Xia Huanyu sighed softly, "It's a pity that your mother passed away from illness before she was married. I never expected that my dear sister would be your biological elder sister. Chang'er, oh Chang'er, I truly didn't expect that you would have such a deep connection with your elder sister."
Xia Huanyu looked at Yun Chang with a wistful expression. Yun Chang, however, felt a headache coming on and quickly changed the subject, "Father, you should hurry and take out that scroll."
Xia Huanyu nodded, turned, and walked into the bookshelf. He took out a scroll wrapped in oiled paper from the bookshelf and handed it to Yun Chang, "Chang'er, you can take the scroll to a pawnshop and sell it. Father can then repay your life-saving kindness."
Yun Chang took the scroll and said in a low voice, "I will always remember Father's life-saving kindness and dare not forget it. However, Father, I still need this scroll, because the scroll that Chang'er wants to paint this time is the very scroll that Father gave to Chang'er before."
After speaking, Yun Chang looked up, her eyes fixed on Xia Huanyu, hoping he would take back the scroll. To her surprise, Xia Huanyu was silent for a long while before slowly shaking his head and saying, "Since you are determined to paint this scroll, Father will not force you. You can return to the mansion first. When you are finished painting, give it to me, and I will send someone to buy it back for you."
Yun Chang's eyes flashed with joy upon hearing this, "Father, you're willing to agree?"
"Yes, I agree," Xia Huanyu nodded, then turned to look at Yun Chang. "Chang'er, don't worry, Father will find the best painters for you and make you look even more beautiful. Then, let that person see what a stunning and talented daughter my Xia Huanyu has."
Yun Chang smiled and nodded, "Father, don't worry. By that day, Father will know how amazing Chang'er's painting skills are."
Xia Huanyu coughed lightly, averting his eyes as if to conceal something, "Father, Father is tired, I'm going to sleep now."
"Rest well, Father. Chang'er will visit you again tomorrow," Yun Chang said softly.
After Yun Chang left the study, Xia Huanyu stood in place for a long time, a look of melancholy in his eyes.
Yun Chang did not return to the prince's mansion after leaving. Instead, she went directly to the Imperial Kitchen. The dishes she had specifically ordered today were ready, and she wanted to try her own cooking tonight.
As soon as she reached the courtyard of the Imperial Kitchen, she saw Qiushuang standing at the entrance of the courtyard, seemingly waiting for someone. Upon seeing Yun Chang approach, Qiushuang quickly bowed, "Your Highness."
"Has your master returned?" Yun Chang looked towards the courtyard and noticed that the maids and servants in the courtyard were all busy with their tasks, and it was quite quiet.
Qiushuang shook her head, "Not yet."
Yun Chang curled her lips, "Qiushuang, accompany this Highness and have dinner together."
"This..." Qiushuang hesitated. Yun Chang smiled and said, "This Highness knows you are reluctant to dine at the same table with this Highness, and this Highness does not blame you. It's just that today is our private time together. If you refuse again, are you not considering me a friend?"
Qiushuang pursed her lips and finally relented, "This servant thanks Your Highness."
Yun Chang smiled and led Qiushuang into the room. After they sat down, Yun Chang called for Chunxiu and Qiuying to serve the dishes. Yun Chang instructed them to clear out once all the dishes were served.
The State of Xia was a country that highly valued rules. Even the servants of the masters had strict hierarchical divisions. For Yun Chang and Qiushuang, when the master addressed them as Qiushuang and Qiuying, it signified that they were the master's personal maids. They could only be ordered around when the master was inconvenient to go out or had instructions to give, and this was also to prevent anyone from secretly learning the master's habits.
Qiushuang saw Qiuying standing by the door without moving and quickly called out, "Qiuying, aren't you going to come over and help?"
Qiuying glanced at Yun Chang and quickly walked to the dining table, arranging the dishes.
"Qiuying, you've cooked a lot of good dishes today. I wonder what dishes you've made this time," Yun Chang said indistinctly while picking up a piece of sweet and sour pork rib and chewing on it.
Qiuying replied with a blush, "Answering Your Highness, this servant has cooked a pot of lotus root and pork rib soup today."
"Oh?" Yun Chang blinked her beautiful, bright eyes and scanned the table, "So, this table is all your masterpiece?"
Qiuying lowered her head and said, "Your Highness is too kind."
Yun Chang smiled and nodded, "This Highness knows that you are a bit clumsy, but that's fine. As long as you practice diligently, this Highness believes that you will improve one day."
Hearing Yun Chang say this, Qiuying quickly looked up at Yun Chang, "Your Highness, are you praising this servant?"
Yun Chang smiled and nodded, "Yes, this Highness is praising you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Qiuying bowed respectfully to Yun Chang.
Yun Chang reached out to help Qiuying up, "You're welcome. This Highness said that if you are willing to learn cooking from me, this Highness will reward you handsomely."
Qiuying's eyes flashed with surprise, "Really?"
Yun Chang nodded, "What this Highness says is always as good as her word."
"Then, this servant will entrust herself to Your Highness's care from now on!" Qiuying quickly knelt down and said solemnly.
Yun Chang reached out to help Qiuying up, "Alright, this Highness knows. Sit down quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold later."
Qiuying nodded and sat down beside Yun Chang.
Yun Chang raised her eyes and looked at Qiushuang beside her, asking softly, "Qiushuang, this Highness has never asked you, where are you from, and why did you suddenly come to work in the prince's mansion?"
Qiuying was startled and smiled somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, this is the master's order. This servant is just following instructions. As for why this servant suddenly came to the prince's mansion, this servant is not very clear."
Yun Chang nodded upon hearing this, "If that's the case, then serve this Highness well. However, you don't need to be so constrained."
Qiushuang quickly said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your understanding. This servant will not be constrained."
Yun Chang chuckled softly, "Look at you, why are you so timid? This month's wages, this Highness has already prepared them. Take them and spend them well, do not fail the Prince's deep affection for you."
As she spoke, Yun Chang took a bank note from her sleeve and placed it on the table.
"Your Highness, this is absolutely not permissible. You are the master, and this servant is a servant. How can I use things belonging to Your Highness?" Qiuying waved her hands in a panic, but still took the bank note.
Yun Chang smiled and said, "This bank note is a reward for you. Just take it. If you refuse, it means you look down on this Highness, and this Highness will be sad."
"This servant dare not!" Qiuying said quickly.
Yun Chang sighed softly, "Since you dare not, then accept it."
Qiuying hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "Then this servant will respectfully obey."
"That's good," Yun Chang smiled in satisfaction, then picked up a piece of fish and put it in Qiuying's bowl, "Eat more."
Qiuying quickly said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Your Highness, the dishes today, this servant has cooked them more meticulously than usual. Do you like them?"
Yun Chang nodded, "Very good."