Chapter 4: Winning the Hearts of the People for the First Time

Qin Luoli moved gracefully with light steps, elegantly weaving through the inner courtyard of the Xiao family residence. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, while a faint fragrance of osmanthus lingered in the air.

Seemingly casual as she admired the garden’s scenery, she was actually discreetly memorizing the layout of the Xiao family’s inner courtyard.

“Jingxuan, the pavilion in this courtyard is exquisitely crafted. Which artisan’s work is this?” Qin Luoli asked, pulling along the lively Xiao Jingxuan and pointing to a hexagonal pavilion adorned with carved beams and painted rafters not far away.

“That’s the work of Carpenter Li, the reincarnation of Lu Ban! He’s the most famous craftsman for miles around. I heard even the imperial palace once commissioned him to repair buildings!” Xiao Jingxuan replied proudly, clearly proud that their family could engage such a remarkable artisan.

Qin Luoli smiled faintly, then casually asked a few more questions about the Xiao family’s architecture, all of which Xiao Jingxuan answered without reservation.

Qin Luoli silently committed this information to memory, gradually sketching a complete map of the Xiao family’s inner courtyard in her mind.

“Oh? Young Madam, what are you doing here? This inner courtyard isn’t a place for wandering about casually,” came a sharp, sarcastic voice from behind. Qin Luoli didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

Zhang Fugui, with his potbelly and a face full of obsequiousness, approached her, his tone laced with mockery.

“Housekeeper Zhang, I’m just familiarizing myself with the environment, so I can better care for the family in the future,” Qin Luoli replied calmly, her gaze clear and fearless.

Zhang Fugui was momentarily stumped by her retort, rendered speechless.

The surrounding servants held their breath, wary of making any sound, and the atmosphere instantly tightened.

Zhang Fugui cleared his throat twice, about to speak, when a figure appeared from a distance...

It was Xiao Jingxuan, who, shaking a folding fan with a sinister smile, approached the elderly Madam Xiao and cupped his hands respectfully. “Grandmother, your grandson has an urgent matter to report.”

Elder Madam Xiao’s kindly face immediately turned serious. “What is it?”

“Just now, as I passed by the ancestral hall, I saw the new daughter-in-law lingering outside, muttering words that seemed disrespectful to our ancestors,” Xiao Jingxuan exaggerated, sneaking a proud glance at Qin Luoli.

Qin Luoli sneered internally. This Xiao Jingxuan really was “bringing gifts upon meeting.” Such a crude trick to frame her?

She stepped forward with measured dignity and bowed to Elder Madam Xiao. “Grandmother, I believe my elder brother misunderstood.

Today is my first day entering the Xiao household. Unfamiliar with the customs, I deliberately went to the ancestral hall to pay respects and pray for the Xiao family’s peace and prosperity.”

“Oh? Is that so? Then tell me, what have you learned?” Elder Madam Xiao’s sharp gaze scrutinized Qin Luoli, her tone tinged with appraisal.

Qin Luoli smiled gently and began to recount, “I have learned that the founder of the Xiao family was Marshal Xiao, a meritorious general who helped establish the Great Zhou dynasty. He was brave and skilled in battle, earning great merits for the realm...”

She seamlessly combined the ancestral stories she had gathered from Xiao Jingxuan with historical records, even quoting a few lines of classical poetry. Elder Madam Xiao nodded repeatedly in approval.

Xiao Jingxuan stood dumbfounded nearby, utterly shocked by Qin Luoli’s deep knowledge of the family’s ancestors.

He had intended to use this opportunity to humiliate her, but instead, he had hoisted himself by his own petard.

His face turned ashen, and he stood awkwardly like a clown.

Elder Madam Xiao looked at Qin Luoli with admiration. “Good child, you are indeed well-read and well-mannered, truly worthy of noble lineage.”

Just then, Xiao Jingyuan approached from afar, witnessing the scene.

He quickly resumed his usual cold expression and passed Qin Luoli silently.

Qin Luoli paid no mind to Xiao Jingyuan’s attitude. She bowed slightly and said her farewells to Elder Madam Xiao, “Grandmother, I have matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.”

“Go ahead,” Elder Madam Xiao nodded kindly.

Qin Luoli turned and walked away, leaving Xiao Jingxuan standing disheveled in the breeze.

Madam Liu, standing not far off, observed everything keenly. She clenched the handkerchief in her fist until her nails nearly dug into her flesh.

Watching Qin Luoli’s departing figure, her eyes darkened with venom.

She snorted coldly, twisting her waist as she headed toward the kitchen, a sinister smile curling at the corners of her mouth.

Today, she would make this new daughter-in-law truly understand her power!

The kitchen was bustling with steam and the clatter of pots and pans.

Madam Liu swaggered in, arrogantly ordering the servants, “Prepare the young madam’s lunch with the finest ingredients! Of course, the ‘finest’.” She deliberately emphasized “finest” with a mocking smile.

The servants obeyed promptly, presenting the ingredients shortly after.

Qin Luoli looked at the wilted cabbage leaves, a few tough slabs of salted meat, and some potatoes with broken skins before her, sighing helplessly.

Madam Liu’s “praise to death” tactic was truly well understood.

She glanced around the humble kitchen—the stove thick with grease, the air filled with acrid smoke.

Under such conditions, it would be challenging to prepare any truly delicious food.

But who was she?

She was a top-notch doctor who traveled through time and space—this small challenge was nothing.

Calmly rolling up her sleeves, Qin Luoli’s lips curled into a confident smile.

She peeled and chopped the potatoes, soaking them in salted water. Then, she carefully washed the cabbage leaves and shredded them finely.

Her movements were skillful, as if performing a piece of art.

“Eh, Young Madam, what are you making?” The surrounding servants gathered curiously, bewildered by the seemingly worthless ingredients she was handling.

To them, these were scraps unworthy of being served, yet Qin Luoli appeared as if she had discovered a treasure.

Ignoring their gazes, she methodically sliced the salted meat thinly and stir-fried it to render out the fat. Then she added the potato chunks, frying until golden on the edges, followed by the cabbage shreds, stirring all together with a pinch of salt. Soon, an aromatic dish was ready.

“Come, everyone, taste this,” Qin Luoli said, serving the food and inviting all to try.

The servants exchanged looks, hesitant to believe that this dark-looking dish could be edible.

Encouraged by Qin Luoli’s expectant eyes, a bold servant took the first bite, eyes lighting up. “Wow! It’s delicious! I’ve never tasted such a savory flavor before!”

Others stepped forward to try, all marveling in delight.

News of Qin Luoli’s culinary skill quickly spread throughout the Xiao household.

Elder Madam Xiao, Xiao Jingxuan, and others came curiously to the kitchen, sampled the dish, and were instantly won over by its unique taste.

Elder Madam Xiao looked at Qin Luoli in surprise, eyes full of praise. “Good child, I didn’t expect you to have such talent! This dish is truly exquisite!”

Qin Luoli smiled modestly. “Grandmother, you flatter me. It’s just a small trick.”

Madam Liu stood nearby, her face darkening to the point of dripping venom.

She had painstakingly tried to disgrace Qin Luoli, only to inadvertently aid her instead.

How infuriating!

Just then, Xiao Jingxuan bounced over to Qin Luoli, grabbing her hand. “Sister-in-law, your dish is so delicious! Let’s bring some to brother!”

Qin Luoli felt a warmth at Xiao Jingxuan’s innocent smile and was about to agree when a low voice whispered beside her, “No need. I’ll handle it myself.”

Xiao Jingxuan, like a joyful bird, tugged Qin Luoli’s hand and ran toward Xiao Jingyuan’s study. “Sister-in-law, my brother probably hasn’t eaten yet. Your dish smells so good; he’ll definitely like it!”

Inside the study, sandalwood bookshelves were lined with military treatises and strategies, the air faintly scented with ink.

Sunlight streamed through the carved lattice windows, casting patchy shadows on the floor.

Qin Luoli casually glanced at several scattered blueprints on the desk, densely marked with data and symbols—seemingly military deployment plans.

“What are these?” Qin Luoli asked curiously, pointing to the papers.

Xiao Jingyuan looked up, his deep gaze studying Qin Luoli’s face with some intrigue. “These are confidential military documents. Why do you ask?”

His tone remained cold but was no longer as distant as before.

Qin Luoli smiled lightly and explained with composed confidence, “I have some understanding of troop formations. The deployments on these papers seem somewhat... illogical.”

Xiao Jingyuan raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Oh? How so?”

“This terrain should be easy to defend but hard to attack. Why station heavy forces here? It seems unnecessary, almost overkill.

It would be better to disperse the troops and employ decoys to achieve surprise and victory,” Qin Luoli pointed to a spot on the map as she spoke.

Xiao Jingyuan regarded her with a hint of admiration.

He had not expected this seemingly delicate woman to possess such insightful views.

Setting down his pen, he listened intently to Qin Luoli’s analysis, nodding occasionally.

The atmosphere in the study grew subtly charged, no longer cold and aloof, but tinged with tension and curiosity.

Qin Luoli spoke confidently, Xiao Jingyuan listened earnestly, and between them, the energy shifted imperceptibly.

As night fell and the city lights flickered on, Qin Luoli’s position in the Xiao household steadily solidified, and her every move drew greater attention.

“Young Madam, where are you headed?” Zhang Fugui’s obsequious smile appeared before her.

Qin Luoli smiled faintly in return. “Just strolling around the mansion, enjoying the scenery.”

Zhang Fugui didn’t press further but his smile stiffened.

He seemed to have urgent business and hurried out of the residence.

Watching his furtive retreating figure, Qin Luoli’s suspicion grew.

She decided to investigate and uncover exactly what Zhang Fugui was up to.

“Madam, it’s late. You should rest early...”

As Xiao Jingyuan’s figure slowly approached, Qin Luoli thought to herself that tonight would be entertaining indeed. With a light leap, she slipped through the window and disappeared into the night.