Chapter 8: Don't Spoil My Appetite

The Marquis of Dingxi was not frightened; instead, he leaned in closer. "A-Wei, are these kitchen knives?"

Lu Jun could never have imagined that what was wrapped in the cloth were kitchen knives. He pointed at the wooden box and asked, "Are they all...?"

"They are all," A-Wei replied.

She then took out the cloth bundle, opened it, and examined them one by one.

As she looked, she introduced them to everyone present.

"This one is a bone-cleaver. It looks dull, but it has plenty of force for chopping through bone."

"This one is sharp; it’s convenient for slicing vegetables and meat."

"This is a boning knife. One stroke along the meat clinging to the bone, and the bone comes right off."

"This is a carving knife. I learned to carve quite well. I once carved a small statue for my father. When carving the head, I did it like this, and when carving the eyes, I pierced it in like this..."

A-Wei seemed to be getting into the spirit of it, waving the carving knife around as she gestured.

Her wrists flipped back and forth, and she took steps forward until she was right in front of them, making Mother Li’s eyes ache from watching.

She wanted to close her eyes to escape, but she didn't expect to be called out.

"This Nanny," A-Wei asked her, "the kitchen in the manor must have quite a few knives, right?"

"Ha, ha—" Mother Li gave an awkward laugh. "This servant doesn't work in the kitchen. If I hadn't heard Cousin Miss's introduction today, I wouldn't have known there were so many tricks to kitchen knives."

A-Wei curled her lips into a faint smile, asking a question she already knew the answer to: "Then where are you from, Nanny? And what are you doing in Chunhui Garden?"

Mother Li was stunned.

She had been standing right beside the Marchioness all day; she didn't believe the Cousin Miss hadn't recognized her.

Fine!

She must be waving the knife on purpose to scare her!

"This servant’s surname is Li, and I am by the Marchioness’s side," Mother Li said, her face appearing kind.

"I thought perhaps the kitchen didn't know our tastes and you had come to ask what we wanted for dinner!" A-Wei pouted.

She spoke bluntly, with an air of taking it for granted.

Mother Li knew she was being targeted, but she could only force a smile and endure it.

Madam Sang smoothed things over: "It’s such a long journey, why bring so many knives?"

"She doesn't have any other hobbies," Lu Nian said with a look of affection. "She just loves to cook, so I gathered these for her."

"Since it’s a hobby, you could have acquired them in the capital," Madam Sang said with a smile, waving at A-Wei, wanting to call her over to avoid scaring Mother Li further. "The capital has everything. Once you’re settled, I’ll have someone take you to visit some shops that sell kitchen knives to see if there’s anything that catches your eye."

"I originally thought so too," A-Wei said, not wanting to slight Madam Sang. "But I thought the journey was so long, and I didn't know if I’d run into trouble on the way. In case there were evildoers, having a handy knife would allow me to defend myself.

Besides, I’m used to these; I’m sentimental, and new ones aren't as comfortable as the old ones."

Madam Sang’s smile remained, but she cast a quick glance at the Marquis of Dingxi.

Those few words about "new and old" seemed to have a hidden meaning.

The Marquis’s expression remained unchanged; perhaps he hadn't heard it, or perhaps he heard it and chose to act as if he hadn't.

The eldest daughter had returned to the capital with her daughter; it seemed the days in the manor would not be peaceful.

Of course, it wasn't her place to point fingers first.

Madam Sang also pretended not to understand: "A-Wei has reminded me. I don't know if you’re used to the food in the manor. Try it tonight, and if it’s not to your taste, tell Nanny Yao. If there’s any Shu-style food you want, just ask. Even if the manor doesn't know how to make it, there are restaurants outside that serve Shu cuisine, and I’ll have someone go buy it."

A-Wei agreed readily and added, "Don't worry, I can cook. If there’s something I want to eat, I can make it myself. When the time comes, I’ll invite Aunt to have a taste."

Madam Sang beamed.

Well.

At least it wasn't her causing the trouble.

Regardless of how the eldest daughter was, this niece was beautiful and sweet-tongued.

Madam Sang loved daughters, but unfortunately, after many years of marriage, she had only given birth to one son and had no more children since.

Her son, Lu Zhi, had just passed his twelfth birthday and was at an age that was difficult to manage, which gave Madam Sang quite a headache.

Thinking of the virtues of a daughter, Madam Sang felt a warmth in her heart and began to discuss new clothes and jewelry with A-Wei in detail—the styles and patterns popular in the capital, and whether she preferred gold, silver, or jade for daily use...

As they talked, she began planning to take A-Wei to the fabric shops, jewelry stores, and cosmetic shops in a few days.

The chatter about daughterly matters left the Marquis and his son, who were sitting there, looking at each other in confusion.

They couldn't get a word in, nor did they understand.

The Marquis of Dingxi didn't get involved in these matters. Since his daughter-in-law had no objections to Lu Nian and her daughter returning to the manor and was very close with them, he felt relieved.

However, he still felt the need to give his daughter a few words of advice.

"A-Nian, your sister-in-law is in charge of the manor now. You haven't dealt with each other before, so try to get along in the future."

Lu Nian turned her head at the sound, looking straight at the Marquis, her gaze unwavering.

"What you mean," Lu Nian said straightforwardly, without any embellishment, "is that I have a deep-seated grudge with the Cen woman that hasn't been resolved in thirty years. If I have to make a living under her, either I torment her or she grinds me down; there won't be any peace.

But this is my first day meeting my sister-in-law. I won't interfere with how she manages the household, and as long as she doesn't squeeze our mother and daughter, we won't be enemies, and we can live peacefully from now on.

I only need to deal with my sister-in-law and don't need to pay attention to the Cen woman who isn't managing the house.

Is that what you’re saying?"

The Marquis of Dingxi nearly choked on his tea.

He had spent many years in the imperial court and considered his skin quite thick, but he was still left speechless by Lu Nian’s way of tearing things apart and laying them bare.

Why couldn't she just understand without saying it out loud?

Besides, when had the Cen woman ever ground down A-Nian? It was always A-Nian tormenting the Cen woman.

The Marquis wanted to save face and say a few words of reproach, but when he thought of Lu Nian’s exhausting journey, his heart softened.

He cleared his throat and said, "There is much to do today and things are hectic. We will hold a banquet the day after tomorrow to welcome you."

After saying this, the Marquis stood up and walked out in a few strides.

Lu Nian sat slumped, showing no intention of standing up to see him off. Instead, her gaze fell on Lu Jun: "Father has left, aren't you going to follow?"

Lu Jun didn't catch her drift.

He had come with Madam Sang, so naturally, he would leave with her.

Madam Sang was still enthusiastically talking to A-Wei.

Lu Nian scoffed: "In the past, I wouldn't let you follow Father, and you cried and screamed that you wanted to go to Qiubi Garden to be a son. Why is it that now, even if I tell you to go, you won't?"

Lu Jun was stifled with anger.

His eldest sister was at it again—either lighting fuses or being sarcastic; there was no way to have a proper conversation.

Today had been annoying and unlucky enough; Lu Jun didn't want to take this abuse, so he urged Madam Sang to leave.

Madam Sang followed his lead and stood up, still muttering, "If you need anything, just come find me and Nanny Yao."

A-Wei saw the couple off. Seeing that Mother Li was still standing there, she said, "Nanny doesn't understand the kitchen, do you understand how to serve dishes?"

How could Mother Li serve here?

But she was slow to speak, and Lu Nian had already taken over: "Don't bother, don't ruin my appetite!"

Mother Li still remembered the Cen woman’s "advance by retreating" strategy to let Lu Nian make a scene, so she didn't dare to talk back, only clenching her fists tightly.

"The Marchioness sent this old servant to see what you were lacking. Now that the Young Mistress has arranged everything, this old servant will take her leave."

"A-Jun," Lu Nian asked directly, "did your wife’s authority to manage the household come from arguing or from snatching it? Settling our mother and daughter is such a small matter, yet it was worth the Cen woman sending a servant to watch us."

Lu Jun’s mind only held the thought that "the more you say, the more you err," so he walked away without looking back.

Madam Sang smiled gently at them and followed quickly.

Mother Li was the last one left.

As soon as her foot stepped out, there was a gust of wind behind her.

*Bang!* The door was slammed shut, nearly catching the foot she hadn't yet pulled back.

Mother Li looked at the tightly closed door, so angry that she saw stars.

Fine, fine, fine!

She wasn't even pretending anymore!

And that was right—Lu Nian had been like this back then, and now she would only be worse.

She would just have to endure it. The Marchioness had shoes on, while Lu Nian was barefoot—they were worlds apart!

She would let this mother and daughter make their mess for now. Once they annoyed the Marquis and the Young Master, hmph!