259, The Best Fate in the World (1 More
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Lian Huai turned his head upon hearing this and glanced at Yuanbao.
Not to mention anything else, Yuanbao’s meticulousness, propriety, and similarity to a mute servant were indeed noteworthy.
Both were wholeheartedly devoted to their master, harboring no ulterior motives.
For a mute servant to persist for so many years was truly remarkable.
“Then take a rest for a while!” Lian Huai said softly.
As he entered the room, he glanced towards Xie Zhinuan’s quarters.
Her window was tightly shut, the door slightly ajar, revealing Dahuang the mule sleeping at the doorstep, even his tail was sticking out. That tail would flick every so often; you might think he was asleep, but somehow not quite, yet he would stay still for a long time without moving.
The mule was also very clean, needing someone to wipe its mouth and feet. For a mule, it was too smart.
And it seemed to be too affectionate towards people.
Lian Huai leaned on the brick bed, while the mute servant was preparing to lay out his bedding on the floor. After hesitating for a moment, Lian Huai said, “The bed is quite large, come up and sleep!”
“…” The mute servant was surprised.
and his eyes reddened slightly.
But he knew that Lian Huai had no other connotations, it was simply an offer to sleep on the bed.
Yet, for him, even a little kindness from the person he had been waiting on for over forty years could make him happy for a long, long time.
Lian Huai lay on the bed, his thoughts on today’s matter of accepting a disciple.
It was all too casual in the end; that young maiden indeed had guts to kneel down just like that.
She truly went all out.
If he hadn’t agreed, what would she have done?
“…”
An impromptu apprenticeship, perhaps it was the best fate the world could offer. Through time spent together, someday in the future, looking back on today, they would likely find it both laughable and touching.
Lian Huai let out a quiet laugh and closed his eyes.
The mute servant turned over to look at Lian Huai, a smile gradually spreading across his lips.
In the evening, it was still Xie Zhinuan in charge of cooking, with the mute servant assisting her, and Yuanbao joking around and helping out with odd jobs on the side. Xie Zhinuan made a spicy chicken dish, with fewer peppers and lots of chili. She made such a large pot that she could even share a good portion with Yuanbao and the others.
She also cooked a fragrant spicy fish. Although many spices were missing, Xie Zhinuan’s culinary skills were genuinely good, and she managed to create delicious dishes with simple ingredients.
Coupled with steamed pork with rice flour, braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, steamed sea bass, two stir-fried vegetables, cold cucumber salad, and fried peanuts.
She made so many dishes only because she had taken a master today. Although it was simple, Lian Huai had given her the Jade Pendant that represented the Lian Family, so she felt she should show her gratitude.
“Master, Cousin, it’s time to eat!”
Outside, she couldn’t call Li Hengyi by ‘Young Master Li’ nor ‘Your Highness.’ One was too distant and the other would reveal Li Hengyi’s identity, so she addressed him as ‘Cousin.’
“Alright!”
Seeing the table full of delicious dishes, how could there be no wine?
Lian Huai asked the mute servant to fetch some wine, “Bring out the Drunken Snow Brew we dug up at noon!”
Good food deserved good wine, and likewise for good wine.
Xie Zhinuan didn’t dare to touch it again, but as she saw Lian Huai and Li Hengyi occasionally clinking their cups, taking a sip, spending more time eating than drinking.
She smiled and went to bring the chicken soup to the table.
After the meal, someone took care of the cleaning while Xie Zhinuan rested briefly. Once her stomach felt less full, she followed Li Hengyi for an hour of boxing practice, leaving her panting and sweating profusely.
She prepared her clothes and hot water for a bath.
After tidying up, she sat down in the yard, took out a book, and read aloud while memorizing. Whenever she came across a word she didn’t know, she asked Li Hengyi.
She was even more earnest than the scholars who intended to take the civil examinations.
As a woman, why do you have to work so hard?” Lian Huai couldn’t help but ask.
After getting married, you’ll have a husband to cherish and adore you; why go through such hardships and effort?
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Chapter 260