Chapter 8: 8.第8章 葱花油面

The tone was crisp and loud.

It was a tone that made her words impossible to take back.

"Fine, we shall do as Fourth Sister wishes."

Yun Shiyue couldn't help but feel displeased, and with a flick of her hand—

Amidst Miao Ling's screams, two old servants raised their hands respectively.

*Slap, slap, slap!* They lashed out at Miao Ling's face.

The air was filled with the explosive sound of slapping.

"Ah~ ah~ ah~ ah~"

The screams erupted from Miao Ling's mouth, each one louder than the last, echoing incessantly through the courtyard like demonic music. The sound pierced the eardrums, causing all the maidservants present to shrink their necks in fear.

How terrifying~

The old servants had very strong hands; the power of every palm strike was naturally not to be underestimated.

Yun Tingruo remained silent, but a cold smile played on her lips.

Don't think she didn't know.

Although these servants were striking with great force, they were using clever angles.

It hurt, but it wouldn't leave any scars. It seemed Yun Shiyue cared quite a bit for this Miao Ling; truly, a profound bond between mistress and servant.

Soon, the slapping of Miao Ling ended.

"Someone, help Miao Ling up and take her back to her courtyard."

Yun Shiyue lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing her inner displeasure.

With a wave of her hand, full of irritation, she didn't waste any more words and quickly left, leading a large group of maidservants and servants.

"Miss, Miss, are you alright?"

Dong'er's small face was flushed red from running. Her thin, small body rushed to Yun Tingruo's side, her large eyes shimmering with tears.

She had originally been resting in her room when she was awakened by a commotion. Hearing the Second Young Miss's voice, she panicked and ran out.

"I'm fine. See? I'm perfectly alright." Yun Tingruo patted Dong'er, signaling her not to worry.

Dong'er blinked, staring blankly at Yun Tingruo as if she had seen something terrifying.

Ever since she had followed her Miss, the Miss had always been treated like a soft persimmon to be squeezed by the Second and Third Young Misses. But today, the Second Young Miss was standing right before her, perfectly fine.

Was this real? Was it really real? Dong'er rubbed her eyes vigorously; this couldn't be a dream.

"Dong'er, what is there to be sad about? You should be happy."

Yun Tingruo reached out her hands and, under Dong'er's horrified gaze, wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Looking at the girl's joy, Yun Tingruo could tell these were tears of genuine emotion.

Dong'er had followed Yun Tingruo since childhood, and the two shared a deep bond. Although the original owner of this body was dead, Yun Tingruo felt a slight stir in her heart.

From now on, no matter who it was, if they bullied them—they would die.

"Miss, this servant is truly so happy." Dong'er wore a smile, and seeing that the Second Young Miss and the others had left, her face beamed with joy.

"Sigh!"

Yun Tingruo let out a languid sigh.

"Miss, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Dong'er was startled by the sigh, her expression filled with anxiety.

"Yes, I am unwell."

Yun Tingruo's plaintive tone made Dong'er even more frantic. "Miss, are you sick? I'll go find a physician right away!"

"Don't go."

Yun Tingruo grabbed Dong'er. Her "illness" wasn't a real sickness, but rather the ailment of a body that had become too lax.

If she were in the modern era, she would likely have climbed several mountains by now to begin outdoor physical training. This was a daily task she had never missed, and it had become a habit for Yun Tingruo.

But now, unable to do anything, Yun Tingruo felt as if her very bones were turning to jelly.

"Miss, please don't scare me." Dong'er's voice was on the verge of tears.

What kind of sickness was this? It wasn't a physical illness, so what on earth was it? It was making her completely confused.

"Alright, stop being so excited. Go get something to eat."

Her stomach let out a silent protest, pulling Yun Tingruo's focus back. Her large apricot eyes and curved brows were beautiful, but she was simply too thin, looking dry and as if she lacked nutrition.

"Miss, you are truly alright, don't lie to me."

Dong'er looked her up and down. Although her Miss seemed listless, her complexion showed a hint of color; she didn't look like someone who was ill.

After observing this, she felt much more relieved and nodded repeatedly. "This servant will go immediately."

Although Yun Tingruo's courtyard looked prosperous, the small kitchen had nothing. There were only some very simple foods.

"Miss, right now there is only some flour." Dong'er looked at the flour in her hands, her expression not very good. Since her Miss was unfavored, her food had always been restricted.

Unlike the Second Young Miss, the Third Young Master, or the Third Young Miss, who could eat whatever they desired.

"Flour?" Yun Tingruo looked at the somewhat yellowish flour. From the memories of this body, she was unfavored and lacked status. The meals she ate every day looked bright and beautiful on the surface.

But that was only on the surface!

"It doesn't matter. Just cook two bowls of noodles first. We'll talk after we've eaten our fill."

She wasn't a picky eater, but she felt this body was being treated unfairly. Being a lady of the Prime Minister's manor, yet being so lowly.

Was it because this body had intellectual deficiencies that she received such treatment?

Her pupils constricted slightly as she thought.

"Miss, I... I'm not hungry."

Dong'er swallowed cautiously, but she could not escape Yun Tingruo's gaze.

"Cook them. Boil all of this flour."

*What?* Dong'er's mouth hung open, looking at Yun Tingruo in disbelief.

What nonsense was the Second Young Miss talking about?

This flour had been painstakingly saved. If they ate it all, the Miss would suffer again the next time they were hungry. "Miss, I won't eat, I'm not hungry."

Dong'er shook her head; to her, this flour was incredibly precious.

It was tragic that these slightly yellowish noodles were treated like treasures by the mistress and servant.

Yun Tingruo took a large step forward, her arm moving nimbly to grab the flour from Dong'er's hands, tossing the small bits all into the boiling small pot.

"Ah! Miss!" Dong'er panicked and hurriedly grabbed chopsticks to try and scoop them out, but the flour had already dissolved into the water.

"Dong'er, look into my eyes."

Yun Tingruo's tone sharpened, losing its previous casual lightness and carrying a hint of gravity.

With reddened eyes, Dong'er stared blankly at Yun Tingruo, seeing a strange light flickering in those bottomless pupils.

"Even if we don't eat this flour, it will eventually go moldy. Let's use these two bowls of noodles to provide a foundation for our days ahead."

Yun Tingruo spoke the last sentence with such spirit, like the bright moon in the night sky; her brilliant light instantly illuminated Dong'er's heart.

"This servant understands."

Dong'er said no more, briskly grabbing bowls and preparing some seasonings like chopped green onions.

Yun Tingruo smiled. Seeing Dong'er busy, she found herself with nothing to do, so she exercised for a bit, moving her small arms and legs!

Dong'er stole a glance at her Miss and found her performing strange movements.

Her eyes widened; for her, this was a very shocking sight.

Not only was her Miss's speech clear, but it seemed as if she had changed from the inside out.

Dong'er thought about it and continued cooking the noodles happily.

After stretching her muscles, Yun Tingruo planned to boil a pot of hot water later to give herself a thorough wash.

She was not the real Fourth Young Miss, nor was she a delicate lady. She had limbs and had undergone non-human training since childhood; naturally, she didn't need to put on the airs of a high-and-mighty lady.

"Miss, the noodles are ready." Dong'er's voice drifted over, and only then did Yun Tingruo walk over.

As soon as she entered, she smelled a fragrance. Looking closely, she saw chopped green onions and a small amount of oil floating in the large porcelain bowls, but the aroma was incredibly fragrant.

This girl Dong'er actually had quite good skills.

Just as Yun Tingruo was about to pick up a bowl, Dong'er immediately interrupted in a panic, "Miss, how can you do such coarse work? Let this servant do it."

"Alright then, I'll wash my hands."

Yun Tingruo washed her hands, subconsciously thinking that in the past, after washing her hands, she was used to cleaning them once more with distilled water.

This was one of her most common habits!

She felt a slight sense of discomfort from the change.

Gathering her thoughts, Yun Tingruo turned to sit down, picked up her chopsticks, and began to eat the noodles. "Smells delicious."