Shaoyao looked up at her friend, her eyes asking, 'Is this alright now?'
Hua Zhi patted her shoulder reassuringly, "Your granddaughter will first take Shaoyao to review the prescription."
"Go ahead, entertain her well."
"Yes."
Listening to the fading footsteps, Old Madam sighed with emotion, "Who knows what exactly happened at the estate that she even met such a young female doctor."
Su Momo handed her a teacup, "When did a female doctor appear in the capital? This servant has only heard of female physicians in the palace, but this is the first time I've seen a female doctor!"
"With female teachers already existing, a female doctor isn't so surprising. It's just such a coincidence that they're all connected to our family." Though somewhat worried, Old Madam couldn't suppress her pride - a female teacher, and one recognized by Mr. Mu at that, could an ordinary person achieve this?
"How much truth do you think was in her words?"
"It must be completely true. That girl came from outside and didn't have time to coordinate with the Eldest Young Miss."
"Do you think I didn't notice their little exchanges?" Old Madam glanced at her old servant with a smile, making her lower her head, "Those words were certainly true, but not complete. Zhi Er isn't afraid of me knowing - she's afraid of other family members finding out. She's being cautious!"
"The Eldest Young Miss is capable."
"Yes, capable." Precisely because she was capable, she had to shoulder such great responsibility. Those incapable ones who enjoyed her protection didn't know to be grateful, not considering how to lend a hand but calculating what they hadn't received.
People can be discontent, but they mustn't be ungrateful.
On the way back to her own courtyard, Hua Zhi observed Shaoyao. Seeing her unmoved expression while looking at the deep mansion compound, she knew that what Shaoyao usually saw wouldn't be inferior to the Hua family. Truthfully, she was curious about that man, though not curious enough to investigate thoroughly.
Curiosity killed the cat wasn't just a saying.
"Hua Zhi, what delicious food will Fu Dong make for lunch?"
Hua Zhi chuckled, all her contemplations scattering, "Knowing you're here, she'll definitely prepare extra dishes. If you're not in a hurry to leave, I'll have her make braised pork knuckle in soy sauce for dinner."
"No hurry, no hurry. I'm not leaving." Remembering she hadn't asked her host, Shaoyao grasped Hua Zhi's hand, leaning forward with half-bent posture, "Can I stay at your house?"
"Of course you can. Are you done with your work?"
"All done. My master gave me leave." Shaoyao was overjoyed - she had even brought changes of clothes and personal items.
Fu Dong was indeed very happy to see her, "This maid will immediately prepare more of your favorite dishes, Miss Shaoyao."
Shaoyao swallowed several times, her eyes sparkling brightly, looking as if she wished she could follow Fu Dong into the kitchen. Fortunately, she remembered that her friend was more important.
The group entered the room, where Bao Xia bowed with smiling eyes. Returning to her young lady's side made her feel completely comfortable, "The workshop is doing well, Young Lady needn't worry. Both Liu Qi and Liu Jiang are diligent - there hasn't been the slightest disorder during this period."
Signaling a young maid to bring up the porcelain jar, she scooped out a bowl and presented it to her young lady, "These citrus fruits were all prepared according to your requirements. The fleshy peaches have all been completed. We started processing citrus yesterday - this is the finished product. Please taste it."The quality of the rock sugar affects the appearance—glistening with a hint of yellow, a few tangerine segments floating within, and a faint fruity aroma wafts over, making one's mouth water.
Stirring with a spoon, the syrup isn't thin but has a slightly thick, pulpy consistency, though not overly so. Regardless of the taste, the presentation alone counts as a success.
Taking a spoonful into her mouth, Hua Zhi chewed slowly and nodded slightly, "This is the right flavor."
Bao Xia visibly relaxed, pursing her lips into a smile. "This batch was made by me. I tasted the ones the others made, and there's no difference from mine."
Ying Chun tapped her forehead. "Still boasting? Aren't you ashamed? If you couldn't do it well even after Miss taught you step by step, would you have the nerve to call yourself one of Miss's close attendants?"
Bao Xia stuck out her tongue and didn't dare say another word.
"Your performance is indeed good, so I'll reward you with some of Fu Dong's handmade new pastries."
"Fu Dong made new pastries again?" Before Bao Xia could respond, Shaoyao cut in, her eyes sparkling as she asked.
"Yes. I plan to open a food shop. Lately, aside from cooking, she's been spending all her time experimenting with these. Don't worry, you'll get to eat your fill."
Shaoyao chuckled gleefully.
"How many underground cellars are filled with canned nectarine? Can such a large shipment of citrus all fit?"
"Barely. After you returned, Wu Da and the others dug out two more quite large underground cellars. Later, when the people from Miss Shaoyao's side came by again, I took the liberty of asking them to deliver more ice, and they did. Without these two additional cellars, there's no way all the citrus would have fit."
Hua Zhi nodded. Compared to those who need to seek instructions for every little thing, her senior maids had already proven to be quite competent managers. "Once we sell this batch of canned goods and the funds come in, we'll renovate that estate and turn it into a proper workshop. For now, we're still making do."
"Does Miss plan to run this business long-term?"
"Why not? It's not just fleshy peaches and citrus—apples, pears, lychees, and so on can all be processed. Even if others try to copy us later, this big cake will still be ours. In time, you'll see just how profitable this venture is."
"If Miss says it's profitable, then it surely is." Bao Xia curtsied. "I'll go inform Fu Dong. If she makes too little, my reward portion might end up in Miss Shaoyao's stomach."
Shaoyao nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes, tell Fu Dong to make more! I've missed her so much lately."
"You probably just miss her pastries, don't you?"
"Of course."
The room erupted in laughter. Ying Chun, noticing that her young lady's brow had relaxed somewhat, breathed a sigh of relief and led the others out.
"Hua Hua, you've trained your maids so well. Not just in terms of discipline, but their spirit—it's completely different from the maids in other households."
Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Hua Hua?"
"Calling you by your full name feels too distant. You can call me Shao Shao or Yao Yao if you like."
"...Are there any other options?"
Shaoyao touched her own face. "Scar Scar?"
That was even worse than Shao Shao. Hua Zhi pulled her hand away from her face. "Did you have a childhood nickname?""I don't know. I don't remember anything before I was ten. When I woke up, my face had already become like this. No one in my family ever said there was anything wrong with my face. Back then, I truly understood nothing and thought such a face was normal. Once, when my masters went out on a mission, I sneaked away and went outside. I frightened many people—they threw stones at me and called me a monster..."
"Stop. I won't ask about these things anymore."
PS: Ladies, please stop rushing me. Kongkong really can't write any faster. When you rush me, I get anxious and start crying...
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