It must be said that Madam Li's cooking skills were truly exceptional. Although she prepared a table full of ordinary dishes, they were incredibly delicious. For someone like Lanqin, who loved to eat, such culinary skills immediately lessened her dislike for Madam Li.
"Madam, your cooking skills are truly excellent!" Lanqin said truthfully.
"Hehe, since Consort Li likes it, why not use more? This old man has nothing to report about Consort Li's favor towards Li Wei and Yingzi, so I can only repay her with such delicious food." Old Madam Li smiled broadly, looking nothing like the wicked mother-in-law who neglected her daughter-in-law. Although Lanqin knew it was just a facade and that she couldn't possibly realize her mistake so quickly.
"Madam, there's no need to report back to me. Just get along well with Cui Niang. Cui Niang is my head aunt, and I'll be going back to her as soon as she recovers," Lanqin said to Madam Li.
“Yes, Cui Niang thinks about the concubine every day. She often tells me that she doesn’t know what’s wrong with the concubine,” Li Wei said.
Madam Li had initially thought Cui Niang was merely a maidservant to the concubine, perhaps a head maid at most, but she never imagined she would be so highly regarded by the concubine. Just now, Li Wei had a long, hearty chat with Madam Li in the kitchen, explaining Cui Niang's position with the concubine and her role in the entire Li household. He even mentioned that Cui Niang had borrowed a large portion of the money from the concubine to purchase the house. To maintain Li Wei's image as the head of the family, the couple hadn't told Madam Li or Li Chuang these things. They still assumed it was Li Wei's money that had been used. Madam Li was stunned for a long time before she came to her senses. Furthermore, Li Wei had also briefly explained the relationship between the concubine and the Fourth Prince, implying that the concubine was practically equivalent to the Fourth Prince's wife and was greatly favored by him; offending her would be tantamount to jeopardizing Li Wei and Li Chuang's future.
"Yingzi, you should eat more too. If you like, I'll make it for you every day." Old Madam Li personally picked up a large piece of chicken and put it in Cui Niang's bowl.
Lanqin saw this and nodded happily, saying, "Niang Cui, I'm relieved now. Your mother-in-law loves you so much. She'll definitely take good care of you after you give birth."
Li Wei smiled and served food to Madam Li as well. Lan Qin watched this and thought to herself: Li Wei has a high EQ. No wonder he became an important minister in the Yongzheng Emperor's court later.
Cui Niang also served food to Old Madam Li. She understood that her mother-in-law's immediate change of attitude was entirely due to Lan Qin's visit today; otherwise, Li Wei might not have been so open with her mother. After all, a man's pride is sometimes more important than anything else!
Lanqin was also very satisfied with Li Wei's performance. He was able to tear off his pride and explain the reality to his grandmother, which showed that he had made up his mind.
After Lanqin finished her meal at the Li residence, it was getting late. She instructed Li Wei to take good care of Cui Niang before returning to Yuanmingyuan.
After seeing the old lady off, Li Wei stayed with Cui Niang to rest, and the couple lay on the couch chatting together.
“Mother, she has wronged you, don’t hold it against her,” Li Wei said.
“Husband, Mother is my mother-in-law, how could I possibly hold a grudge against her?” said Cui Niang.
"Although I know Mother is somewhat biased towards the second son, I haven't said much because he's suffered before. But if he continues to disrespect you, his sister-in-law, I won't tolerate it!" Li Wei said. These words carried considerable weight. It turned out that after Li Chuang returned, his personality had drastically changed; he was disrespectful to his elder sister-in-law, and Old Madam Li had consistently sided with him. Li Wei was caught in the middle, torn between the two sides! This was also one of the reasons Old Madam Li disliked Cui Niang.
"Thank you for your understanding, sir. I hope you will pass the imperial examination with flying colors this time, so that you can find a good girl to match you," said Cui Niang.
"It all depends on his own abilities. The fact that the concubine came to see you shows how much she values you," Li Wei said.
“But we can’t ask the concubine for Uncle’s sake. I can do anything for you, but I can’t bring myself to ask. What kind of person is the concubine? She won’t even ask her own brothers. Besides, you know what kind of person Master is. If Uncle passes the imperial examination, the court will arrange an official position for him. If he fails, then it’s even less likely that he will ask the concubine.” Cui Niang was afraid that Li Wei would end up like Old Madam Li, so she quickly said.
“You’ve misunderstood. I won’t let you say that to the concubine. I mean the concubine’s position in the master’s heart is becoming more and more important, and she may even rise to a higher position in the future. You must serve her well,” Li Wei said.
"Of course. My concubine treats me so well; if I don't reciprocate, I'd be utterly heartless. My lord, I believe our master has a bright future ahead of him," said Cui Niang.
Li Wei looked at Cui Niang and said, "You and I are thinking the same thing. If we follow our master and his concubine well, our future prospects may be beyond our wildest dreams."
"
"Hmm. Mother cooked a huge meal today and must be exhausted. Why don't we have Ah Ping go and see if she needs a back massage?" said Cui Niang.
"No need, Mother understands now, she won't show favoritism on that side anymore. Don't worry," Li Wei said.
Meanwhile, Lanqin and Sihua were dozing in the carriage. She felt a little tired after being out for half a day, so she closed her eyes. But she hadn't been dozing for long when Lanqin remembered the rare phoenix blood and decided to go to the Cui residence again. She had been busy supporting Cui Niang at the Li residence that day and had completely forgotten about it.
"What, Master, you're going out again?" Si Hua looked at Lan Qin in surprise. "It's already past noon. If you go to the Cui family now, it will be almost dark."
“I want to go to the Cui residence. Cui Da and Cui Er will probably be idle at home these days, so I might as well go and ask them. They used to be hunters. Besides, I’ve already gone to see Cui Niang, so why don’t I go and see Nianxue and Xicha? They were my maids who came with me in my dowry,” Lanqin said.
Si Hua knew she couldn't stop her master, who was so impulsive, so she quickly ordered a carriage to be prepared. Lan Qin, carrying the portrait, helped Si Hua and they went to the Cui residence without stopping.
Sure enough, both Cui Da and Cui Er were at home. Upon hearing that the concubine had arrived, the whole family naturally came out to greet her.
"Consort, what brings you here?" Cui Da, being honest and straightforward, greeted Lanqin with a silly grin.
"Come and see Nianxue and Xicha. How are they doing at your house? You haven't been bullying them, have you? And Aunt Cui certainly wouldn't!" Lanqin said jokingly.
“Mother cooks delicious meals for them every day, even better than what she gives us,” Cui Er said.
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