Chapter 141 Retreat to Advance

Chapter 141: Retreat to Advance

Fang Rui entered the room and came to Madam Yang’s side: “Mother, I saw Qiu Liu in the courtyard. Why did Nanny Su say she’s here to make you pastries?”

Madam Yang nodded: “Mm.”

“Really here to make pastries for you?” Fang Rui still found it hard to believe, “What kind of pastries? Surely our mansion’s cooks can make better pastries than that?”

Madam Yang smiled: “It’s not that our cooks are inferior; it’s just that her maid’s pastries happen to hit the spot.”

“Then I’ll try some later too.” Fang Rui glanced out the window, “When I got here, Qiu Liu was strolling around like she owned the place. Mother, Qiu Liu is a strange one—seemingly ordinary in background, yet I’ve never seen her suffer a loss. Don’t let her pull one over on you.”

What’s Qiu Liu up to, buttering up Mother with pastries?

Is she trying to marry into the Prime Minister’s mansion?

But her elder brother’s already married, so only her second uncle’s cousin is left. If Qiu Liu had that in mind, she should be sucking up to her second aunt, not Mother.

She couldn’t figure it out, but it was definitely bad news. Looks like she’d have to keep a close eye on Qiu Liu every time she comes over.

Thinking this, Fang Rui suddenly felt like she’d shot herself in the foot.

After all, she was the one who invited Qiu Liu over to humiliate her. She’d always said Qiu Liu was a weird one who never lost out.

Hearing this, Madam Yang gave a faint smile: “Do I need you to tell me that? Rui’er, why are you suddenly so interested in Sixth Miss Qiu?”

She knew her daughter well—proud and aloof, she wouldn’t give someone from a fallen family like Sixth Miss Qiu a second look.

Madam Yang didn’t see her daughter’s pride as a bad thing. A daughter of the Prime Minister’s mansion had the right to be picky; with high standards, her close friends would be from the same social circle, and she wouldn’t fall for men from the wrong background.

“It’s just that I saw with my own eyes how Su Su got burned by her, so I have to be cautious.” Fang Rui conveniently pinned it on Cheng Susu, not mentioning the embarrassing time Qiu Heng threatened her with a hairpin.

Madam Yang said calmly: “Miss Cheng is a bit too hot-headed.”

Though well-born, she’d have a hard time in life.

As mother and daughter spoke, Nanny Su entered with a tray: “Madam, the savory dumplings are done. Please try them.”

Madam Yang looked at the thin-skinned, almost see-through dumplings on the plate, picked one up, dipped it in sauce, and took a bite. Savoring it, she nodded in approval: “This is the taste.”

It was the taste Third Brother loved.

The dumplings later cooks made weren’t bad, but Third Brother didn’t like them as much.

“Let me try.” Fang Rui picked up a dumpling and ate it. Though she found it tasty, she didn’t get what the big deal was, “It’s not that much better than what our cooks make, is it?”

Since everyone present was trusted, Madam Yang took the opportunity to teach her daughter: “These pastries are like women, you see. All are beauties—some charming, some elegant, some lively, some quiet. Yet men often have a type. Can you say the other women are any less?”

Fang Rui thought about it: “Mother is right. If a man I’m considering for marriage doesn’t like a girl like me, then swap him out to save the trouble.”

Madam Yang: ?

Nanny Su was also shocked by Fang Rui’s words, afraid the young lady would say something even more shocking, and quickly changed the topic: “Madam, these pastries are best fresh out of the pot—”

“Take them to Third Brother yourself. Come back and tell me how he likes them.”

“Yes.”

As Nanny Su left, Fang Rui pursed her lips: “So they’re for my brother.”

Madam Yang glanced at her daughter: “Your brother hasn’t had an appetite these days. If he can eat a few more bites, I’ll be thankful.”

“Mother, don’t worry too much. He’ll get better soon.”

Madam Yang nodded, but her heart felt heavy.

Though her son had been frail since childhood, he’d never been this bedridden before. The old madam had even started looking for a woman with a matching birth chart for Third Brother to take as a concubine, to ward off his sickness.

She had only one son, and she didn’t dare imagine what would happen if something happened to him.

After a while, Nanny Su hurried in, looking cheerful: “Madam, the third young master ate a good amount and even asked for savory dumplings for dinner.”

“Good, good.” Madam Yang couldn’t help but smile, looking at Nanny Su with approval, “Thanks to Nanny Su for looking out for Third Brother.”

“Madam, you’re too kind. It’s my greatest honor that the third young master liked them.”

Madam Yang smiled: “Please bring Sixth Miss Qiu and her maid here.”

Nanny Su left the room and soon returned with Qiu Heng and Fang Zhou.

“Madam Yang.” Qiu Heng curtsied.

Madam Yang’s smile was warm: “Thank you for your trouble today, Sixth Miss Qiu.”

As for Fang Zhou, Madam Yang made no mention.

In her view, a servant belonged entirely to their master, and the credit naturally went to the master.

“Madam Yang, you’re too kind. Consider it an apology for injuring Nanny Su.” Qiu Heng looked at Nanny Su, “Nanny Su’s facial wounds have scabbed over and no longer need medicine. I’ll let you know now, so I won’t disturb you tomorrow.”

Madam Yang raised an eyebrow.

Third Brother was still waiting for pastries from Sixth Miss Qiu’s maid—how could she not come?

“Sixth Miss Qiu, I have a favor to ask.”

Qiu Heng looked surprised: “Madam Yang, you jest. You are the Prime Minister’s Madam, and I’m just an ordinary girl. How could I possibly be of help?”

Madam Yang paused.

What was this girl playing at? Didn’t she know it was just a polite remark? How was she supposed to continue?

But at her age, Madam Yang’s skin wasn’t thin. She smiled and said: “Your maid’s pastries have won me over. I’d like to borrow her for a while—”

Fang Zhou’s face changed: “I only follow my mistress. I’m not going anywhere.”

Madam Yang frowned at Fang Zhou, thinking that if this were a maid in her mansion, she’d have been slapped long ago.

This was why using outsiders was inconvenient.

“If Sixth Miss Qiu is willing, I’ll offer a generous reward.”

“Fang Zhou is spoiled by me—stubborn and unmanageable when she digs in her heels. If you like her savory dumplings, it’s simple. I’ll have her write down the recipe, and your mansion’s head cook can follow it.”

With that said, Madam Yang had no choice but to drop the matter. After Qiu Heng and Fang Zhou took their leave, her face darkened.

Nanny Su snorted: “Ungrateful!”

Fang Rui, on the other hand, felt relieved and smiled: “It’s even better if our cooks can make them. Then we can have them whenever we want.”

"Have the kitchen try making it," Madam Yang instructed, though she wasn't optimistic about it.

Although she did not cook herself, she knew that recipes often called for "appropriate amounts" or "a pinch." Even with the exact same recipe, the resulting dishes could taste completely different.

On the way back, Fang Zhou asked Qiu Heng, "Miss, if you don't let me stay, how will we be able to visit the Prime Minister's residence often?"

Qiu Heng leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes slightly closed. "Don't worry. Madam Yang will find a way."

A mother as devoted as Madam Yang should do as I predicted, right?