Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

24, Empathy (1 update)

Yuan Cheng’s brow slightly furrowed.
Such a good girl…
He turned to find Madam Yuan and instructed the maid to immediately go to the kitchen to help out.
“What’s the matter with you?” Madam Yuan asked, puzzled.
“If that were your own daughter, would you bear to see her among a group of grown men, brandishing a heavy iron ladle?” Yuan Cheng said coldly.
This made Madam Yuan pause.
She truly hadn’t thought of that, but the girl wasn’t her own daughter. If it were her daughter, she would naturally make plans for her and never allow her to be so exposed…
Seeing his wife’s expression, Yuan Cheng knew her thoughts. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
He knew his wife’s temperament all too well; some things were better left unsaid, to avoid damaging the marital relationship.
But actually, Xie Zhinuan hadn’t thought about these things at all. She continuously directed the chefs in cooking, busy at work.
The normally loud-mouthed men became extremely careful and listened attentively, even walking gingerly around her, afraid of bumping into her.
Sometimes, when lust fades away and turns into respect, interactions between men and women don’t have to be awkward. Moreover, her thoughts weren’t confined to the idea that men and women shouldn’t touch; she was earnest in her guidance, without a hint of keeping secrets, which made her even more respected from the bottom of their hearts.
“For this dish, you need high heat. Wait until the oil is very hot, then quickly stir-fry a few times and it’s done. There’s no need to keep stirring incessantly; overdoing it will make the vegetables too soft and lose their flavor!”
Xie Zhinuan demonstrated first by cooking a dish herself and then let the head chef try it.
If others trusted her, she would do her best.
Moreover, she didn’t give the chefs any new dishes, just their usual specialties; she merely improved them. Even when it came to plating, she made it look beautiful and delicate.
“Don’t underestimate this presentation. See how adding a few small flowers lifts the dish to a whole new level?”
“Miss Xie, that’s really true!”
Xie Zhinuan smiled as the dish was served.
It was only when her arms were too tired to lift and her underclothes were drenched with sweat did the lunchtime rush come to an end.
“I’m going back to my room, I’ll teach you more tomorrow!” With that, Xie Zhinuan left the kitchen.
Back in her room, Azhu had already prepared hot water. After taking a hot bath and toweling off her hair, Azhu brought over the meal, “Miss, this was made by the chefs!”
Seeing the dishes, Xie Zhinuan had an idea in mind. She sat down and took a few bites of each, and smiled slightly, “Pretty good!”
Not perfect, but a solid eight out of ten.
Compared to the previous failing grade of five, eight was quite respectable.
After eating lunch, Xie Zhinuan sat in the courtyard to soak up some sun. Once her hair dried, she went for a nap.
She didn’t feel like she was living at another’s mercy, for she lived simply and happily according to her own wishes.
When she woke from her nap, she felt a bit of soreness in her back. Noticing no one was in the room, she went into her space, drank a cup of spring water, and upon coming out, she felt much more comfortable. Stretching and loosening her limbs, she felt thoroughly refreshed.
Her clear and spirited appearance made her look even more stunningly beautiful.
When Azhu came in and saw her, she was surprised for a moment before speaking softly, “Miss, you look even more beautiful today!”
“That’s not true!” Xie Zhinuan chuckled.
“Really, Miss, you also smell so nice, a bit like the scent of bamboo but not quite. It’s just really pleasant!” Azhu said, scratching her head sheepishly, “It makes me really want to be close to you!”
Hearing this, Xie Zhinuan thought of the bamboo-infused medicinal water she had drunk the other day. Could it have turned into a body fragrance? Yet, she couldn’t smell it at all…

Chapter 26