Song Chaoyu did not erupt on the spot. Even for the sake of Han Erge's reputation, she would not have made a scene.
It wasn't until after the meal that Mu Changxi naturally asked about Han Erge's current situation. Song Chaoyu then walked towards the backyard, saying she was going to help Yang Shi tidy up the kitchen.
Han Erge naturally tried to stop Song Chaoyu: "Oh, Sister Ayu, you've been pampered since childhood. Let her do the kitchen work, and you stay here to listen to us!"
Song Chaoyu waved her hand: "Brother Er Han, you should know how to cherish your wife! It's okay, I'll do what I can to help my sister-in-law!"
Mu Changxi also nodded, signaling Song Chaoyu to help. Han Erge ultimately had nothing more to say.
Song Chaoyu walked towards the backyard—
In the kitchen, Yang Shi was busy alone.
In fact, when they were on the estate before, Concubine Liu rarely let her into the kitchen.
After all, Concubine Liu always felt that Song Chaoyu was going back to the Song family.
Since she was to be the daughter of the Song family, she absolutely could not do kitchen work.
Seeing Song Chaoyu arrive, Yang Shi sized her up. She showed none of the politeness from the dinner table, but instead sneered, "You ladies with your fingers unaccustomed to household chores, you'd better leave quickly. The kitchen is greasy, don't stay here."
Song Chaoyu glanced at the bowl of noodles placed nearby that had not been eaten. She understood and smiled as she stepped into the kitchen: "I'm sorry, sister-in-law. I really shouldn't have bothered you. With the situation in Tanzhou City like this, please rest assured, sister-in-law, we won't be eating and drinking here for free. My husband and I will find a way to have food delivered, which will definitely sustain your family's livelihood. Please be at ease."
Even after Song Chaoyu said this, Yang Shi's expression remained suspicious: "If you are so capable, why are you here? You're just being forced out by those guards outside, so don't cause us any trouble. Otherwise, I won't be as polite to you as Han Sheng was!"
This Yang Shi was indeed a bit clever.
Song Chaoyu's eyes remained unchanged. She then took a brocade pouch from her sleeve and placed it in front of Yang Shi, and took off the hairpin from her head and the earrings from her ears: "This is my first time meeting you, sister-in-law, and I haven't brought anything good. I hope you won't mind our disturbance."
Yang Shi then flicked the water droplets from her hands, walked forward, and first picked up the brocade pouch closest to her. She opened it to find a piece of fragrant spice inside.
It was a spice that the old madam had bought for Song Chaoyu at a great expense, called "Weirui Fragrance." It had a very elegant and lasting scent. A small piece placed in a sachet could be used for a very long time. Song Chaoyu loved this spice the most, and her willingness to part with it now showed her sincerity.
However, Yang Shi did not know the value of the spice. She liked the scent and accepted it: "You are thoughtful. Although it's a small piece and you've used it, I'll accept it."
Seeing her like this, even Dong Shuang rolled her eyes with annoyance: "This tiny piece costs a hundred taels of silver. Do you think you're at a disadvantage?"
Dong Shuang rarely spoke to people like this, which showed her displeasure.
Yang Shi did not expect the spice to be so expensive. She immediately put it back into the sachet carefully and then reached for the hairpin.
The hairpin, compared to the spice, was even more valuable.
It was a Ruyi hairpin made of red gold and Lantian jade. It had been hidden in Song Chaoyu's hair bun, so it wasn't clear before. Now, Yang Shi realized that this item was clearly priceless.
She happily took the jade hairpin into her hand, and at this moment, all her displeasure towards Song Chaoyu vanished: "Such a good thing, sister-in-law, you want to give it to me, thank you so much!"
Then, she reached out again to take the earrings—
Song Chaoyu felt that this person was probably greedy.
She placed a hand on the earrings and suddenly looked sharply at Yang Shi.
Yang Shi was startled by Song Chaoyu's demeanor, but she still didn't let go of the jade hairpin and brocade pouch. She just stared blankly at Song Chaoyu: "Sister-in-law... are you unhappy?"
Song Chaoyu's lips curled into a cold smile, and her gaze fell on the bowl of noodles placed by the stove, which had a lot of vinegar added: "Sister-in-law just said not to waste, why aren't you eating it now? Sister-in-law understands my intentions, and I understand yours. If sister-in-law doesn't eat it, I would think sister-in-law still doesn't want us to stay here!"
If Yang Shi were easy to get along with, Song Chaoyu would not have acted this way.
But some things required her to "reciprocate."
Yang Shi was startled by Song Chaoyu's sudden fierce demeanor, but such good things were something she had never seen in her life!
So, she plastered a smile on her face towards Song Chaoyu, walked towards the noodles that were so sour they were unappetizing, and actually began to eat them with large mouthfuls: "You've traveled a long way, and I was really tired from cooking today, which is why it turned out like this. Sister-in-law, tell me what you want to eat tomorrow, and I'll cook it for you!"
Song Chaoyu then placed the earrings in her hand on the stove, and then had Dong Shuang place the silver pouch on the stove as well, before turning to leave.
As soon as she turned around, she heard Yang Shi exclaim "Waa" and spit out all the noodles in her mouth.
Dong Shuang frowned: "This Yang Shi is not someone to be trifled with."
Indeed.
A haze seemed to settle over Song Chaoyu's heart.
When she returned to the room, Mu Changxi was already sitting there.
He looked at Song Chaoyu with confusion: "What's going on between you and sister-in-law? Why didn't you eat today?"
As he spoke, he had Xiao Ruizhi bring out a box of pastries and place it in front of Song Chaoyu: "You must be hungry?"
Song Chaoyu's heart warmed. This man was still thinking of her at this time. What more could she ask for in this life?
She sat down and ate the pastries: "Where did these come from?"
Mu Changxi smiled: "I asked Brother Er for them. But I didn't say you wanted to eat them, so Brother Er wouldn't overthink it. What's going on between you and sister-in-law?"
Song Chaoyu sighed and then told Mu Changxi everything about Yang Shi.
The more Mu Changxi listened, the tighter his brows furrowed.
Until the end, he tapped the table in front of him, his eyes growing increasingly displeased: "Brother Er is a good person, I didn't expect him to marry such a wife."
Song Chaoyu was also a little worried: "Speaking of which, we disturbed them, but Yang Shi's behavior makes me feel that she is probably not the same kind of person as Brother Er. If there's any benefit, she'll sell us out immediately. I don't think it's good to stay here for long. Did Brother Er tell you about the situation in Tanzhou City?"
Mu Changxi nodded: "He did. It's even worse than we thought."