Regarding Situtu Qinger’s provocation, Xuexue felt unshaken, a person about to die should be allowed to make a fuss for a few more days, sooner or later letting her taste the pain of her prior life.
Here, except for the few of them, there was no one around; Xuexue hardly bothered acting, she held her head high and strode away without glancing sideways.
"Dear me! Look, how did this little cheap person become so arrogant?" Watching Xuexue’s departing figure, Situ Yu said incredulously to her two elder sisters, "Could it be that she thinks with our grandmother’s blessing, she can walk sideways in the General’s Mansion."
In the end, she spat, "Pah! Dream on!"
Situtu Qinger felt deeply regretful - just because of an earlier missed move in her strategy; now that Old Madam had grown wary of her, regaining her favor seemed no easy task.
Situ Dieer said calmly: "Second sister, let’s not bother about eldest sister for now; we should think of a way to bring our mother back home first, as we can’t be without her."
Indeed, with Lady Tang in the General’s Mansion, their statuses could change, which would greatly benefit their future prospects for marriage.
Hearing this, Situtu Qinger nodded in agreement: "Exactly, the most important thing right now is to rescue mother, but, third sister, not to criticize you, but why are you so nice to that little cheap person, always addressing her as ’big sister’? Don’t forget, we are the real sisters."
Situ Yu chimed in: "Yeah! Third sister, with mother not in the mansion, we sisters truly depend on each other, don’t suddenly turn against us."
Situ Dieer’s expression darkened: "What are you talking about. Even under the worst circumstances, I, Situ Dieer, would not betray my own siblings."
Situtu Qinger immediately smiled, "Second sister knows third sister isn’t like that. Fourth sister, don’t spout nonsense."
Situ Yu pouted but said no more.
Thus, the three sisters went together straight to the Refreshing Courtyard.
In the evening, in the hall.
Since it was Old Madam’s first day back, all the masters of the various manor houses gathered in the hall to dine.
Even Situ Yongjie, who seldom dined at the mansion, came back specifically for this.
Situ Yongjie placed a piece of colorful tofu into Old Madam’s bowl with his chopsticks, smiling, "Mother, this colorful tofu isn’t available outside; Xuexue made it especially for you by hand, and it tastes pretty good."
Old Madam was surprised as she looked at the piece of tofu before her. Living to such an age, she had never seen tofu in so many colors.
"Jiejie, can this really be eaten?" Old Madam stared at the overly vivid-colored tofu before her with some reluctance.
"Of course it can be eaten." Xuexue, not waiting for Situ Yongjie to reply, smiled and picked up a small piece of tofu with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth and chewed, "Grandmother, try it, Xuexue personally made this, hoping you’d like it."
With Xuexue’s demonstration, Old Madam finally felt assured, slowly placed the tofu in her mouth, and gently chewed. A unique fragrance spread in her mouth.
"Oh goodness! It really tastes wonderful!" Old Madam turned her head towards Situ Yongjie, her eyes wide with amazement.
Perhaps because of advancing age, Old Madam had in recent years favored vegetarian diets, facing such an interesting and tasty tofu, she was filled with interest.
Seeing that she liked it, Situ Yongjie helped her pick a few more pieces and put them in her bowl, "Mother liking it is great, all these are Xuexue’s meticulous care."
"Xuexue is truly skilled; what are these made of?" Looking at the tofu in her bowl, both delicate and colorfully splendid, Old Madam was very pleased.