Huo Yuan was indifferent to the pleasures of the palate, but when Cai Wei said she would personally cook for him, he gladly agreed, and sat at the table brimming with anticipation...
Inside Farmer’s Manor
Aunt Bi, accompanied by her personal maid, smoothly entered the backyard where Cai Fei was learning embroidery.
Ever since Fei’er had found the purse of jewelry she had lost, Aunt Bi often came over to chat and give her gifts. Although Fei’er didn’t like being disturbed by outsiders, she wouldn’t slap a smiling face, and since the other party had come to repay a favor, she maintained a superficial politeness, not willing to ignore her.
Unfortunately, it seemed as though Aunt Bi was oblivious to Fei’er’s aversion to her, continuing to visit with the same relentless enthusiasm, presenting one gift after another, one day a pot of chicken soup, the next day a piece of jewelry. Her zeal was on par with that of a servant showing filial piety to their master.
Today, she came bearing a Xiangfei bamboo pipa folding fan for women. Upon seeing Fei’er, she offered it with a beaming smile, "Sister has come to bother Younger Sister again, and you mustn’t get annoyed with me."
After speaking, she handed over the Xiangfei bamboo pipa folding fan, "The days are growing hotter by the day, keep this fan to cool yourself!"
Fei’er took the fan and noticed that the bones of the fan were speckled with a dark red hue, the finest quality of Xiangfei bamboo, and the craftsmanship was extremely fine, with the bones engraved with a pattern of luxurious flowers and birds.
Having spent time with Nanny Xi, she had gained some knowledge and knew that this red Xiangfei bamboo fan was highly coveted, and just this fan alone was worth three to four hundred taels of silver.
She did not feel her relationship with Madam was so good as to accept such a valuable gift. She could accept her chicken soup or some inexpensive jewelry, but she could by no means accept this expensive gift worth three to four hundred taels of silver, so she pushed the fan back, "Lady Huo, I cannot accept such a precious gift without merit. Please take it back!"
Aunt Bi "tsked" and stuffed the fan back into Fei’er’s bosom, "This object is just a thing. If you value it, then it’s valuable; if you don’t, it’s not. To Sister, it is just a fan for fanning the air. I didn’t see it as something important, but you seem to think it is quite important."
Fei’er laughed and said, "Indeed, I do view it as very important, which is why I cannot accept it. Please do not make things difficult for me, Lady Huo, and take back your generous gift."
Aunt Bi would not take it back, laughed and said, "If that’s the case, Younger Sister can give Sister something in return. That way, I’ll feel balanced in my heart. Oh right, why not give Sister that Koi and Lotus Embroidery Purse you had last time? It was truly good-looking, and Sister still has it on her mind!"
Fei’er said, "Unfortunately, I have already given that purse away. Lady Huo, please take your fan back..."
Aunt Bi’s eyes swiveled, and she said, "Sister really likes that purse a lot. Well then, whenever Younger Sister finds the time, you can embroider another one for Sister!"
Fei’er, still a naïve young girl with thin skin and low pride, could not face outright refusal to such persistent entanglement, so she reluctantly agreed...
Cai Wei’s boiled fish was ready, a full basin of it, topped with a layer of bright red chili. Beneath the chili were luscious green cabbage and tender white fish meat—red, green, white—very pleasing to the eye. Without even tasting it, one could tell from the aroma alone that it would be delicious!
"Come! Try my uniquely crafted skill, it will definitely taste better than anything delicious you’ve had before!"