Chapter 36: Would You Dare?

Because Liu Fu was so weak, Qiao Qingyun did not let her ask any questions. When Qingluo entered, she picked up a piece of pastry, took a gentle bite, and sipped her tea.

“If I truly sought power, I would have married the emperor. That way, as long as I had his favor, the Qiao family would naturally rise to prominence. But don’t forget, I am an only child, my father’s sole daughter.”

“If I entered the palace without a powerful family to support me—since my father has passed away—I could only exchange interests with the Crown Prince.”

“I help him treat you, and in return, he shields me from hidden dangers and open attacks, allowing me to live a little longer.”

Hearing this, Qingluo's heart twisted painfully, not to mention Zhong Shi and Hong Ying, who stood by. They had never imagined that marrying into the royal family could be such a bitter compromise.

Liu Fu, upon hearing these words, also felt uneasy. “Miss Qiao, I understand now. The offenses I committed before were only to keep you from making a misstep, and to ensure my lord's peace of mind. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

“Each serves their own master. If I were the Crown Prince, Qingluo would be just as forceful,” Qiao Qingyun replied with a light wave of her hand, glancing at Qingluo. “Notify the Crown Prince's men to come fetch them. On the eve of the wedding, he cannot come in person.”

“Yes,” Qingluo replied, turning to leave. Qiao Qingyun rose to her feet. “Soon, I’ll have someone bring you food. Even if you don’t wish to eat, you must force yourself. Otherwise, it will harm your health, and I don’t want the Crown Prince to think I’m mistreating you and come after me.”

“Yes,” Liu Fu answered. She could tell Qiao Qingyun’s words, though blunt, were honest. If she truly refused to eat, it would only give others cause to accuse Qiao Qingyun of mistreatment.

As Qiao Qingyun departed, Zhong Shi and Hong Ying followed her out. Neither wanted to leave the General’s Manor, especially Zhong Shi, who could not bear to leave Qiao Qingyun’s side.

“Today was but a stroke of luck. You two should prepare to leave. I want no unnecessary trouble. Marrying the Crown Prince is to prevent others from killing me,” Qiao Qingyun said, her tone devoid of emotion, her whole presence radiating a cold pride. “Yet here you are, handing them an excuse to kill me.”

“Miss, Zhong Shi will never betray you. Nothing is more important than you. As long as you forbid us to take action, we won’t lift a finger,” Zhong Shi could not help but declare. Hong Ying was startled, but upon reflection, agreed and quickly voiced her support.

“Yes, unless you give the order, we will not act,” Hong Ying echoed.

Qiao Qingyun had no patience to argue with them. She only glanced at the two, neither insisting further nor truly intending to send them away.

“Go do whatever you should. I need to rest.”

With that, Qiao Qingyun vanished from their sight.

“Brother, how could you say that just now?” Hong Ying asked, approaching Zhong Shi once Qiao Qingyun had left, unable to contain her irritation.

“I spoke the truth. As long as Miss forbids it, we must not seek revenge,” Zhong Shi said firmly, leaving Hong Ying at a loss for words.

“So you mean...” she began.

“That’s right. We’re her servants now, and we must obey her. I trust she won’t abandon us,” Zhong Shi replied, then strode away.

For two or three days straight, Feng Ke kept Zhong Shi at a distance, never allowing him near Qiao Qingyun. Instead, Feng Ke spent his days learning to cook from Qiao Qingyun, immediately practicing what he learned. In just three days, he mastered twenty dishes, learning five or six new recipes each day.

“All right, things should be ready outside by now. Shall we go have a look?” Feng Ke asked as he arrived that day, dressed in a flamboyant purple robe from his past. Qiao Qingyun could not help but laugh and cry at the sight. “You—looking like this is far too effeminate!”

“Oh, my little beauty! I’m a proper man—if you don’t believe it, why not try and see?” Feng Ke’s words were playful, but not offensive. Given their familiarity, nothing was off limits.

“Enough with the jokes. I’ll go put on some makeup and change so I can join you,” Qiao Qingyun replied. She quickly applied her makeup, changed clothes, and, accompanied by Qingluo, Zhong Shi, and Hong Ying, left the manor.

Recently, Zhong Shi and Hong Ying had been left out, only able to watch from the sidelines while only Qingluo could approach. Watching her, they felt a touch of envy—though they could not say exactly why, for a servant to be trusted as Qingluo was, it was no small feat.

“This is... my old Little Green Kitchen?” Qiao Qingyun asked, arriving at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, a place so antique and elegant that it was impossible to look away.

“Yes, though it’s now been renamed the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.”

“Have all the chefs learned to cook? Remember, every dish must be served here first before it can go up to the Hundred Flowers Tower.”

This was, after all, the fastest way to make money—she would never let anyone else try it first without tasting it herself.

“Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right. Rest assured, the first thing I taught them was that. Now, shall we go inside?” Feng Ke asked.

“All right,” Qiao Qingyun replied, unfolding a white paper fan as she walked, without the slightest affectation, but with a touch of scholarly elegance—a charm all her own.

“Not bad. Looking at the décor here, I must say, you’ve put in a lot of effort.”

“Naturally! How could I not give my all when working for a beauty?” Feng Ke grinned.

“Oh, stop your nonsense.” Qiao Qingyun laughed.

As soon as they entered, one of the newly hired attendants recognized them. Seeing Feng Ke’s companion in white, fan in hand, he immediately realized—this was the owner.

“Master, Boss Feng.”

“Good. Have you set aside a private room upstairs?”

“Yes, rest assured, Master.”

Qiao Qingyun nodded in satisfaction and placed ten taels of gold before the attendant. “This is Princess Yongning’s deposit. Reserve a private room for her—she may come to dine at any time.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” The attendant was astonished to learn Qiao Qingyun had ties to the imperial family and hurried off to inform the manager.

Though it was still early, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was already packed, its air thick with delicious aromas that no one could resist.

“Come, let’s see your private room,” Feng Ke said, making a gesture of invitation to Qiao Qingyun. The two of them headed upstairs, followed by Qingluo and the others.