Chapter Eighteen: Once Again
“...Alright! This jar of zhe jam is all yours!”
Wang Heng never dwelled on matters too deeply; she always had Madam Fu, Bai Zhi, and others to share her burdens.
She cared about only one thing: “Is there anything else missing? I just want delicious food!”
“No, nothing is lacking!”
Having secured the thickest golden thigh she could for the present, Wang Mian felt no further worries.
All she had to do now was focus on one task: recreate delectable dishes to satisfy this little ancestor!
“Rest assured, Lady. I will certainly make delicious soufflé and braised pork.”
“Mm-hmm, once they're ready, send them to the manor!”
Wang Heng nodded vigorously, her round eyes filled with anticipation.
As for which manor specifically, whether compensation was needed, Madam Fu would take care of everything.
Indeed, seeing the negotiations nearly finished, Madam Fu gestured for the young maid to escort Wang Mian off the carriage.
Afterward, the maid carefully inquired about the ingredients Wang Mian required—
Even if Wang Mian’s family had them, the maid preferred not to use those.
Everything their young lady consumed or used must be the finest.
Eggs? Granted!
Flour? Granted!
Pork? Wait, isn’t that spoiled meat? Well, fine, granted!
Besides ingredients, there were flavorings like Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, star anise, and more.
The maid thought: …What’s going on? Even spices and medicinal herbs are requested?
Does she really think the Wang family is just a bottomless pit?
Taking advantage of making delicacies for Lady Ninth, is she sneaking in some personal goods?
Yet, though these things were expensive, that only mattered for ordinary folk.
To the Wang family, such costs meant nothing.
The maid’s expression was stern. “You may have the supplies! But you must not waste them! And absolutely no pilfering!”
“The whole village belongs to the Wang family; our young master is now the magistrate of Hedong County…”
If anyone dared scheme against the family, it wouldn’t just be Wang Mian—a mere maid—but her entire household who would suffer punishment!
Wang Mian: …How wicked this ancient feudal society is! Commoners have no rights!
Despite her disdain, Wang Mian understood the maid’s perspective.
Aside from the threatening remark, the rest were reasonable requests.
Since precious ingredients were provided, naturally the cook—herself—should not waste or steal them.
Even without the maid’s admonitions, Wang Mian would adhere to her own principles.
She wished to earn money with genuine skill, not through swindling, tricks, or dubious methods!
“Don’t worry, sister, I’ll be frugal!”
Wang Mian answered properly, without any trace of annoyance or humiliation.
“…Of course I’m not worried, because I shall follow you home and watch you cook!”
This was food, not something else.
Even if the Wang family could easily punish Wang Mian’s entire family, servants dared not risk their young lady’s safety.
Should anything happen, the culprit could be executed, but the harm would already be done; Madam Fu and the other servants were committed to preventing trouble before it arose.
They anticipated every possibility, never allowing their mistress to suffer the slightest mishap.
Such was the basic quality required of servants in noble houses.
...
After Wang Mian was sent on her way, the brief interlude ended, and the carriage continued its journey.
An hour later, they finally arrived at the Wang family’s manor east of the city.
This manor was not far from the Lou family estate, only three or four li apart.
By carriage, it was just a quarter of an hour.
Horseback would be faster!
Sitting in the carriage, Wang Heng peered through the window and saw the grand gates of the Lou estate.
Her gaze flickered. Was that eldest Lou still causing trouble in the manor?
Right, his pet—the snake with the venomous fangs removed—was still with her.
She wondered if he wanted it back.
Wang Heng didn’t mind having another pet, but snakes and the like were not her favorite.
She’d heard that in the south people ate snake meat—ugh! This one was so tiny, there couldn’t be much meat, could it even taste good?
Hiss~ hiss~~
Inside the carriage, in a corner, a small bamboo cage held a bright green snake. Sensing something, the cold-blooded creature shivered involuntarily.
“Ninth Lady! We’ve arrived!”
Just before noon, the carriage stopped at the manor.
The driver reined in the horses, jumped down, and respectfully reported.
Outside, at the manor gates, a group awaited.
Seeing the carriage halt, a man in his forties hurried forward, bowing deeply.
“Zhao San, a servant, greets the Lady!”
Zhao San was the steward of the manor, born and bred in the Wang household.
His father had once been one of the family's managers.
Judging by his respectful manner, Wang Lin must have sent word in advance.
At least, Zhao San knew Wang Heng was the mistress and was here to “stay,” not as a “criminal” sent to reflect on her misdeeds.
Madam Fu was pleased with Zhao San’s attitude.
The worries she’d carried along the journey eased a little—thank goodness this steward was neither harsh nor domineering.
He respected Lady Ninth, so she would live comfortably here, not as a prisoner.
“Rise, Steward Zhao!”
To the older women—Madam Xie, Madam Cui, and others—Wang Heng seemed a silly girl, only interested in eating and sleeping.
But she was, after all, the young lady of the Wang family. From her first words, her mother had taught her propriety.
Arriving at the manor, she was the sole mistress. Before Zhao San and the servants, she would never lose decorum or dignity.
She displayed the bearing of a noble lady: dignified yet not arrogant, approachable yet not lacking in reserve; every word and gesture perfectly measured.
Zhao San, seeing such a proper young noblewoman, dared not underestimate her because of her age.
As for the rumors, Zhao San believed none of them.
He knew only one thing: from now on, this manor’s mistress was the young lady.
...
The manor was not small, surrounded by several hundred acres of fertile fields.
Its main building was a large mansion with five courtyards.
Within, pavilions, towers, waterside chambers, and artificial hills created a refined landscape, with beauty at every turn.
The vast estate had only Wang Heng as its mistress, but dozens of servants.
Apart from the ten or so she brought, the rest were original household staff or those born on the estate over the years.
Wang Heng: …The number of servants didn’t matter. What mattered was a capable kitchen, fresh ingredients, and delicious food every day.
“Fat girl!”
By the second day at the manor, Wang Heng had adapted.
She chose a courtyard in the main residence, where crabapple trees grew, as her own.
Though the blossoms had faded, Wang Heng still liked to sit beneath the trees, clutching her basket of snacks, eating while listening to the wind and enjoying the scenery.
Suddenly, she heard a voice that made her hair stand on end.
She looked up, following the sound, and saw a small head poking over the tall garden wall.
“Lou—Lou Eldest!”
Wang Heng looked a bit stunned: “Why are you here? Are you bringing me another ‘gift’?”
She wasn’t particularly eager for one.
PS: Thank you, dear Nayee, for your generous reward, and thank you all for your support!