Chapter 473 Stealing Food
Lin Yuesha was annoyed by the steward's constant use of the derogatory term "low-class people." The people who wanted to curry favor with the Yu family used all sorts of methods and made all sorts of gestures, including personally going to Cangzhou a month in advance to invite the Qiuyue Troupe to perform. In the steward's words, the Qiuyue Troupe's performance was due to the old lady's sudden act of kindness and leniency.
The problem is, even if you try to please the Yu family, you won't get anything in return. It's a classic case of taking money but not doing anything, and getting a good deal while complaining.
Lin Yuesha had never seen such a despicable family before; it was truly an eye-opener for her.
Admittedly, it was not easy for the widowed Madam Yu to raise Master Yu, but that is not a reason for her to be so sharp-tongued and mean. To be so mean is even more incomprehensible.
"The Yu family's residence is a royal bestowal, and every blade of grass and every tree is extremely precious. Allowing you to stay in the Imperial Garden is already an exception, and to think you can use the main kitchen is just wishful thinking."
The steward instructed everyone to set up a stage in the Imperial Garden, and that food would be delivered later.
"Really, a bunch of beggars have arrived."
The manager glanced at Lin Yuesha and the others with disdain, then turned and left with his hands behind his back.
"That mean, old hag!"
The deputy head of the troupe was so angry that his face turned red. Although they were from the lowest class, they earned their living with their skills. They hadn't stolen, robbed, or cheated anyone. The steward of the Yu family's inner quarters seemed to have more face than them, but he was a slave. For a servant to shout and act like a dog relying on his master's power was simply too much!
“Miss, the Yu family’s behavior is not strange, nor is it well-mannered; it’s just that they’ve taken snobbery to the extreme.”
The reason why we don't treat officials of the Great Qi is simply because they are not members of the royal family. Even if they hold a high-ranking position of second or third grade, they are still considered inferior to the royal family.
"My father's illness still requires the care of Master Yu."
Perhaps there are more capable people, but Lin Yuesha can't find them; they are just ordinary people, completely unrelated to important figures.
After sighing, one still has to compromise.
Lin Yuesha and the deputy troupe leader returned to the back garden, and Lin Yuesha comforted him, saying, "Deputy troupe leader, it's just a play, and we'll leave after it's over. There's no need to care about the gossip of irrelevant people."
They were paid the full amount for performing, and they came to the Yu family only to do business. As long as they could make money, what did it matter if they suffered a little grievance?
"Miss Lin, we at Qiuyue Class don't want to earn money from people like this."
The person who invited them claimed to be a servant of the Yu family. The Qiuyue Troupe was unaware of the situation and was deceived. They thought that it didn't matter where they opened a stage to make money. In addition to the money they earned from performing, they could also earn tips. The fans who gave tips were genuinely interested in listening to the opera and were not treated like beggars. This made the Qiuyue Troupe feel very humiliated.
Lin Yuesha remained silent; at least she couldn't argue with the people in Qiuyue's class.
Half an hour later, the person who brought the food arrived late. Without saying much to them, he threw down the food bucket and turned to leave.
There wasn't a single dish, just a bucket of rice, and it smelled rancid.
When you're out and about, it's not good to be picky, but eating spoiled food in the summer can easily cause stomach upset. Opening the lid of the rice bucket will immediately attract mung bean flies, making everyone lose their appetite.
They set up the stage on an empty stomach, and before they knew it, it was dusk.
Lin Yuesha stayed with the Qiuyue Class, and no one from the Yu family came during that time.
As it was getting dark, voices were heard. A group of servants came to set up tables and chairs, and placed trays full of cakes, tea, fruit, and candied fruit.
"The kitchen is short-staffed, and we need to go help. You lowly people should not touch these. These are cold dishes for the old lady's birthday banquet."
The steward glanced at everyone with disdain, his words full of contempt. If he weren't in a hurry to serve the food, he would have had to leave someone behind to watch over things.
"you……"
The vice class leader was so angry he almost vomited blood. Such words were an insult to their dignity!
As soon as the manager left, no one touched the dishes. Even though they had been starving all day, the Qiuyue team members were already ravenous, but they still endured it.
Lin Yuesha picked up a candied fruit, put it in her mouth, and the sweet and sour taste whetted her appetite, making her even hungrier.
What should we eat?
Lin Yuesha wandered around the table for a moment. The mung bean cake, osmanthus cake, and crystal flower-shaped pastries looked exquisite, but in Lin Yuesha's experience, these things didn't taste good.
"Let's have a piece of walnut shortbread to tide us over first."
After Lin Yuesha finished speaking, she took a piece from the tray and put it in her mouth, then urged Qingxing, who was standing there in a daze, to eat it quickly.
Each plate doesn't have much food, so you can't try to get all the freebies from just one plate. The best way is to eat a little from each plate.
"Miss, you..."
Qingxing pouted. The servant from the Yu family had left in a huff that was infuriating. People are driven by pride, and Buddhas by the incense stick. If you say you won't eat, then you won't eat.
Lin Yuesha looked at Qingxing strangely, wondering when this maid had become so principled. However, principle cannot be used casually; who would want to go hungry when there is food to eat?
At this moment, she couldn't care less about maintaining a good image. Regardless of what the Yu family thought, she had suffered a lot during her trip to the Yu family, and going hungry would be unfair to herself.
"I've already eaten the walnut shortbread, you can have the yam cake next to it."
Lin Yuesha stuffed the yam cake into Qingxing's mouth, muttering, "Don't be stubborn. Qiuyue Troupe's performance will last two or three hours, until late at night."
No one touched the food except Lin Yuesha, who ate and ate. After a while, the manager brought out another batch of food.
She glanced around and stared at a plate of walnut cookies, saying, "Did someone steal some? There are a few walnut cookies missing."
"Headmistress, please count how many pieces are missing."
Lin Yuesha didn't believe that the head maid could count so many plates. She was probably just trying to trick them. It was an old trick she had used to death, and it was nothing new.
"snort."
Seeing that no one seemed guilty, the head maid led everyone to get back to work. She said to Qiuyue Troupe, "Today is our old lady's birthday banquet. Some important guests will be visiting. You all need to rehearse well. If you mess up, you will definitely be punished!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
The Qiuyue Troupe's anger intensified. Accidents are inevitable during opera performances, and they could only promise to do their best. If they didn't perform well, would they be locked up and beaten?
The Yu family is utterly disgusting, and everyone remembers it. No amount of money will bring them back next time; they've learned their lesson this once.
"Young Master Qiuyue, you should eat something."
There were water basins for watering flowers in the back garden, and the water in them wasn't very clear. The students in Qiuyue Class were thirsty, so they scooped up water from the basins and drank it.
"Thank you, Miss Lin, but I don't eat before going on stage."
Xiao Qiuyue was dressing up in front of the mirror. The rouge and powder had a pungent smell, and if she ate, she would easily gag during the performance.
Lin Yuesha sighed, "No job is easy. People only see that Qiuyue Troupe makes money by performing, but they don't see the hard work behind the scenes."
"Miss, something terrible has happened! Prince Luo is here!"
Lin Yuesha was eating when she heard what Qingxing said and almost spat out her cake. In the distance, she saw a glimpse of clothing. The remaining cake in her hand was too big to swallow in one bite. She had a quick idea and hid under the table, where she was covered by the red tablecloth.
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