Chapter 615 - 617: A Drama of Three Women
"Ruozhu, I saw your carriage parked outside when I came for a meal, so I inquired with the shopkeeper and took the liberty of coming to disturb you." A lady in a red equestrian outfit, Tu Ying, stood at the entrance of the private room, speaking to Bai Ruozhu with a smile on her face.
Bai Ruozhu quickly glanced at her second eldest brother, noting that his former composed demeanor was gone and he seemed to be seeking an opportunity to escape.
She stifled a laugh and said to Tu Ying: "Since you’re already here, come in and take a seat."
Tu Ying’s face lit up like a blooming red rose, she cheerfully entered the private room and sat down in the empty seat next to Bai Zepei.
Suddenly, Bai Zepei’s face reddened suspiciously, a tad frustrated that the empty seat was right next to him.
"Xiaosi, swap seats with Miss Tu, so that my sister’s friend can sit closer to her." Bai Zepei quickly recovered his composure, cleverly proposing a solution.
Xiaosi immediately agreed and got up to swap seats with Tu Ying. The smile on Tu Ying’s face disappeared momentarily, but being a resilient woman, it quickly returned once she started chatting with Bai Ruozhu.
"Ruozhu, are all these people your friends? Shall we introduce ourselves?" After saying this, she gallantly introduced herself to Xu Huilin and Wu Wanqing, saying, "My name is Tu Ying, and yours?"
Not certain if Xu Huilin’s identity could be disclosed, Bai Ruozhu looked at him. Huilin seemed to be lost in thought, likely deducing from Tu Ying’s profile that she was the daughter of a military officer.
"My name is Wu Wanqing, and this is my senior Xu Huilin. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tu," Wu Wanqing responded softly. She was aware of what could be revealed and what was better left unsaid, and looked at Bai Ruozhu with a profound smile after she finished speaking.
Ignoring Wanqing’s antics, Bai Ruozhu fetched a delicacy known as a "Fresh Orange Snow Mei Niang" and placed it on the bone-dish in front of Tu Ying, saying cheerfully, "Try this and see if you like it. Let me know your favorites, and I’ll order a few more dishes."
Hurriedly, Tu Ying declined, "No, no, there’s no need for that. These dishes are more than enough already."
Bai Ruozhu teased her, "You’re being too formal with me. Don’t worry, I don’t have to pay for my meals here."
Tu Ying expressed surprise, "But this is Xian Ke Lai, the best restaurant in Beiyu City. How are you able to manage this?"
With a playful smile, Bai Ruozhu replied, "The Fresh Orange Snow Mei Niang you’re holding is a recipe that I taught the Dong Family, who own this restaurant. Of course, I deserve such a privilege."
"Wow, I must try it now then," exclaimed Tu Ying, her straightforward and unpretentious nature flashing a genuine smile. After taking a big bite of the Snow Mei Niang, her eyes widened in surprise.
She gave Bai Ruozhu a thumbs up, "This is so delicious. It’s no wonder you can enjoy free meals. If I were the restaurant owner, I’d definitely share the profits with you."
Suppressing her laughter, Bai Ruozhu caught Wu Wanqing out of the corner of her eye. As expected, Wanqing’s face had turned pale, turning green in jealousy and black in anger.
"If it’s delicious, have another one." She handed another piece to Tu Ying, then turned to the others and said, "You all should try some as well. Don’t just watch Tu Ying eat, it’s making the young maiden uncomfortable."
Tu Ying gave a hearty laugh, and confidently said, "No worries, I never feel embarrassed." As she spoke, there was a dot of cream on her lips, making her look quite adorable.
Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help but wipe the cream off Tu Ying’s lips as if caring for her younger sister. After doing so, she realized that if this girl were to become her sister-in-law in the future, that would be quite interesting.
Bai Zepei’s lips twitched when he heard Tu Ying say she was "never embarrassed". He continued eating his food without paying much attention to Tu Ying.
Subsequently, Bai Ruozhu instructed the waiter to bring in a few more hot dishes and a nourishing soup suitable for ladies.
When the soup arrived, she rolled up her sleeves and began to serve everyone. She first served Wu Wanqing, placing a bowl in front of her and saying, "Miss Wu, try this soup. It is very nourishing for women in winter."
At this point, Wu Wanqing’s face had already turned bleak. Earlier, she had been complimenting the sophistication and flavor of the dishes here to her second senior, only to find out that those ideas originated from Bai Ruozhu. She vowed never to dine here again!
"No need, I’ve been having a lot of heat recently, inappropriate for such a replenishing dish." Wu Wanqing responded coldly.
Her tone had inadvertently become harsh, and everyone at the table picked up on this.
However, Bai Ruozhu remained unfazed - her smile as radiant as ever - responded, "Miss Wu, don’t worry. This soup is warming, not heat inducing."
Ignoring Wu Wanqing’s response, she turned to serve a bowl to Tu Ying. After tasting the soup, Tu Ying nodded approvingly, "It’s thick but not greasy, with a pleasant aroma."
Continuing, Bai Ruozhu served the soup to Xu Huilin, her second brother, and Xiaosi one by one, after which there wasn’t much soup left.
Looking at Wu Wanqing, Bai Ruozhu asked, "Are you sure that you don’t want any, Miss Wu?"
"I don’t want it, please do as you wish," Wu Wanqing replied coldly.
Bai Ruozhu promptly picked up the bowl of soup from in front of Wu Wanqing and placed it in front of herself, "Well then, I won’t stand on ceremony."
Wu Wanqing scoffed, grumbling more to herself than anyone else, "Always seem to prefer other people’s leftovers."
Bai Ruozhu took her time scooping a spoonful of soup and savoring it, then leisurely commented, "Since they’re unwanted by you, why regret them? Why harbor such sour feelings?"
Xu Huilin’s lips twitched; a peaceful meal was beginning to feel more like a battlefield over a bowl of soup, indirectly involving Jiang Yichun as well.
Unexpectedly, Tu Ying looked at Wu Wanqing displaying confusion and said, "Why is Miss Wu being so petty? You said you didn’t want the soup, yet you don’t want others to have it? Even in our household, we don’t waste food like this."
Xu Huilin’s lips twitched again. Was Tu Ying truly oblivious to the hidden meanings in their conversation? How did she manage to bring the issue into sharp focus?
Wu Wanqing was taken aback by Tu Ying’s words, then she tried to squeeze out a smile and said, "Miss Wu misunderstood, I didn’t mean that."
Tu Ying widened her eyes at Wanqing’s response, "How could I have misunderstood? I’m trained in martial arts, my hearing is excellent. Don’t tell me that you’re a person who doesn’t stand by her words?"
"You..." Wu Wanqing was on the verge of losing her cool when Xu Huilin intercepted, "Miss Bai, I just remembered some official work I need to attend to. I’ll take your leave for now and plan for a chance to return your hospitality along with Xiaosi and Mr. Bai."
He then turned to Wu Wanqing and said, "Junior sister, let’s go. We don’t want our master to worry if we stay out too long."
Bai Ruozhu rose from her seat, her eyes smothered in a smile, and said, "Mr. Xu, please go ahead with your work."
Xiaosi also stood up and saluted like a young adult, saying, "Thank you, second master, for today."
Xu Huilin gave an awkward smile, and then hurriedly left with Wu Wanqing.