The man had a face like jade, incomparably handsome, and his skin was snow-white. His handsome features looked exceptionally striking, especially his lips, which were almost as red as if they had been painted with rouge. Although he was handsome, he was by no means effeminate. In particular, his deep, dark eyes were unfathomable.
It truly lives up to the saying, "A gentleman as beautiful as jade, unparalleled in the world."
However, at this moment, his eyes were dim.
"Xia Yixin..." the man murmured, his gentle voice tinged with confusion and doubt. For the past three years, he had been dreaming of a woman's figure every night, but whenever he recalled it, it was not very clear. All he remembered was the excruciating pain that ripped his heart out.
When the Minister's family came to discuss the marriage, he saw those three words on the register, and a strange sense of familiarity made him agree to the marriage amidst the old lady's shocked gaze.
Unbeknownst to outsiders, this marriage was not actually arranged by the Old Madam, but by Chu Mubai himself. However, that night, all she could see in him was disgust and resentment, and the drinking contest was something he deliberately condoned...
Because at that time he inexplicably felt utterly hopeless, as if a game of chess had reached a critical juncture but was disrupted.
Now, a man with superb martial arts skills has inexplicably appeared in her courtyard. He must have something to ask of Chu Qin for framing her. Perhaps it is the man she mentioned who she admires?
"Cough cough cough..." Chu Mubai felt a tightness in his chest and coughed violently, his hands clenched into fists. He stopped after a long time and wiped the blood from the corner of his lips.
He gave a self-deprecating smile. So be it. With his body like this, keeping her by his side would be useless. Since he lost to her in the drinking contest that day, he would let her go as agreed.
Unfortunately, the next day when he was about to go to the old lady with the letter of divorce, he received news that the old lady had gone to Taiping Temple early in the morning to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, and to rest quietly. She was quite angry with Chu Qin.
On the other side, it was early morning.
Xiaoman was awakened by a strange fragrance.
The aroma made her stomach rumble, and as she wondered if it was a dream or reality, she suddenly remembered something and abruptly opened her eyes.
The bright sunshine outside reminded her that she had overslept.
She jumped up, not even bothering to think about how she fell asleep last night. Annoyed, she quickly tidied herself up and ran to the bedside. "Madam, this servant... oh?" She was about to kneel down to apologize when she realized that Xia Yixin was not on the bed.
Just then, Xia Yixin's smiling voice rang out from outside, "You're quite lucky, I just finished cooking the porridge."
Xiao Man turned around and saw Xia Yixin walking in carrying two bowls of porridge. She was wearing a men's outfit, and her high ponytail made her look particularly heroic, but the two streaks of soot on her face ruined the beauty.
"Madam, what's wrong...?" Xiao Man was a little confused.
Xia Yixin put down the porridge and pulled the dazed Xiaoman over. "Don't worry about what's wrong with me. Let's drink the porridge first, and I'll tell you slowly later."
She handed the spoon to her and then sat down on the other side to eat.
Xiaoman originally wanted to mention the rule that masters and servants cannot sit at the same table, but looking at the dark but fragrant rice porridge in front of her, she was as if bewitched. She took a bite and put it in her mouth. It was fragrant and sticky, melted in her mouth, and was incredibly sweet. She didn't know if it was her imagination, but she felt a surge of heat in her body, and her whole body became more energetic.
When she came to her senses, she had already finished the whole bowl of porridge, and she was still not satisfied. After finishing the porridge, she realized something was wrong and asked in confusion.
"Madam, where did you get this porridge?"
"There's an abandoned kitchen behind this yard. I tidied it up a bit and found half a bag of rice inside."
Xiaoman thought carefully and realized there was indeed an abandoned kitchen in the backyard. She had no doubts, but she immediately knelt down in fear and said, "Madam, I am guilty, please punish me!"
"What crime have you committed? Get up!" Xia Yi thought about pulling her up but was afraid of hurting her, so in the end she could only put on a stern face and shout angrily, "What, you won't listen to me?"
“Madam…” Xiaoman’s eyes were even more determined. “Please punish me, Madam. What kind of master serves a servant in this world?”
"..." Xia Yixin was truly impressed by these ancient people who had been poisoned by class ideology. "Alright, then I'll punish you by making you clean up the small kitchen. From now on, we'll cook for ourselves there. Go to the mansion's kitchen later and ask for some raw food."
"Yes, madam!" Xiaoman finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at the delighted little girl, Xia Yixin couldn't help but rub her head again. This girl was just too thin; it seemed she would have to make sure she got enough nutrition in the future.
Xiao Man then couldn't wait to run to the corner kitchen. It wasn't too dirty to begin with. Xia Yixin had just done a simple cleaning in the morning, removing the dust and trash from the abandoned kitchen before it was ready to use.
The pots and pans were still usable, and she even found a few clay pots and medicine jars, probably left by the previous owner. She directly redeemed 50 points for the [Master Chef (Universal)] skill from the points mall, since she was already in a negative value anyway.
With the culinary master skill activated, ancient stoves and pots were a piece of cake for her. Moreover, since the original owner had spent many years at the border, it wouldn't be considered a slip-up if she occasionally cooked for herself. To increase the nutrition, she added a very small amount of ginseng and minced cured meat.
Xiao Man was full of energy, and in no time, the small kitchen was cleaned spotless. The water tank was filled with water, and she even went out to collect some firewood. However, the only raw food she brought back from the kitchen was a small bag of rice and a few eggs.
They also brought back news from outside.
Xiao Man said gleefully, "Madam, do you know that last night the Second Young Master got drunk and broke into the pharmacy, ruining a lot of medicine? I heard he even stole a ginseng root! The Grand Tutor gave him twenty lashes last night, and he's still lying in the ancestral hall now. Humph, serves him right!"
"Is there any other news?" Xia Yixin asked.
"Oh, right, it was because of a prostitute. That woman was beaten to death by the master. Alas, how pitiful. And the old matriarch, I heard that Chu Qin made her sick." Xiao Man replied.
The old lady's reaction was not surprising, but the woman was beaten to death?
Xia Yixin didn't feel sorry for her. That woman and Chu Qin were clearly in cahoots. If she didn't take action, that woman would target her next.
The problem is that Grand Tutor Chu found out there was no such tonic.
However, judging from how ruthlessly he handled it, it seems he has found out the truth, and Chu Mubai's life is temporarily saved.
Seeing that Xiaoman was about to cook porridge again, Xia Yixin quickly stopped her, "I'll cook the food. Xiaoman, can you help me deliver a letter to the East Garden? You must hand it to Chu Mubai in person."
Xiaoman wanted to refuse after hearing the first half of the sentence, but the second half made her forget everything else instantly, her eyes sparkling, "Even if I die, I will definitely do it for you, Madam!"
While Xiaoman was busy, Xia Yixin found paper and pen in the study and wrote down the prescription she had come up with. She also wrote a short letter and put it in an envelope for Xiaoman to deliver.
While waiting for Xiaoman, she began to solve the problem of lunch for the two of them.
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