Chapter 670 - 346: Integrating into Village Life (2)

Chapter 670: Chapter 346: Integrating into Village Life (2)

Liu Yunlan was utterly captivated by Mrs. Gao’s embroidery. She stole moments from her busy schedule to come over and sincerely ask for needlework advice. Mrs. Gao was also very interested in Liu Yunlan’s own work, finding it a special comfort to look at. Sometimes the two would chatter away for half the day, and Meizi would also pop over from time to time to join the fun.

Although Juhua liked looking at embroidery, she refused to learn it for the life of her. Therefore, whenever Mrs. Gao was teaching Liu Yunlan and Meizi, Juhua kept her distance.

Aside from embroidery, there was also cooking.

Whenever Yun Ying saw a delicious dish, she had to ask for the recipe. She and Mrs. Gao collaborated, taking turns teaching each other. They complemented each other’s strengths and made a great many delicious pastries and treats.

Juhua, on the other hand, only watched and didn’t participate. Oh, but she certainly ate with great enthusiasm!

Yun Ying asked curiously, "Juhua, don’t you love experimenting with new dishes and pastries? Why not come give this a try?"

Juhua smiled languidly. "You two are already on it. Why do I have to get my hands dirty too?"

Mrs. Gao quickly asked, "Are you feeling unwell? Then don’t force yourself. I’ll write down the recipe for you later. You can try making it yourself after the baby comes."

Seeing her concerned expression, Juhua felt a little embarrassed and explained, "I don’t know why, but I’m just not that into it. Of course, I love eating them, I just don’t want to learn how to make them. Maybe it’s because these pastries are too fancy. The ingredients are expensive and they’re a hassle to prepare. A family like ours can’t afford to make them regularly, so I can’t be bothered to learn."

’Of course, these exquisite pastries are a nice treat once in a while. But eating them often would be a hassle to make and not very economical. Besides, eating too many isn’t good for you—they’re all high in sugar and calories. I’d rather eat the fruit pies I make; at least those are cheap to prepare.’

Yun Ying said incredulously, "Some of the dishes you make are far more work than this. How come you never complain about the hassle then?"

Juhua replied, "Think about it. Isn’t everything I make either grown or raised by my own family? Or at least very easy to get. If I have to buy ingredients, they have to be cheap. For these pastries you’re making, let’s not even talk about the other stuff—who knows how much sugar and oil alone you go through. When I’m rich enough to afford eating these every day, I won’t need to make them myself. I’ll just have the servant girls do it."

Yun Ying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but on second thought, it was true. The fruit pies and thin pancakes with various fillings that Juhua made were a lot of work, but the ingredients were indeed all grown in her own yard and weren’t worth much money. The artemisia cakes were made with wild artemisia foraged from the fields, and the shepherd’s purse dumplings were made with wild greens, too. Then there were the grass jelly, hot and sour glass noodles, and so on—all made from ordinary ingredients.

Although she shook her head in disapproval, Yun Ying had to admit that Juhua was right.

When the young women got together, there was no scheming or malicious gossip. With a few small children in the mix, things were always incredibly lively.

Mrs. Gao had also fervently invited them to visit the Li Family, saying she wanted a chance to be the host and entertain them.

In the end, Juhua and Yun Ying only stayed for a short while before making an excuse to leave—because that group of maids and matronly servants was simply unbearable.

Mrs. Gao had instructed her maids and serving women to set out tea and pastries for her guests while she pulled Juhua and Yun Ying aside to chat. Although the servants were polite and respectful on the surface, the disdain in their eyes was unmistakable. Their condescending attitude as they set down the tea and pastries seemed to say, ’You country bumpkins have surely never eaten anything this good. You’re really benefiting from our mistress’s grace today.’

That attitude was one thing. But what truly made Juhua feel it was intolerable was when, after serving the tea, the servants all lined up behind Mrs. Gao, eyeing their guests with wary, sidelong glances.

’I can’t be bothered to stay here any longer,’ she thought. ’I’m not going to suffer just to maintain etiquette or save face. And I’m certainly not going to stoop to arguing with a servant just to get some satisfaction. I’d rather spend the time by the river, enjoying the breeze and cooling off! Mrs. Gao must either be too naive, or she’s just so used to these servants’ ugly expressions that she’s become numb to it.’

’No wonder I heard that Li Changyu sent away the servants attending his wife. These people are truly out of line. Judging by Mrs. Gao’s conduct, the Gao Family must be one that values rules and propriety, so it’s not that the servants don’t know any better. I’m afraid they’ve had it easy for too long and have gotten used to feeling superior. That’s the only explanation for this kind of behavior.’

Yun Ying, however, had a fiery temper. Unlike Juhua, who had the composure of someone much older and could hide her feelings, Yun Ying was so angry she fell silent, her face stony. ’How dare they look down on me? What kind of wealth and splendor haven’t I seen? Even ducal and royal households would treat my father and me as honored guests.’ So, when Juhua said she was feeling unwell and wanted to leave, Yun Ying naturally went with her. Before she left, she shot a fierce glare at the group of maids and serving women.

Mrs. Gao was surprised, truly believing Juhua was unwell. She hastily ordered one of her personal serving women to escort her home, but Juhua stopped her with a wave of her hand, saying she would be fine with Yun Ying accompanying her. Only then did Mrs. Gao relent. Afterward, however, she still sent a maid to the Zhang family to check on Juhua, and only relaxed after hearing that she was all right.

That evening, she told Li Changyu about what had happened.

Li Changyu understood the reason immediately. He solemnly told her that she needed to discipline her personal servants properly. He explained that they were all snobs obsessed with wealth and status; they even looked down on him, their master by marriage, to say nothing of the village neighbors.

"Wan’er, I’ve already sent four of them away, which I know was a blow to your pride. If I get rid of the rest, even I will feel it’s going too far. So you need to take this seriously. You’re the mistress of this household now. If you don’t discipline these servants properly, sooner or later they will cause trouble for you."

Mrs. Gao’s expression changed with anger. She immediately summoned the maids and serving women to reprimand them.