"No, no, my eldest sister adores me; she would never hit me! Mmm, mmm."
Before Xiao Linshuang could finish speaking, her mouth was already covered by Lao Fan’s large hand.
After a hard squint, Xiao Linshuang finally quieted down. Only the sound of a somewhat domineering and willful voice could be heard coming from the kitchen, imperiously shouting, "Where’s the bird’s nest and chicken soup I stewed for the Young Lady? Hey, who stole our Young Lady’s bird’s nest and chicken soup? Alright, no one is admitting it, is that right? You all just wait, I’m going to find your boss! There’s theft under watch in Fuman Building’s kitchen, I’d like to see how your boss explains this to our Young Lady! Humph!"
Yaner, fuming with anger, marched out. All the frustrations she endured that morning were vented out in the kitchen, making her feel instantly much more refreshed.
In the corner, Lao Fan and Xiao Linshuang exchanged glances. Glancing at the empty bowl in hand, they immediately tossed it to the ground like a hot potato and scrambled to their feet to run away.
Lin Yuan naturally wouldn’t punish her chefs over a bowl of bird’s nest and chicken soup. Moreover, she knew very well who had secretly consumed them, and so did everyone else in the kitchen.
After smiling at Yaner, Lin Yuan had the lad go to the kitchen to stew another bowl of bird’s nest for Su Qiuyu, but this time she used the more expensive red bird’s nest instead of the white. To show her apology, she also replaced the chicken soup with the more nutritious pigeon soup.
Yaner, who had lost her food, initially felt quite justified, but upon seeing those items, she started to feel a bit guilty. She had thought that such a poor place wouldn’t have anything good, but they easily brought out red bird’s nest, which was even more lavish than what her Miss Jin would have.
For the first time, Yaner saw Lin Yuan in a different light, feeling that this simple village girl was not as simple as she appeared to be.
Meanwhile, as soon as Xia Zheng left the city, a carriage entered Zhuma Town. Although the carriage was understated, its overall value was undoubtedly high. Just looking at the pair of horses pulling the carriage, with their shiny manes and solid hooves, it was clear they were not something an ordinary family could afford.
The carriage made its way down the main street, heading towards Fuman Building.
At the entrance of the Century-old Cake Shop, Jin Lingling and Meng Chunyan came out each holding a box of pastries when they happened to see that expensive carriage.
Jin Lingling was surprised, "Wow, whose carriage is that? So impressive."
Meng Chunyan also noticed the carriage but, too proud to admit her awe, scoffed lightly and rolled her eyes: "Apart from the handsome horses, it’s nothing special. It’s not even as good as my carriage. My brother just custom-ordered this carriage for me from Yecheng. It’s expensive!"
After expressing her admiration, Jin Lingling quickly regained her composure, glanced at Meng Chunyan’s carriage, and silently sneered to herself. That fool! The body of that carriage was made of sandalwood, incomparably better than hers. A country bumpkin with no appreciation for finer things!
Meng Chunyan was oblivious to the scorn in Jin Lingling’s eyes, basking in the pride of her new carriage. Ever since she saw Lin Yuan’s new carriage that day, Meng Chunyan’s competitive spirit had been ignited. If a mere village girl could ride in such an expensive and nice carriage, she, the Young Lady of the Meng Family Wine House, had to have one even better and more expensive!
So, as soon as she returned home, she begged her family to get her a new carriage. However, although she was the only daughter, she wasn’t as fortunate as Ma Xiaonan, who not only was adored by her father but also doted on by her elder brother.
After pleading with her father to no avail, she turned to beg her brother. But he was even less responsive, knowing that she had over a hundred taels of pocket money, he tricked fifty taels out of her and then spent fifteen taels in Yecheng to buy an old carriage. After spending a few more taels on new paint and curtains, her "new" carriage was completed.