Upon learning about this beautiful cook, she was jealous, yet somewhat delighted at the misfortune.

Here she was, waiting early at the kitchen door, as it was almost lunchtime, and sure enough, she saw Ashui coming into the small kitchen.

"So you’re Ashui," Qiao Xin leaned against the door, raising her chin to scrutinize the woman in an apron, whose appearance was cool and noble, with thick brows, bright eyes, and rosy lips that incited jealousy, "Oh, coming to cook while still so made-up, what’s on your mind? Are you trying to surpass the Princess Consort and seduce the Prince?"

Ashui: "..."

Made-up? Is she?

This is naturally beautiful.

The jealousy was so blatant, as if she were some common trash unworthy of mention.

Ashui didn’t want to cause trouble and ignored Qiao Xin, passing her to enter the kitchen, only to be blocked by the other’s arm: "I’m talking to you, didn’t hear?"

"I can only understand human speech, don’t comprehend dog barks."

"Who are you calling a dog?" Qiao Xin trembled with anger, glaring incredulously at the indifferent Ashui standing at the door, "Do you even know who I am?"

"I’m the personal maid who’s been with the Princess Consort for a long time, wretch, offending me you’re in for it." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Ashui felt slightly impatient: "If you want to bark, do it elsewhere."

"Wretch!" Qiao Xin gritted her teeth, "Hurry and make me a bowl of bird’s nest porridge, or I’ll go to the Princess Consort for justice."

Ashui regarded her as if looking at an idiot, wondering if the Princess Consort kept such a person around because life was too dull?

Ashui did not believe the Princess Consort was someone who would heed the words of such a person unless there was another intention?

"Delaying the Princess Consort’s meal, think it through," Ashui said, "Aren’t you afraid we’ll go over now?"

Qiao Xin cowered.

She gave Ashui a hateful glance and lifted her skirt to run away.

Ashui understood that look, it was most likely a warning.

Ashui began to cook, knowing the Princess Consort wasn’t that hard to please. As long as the food was delicious, she would be satisfied. Being a cook was not an unacceptable job, and it facilitated her activities.

In just a few days, she had gathered a lot of information.

In fact, the Princess Consort was not on good terms with the Prince, but she was too tough, and the Prince, being seriously ill, had no choice but to compromise with her.

Jing Lingyu was seriously ill, but unfortunately, there was no opportunity to glean more information at present. Ashui fell into contemplation, realizing that gathering evidence would not be an easy task.

However, being able to enter the Prince Ling Mansion was indeed an unexpected joy. Ashui was also glad she had once seen this Princess Consort; otherwise, she would have missed the opportunity and been bought by someone else. Even if those people were of high status, finding the necessary evidence would not be easy and would require careful plotting.

Ashui prepared the dishes and took them over, seeing Qiao Xin standing by Qiann Yan with a smug look.

Ashui remained calm, not thinking the Princess Consort was easily deceived.

"Ashui, did Qiao Xin say you insulted her?"

Ashui placed the dishes on the table, saying, "Yes."

"Why?"

Ashui explained the earlier incident without embellishment, knowing the Princess Consort’s nature would not side with Qiao Xin.

"From now on, you shall be a menial maid, responsible for cleaning various parts of the courtyard," Qiann Yan said, noting that these tasks were usually done by Wu Liang and Wu Zhi incidentally.

Qiao Xin laughed triumphantly: "Did you hear? You won’t be cooking anymore, just a menial maid."

Ashui: Idiot.

"I was referring to you, Qiao Xin," Qiann Yan waved her hand, "Hurry out, you’re not allowed in here anymore."

Ashui saw Qiao Xin was about to say something and went over to pick her up, offering Qiann Yan a breathtaking smile, like snow melting: "Princess Consort, let me help you get her out."