Chapter 24: The Marquis’s Help

When Xia Qingfeng and Xu Xiaoxiao were preparing to leave, they ran into Chang Sile, who was heading toward the inner courtyard. His face was as dark as thunder. Upon seeing Xia Qingfeng, he bowed and greeted her, “Thank you, madam, for treating my grandmother.” After a pause, he added, “I’ve heard from Cang Dao about your matter. After I discuss it with grandmother and mother, I’ll come to your house to visit.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master, for your willingness to help,” Xia Qingfeng responded with a bow.

“Not at all. Madam saved my grandmother from her long-standing illness. This is the least I can do to repay you. And…,” he said, his expression gradually changing, his eyebrows furrowing as his eyes glinted with sharpness, “Qi Yuan and I grew up together. Anyone who harms my brother will not go unpunished. This matter is also personal for me.” Hearing that Cang Dao had mentioned how Cang Qi Yuan had barely survived an assassination attempt, with the West Ping Marquis’s residence involved, Chang Sile was itching to storm the Marquis’s house right then and there.

On the return carriage, Xia Qingfeng asked, “Cang Dao, how’s the investigation into the West Ping Marquis’s residence going?”

“Madam, there hasn’t been much progress. Xu Jingchen is now highly favored by the Third Prince and frequently visits the Third Prince’s residence. Recently, he has been going out of the city to the western outskirts three times, as though plotting something. I sent people to search the West Ping Marquis’s residence, but found nothing. I also went in person, but there was no useful information. The Third Prince’s residence is heavily guarded with elite bodyguards and hidden sentries, so we can’t act rashly,” Cang Dao replied, sounding frustrated.

“Don’t rush it. We must be careful not to alert the enemy. I’ll think of a way once we return to the Marquis’s residence.” Since they had to go back to the Marquis’s residence anyway, Xia Qingfeng decided she might as well do something about it. Ever since returning to the capital, a trace of resentment lingered in her heart—perhaps it was still the original owner’s lingering obsession. Now, armed with medical skills, and with Xu Xiaoxiao’s adult soul, not to mention her own daughter who was always clever and not easily fooled, Xia Qingfeng wasn’t about to let things slide. Although she disliked the scheming and intrigues of the harem, sometimes direct methods were better than indirect ones.

Hmph! Xia Qingfeng firmly believed that in the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks were like paper tigers.

Thinking of this, Xia Qingfeng used her mind to call out to the spatial spirit: “Are you there? I want to return to the Marquis’s residence as soon as possible.”

“Cang Dao is making arrangements. The old madam from the Marquis’s residence will help you return smoothly.”

“Good!” She sighed, “Sigh, taking down a Marquis’s residence is not easy. Does this mean we’ll be staying in the capital for a long time? What about my adoptive parents? Won’t they have to suffer because of this?” Xia Qingfeng seemed a bit troubled.

“Cough, I’ve already taken care of this in my letter. Manager Chen from Guangtong Bank has already sent word by pigeon, and the people in Youzhou are looking after your adoptive parents. Based on the timing, they should be well taken care of by now.”

“That’s a relief. By the way, what exactly did you mention in that letter? No wonder you were in a deep sleep for seven or eight days just writing one letter.” Xia Qingfeng smiled mischievously and added, “Why don’t you sacrifice a few more days and write another letter, asking Cang Qi Yuan’s subordinates to send me more money and servants? That way, when we get to Youzhou, I won’t have to work so hard. Hahaha!”

“You little rascal!” The spatial spirit paused before replying seriously: “I won’t let you and your daughter suffer. You deserve the best in this world.”

“Just kidding! Don’t be so serious. With me and Xiaoxiao’s abilities, how could we suffer? Not only do I want to live a good life, but I also want the people around me to live well.”

“I believe you can.”

The next morning, Chang Sile arrived at their door, bringing with him the old madam’s gratitude: several bolts of fine silk, a full set of gold-threaded headpieces, a pair of high-quality jade bracelets, and a gold lock for Xu Xiaoxiao. The madam also specially had the kitchen prepare many exquisite pastries for Xu Xiaoxiao to enjoy.

Of course, he had arrived early also because he wanted to get in on breakfast. The day before, Cang Ji had already given him a rundown of Xia Qingfeng’s culinary skills. Since he was here, how could he not have a meal?

For breakfast, the household prepared goji berry and red date porridge and meat porridge, with the main dishes being cornmeal vegetable buns and pork and cabbage dumplings. In this era, most wheat-based food was steamed buns, cornmeal cakes, or flatbreads. Stuffed buns weren’t common yet, so Xu Xiaoxiao really liked them. Both of them were skilled at making these, and Xia Qingfeng personally taught the kitchen maids. They learned quickly, and soon breakfast was served.

Since there were many people in the house, Xia Qingfeng couldn’t use the spatial ring to take anything, so she just divided up salted duck eggs and salted chicken eggs into four portions on a plate.

Chang Sile was surprised to learn that steamed buns could be stuffed, porridge could be made sweet or savory, and eggs could have golden oil inside. As he ate, he praised the food and thought about how he could find a reason to come and eat more often.

After breakfast, Chang Sile invited Xia Qingfeng to accompany the old madam to Chongfu Temple on the outskirts of the capital to offer incense two days later. Xia Qingfeng could guess the true purpose of the trip, and she gladly accepted. Before leaving, Xia Qingfeng also packed some cornmeal vegetable buns, pork and cabbage buns, and salted eggs for Chang Sile to take back. She specially instructed him that the cornmeal vegetable buns were for the old madam and that she could only have a small taste of the salted eggs.

Chang Sile was overjoyed, and with his attendants, he hurriedly returned to the Marquis’s residence.