38, Agree
“Miss Xie, please don’t be angry. My master suffered an injury in his spleen and stomach due to certain events in his early years. He hasn’t been able to stomach anything for three years, relying constantly on various medicine pills. That day you cooked tofu, it was rare for the master to be able to take a few bites. Later, someone else tried cooking it, but it still couldn’t be swallowed. Miss Xie, my master’s status is noble, if you could cook some dishes for him, as for gold, silver, and jewels…”
“Hold on!” Xie Zhinuan interrupted Yuanbao.
“There’s no need to mention those, I’m not interested in gold, silver, jewels, or silks and satins. Whatever your master’s status may be, it’s not of much use to me. I just want to live a plain and simple life!”
Yuanbao, upon hearing this, wasn’t angry.
He had inquired from Yuan Cheng, and indeed Xie Zhinuan didn’t place much value on silver.
“But have you considered, Miss Xie, what if one day your enemies come knocking? What will you do then? You are so beautiful, if there’s no one to protect you, how will you face those with ill intentions?” Yuanbao asked a few questions in succession and then began to weigh pros and cons for Xie Zhinuan, “Miss Xie, given my master’s noble status, if you are willing to cook for him, I won’t mention other things, but within the Dazhou Kingdom, no matter where you are, as long as you use his name, no one would dare to bully you!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan remained silent.
But she had to admit, Yuanbao was right.
Her appearance was too outstanding, which easily attracted trouble. Without a powerful backer, not only would she harm herself but also bring trouble to the Yuan Family.
“I can agree to cook, but I have a few conditions!”
Yuanbao, hearing this, was overjoyed, “Miss Xie, please say them!”
“I won’t take special orders; whatever I cook, your master will eat. If I’m busy, you can’t force me to cook, nor can you disturb my life. Without my permission, no entry to my house. As for meals, I’ll cook as I see fit, maybe three times a day, maybe twice. You will need to pay a monthly food fee. I’ll cook for your master, and you will protect me. This way, we are even!”
Xie Zhinuan made her terms clear.
Yuanbao agreed repeatedly and then trying to please her, said, “Does Miss Xie’s family need green bricks, black tiles, or lumber for home construction? We buy in bulk, so the prices are low. If Miss Xie needs them, we can buy some for you as well!”
…
Xie Zhinuan remained silent.
Yuanbao hastily added, “Miss Xie, we truly don’t have any ill intentions. We only hope that when you cook in the future, you put a little more heart into it, considering my master’s status…”
“Alright, I am aware your master has a noble status. Since you’ve said so, please take care of these matters for me,” she said.
The matter of green bricks, black tiles, and lumber settled, Xie Zhinuan actually sighed in relief. With such formidable neighbors, she felt even more at ease.
Returning to the Yuan Family, she spoke of this matter to Grandpa Yuan.
“Do you think it’s reliable?” Grandpa Yuan asked.
“I cannot tell as of yet. I’m not too worried for myself, but I’m afraid it might cause trouble for you all!”
“…”
Grandpa Yuan was silent for a good while before he finally said in a deep voice, “As long as you conduct yourself with dignity and work rightfully, we can’t say for sure whether it will cause trouble or not. But going forward, you need to be extra cautious and careful in your everyday life!”
“Grandpa, I’ve noted it down!”
The construction of the house was progressing faster than Xie Zhinuan had imagined. By the end of March, they were already discussing the major event of raising the ridgepole. The residence being built opposite was quite grand, even specifically including the construction of a broad road. Coming and going were either mule carts or horse-drawn carriages, the furniture and items looked like fine products.
Xie Zhinuan knew a bit about this, but didn’t pay much attention. She had already, through the mediation of Grandpa Yuan, found carpenters in the village to make her own furniture.
Simple tables, benches, chairs, wardrobes, boxes, shelves, beds-there were many odds and ends, costing dozens of taels of silver. All she was waiting for now was the completion of the house to move everything in.
Chapter 40