Quick Transmigration: The Mad Beauty Refuses to Be the Scapegoat!-Chapter 493 - 6: Cannon Fodder Vase in a Power Struggle Novel (Part 6)
At the small kitchen, Aunt Zhao the cook was just wiping her hands as she walked out from inside, and when she saw Little He, she asked with a smile.
"Today, it’s all the Prince Consort’s favorite food for lunch. What’s wrong? Didn’t have enough?"
Little He remembered Jiang Lai’s instructions and joined in the conversation.
"Recently, the Prince Consort’s appetite has increased; your dishes really aren’t enough..."
"You should have said earlier! If there’s not enough, I could go and prepare a few more dishes; there are still pig trotters and meat in the kitchen."
Little He waved her hand repeatedly.
"No need, you’ve been working hard all day, please take a rest. The Prince Consort appreciates you and specifically sent me here. I can make those dishes myself. Please go and rest."
Both Little He and Aunt Zhao were from the Taishi Mansion and came to the Eighth Prince Mansion as part of Jiang Lai’s dowry. The two knew each other well, and Aunt Zhao was aware that Little He was indeed good at cooking.
"Alright, oh by the way, the pot on the left is warming a bowl of red date sugar rice porridge. That’s to be sent to Your Highness later; be careful with the fire and don’t let it go out."
Little He couldn’t help but pout upon hearing this.
The lady eats lavish meals, full of meat and fish, while the Prince enjoys more delicate food. The rice is specially supplied by imperial decree, a rarity that even high-ranking officials would not have access to.
She opened the pot cover to reveal a bowl of thick porridge with crystal-clear rice grains that looked and smelled delicious.
Feeling resentful, Little He closed the lid with dissatisfaction.
She turned around to look for vegetables in the kitchen, and after searching everywhere, she found a basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables in the corner. Additionally, there was a tightly packed tub of oranges.
To see such rare oranges in this cold weather, whom could they be prepared for?
Who cares? Anyway, the lady said that anything in the small kitchen is hers. Since that’s the case, this tub of oranges must be hers too, so she took the whole tub away.
Little He also stir-fried two light vegetable dishes for Jiang Lai, almost without adding any salt or other seasonings, just blanched and quickly fried before serving.
Additionally, she steamed a bowl of eggs.
By the time Little He came over with the dishes, Jiang Lai was already starving.
The original owner was accustomed to binge eating, and previously at this time, she would have nearly devoured the entire table of meat and fish. However, now Jiang Lai could only silently endure, waiting for Little He to bring the new dishes.
"Miss, can you get full with just this amount...?"
This is even less food than what she had at the Taishi Mansion.
"Miss, the master is a second-rank official at least. If he knew you’re suffering at the Eighth Prince Mansion, he would definitely seek justice for you. Why torture yourself like this?"
Little He looked at the plain porridge and vegetables and felt sorry for the lady, thinking she was completely torturing herself.
Jiang Lai raised her eyes and glanced at her.
"Is eating lightly really self-torture? Is your lady’s life more important than culinary delights?"
Little He instantly widened her eyes.
"Of course, the lady’s life is more important!"
"Then shut your mouth. From now on, keep bringing Aunt Zhao’s dishes, and then prepare additional ones for me."
Little He nodded.
Watching Jiang Lai taking bites of the bland dishes in front of her, she couldn’t help but worry.
The lady must have been struck by something, otherwise why would she torment herself this way?
A meal with hardly any oil, salt, or taste was indeed less delicious compared to those oily and salty meat dishes before.
But Jiang Lai knows that anything that leads you into indulgence is a trap; uphill roads are always the hardest to tread.
Fortunately, she is accustomed to uphill roads.
Even after finishing the meal, she was still hungry, and Jiang Lai pursed her lips, reluctant to speak. She understood that this hunger was a test her body had to endure during the adjustment process.
She consumed enough nutrients for a day’s needs, and if she ate more, she’d start gaining weight.
However, when people don’t eat enough, their mood is unlikely to be good. So when Jiang Lai sat again at the dining table, facing the expressionless Chu Yunxuan, her hand holding the chopsticks tightened somewhat.
"Just now, Chun Niang came to me in tears, saying you shorted her five taels this month. What’s going on?"
While eating, Chu Yunxuan began questioning like a leader interrogating a subordinate, his tone devoid of emotion.
Jiang Lai was silently poking the vegetables in front of her. Upon hearing Chu Yunxuan’s words, she looked up at him.
"The monthly allowance for the ladies of the back courtyard is ten taels each. A total of seventy taels paid out, and I’ve settled all of it at the beginning of the month. I can keep track of these accounts easily."
"You mean Chun Niang is making a baseless claim, receiving the money but deliberately troubling you?"
"Yes."
Jiang Lai nodded, looking completely justified.
"Your Highness, if someone’s total monthly allowance is just ten taels, if I had shorted her five taels, wouldn’t that have given others ammunition against me?
Chun Niang has gone shopping six times this month and bought three sets of clothes. If I had given her less money, where would she get the funds to buy these clothes?"
Chu Yunxuan was just about to say something, but Jiang Lai continued her slow narrative.
"Chun Niang shops every month, barely saving any money. Her many siblings couldn’t possibly support her.
So you should be asking Chun Niang, not me; ask her how she bought so many clothes with just five taels, ask where she got the money for all those hair accessories and cosmetics monthly.
Your Highness, government affairs are demanding yet she disturbs you over a few taels in the back courtyard. I know you are displeased with her lack of consideration. Rest assured, I’ll go and reprimand her later."
With just a few words, she covered what Chu Yunxuan wanted and didn’t want to say, eventually concluding with Chun Niang’s extravagant spending and lack of understanding.
Chu Yunxuan stared at her with a stiff expression for a long time until he saw Jiang Lai yawning wearily.
"Your Highness, I’ve been feeling quite fatigued lately. Why not call an Imperial Physician to help regulate my health?"
"Isn’t there a Lady Doctor in the house? Why seek an Imperial Physician?"
"Is that Lady Doctor reliable? My father always invited Imperial Physicians to treat me."
Chu Yunxuan frowned in displeasure.
"Since you are married, don’t act so precious; besides, Lady Doctor Zhao’s skills are better than those in the Imperial Hospital, more than adequate for treating you."
Jiang Lai achieved her aim.
"Alright, let’s have her take a look this afternoon then."
After eating, Jiang Lai lay in the courtyard, basking in the sun and napping.
At this time, Little He came to report.
"Miss, Lady Chun is here."
Jiang Lai, half-asleep, squinted her eyes and nodded slightly.
"Let her in."
A moment later, a woman in a red cloak and wearing pink pearl flowers on her head walked in, swaying her way.
Seeing Jiang Lai, she only gave a perfunctory bow, then impatiently asked.
"Sister, why did you call me?"
Jiang Lai waved her hand.
"Come, please sit down, Little He, serve tea."
Chun Niang didn’t take it seriously and sat down with the support of her maid.
"Sister, what’s the matter? Did you summon me for a chat instead of taking a nap?"
"Well, His Highness just came to see me."
Upon hearing this, Chun Niang showed a knowing expression.
