Most people, like Consort Zheng, did not see what had happened to them earlier, nor did they hear any sounds, so they did not doubt her words and believed that Xu Yuqing had fallen and injured her forehead and lips.
“Poor Eldest Miss, look how you’ve fallen… these injuries… this old servant will help you to the chair over there to rest.” Granny Song stepped forward to help Xu Yuqing, her face filled with concern.
Jiang Shangyun, who was behind the crowd, stared at Xu Yuqing’s forehead and lips, his eyes darkening.
How could it be such a coincidence that Xu Yuqing was injured shortly after leaving with Consort Zheng and the others, resulting in such injuries to her forehead and lips…
This was probably not a coincidence! But rather… man-made!
Consort Zheng had taken Huangfu Yue and a few of her granddaughters-in-law so far away, to a place where they could not be seen at all, likely to punish Xu Yuqing and not let outsiders, especially the servants, witness it.
Consort Zheng wanted to preserve some dignity for Xu Yuqing as a mistress!
She didn’t know how Consort Zheng had punished Xu Yuqing to make her so injured.
She could only find an opportunity to ask Xu Yuqing privately later; it would certainly be difficult to ask other mistresses.
“Mother, what should we do? You’re so injured… *sniff sniff*…” Huangfu Ying looked at her mother, also showing a distressed expression. Blinking her large, grape-like eyes, she shed tears again.
“Mother is fine, don’t worry, don’t cry.” Xu Yuqing quickly spoke to comfort her daughter upon seeing her.
“Come, help Mother to rest with Granny Song.” Xu Yuqing beckoned to her daughter, showing her a smile.
Huangfu Yue immediately reached out to hold her mother’s hand, wanting to help her with Granny Song. However, she was too small to help her mother at all, and could only hold onto her mother, looking somewhat amusing.
Consort Zheng looked at Huangfu Ying’s small figure, a hint of pity flashing in her eyes.
For Ying’er’s sake, she hoped Xu Yuqing would truly change and become better in the future.
However, judging by Xu Yuqing’s behavior just now, she would likely be well-behaved for a while, and there would be no need to worry about her for now.
Seeing Xu Yuqing sit on the chair, she then reached out to pull Huangfu Ying onto her lap and sat there, gently stroking Huangfu Ying’s head. She whispered something in Huangfu Ying’s ear, making the little girl smile. Consort Zheng withdrew her gaze with relief.
“How is lunch being prepared? Is it almost ready?” Consort Zheng shifted her gaze to Chef Xu, who was busy working at the stove built with stones, and asked.
“Replying to the Old Madam, it’s almost ready, we can start eating in another quarter of an hour.” Chef Xu quickly looked up at Consort Zheng, bowed respectfully to her, and replied.
Consort Zheng nodded slightly.
Huangfu Yue said, “Grandmother, since it’s almost time for lunch, shall I help you to the dining table to sit and wait for the meal?”
When she had fetched the chairs earlier, she had also brought out the dining table.
Consort Zheng nodded again slightly. Huangfu Yue helped her to the head of the dining table and then sat next to her.
After a few casual words between grandmother and granddaughter, Chef Xu came to report that lunch was ready and they could begin eating.
Consort Zheng instructed everyone to sit at the dining table and prepare to eat.
As before, the masters sat at one table, Feng Maoyuan and his subordinates at another, and the servants of the Prince Dai’s manor occupied several other tables.
Chef Xu and the kitchen staff prepared many dishes, the variety was rich, and the taste was as good as always, making everyone eat with relish.
“Grandmother, this Crispy Roast Chicken is delicious. Please have some.” Xu Yuqing ate a piece of Crispy Roast Chicken and finding it good, immediately curried favor with Consort Zheng, placing a piece of Crispy Roast Chicken into Consort Zheng’s bowl with a look of filial piety.
Consort Zheng glanced at her, nodded slightly, picked up the Crispy Roast Chicken she had offered, and ate it.
“It is indeed good, delicious!” Consort Zheng chewed elegantly a few times, swallowed, and then said.
Seeing this, Xu Yuqing was very pleased. It seemed this old hag wasn’t dwelling on what had happened before, otherwise she wouldn’t be like this.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, have some Crispy Roast Chicken too.” Xu Yuqing immediately placed another piece of Crispy Roast Chicken into Zhu Jiayi’s bowl.
“Thank you… I find this White Jade Meatball delicious. Please try some.” Zhu Jiayi immediately thanked her and then, returning the gesture, placed a White Jade Meatball into Xu Yuqing’s bowl.
“Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law. I was just about to take a White Jade Meatball, I really like eating them.” Xu Yuqing’s face lit up with happiness, and she immediately ate the White Jade Meatball in her bowl, though she was very displeased internally.
She actually didn’t like White Jade Meatballs, but she couldn’t refuse.
Why did Zhu Jiayi give her White Jade Meatballs? Was she doing it deliberately… that bitch.
“Grandmother, Yue’er, please try this An Xiang Fish Paste. I think this An Xiang Fish Paste is very delicious.” Zhong Liangshu looked at Xu Yuqing and Zhu Jiayi, her gaze flickered, and she stood up to place some An Xiang Fish Paste for Consort Zheng and Huangfu Yue respectively, and then also placed some for the three sisters-in-law.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, Wanqian, please also try the An Xiang Fish Paste. This An Xiang Fish Paste is a specialty dish from my hometown, and it’s very delicious.”
Huangfu Yue nodded, thinking how it seemed all her sisters-in-law were trying to show off, wondering if it was for Grandmother’s jewelry.
“Yue’er, Liangshu, Wanqian, let’s all have some Crispy Roast Chicken. I forgot to serve you earlier, you won’t be angry with me, will you!”
Xu Yuqing glanced at Zhong Liangshu, thinking to herself that this was not good. She had only served dishes to Consort Zheng and Zhu Jiayi earlier and not to the other two sisters-in-law and Huangfu Yue. She had to make up for it quickly.
Were they trying to one-up each other! Huangfu Yue, having just eaten the fish paste served by Zhong Liangshu, saw Xu Yuqing serving chicken and almost laughed.
Throughout the meal, Xu Yuqing, Zhong Liangshu, and Zhu Jiayi actively served dishes to Consort Zheng, Huangfu Yue, and Yang Wanqian, so they didn’t have to serve themselves, just eating what Xu Yuqing and the other two served.
Yang Wanqian, being pregnant, found it inconvenient to constantly stand up to serve dishes to everyone, so she did not serve them.
After the meal, after a short rest, Huangfu Yue ordered the carriage to depart once the kitchen staff had cleaned the dishes.
After Huangfu Yue had stored everything that needed to be stored in her space, she went to Yang Wanqian’s carriage. She drove Yang Wanqian’s carriage as before, with Ying’er sitting beside her, just like in the morning.
After Yang Wanqian was helped into the carriage by the servants, she felt hot inside the carriage as soon as she sat down and asked for the electric fan to be turned on.
The nanny serving her immediately turned on the electric fan.
Under Huangfu Yue’s careful instruction earlier, almost everyone in Prince Dai’s manor now knew how to use the electric fan.
“It’s much cooler… this electric fan is truly magical! Just press that red button, and it will start rotating by itself, sending out air.”
Yang Wanqian let out a sigh of relief, feeling the cool breeze, her face showing enjoyment. She marveled at the electric fan.
“Yes! This electric fan, no matter how many times I see it, I still find it magical, truly incredible.” Yang Wanqian’s personal head maid nodded and said with a smile.
Huangfu Yue, who was driving the carriage in front, heard their conversation and subtly curved her lips into a gentle smile, not replying or discussing the electric fan with them.
She was thinking about how to transport everyone with the bus that night…