Chapter 283: Chapter 284: Do It Yourself
Watching Ancient Wen Heng and the others disappear into the distance, Xiao Wanyu’s face contorted. "Xiao Siyu, you’ve ruined my entire life."
"Miss," Yu Xiaoju said, looking at her nervously. "We’ve been out for long enough. If we don’t go back soon, Old Madam Niu will make trouble."
Xiao Wanyu gritted her teeth. "She’ll make trouble for me even if I go home right now. Let’s go. We’re going to find my ’dear’ legitimate sister. Didn’t she say she’d help me find a perfect husband? I need to go and ’thank’ her properly."
Arriving at the Huang Mansion, home of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Xiao Wanyu sat down unceremoniously in front of Xiao Siyu. "It seems you’re living quite well these days, Sister. So well that you’ve forgotten your little sister is still living in misery."
Xiao Siyu toyed with her fingers. "Little Sister, how are you living in misery? Weren’t you the one who said you wanted to marry someone more promising than your brother-in-law? I went to great trouble to make it happen, and now all I get is your resentment."
"But he’s older than our own father! The moment I walked through the door, he already had a legitimate son and daughter. Is this what you call ’good’?"
Xiao Siyu covered her mouth and laughed. "But his official rank is higher than your brother-in-law’s! Look, your brother-in-law is just an eighth-rank guard, while your husband is already seventh-rank. Besides, you became his official wife the moment you married him. Our family was the one marrying up in this arrangement."
At this, Xiao Siyu looked at her with disdain. "Even as the concubine-born daughter of a Magistrate, you’re the one who benefited from marrying Lord Niu.
Besides, does Old Madam Niu know you came running to me today?
Leaving without informing your elders... I’m afraid you’ll be kneeling in the ancestral hall again when you get back."
"You venomous bitch!" Xiao Wanyu slammed her hand on the table, furious. "You’re just jealous that Father treated me well! Now that he isn’t here, you’re finding all sorts of ways to torment me."
Xiao Siyu replied, "You’re wrong, Little Sister. Father also nodded and agreed to this marriage. Otherwise, how could I, as your older sister, make such a major decision for you?
Back then, you insisted on following my mother to the capital for my dowry procession. Don’t tell me you weren’t thinking of finding a better match for yourself here.
I’ve helped you achieve that, so why are you blaming me instead, Little Sister?"
It was the same argument all over again. Xiao Wanyu felt like she was about to explode with rage. "I can’t live like this anymore! You were the one who arranged this marriage for me, so you have to help me get a divorce decree from the Niu Family.
Otherwise, I’ll come here and make a scene every single day! No, I just won’t leave! If you don’t solve this for me, I’ll go cause a ruckus at your main gate!"
Xiao Siyu propped her head on her hand. "Oh, I’m just so scared.
Since ancient times, marriages have been decided by the order of parents and the words of a matchmaker. Father and Mother both agreed to your marriage. All the formal betrothal rites were followed. What does it have to do with me, your older sister?
If you make a scene, everyone will only pity me, the legitimate older sister with an unruly concubine-born sister. I’ve provided you with food and shelter for the past two years, only to raise an ungrateful wretch.
And don’t forget where you are. My father-in-law is the Minister of the Ministry of Justice. If you cause him to lose face, who do you think will suffer in the end?
I, for one, have my mother-in-law to protect me. But I suspect life will get difficult for Father and Lord Niu."
"What do I care if they have a hard time?"
"Little Sister, you’re speaking out of pure spite now. Don’t forget, you are a Xiao Family’s daughter and a wife of the Niu Family. You’ll end up pleasing no one."
Seeing Xiao Siyu’s smug expression, Xiao Wanyu was once again filled with regret. "You’re just like your mother—both of you are cruel-hearted vipers! You can’t stand the sight of us concubine-born daughters. Everything you’ve done has just been to get revenge on my mother and me."
"Look at you, getting the wrong idea again, Little Sister. As it happens, my mother sent a letter. There was something I was about to send a servant to inform you of. Your coming here has saved me the trouble."
Xiao Siyu watched her sister’s feigned indifference with satisfaction, then said slowly and deliberately, "Aunt Liu, on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, passed away from an illness."
Seeing Xiao Wanyu’s face instantly turn pale, Xiao Siyu laughed with pleasure. ’For years, that mother and daughter pair always lorded it over my mother and me. Now, finally, I get to see them get what they deserve.’
"You’re lying!"
Seeing that Xiao Wanyu still refused to accept it, Xiao Siyu shrugged. "Believe it or not. That’s what my mother said, anyway. Besides, our household has a new concubine. I suppose Father is too busy to remember to inform you."
Dazed, Xiao Wanyu stumbled out of the Huang family’s residence and wandered aimlessly down the street.
Yu Xiaoju didn’t dare go forward to prompt her and just followed silently.
When she saw Xiao Wanyu walk into an apothecary, she was about to hurry after her but was stopped by her mistress’s sharp command. "You wait outside."
&
Ancient Wen Heng had just returned to the estate when Jin Qianqian had someone tell him and Liu Wenping to come to the kitchen.
Looking at the two small stoves on the ground, Ancient Wen Heng rubbed his nose. ’Is my wife not confident in my cooking skills?’
Liu Wenping also blinked. ’Did Sister-in-law forget? We’re scholars who passed the provincial exam, after all. Does she think we don’t even know how to start a fire?’
"They say practice makes perfect. You’re entering the examination hall tomorrow, so let’s do a proper rehearsal today. It’ll save you from being flustered tomorrow.
You’ve eaten all this food before, but since I’m the one who prepared it, it’s better to familiarize yourselves with it now. It can’t hurt."
Liu Wenping said with a smile, "Sister-in-law is always so thoughtful. Why don’t I go first?"
Jin Qianqian gestured for him to proceed and silently stepped aside.
Watching the flustered Liu Wenping, Jin Qianqian sighed to herself. ’Now this is a pure scholar. He knows nothing but his books.’
"Brother Liu, what did you bring when you took the provincial exam?" Ancient Wen Heng hadn’t really paid attention to such things back then.
"I just bought some steamed buns and dry biscuits from a shop near the inn. I washed them down with a pot of water I brought in. After a few days of that, I nearly died." Liu Wenping wiped the sweat from his forehead. He still shuddered to think about it.
’To conserve my strength over the next nine days, I have to figure out this stove, no matter what,’ he thought. ’It’s more complicated than eating steamed buns, but at least I can have some hot soup.’
’Look at this seaweed soup. Just add a bit of hot water, no need for salt or anything, and it’s already delicious.
And these noodles... add a few pieces of jerky, and the aroma is so good that even though I’m already full, I can’t help but swallow.
And the dried fruit, and a whole bottle of sauce...’
Ancient Wen Heng rolled up his sleeves and started working skillfully. Soon, a steaming bowl of noodles with a fried egg on top appeared, leaving Liu Wenping stunned.
"Wenheng, your skills are impressive! It looks like you practice often."
Ancient Wen Heng replied, "I didn’t learn this just for the civil service exam. I enjoy cooking a side dish or two to go with a drink every now and then. It’s a nice feeling."
Liu Wenping looked at the servants standing all around them, finding Ancient Wen Heng’s words a little hard to believe.
Jin Qianqian said, "Brother Liu, perhaps you should practice some more. Practice makes perfect, and it will keep you from getting flustered over the next few days."
Liu Wenping knew she was right. He stopped asking questions and simply followed Ancient Wen Heng, copying his actions step by step.
