Chapter 102: Delivering a Message

  The fourth prince had just stepped out of the door when his wife, Madame Wen, sent someone to pass on a message.

  The master has gone out, and we must guard the gate tightly at home. Everyone should be mindful of their duties.

  Director Qi also gave them a stern warning, roughly meaning that if anyone didn't give him face, he would strip their skin off.

  This tide believes.

  When Director Qi said this with a straight face, it really made people feel a chill down their spine and didn't doubt the credibility of his words at all.

  On the second day after the fourth prince left, Madame Wen sent two people to the small kitchen.

  Two old women, one surnamed Qin, who was the aunt of Qin He, a personal maid of Madame Wen. The other surnamed Hu, both were people brought by Madame Wen from her natal family.

  Mr. Wen's reason for intervening in the small kitchen was sufficient——

  She is used to Qin and Hu's craftsmanship.

  Of course, the underlying meaning is that things at the entrance are done by our own people, so we can rest assured.

  Maybe Mrs. Wen just wanted to eat something with a flavor she was used to.

  But Auntie Li didn't think so. She hummed and said, "Just you wait and see, people can't be judged by their appearance, this master is not a simpleton either."

  Is Mr. Wen preparing to gradually install his own confidants in Zhongnanhai? The next step is to eliminate dissenting voices?

  Can't help but say, if it's like this, then she chose a good timing.

  The fourth prince is not around, she is the biggest. What she says, no one can disobey.

  Originally, the small kitchen's daily menu still had to be submitted to Madame Wen for review. Chuang thought that since everyone was from the capital, their tastes shouldn't differ much, and besides, Li Auntie's cooking skills were top-notch, so it was unlikely that Madame Wen wouldn't be used to them...

  Then it was the turn of the outer courtyard's purchasing department, and Wen Shi also recommended a deputy manager, saying that he would assist the person currently in charge of purchasing. However, there were no major purchases to be made at the moment, so after sending someone to the small kitchen, Wen Shi naturally instructed him to take care of the vegetable purchasing tasks directly, thereby sidelining the original person in charge of purchasing.

  Then comes the door.

  As the mistress of the house, she stays indoors and doesn't know everything that happens outside, even if it's not completely unknown. Where is the most informed place in a mansion? Of course, it's the gatekeeper. Who comes in and out of the mansion, whether they're old or young, sad or happy, and what they're doing... all this information can be known without any effort. At the very least, as the mistress of the house, she won't be easily deceived.

  Mr. Wen's actions were not urgent, one step at a time.

  Other things have nothing to do with Chao Sheng, but as for the small kitchen, Chao Sheng thinks that Li Gugu is a bit off.

  Those two old women, one with a smile on her face and the other with a gentle demeanor, immediately pulled out their purses to buy wine and cook meat to treat the people in the small kitchen. They kept calling out "sister, sister" nonstop. The few people under Li's care had been serving at the Yiqiu Palace for a long time and wouldn't forget themselves just because of this little bit of wine. However, they couldn't resist the fact that Madame Wen wanted one thing today and another thing tomorrow, all of which required Qin and Hu to personally make, so Li was also being held up.

  Because the small kitchen was originally only for the inner courtyard - mainly for the food of the main courtyard. The fourth prince left, and it's equivalent to serving only one person, Madame Wen. Now Madame Wen doesn't give Li Auntie any chance...

  Chao Sheng's belly also came up with the same words as Li Auntie.

  Don't judge a person by appearance, Wen is indeed not fuel-efficient.

  Now, almost everywhere in the prefecture has people from the Wen family. Even if it doesn't seem like it now, that doesn't mean they're really not there. Even if they weren't brought by the Wen family, people like Qishu who had already made up their minds to surrender to the new master early on will definitely find an opportunity to hurry and join in.

  The study is still okay for now.

  It's just temporary.

  Judging from Wen's current style, she will take action sooner or later.

  After the fourth prince left, Chao Sheng went to sweep and dust the study every morning, opened the window for ventilation, and moved the flower pot in the corner of the house out to bask in the sun. Before noon, he closed the window, locked the door, and went to help in the small kitchen.

  But now Aunt Li is very idle and there's nothing busy for her to help with.

  The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and everyone in the kitchen is sweating like rain. Aunt Li is still enjoying her leisure time. The mansion has a large area, and near the back yard close to the stable, there is an empty space that Aunt Li cleaned up, scattered some vegetable seeds, and after a few days, they actually sprouted, making Aunt Li happy: "It's not bad at all. If we really grow them out, we'll eat them ourselves, without giving any to others."

  "Did Auntie used to grow vegetables?" Chao Sheng was clueless about this.

  "Nor have I ever planted." Li Aunt hugged her knees, with mud on her body but didn't care: "When I was young...I still remember my mother planting vegetables..."

  "Does Auntie miss home?"

  "There's nothing much to think about now." Aunt Li said: "Both parents are dead, the old house is gone too. I'm doing all right on my own now."

  Just as Chao Sheng was about to say something, a woman hurried over and saw Li Aunt, her eyes lit up: "Ah, Auntie, you're here, I've been looking all over for you."

  Auntie Li sat still and asked faintly, "Looking for me? What could you possibly want with me?"

  These days, the people in the kitchen, even if they didn't get close to Qin and Hu, seemed distant from Li Auntie. At least, they didn't smile as warmly as before. In the past, when Chao Sheng went to the kitchen, those people would fawn over him, but now they have a more reserved attitude, of course, with some sizing him up with ill intentions.

  Chao Sheng and Li Aunt have the same attitude.

  Take it for granted.

  That woman accompanied a smile: "Look at what the aunt said, this is far from the aunt, we can't all be blind. Does the aunt not know? Our lord has sent a message from the south and also asked to prepare more of those snacks that were brought when leaving and have someone bring them over."

  The fourth prince has sent a letter?

  Auntie Li was still calm and unhurried, but that woman seemed a bit flustered, coming over to try to pull Auntie Li up.

  Auntie Li glared and slapped her hand open: "Don't you dare lay a hand on me."

  That woman, rubbing her hands together, didn't dare to get angry: "Auntie, this is an urgent matter, the messenger who brought the news is still waiting, saying that he will rest tonight and hurry back tomorrow morning... You see, only you can make those few dishes that Lord Delan often eats... Ah yes, and also for Miss Chao Sheng. That dish of braised meat must be made in large quantities, all the ingredients have already been prepared."

  So realistic.

  Auntie Li said: "I know."

  She got up and walked back, Cao Sheng followed, and the woman also kept pace with her.

  "Who sent it?"

  "It's Su Ge. Ah, looking at him, he's gotten darker and thinner, I suppose the young master must not be eating or living well over there..."

  Xiao Su has upgraded to become Su Ge Er.

  Although people are used to calling eunuchs "gong gong", now that they're out of the palace, there are many ways to address them. There are also quite a few who hurry to call them "ge er".

  Xiao Su stood outside the kitchen, and the atmosphere in the kitchen seemed a bit stagnant. As soon as Aunt Li entered, Qin Shi hurriedly came forward: "Sister Li, I've finally found you."

  Li Aunt didn't care at all, patted the mud on her body, and asked Xiao Su: "Are you back? Is there anyone else? What did the prince say?"

  Xiao Su is always so serious and stern. So although their relationship isn't bad, Chao Sheng never seemed as close or affectionate with him as he was with Xiao Shun.

  "There's nothing over there, the day before yesterday people from tens of miles away in the city ordered seats, His Highness said it can't be like this again. But the river work is very bitter..."

  Auntie Li nodded and said: "You've had a hard time too, this journey must have been tiring. Go take a rest for a while? Have you eaten?"

  Xiao Su shook his head.

  Auntie Li instructed Chao Sheng: "You take a bowl of noodles down to him."

  Chao Sheng responded with a sound, and Xiao Su said, "No need to bother, just find something ready-made."

  "What's the trouble with a bowl of noodles?" Chao Sheng tied up his apron: "You sit and wait for a while."

  Auntie Li turned her head and glanced at the people standing next to her: "Are you all so idle?"

  Everyone suddenly dispersed, either rushing to pick up their work to show how busy they were.

  The cook's hands and feet moved quickly, a large bowl of steaming noodles was placed on the table.

  It's said to be a big bowl, but it's better to say it's a small soup basin. Xiao Su said thank you and ate without lifting his head. The weather was hot, the noodles were hot, and he sweated profusely while eating, which was very refreshing.

  Auntie Li's side has also started bustling with activity.

  Xiao Su wiped his mouth and put down his chopsticks, stood up and said: "Chao Sheng, the prince asked me to bring a few more books, this is the title of the book."

  He pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to Chao Sheng.

  "Hmm..." Chao Sheng glanced over and had already counted in his mind: "I'll take you there."

  Two people on the road, Chao Sheng couldn't help but say: "You've lost a lot of weight."

  "They've all lost weight." Xiaosu said: "Your Highness has also lost weight."

  "Have you seen the Crown Prince's wife?"

  "We've already met, replied to each other's words, and exchanged letters."

  The fourth imperial concubine is probably going to respond, she's not that kind of illiterate woman.

  After a while, he asked: "Where did those unfamiliar faces come from? Why isn't Aunt Li watching in the kitchen?"

  "It's someone brought by the imperial prince's consort, saying they can't get used to our local flavors."

  Nothing more was said about it afterwards.

  Xiao Su rarely spoke, but his heart was clear and bright, so he understood what was being said.

  If Xiao Shun were here, it would definitely be a long story, and Xiao Su is different from him.

  Makes people feel more reliable.

  So this time back is Xiao Su coming back, and didn't send Xiao Shun?

  For example, this small kitchen is in charge of Li Auntie. This was decided early on. Li Auntie has been serving the Fourth Prince's meals for many years now.

  The fourth prince looks gentle, but on some things, he is very persistent.

  It's just like the Spring Ink incident back then. The more Chao Sheng thought about it, the more he felt... that only the Fourth Prince could make Gui Yu change his statement and protect Spring Ink.

  He is very protective of those around him and won't let anyone bully them.

  Auntie Li is now in a difficult situation, but when the fourth prince returns, he will definitely take care of her.

  The tide thought so, and his heart was also much more comfortable.

  She found those few books and packed them for Xiao Su. This normally taciturn person surprisingly asked another question: "Has anyone bullied you too?"

  "No." Chao Sheng's heart warmed up a bit, and he shook his head saying: "I'll just sweep every day, when the master is not around, locking the door doesn't matter much."

  Xiao Su said in a low and serious tone: "If there's anything, don't force it, a good man doesn't take advantage of the situation."

  No one is stupid.

  Who is being taken advantage of? Who is suffering the loss?

  That goes without saying.

  Chao Sheng laughed: "I'm not a good man, but I'm not a fool either. Don't worry - by the way, when can you guys come back?" "Can't say," Xiao Su said: "It was supposed to be finished at the end of last month, but the dike repair is so bad that even I, an outsider, think it's not good. The flood season is approaching, and Your Highness may not be able to return for a while."

  "Be more careful." Chōsheng's tone became even heavier as he warned: "Your Highness, you too, and all of you."

  The floods of Shunhe River have been heard for a long time and have broken out many times in previous years. It's just that I used to think these things were far away from me.

  Xiao Su said: "I know."

  This time, the fourth prince let people come back mainly to report to his emperor father. The attendants of Gongbu Bao Shilang who came back with Xiaosu would finish their work and then set off on the road again with Xiaosu.

  Chao Sheng couldn't help but worry...

  The fourth prince, how is he doing now?

  ——————————

  Tangerine's dad said I had a nightmare in the morning and woke him up, then I turned over and continued snoring...

  No way, I have no impression at all