Su Xiaoqi felt genuine sympathy for Princess Huian, to be burdened with so much at such a tender age.
She cleared her throat softly. "I understand that Madam Yan's devotion to her mistress. However, as you can see, the young masters and mistresses are very fond of this milk tea. Perhaps if the people you meticulously trained could learn to make it, they could prepare it for them."
"Learn to make milk tea? Can we maids do that?" Madam Xu, a woman of remarkable astuteness, immediately understood. Yet, her etiquette was impeccable; her timely display of joy and bewilderment was natural and pleasing.
Madam Yan, however, was different. She fixed her gaze on Su Xiaoqi, her eyes full of suspicion, as if trying to discern some hidden scheme.
Su Xiaoqi harbored no selfish intentions. She simply found it too taxing for Princess Huian to be constantly scrutinized and wished for her to relax and regain some of the youthful vitality befitting her age.
But it was clear Madam Yan was not inclined to grant her wish.
Su Xiaoqi could only look to Princess Huian. Madam Yan did not heed her words because she was not her mistress, and Su Xiaoqi had no authority over her.
Princess Huian, however, did. The question was whether she dared.
Su Xiaoqi watched her with anticipation. Before she could speak, she saw Bao Ge's eyes light up, and he exclaimed gleefully, "Sister, please ask Madam Yan to go! Look, Madam Xu is also going. I want to drink milk tea, and my sister likes it too. If they learn, they can make it for Mother and us when they return, and we won't have to travel so far when we want some."
Bao Ge spoke with longing, his eyes slightly narrowed as if savoring the delightful taste of milk tea.
*So clever!* Su Xiaoqi praised him inwardly.
Compared to his bold and eloquent plea, Princess Huian was like a wooden post, taking a long while to react. She looked at Madam Yan, her eyes timid, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
Finally, encouraged by the gazes of Bao Ge and Su Xiaoqi, she stammered, "Madam Yan, you... you go too, okay?"
Listen to her tone. She wasn't issuing a command but practically begging.
Madam Yan kept her head down. Just as Su Xiaoqi thought she still wouldn't agree and was about to add more pressure, Madam Xu spoke.
"Madam Yan, by rights, we are all servants. And servants should naturally be eager to serve their masters and fulfill their needs..."
Before she could finish, Madam Yan nodded. Without ever lifting her head, she curtsied deeply and responded in a clear voice, "This servant obeys." She then turned to another young maidservant, instructing her to take good care of the Princess and the young master, even threatening in a low voice that she would deal with her if the mistress was not cared for properly upon her return.
Su Xiaoqi frowned, observing the retreating back of Madam Yan, who had left with Zhang Yu.
*Is this what they call servants dominating their masters? It's already reaching the highest levels.*
Alas, Su Xiaoqi sighed, wondering if the Grand Princess was aware of this.
Once they departed, only Su Xiaoqi, Bao Ge, Princess Huian, and their accompanying maids remained in the flower hall.
Su Xiaoqi gave Bao Ge a thumbs-up. "Bao Ge, you're truly amazing! At such a young age, you already know how to protect your sister. Well done."
"Mm, thank you for the compliment, Sister Xiaoqi," Bao Ge chuckled, then pouted, as if recalling something. "We don't like Madam Yan. It's a pity Mother says she was given by Grandmother, so we can't send her away."
Su Xiaoqi realized with a start. So it was the Grand Madam Liu who had arranged this. No wonder even the Grand Princess had to show her face. It seemed that mother-in-law relations were not merely a problem for common folk; even a princess married into the Liu family might not handle them perfectly.
She blinked, dismissing extraneous thoughts, and called out, "Come, Your Highness, Bao Ge, let's not talk about unhappy things. Try my family's little cakes."
"This, is this cake? What is 'cake'?" Bao Ge asked, tilting his chin, his round, black grape-like eyes full of curiosity.
Su Xiaoqi smiled. "This is cake. Have a taste."
Chen Jinji had not yet opened in the capital, and their goods couldn't be stored for long, so the capital had no pastries from Chen Jinji yet. Su Xiaoqi made some at home, intending them as desserts for herself and some to be sent to the Duke's mansion. Seeing Bao Ge and Princess Huian arrive, she naturally offered them first.
Her pastries included Tiramisu, mousse cake, and sausage bread – essentially things children would enjoy. However, given their noble status and it being their first time trying these, she dared not let them eat too much. She had each of them pick a piece to taste before having Guo'er clear away the plates and cakes.
Bao Ge held a small sausage bread, eating it with such care, savoring each bite before finishing it. He immediately asked Su Xiaoqi, "Sister Xiaoqi, can you teach Madam Xu how to make these little pastries? They're delicious, and I want more."
"Bao Ge, Sister Xiaoqi said that no matter how good the pastries are, you can't eat too much, or you'll get indigestion," Princess Huian said, holding Bao Ge back to coax him.
Su Xiaoqi observed that with Madam Yan absent, Princess Huian was merely a little shy, not as timid and retiring as before. She realized the problem must have stemmed entirely from Madam Yan. However, one could not refuse a gift from elders, and Da Liang governed with filial piety. It wasn't just Princess Huian, but even her mother, the Grand Princess, likely couldn't refuse Madam Liu's intentions, after all, she was not only the Emperor's eldest legitimate daughter but also the daughter-in-law of the Liu family.
Su Xiaoqi could only look at Princess Huian with heartache. To be so stifled by a wet nurse sent by her grandmother at such a young age and with such noble status.
Sigh...
As they were speaking, Madam Xu and Madam Yan returned together. Both women had joyful expressions. Su Xiaoqi knew that Zhang Yu must have taught them the method for making milk tea from the kitchen staff. It was time to take their leave.
Su Xiaoqi attempted to invite them to stay for a meal, but Madam Yan vehemently refused. Madam Xu, on the other hand, apologized, saying the Grand Princess was waiting for them to dine upon their return. Su Xiaoqi understood; she hadn't truly intended to keep them for dinner but was merely being polite. However, Madam Yan's narrow-mindedness was truly astonishing. Madam Xu's approach as a shrewd courtier was the correct one – offending no one, always wearing a smile, no wonder she was favored by the Grand Princess and promoted to a steward.
Bao Ge absolutely did not want to leave. It was so pleasant at Sister Xiaoqi's place! There was good food, good drinks, and good fun. Princess Huian felt the same. However, they had received strict instructions from the Grand Princess before leaving and dared not disobey. She could only pull Bao Ge along, leading him to the carriage for their return journey.
Seeing them off was already past the hour of Shen (7-9 PM). Dusk had fallen, and it was time for dinner. Guo'er came to inform her that Master and Second Young Master He, along with a guest, were waiting in the dining hall and asked if Su Xiaoqi wished for the meal to be served.
Since everyone was already seated, the meal should be served. Su Xiaoqi gave the instruction and hurried over, not realizing who the guest Guo'er mentioned was. Upon reaching the dining hall, even before entering, Su Xiaoqi could hear He Qiulei's voice holding forth.
"Alas, this year has truly seen ancient rules broken as soon as they are spoken. Rumors have it that His Majesty has postponed the Spring Examinations by a month, and he might incur the wrath of the ancestors. Spring has been here for over a month, yet it has only rained once. Will this year be a drought year?"
"Brother He, speak cautiously. Beware of eavesdroppers," Shen Yun whispered a reminder.
"No ears, no ears. Brother Shen, you are simply too cautious," a voice chimed in. He was seated with his back to the door. When Su Xiaoqi entered, she could only see a tall, strong back, not his face, and for a moment, she couldn't quite place him. But soon, as he spoke his second sentence, Su Xiaoqi knew. She quickly walked over, her voice startling the three of them, and coincidentally signaled for the meal to be served.
"Sister-in-law," He Qiulei said, rising and offering a proper salute. Su Xiaoqi nodded at him. The figure with his back to the door turned as well, offering a long bow to Su Xiaoqi. "Greetings, Sister-in-law."
"Young Master Qi is too polite," Su Xiaoqi returned the bow. He was older than Shen Yun. If he considered Shen Yun a brother, calling her sister-in-law was not entirely inappropriate, but it still felt strange. *Why are these people, one after another, discovering Shen Yun's unique qualities and rushing to become his brothers?*
Thinking about it, Shen Yun did possess captivating traits. If he wished, he could easily conquer others with his charisma.