elixirs! Luckily, it was her own little kitchen that burned down, otherwise the entire manor would have gone hungry that day.
Oh dear, when I get home, I'll ask my mother for the recipe. It's a waste to leave it with her!
Yao Niang and Princess Ruining laughed so hard they couldn't stand up straight. This girl really knows how to be sarcastic when she talks about her mother!
Although she had only known Wang Zhilan for a short time, Yao Niang now knew that the Grand Counselor Wang was directionally challenged and had a gluttonous appetite, that the eldest son of the Wang family was rigid and had a gluttonous appetite, and that the youngest son of the Wang family was cute and had a gluttonous appetite.
Now we know that Madam Wang is a kitchen killer.
Everyone presents themselves as dignified and ladylike in public, but it would be a real shame if Wang Zhilan didn't go on to tell stories in private.
Wang Zhilan suddenly remembered something and became a little nervous. She reached out to grab Yao Niang's hand, but when she saw the crumbs of pastry on her fair fingers, she quickly withdrew her hand.
She said, "Yao Niang, I'm giving you these recipes not because I'm treating you like a cook. It would be a waste for my mother to use them; it's only right that you use them..."
For some reason, she wanted to say that Fang Zi's "ambitions were fulfilled," but felt that the wording was inappropriate and would tarnish her image as a talented woman. Unable to find a suitable description for a moment, and afraid that Yao Niang would misunderstand, she became so anxious that her cheeks turned a little red.
Princess Ruining added on her behalf: "Make the best use of everything."
Wang Zhilan nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, make the most of everything!"
Gu Yaoniang smiled and said, "Alright, alright, after I use the prescription, please have some snacks!"
As the sun began to set, the group that had gone hunting in the back mountains had not yet returned, and Princess Ruining was somewhat worried.
She told her servants to go to the back mountain to look for the person, while she led Yao Niang and Wang Zhilan along the repaired path aimlessly.
The hot spring resort is not large, and it is not as exquisite as the princess's mansion with its carved beams and painted rafters. It has an unadorned and simple appearance.
The path is lined with bamboo groves, making it cooler than other areas.
Looking at the lush bamboo forest, Yao Niang couldn't help but think of the delicious taste of spring bamboo shoots.
It's a pity... the season for bamboo shoots has already passed.
Perhaps because it had rained a few days ago, the air was a bit humid. The three of them walked along the path, and Princess Ruining introduced to Yaoniang, "There is a small river ahead, which is the lower reaches of the Jade Belt River. The fish we ate for lunch today were caught from this river."
Wang Zhilan carefully lifted the hem of her skirt, avoiding the water stains on the ground, and said, "If Cousin Aqiu knew we came to the riverbank today, she would definitely regret it to death!"
The cobblestone path had come to an end, and the unique earthy scent of the riverbank filled the air. Further on, one would step onto the riverbank, a mixture of pebbles and mud.
Yao Niang looked at her clean embroidered shoes and stopped.
Seeing her stop, Wang Zhilan asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Princess Ruining, without waiting for her reply, hooked her arm and continued walking forward.
Gu Yaoniang was startled and cried out, unsure of where to step. She stumbled forward with Princess Ruining in a flustered manner, which drew laughter from Princess Ruining.
"Don't worry! I already told someone to go down and fetch clothes and shoes!"
Princess Ruining leaned close to Yao Niang, pretending to whisper, but her voice was not lowered at all. She said with a mischievous smile, "I saw it when I unloaded your luggage today. You brought so many clothes and shoes. You should change them so it won't be a waste of time!"
Before they knew it, they had arrived at the riverbank.
Yao Niang looked helplessly at her embroidered shoes, which were smeared with mud, and simply gave up struggling.
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