Chapter 32: Following Qiao Qingyun Brings Prosperity

Qiao Qingyun felt somewhat comforted; she had thought she would never again taste the dishes she made with her own hands.

“Indeed, Young Master Yun’s culinary skills are extraordinary. In the future, will there be these dishes at your Hundred Flowers Courtyard?” the princess inquired.

“Naturally, there will be. Whenever Your Highness wishes to eat, just come by and everything will be prepared for you,” Qiao Qingyun replied.

At this moment, Qiao Qingyun had no reason to be modest. Securing a regular patron meant she at least had a small benefactor now.

Yuan Rou looked taken aback. Gazing at Qiao Qingyun before her, she sensed the effortless grace that emanated from her very bones. A blush crept onto her face. “Very well. I’ll give you ten taels of gold as a deposit for a private room. If you need more, I’ll provide it.”

“Ten taels of gold!” Feng Ke was so astounded that his jaw nearly dropped. His gaze toward Qiao Qingyun grew even more fervent.

It was clear: following Qiao Qingyun meant there would always be something to gain.

“Um… Your Highness, we’re still in the midst of renovations. Aren’t you worried I might be a swindler, giving me money in such haste?” Qiao Qingyun said.

Yuan Rou pursed her lips and smiled. “Of course I’m not worried. That’s why you, Young Master Yun, would never deceive me—am I right?”

Faced with these words, Qiao Qingyun found herself momentarily speechless. What could she say? Could she possibly contradict a princess?

“Yes, yes,” she replied.

That night, upon returning to the residence, Qiao Qingyun immediately changed out of her clothes. Qing Luo kept massaging her lower back, for Qiao Qingyun had been complaining about back pain since she returned—likely an accidental strain.

“Miss, until the renovations are done, you shouldn’t go over there again. Otherwise, if you run into that tormenting princess, she’ll wear you out completely,” Qing Luo grumbled as she tended to her.

At this, Qiao Qingyun burst out laughing. “You little thing, your tongue is getting sharper by the day. If Princess Yongning heard you, you’d be in for a hard time.”

“I just can’t stand to see you run ragged, Miss. And that maid by her side—she looks like she’d swallow you whole if she could,” Qing Luo retorted.

Qiao Qingyun only smiled faintly, understanding that Qing Luo was simply worried for her.

Meanwhile, in Hong Ying’s chamber, she had locked herself in for an entire day. She never expected her brother would choose to stand up for Ning Su!

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door. Hong Ying, still fuming, opened it to find Zhong Shi standing there. Her anger, which had been simmering all day, flared anew.

“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you with your lady? Why come to see me instead?” she snapped.

Hong Ying plopped into a chair, still seething. Zhong Shi glanced at her, entered the room, closed the door behind him, and sat opposite her.

“Any dissatisfaction you feel toward the young mistress should not be vented now. Without her, do you think you’d still be alive? Do you wish to experience again the torments of that human trafficker?” Zhong Shi said quietly.

At his words, Hong Ying trembled all over, frozen in place.

It was true—she was terrified. The trafficker had a drug that, once it touched you, robbed you of your will, making you a puppet to be used as he pleased.

“So, are you here to speak for her?” Hong Ying shot back, stubborn as ever, as if she had already guessed his purpose.

But Zhong Shi said nothing, only gazing steadily at her. “Do you think she lacks servants? If she did, ten taels of silver could buy one—obedient and docile. Can you not see her tolerance toward you? If you keep pushing her, when it’s time to send dowry, she may well leave you behind at the General’s Manor. What will you do then?”

“I—” Hong Ying tried to retort but was silenced.

He was right. If she kept this up, following them would be impossible. If Qiao Qingyun didn’t drive her out, it would be a mercy.

“Our family repays every kindness. Qiao Qingyun has helped us—are we to just watch her trust in me fade away?” Zhong Shi pressed.

“What else can I do?” Hong Ying’s anxiety grew, and Zhong Shi’s heart ached for his hot-tempered sister.

At this rate, the truth would come out sooner or later.

“You should properly apologize to the young mistress tomorrow. Learn to step back and let things go. Later, if she still refuses to take you with her, then you’ll just have to stay here.”

Zhong Shi was not Qiao Qingyun herself—he couldn’t decide who stayed or went.

Besides, with a temper like Hong Ying’s, even if she made it to the Crown Prince’s manor, it was only a matter of time before she was found out.

Though this was a grudge with the Seventh Prince, the Crown Prince was still the Crown Prince—who could say he wouldn’t intervene for his brother?

The next morning, Qiao Qingyun struggled to rise from bed. Sitting before her dressing table, she gazed at her own reflection while Qing Luo helped her with her hair.

“What’s wrong, Miss? You don’t look well,” Qing Luo asked.

Qiao Qingyun shook her head. “It’s nothing, just very tired.”

“Tired? But you went to bed early last night,” Qing Luo said, puzzled.

Qiao Qingyun stuck out her tongue in embarrassment. She couldn’t very well admit she had sneaked up in the night to eat pastries.

“It’s fine, just overworked lately,” she replied.

“Yes… you have been very busy these days,” Qing Luo agreed. Then, as she remembered something, she glanced at Qiao Qingyun and whispered, “Miss, should we keep an eye on Hong Ying? I have a bad feeling about him.”

“Keep an eye on him. Also, keep watch on Zhong Shi. I sense something’s not right with them,” Qiao Qingyun answered quietly.

When the morning preparations were finished, Qing Luo stretched and changed into fresh clothes before heading straight to the main hall for breakfast.

“Miss, all the dishes are ready for you—come and try them,” Uncle Li called eagerly, hurrying to greet Qiao Qingyun as she entered.

“What’s gotten you so excited, Uncle Li?” Qiao Qingyun asked, puzzled by his cheerful demeanor.

“Of course I’m happy! I’ve found you a new cook, and their skills are truly remarkable!” Uncle Li announced.

Several people gathered at the table. As Qiao Qingyun looked at the dishes set before her, she fell silent.

These were the very same dishes she herself had made a few days prior.

Had she been discovered?

“Who made these? I want to see the cook,” she demanded.