Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 38 Undercurrents

The flower hall was adorned with flowers, and people were chatting and laughing.

The old lady had only one son, and naturally only one daughter-in-law. However, Madam Yun was pregnant, so she had to entertain the people of the Marquis's mansion. Over time, she gradually showed signs of fatigue.

The second young lady was a dutiful daughter, so she got up and told the old lady that the small kitchen in the mansion had recently made some fresh snacks and drinks, and invited all the younger sisters to sit at Yunyi Courtyard. Suwen also felt sorry for the old lady and gave the second young lady a grateful look.

The old lady went along with it, and for some reason suddenly remembered the little girl Donggua, and pointed with a smile to Meng Shu behind the second young lady.

“Your colleague who works at Fu’an Residence has recently developed a winter melon drink. The physician said it’s excellent, as it quenches thirst, clears the liver, and improves eyesight. Go to the kitchen and have her prepare it.”

Meng Shu was observing the tall, thin nanny when she was surprised that the old lady would speak to her in public. She quickly curtsied and, under the ambiguous gazes of the crowd, gave a reply.

Guangbai was very clever. Knowing that Meng Shu and Hua Ying were on good terms, he quickly ordered Hua Ying to take Meng Shu there.

The second young lady gently patted Meng Shu's hand and carefully instructed the small kitchen to prepare several kinds of tea and fruit and send them directly to Yunyi Garden. Meng Shu nodded and left the flower hall with Hua Ying.

Just as they reached the entrance of the flower hall and hadn't even stepped out, they overheard the second young lady of the Marquis's mansion saying to the old lady, "Old lady, Lin'an is truly a beautiful and blessed place. Even a random second-class maid in the manor is so beautiful. I just saw her keeping her head down behind Sister Wan, and it seems..."

Meng Shu couldn't hear what was said after that. Hua Ying was four years older than Meng Shu and walked side by side with her towards the small kitchen. On the way, she squeezed Meng Shu's hand to tell her not to mind.

After all, publicly praising a maid's beauty would naturally displease some of the young masters. If the second young lady was intolerant, it would be a disaster for Meng Shu. Therefore, the understanding Hua Ying comforted her.

"This second young lady of the Marquis's mansion has been spoiled since childhood. She has the personality of saying whatever comes to mind. She is not a bad person. Even if she is a little jealous, it doesn't matter. Our second young lady will always protect you."

Meng Shu smiled and said, "We servants are all carefree. Serving our masters well is the most important thing. Other things don't really matter."

Hua Ying chuckled and tapped Meng Shu's forehead with a smile, "I knew you wouldn't take it to heart. You're smart; you can handle any trouble you might have. I'm just worrying about you for nothing."

"Sister, what you're saying is so dishonest. Haven't I given you enough in the past, with my shoes, socks, and purses?"

Hua Ying liked Meng Shu's personality very much. She was generous, smart and quick-witted, didn't back down from the crowd, and was grateful. Even Aunt An from the small kitchen praised her a lot.

"Your little sister named Donggua is truly remarkable. Although she doesn't seem very bright, she can immerse herself in research with all her might. The old lady really likes the Donggua drink she makes, but since Donggua is cold in nature, the family doctor doesn't allow her to use too much."

By the way, she's received quite a few rewards recently. Madam Yun and several concubines also gave her some. There are many people and eyes in the small kitchen, and I noticed that a few of the maids are quite dissatisfied with her. However, Donggua is considered Mama An's apprentice, so thankfully nothing bad has happened yet. You're close to her, so find some time to give her a heads-up.

Meng Shu also heard about Donggua being rewarded. In the mansion, servants who could make the old lady happy and serve her diligently would be rewarded by Madam Yun and the concubines as a sign of their respect for the old lady. Donggua even specially shared a lot of things with herself and Lvliu after receiving the reward.

"Are you hostile towards winter melon?"

Meng Shu's heart sank. Thinking of Dong Gua's personality, she said to Hua Ying, "Dong Gua probably doesn't realize that she's a bit of a madwoman when she's working in the small kitchen."

Hua Ying nodded. "That's right. If it weren't for someone honestly telling Sister Guangbai, we wouldn't have known either. I occasionally go to the small kitchen to run errands and observe from the sidelines. You, my dear friend, really didn't notice anything."

The small kitchen was a scene of bustling activity. Although it only prepared food for the old lady, she usually sent dishes to other rooms. So, by late afternoon, the pots and pans were already clattering away.

Donggua was kneading dough to prepare steamed buns when, upon receiving the instruction, he immediately took out a porcelain jar from the long cabinet in front of him. "Donggua drink is very convenient; it will be ready in a moment."

Meng Shu and Hua Ying then instructed Steward An on the other tea and fruit. Steward An hurriedly instructed the others and assigned people to deliver the food boxes later. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Hua Ying returned to the main courtyard.

Steward An had some delicate snacks brought out for Meng Shu to eat first. While chatting with Steward An, Meng Shu observed the people in the small kitchen. Steward An simply assumed Meng Shu was curious and didn't think anything of it.

Meng Shu narrowed her eyes and noticed a little maid in a light red dress. She kept paying attention to the winter melon, especially when the winter melon was being brewed into a drink.

Before long, Donggua had brewed a cup of tea. The small kitchen was extremely hot in the summer, so she handed it to Meng Shu to help her cool down.

Meng Shu took it, examined it carefully, and couldn't help but frown.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this drink?"

Manager An was a veteran who had worked in the kitchen for many years, and he had a cautious nature.

"The color seems a bit too yellow. The winter melon drink that was sent to Yunyi Academy in the past was a darker brown with distinct layers."

As soon as Meng Shu said this, Steward An also realized the problem. She immediately looked up and scanned everyone present, her face darkening.

Donggua was just a little absent-minded when she was doing things. She wasn't stupid. She picked up the cup and examined it carefully. She smelled a very faint medicinal scent. If it weren't for her sensitive sense of smell, this scent would have been masked by the taste of the Donggua drink itself, and an ordinary person would never have been able to smell it.

Meng Shu was giving Manager An a meaningful look when she looked up and suddenly saw the simple-minded Dong Gua pick up the cup and take a small sip. This action startled Meng Shu, but fortunately, she only made a face and spat it out instantly. When she opened her mouth, even her tongue turned a pale yellow color.

"It's so bitter! How could it be so bitter!" Donggua threw down the cup and yelled, then ran outside to rinse his mouth.

Manager An sneered, "It seems our little kitchen has also produced some troublemakers."

Quite a bit of time had already been wasted. Fortunately, Donggua had made quite a lot beforehand, and several jars were being kept in the well for refrigeration. Seeing that Donggua was alright, Meng Shu helped her prepare the drinks, and also made some snacks and tea. Yunyi Courtyard couldn't be delayed any longer, so Steward An reassured Meng Shu. Meng Shu didn't have time to comfort Donggua and hurriedly took the food box and several maids and servants back to Yunyi Courtyard.

Walking on the road, Meng Shu was worried about Dong Gua, but she also believed that Manager An would handle it well.

Then I felt both very fortunate and terrified.

Fortunately, the old lady pointed her out to help, and Huaying happened to remind her on the way that someone was targeting Donggua. Because Donggua and she were good friends, she offered her a cup first. If any of these steps had not happened, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

If there's a problem with the drinks delivered to Yunyi Academy, Donggua and I will definitely be implicated. Even if we aren't severely punished, Donggua's dream of becoming a manager will certainly be thwarted.

After this incident, Meng Shu realized that although the inner quarters of the Tang family were calm on the surface, beneath the tranquil surface, every little maid was harboring turbulent undercurrents.