When Cuiyun returned with the food basket, Wuya was already sitting at the table drinking tea. It was Geng who had instructed Lülan to personally fetch her a bottle of hot water and find some tea leaves before she could drink it.
"My lady, I've brought your lunch." Cuiyun entered the room, walked to Wuya's side, and placed the food box on the round table in the main room. Then she opened the lid of the food box, took out the dishes one by one, and placed them in front of her.
"My lady, please have some while it's still hot." Cuiyun placed four dishes and a soup in front of Wuya, and then set out a rice bowl and chopsticks for her.
"Did you order this?" Uya frowned as she looked at the dishes. Two of these four dishes were ones she would never normally touch; Cuiyun should know her preferences.
"No, how could I have ordered this leek and egg yolk stir-fry and this stir-fried pork with chili peppers? Master doesn't eat leeks, nor does he eat spicy food like chili peppers," Cuiyun quickly replied.
"Yes, these things won't be good for your skin. So, they provided these meals themselves?" Uya didn't expect that not only would no one serve her, but she wouldn't even have the right to order food. It meant that she would have to give the kitchen staff benefits in the future, otherwise she would have to eat what they provided.
"Yes, it depends on that little servant's mood. If he's in a good mood, he'll take good food; if he's in a bad mood, he'll just take a few things at random." Cuiyun also felt aggrieved. She had been happily looking forward to the sedan chair that Fourth Master would come to pick her up all morning, but as soon as she arrived at the door, she was left standing there for an hour. Now she couldn't even have her meals as she pleased. This life was not as good as when she was at Wuya's house.
After a moment of silence, Wuya said to Cuiyun, "Now that you're here, try to get used to it. You can eat these dishes; I'll just have the mushrooms and sesame oil chicken."
After the mistress and servants finished their meal, Cuiyun fetched two bottles of water and helped Wuya wash her hands and face. She then helped her remove her hair and undress, preparing her for a nap. Since the Fourth Master wasn't home, she didn't need to stay by his side. A good nap would give her the energy to serve him in the evening!
Meanwhile, Lanqin had already learned about Wuya's entry into the mansion and that she had been left waiting at the side entrance for quite some time before finally being allowed in.
"My lady, that matchmaker came here too. You were out then, so she went to Madam Nian's place, but still couldn't get the edict. She finally got it from the head nanny," Cui Niang said from the side. Lan Qin was having lunch. The table was laden with Lan Qin's favorite dishes: eight-treasure duck, abalone and vermicelli soup, shredded chicken, boiled mutton, and three-treasure fish balls, among others. Lately, Lan Qin had been indulging in delicious food; she ate to her heart's content without gaining weight.
"My master didn't tell me anything, so I don't even know when she entered the household," Lanqin said, swallowing the chicken in her mouth.
"Yes, that's why I think Master didn't take it seriously or what. How could such a thing happen? I'm afraid the new master doesn't even know what he's thinking yet," said Cui Niang.
"Whatever she thinks, I haven't received any information. I'm full, I'm not eating anymore. There's so much food, you can all take it and share it." Lanqin pushed her chopsticks away and touched her slightly protruding belly.
Meanwhile, Uya and her servants put away all the things they had brought before going to bed. She couldn't sleep either, tossing and turning in bed, her mind naturally filled with the events of the day.
Logically, she should have paid her respects to the two concubines in the mansion, as she was a maidservant and should have done so. However, it seemed that the Fourth Prince hadn't made any arrangements; no one had told her to pay her respects to the concubines.
Uya recalled the sight of Lanqin's back that she had secretly seen in Consort De's palace. She knew that the Fourth Prince was now favoring Niohuru's concubine, so perhaps she should take the initiative to meet her.
"Cuiyun!" The more Wuya thought about it, the more she felt she should go, so she called out to Cuiyun, who was sleeping in Baoxia outside.
"Master, what's wrong?" Cuiyun asked as soon as she heard Wuya call her.
"Should I go and see the two concubines?" said Lady Uya.
“Master, aren’t there specific days for meeting them? You’ve just entered the manor and don’t know anything yet. Let’s wait until you meet the Fourth Prince before we talk about it,” Cuiyun said.
“No, that won’t do. As a concubine, I should at least pay my respects to her. She’s in charge of the inner quarters now. Although she’s not the principal wife, her position is still there,” said Lady Uya.
Seeing that she couldn't dissuade Wuya, Cuiyun got dressed and helped her with her changing and washing. After they were both ready, they came out of the west courtyard.
Wuya wasn't afraid of getting lost. Anyway, she and her servants asked for directions as they went. Fortunately, Lanqin's place wasn't difficult to get to, and they soon arrived at the South Courtyard.
Lanqin was taking a midday rest, and Cui Niang and the others were also taking turns to rest. When Granny Wang saw two unfamiliar women at the door, she asked about their identities and purpose, and without delay, she went inside to report.
"What did you say? Wuya has come from outside?" Cui Niang asked in surprise, thinking to herself that Wuya was really an impatient person, coming to pay her respects to Lanqin as soon as she entered the mansion.
“That’s right. Cui Niang, will the master see him or not?” asked Granny Wang.
“Let them in, and let them sit in the left side room. The mistress is still asleep, and I dare not wake her. Go and explain to her that the mistress is asleep, and if she is willing to come in and wait, then she can come in and wait,” said Cui Niang. “If she is not willing to wait, then she should go back first.”
Granny Wang accepted the order and left. After speaking with Madam Wuya, she remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "This concubine is willing to go in and wait."
As Wuya and her servant followed Granny Wang into the south courtyard, Wuya was secretly astonished by the exquisite and meticulous house and the furnishings in the courtyard. She looked around and, although she couldn't see anyone, everything was neatly arranged, indicating that there must be many people serving them to keep it so tidy.
"Excuse me, our mistress hasn't woken up yet. Please wait in the left side room, Madam Wuya." Cui Niang finally came out to greet her. She was the first to see this niece of Consort De, on behalf of Lan Qin.
“It is my bad timing that I have come,” said Lady Uya.
"Madam, please follow me." Cui Niang personally led Wuya Shi to the left side room. She had just taken a close look at Wuya Shi and found that she really did look very similar to Consort De. No wonder she was favored by Consort De.
"Thank you for your trouble." Uya looked at Chen Se in the room, secretly envious. The rooms she lived in were already quite nice, but compared to this place, they were simply incomparable.
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