Chapter Thirty-Eight: Underestimation

In the kitchen, a timid old servant woman stepped forward, trembling. “Young Miss… I’ll make your meal right away. Please, let Madam He go.”

A mocking smile curled at the corners of Su Lilu’s lips. “Start cooking, then. If I get so hungry that my head spins, I can’t guarantee my hand will remain steady. If Madam He gets hurt, you’ll have no one but yourselves to blame.” As Su Lilu applied the slightest pressure, Madam He nearly collapsed in fright.

The old woman dared not say another word, obediently standing at the stove. Seeing Madam He’s face drained of all color, Su Lilu eased the knife away from her neck a little. Deprived of restraint, Madam He collapsed to the floor in disarray.

“Madam He, you’ll stay kneeling here until I’ve finished my meal. Only then may you rise—do you understand?” Yuxin, ever attentive, brought over a chair for Su Lilu and placed a blue cushion upon it.

Madam He nodded fervently, terrified that any delay would see the knife once again at her throat. “Yes, Miss. Unless you call me to rise, I’ll remain here, I swear it.”

“Well then, what are you waiting for?” Su Lilu seated herself in the very center of the kitchen, unconcerned by the heavy smell of smoke and food. Madam He, trembling, knelt properly before Su Lilu; Su Lilu need only stretch out her foot for Madam He to lift her head.

“Yuxin, I’m thirsty.” At her words, a clever maid swiftly brought over a cup of hot tea, which Yuxin presented to Su Lilu. She held the cup comfortably, took a sip, and praised, “Very good.”

Su Lilu glanced toward the stove. The old servant there worked quickly; soon, the dishes would be ready. The delicious aroma pervaded the kitchen, and Su Lilu, rubbing her stomach, only felt hungrier. “Is it ready yet?” she urged impatiently.

The woman at the stove flinched, replying with a bitter face, “Not yet, Miss. Please wait a while longer.” Feeling Su Lilu’s intense gaze finally move away, she haphazardly wiped the sweat from her brow and focused on the dishes.

“What is going on here? Have you all lost your senses?” A shrill voice rang out. Seeing the newcomer, Madam He’s eyes filled with tears, but with the formidable Su Lilu still present, she dared not rise, though her demeanor was no longer as meek as before.

“Mother, what brings you here?” Su Lilu stood and swept a glance around. Noticing a servant cowering behind Yao Ruoshui, she smiled knowingly—so that was the reason.

Yao Ruoshui, seeing Su Lilu acting every bit the pampered young mistress, frowned. Her displeasure grew when she saw her own stewardess kneeling before Su Lilu. “So, in my absence the rules mean nothing? Madam He, why are you kneeling? Get up and answer me at once!”

Suddenly, Su Lilu stepped forward with a sob. “Mother, the staff in this kitchen treat me with no respect. I merely asked for a few dishes, and they refused me again and again. Had I not come myself, I would surely have starved by now.”

Yao Ruoshui, caught off guard by Su Lilu’s preemptive complaint, and seeing Madam He’s evasiveness, swallowed her anger and gently soothed, “Lilu, let them prepare your meal at once. Don’t cry any longer. Madam He knows her mistake; let her get up.”

Yao Ruoshui wished she could slap Su Lilu, but outwardly, she could only force a smile, nearly choking on her own resentment.

“Mother, these servants have forgotten all about decorum. Today, I will help you teach them a lesson.” Sudden as a storm, Su Lilu flung herself into Yao Ruoshui’s arms. Yao Ruoshui stiffened, hands awkwardly outstretched, not knowing where to place them.

With her head pressed to Yao Ruoshui’s chest, Su Lilu caught the heavy scent of rouge and nearly sneezed. Overwhelmed by the fragrance, her tears flowed even more freely. Unabashed, she rubbed her face against Yao Ruoshui’s silk brocade, leaving both tears and snot streaked upon the bright red fabric.

Sensing that Su Lilu was still crying, Yao Ruoshui wanted to push her away, but Su Lilu clung to her tightly, making it impossible to escape. With anger in her voice, she said, “Lilu, you’re clinging to me like a child. You’re making me terribly uncomfortable. What will people think of your mother?”

“Mother, are you spurning me? I knew it—the servants in this house can bully me at will, and even in the kitchen, I have no standing.” Hearing Su Lilu’s sobs, Yao Ruoshui’s heart tightened. If word of this reached the old madam, she, the wife of the Prime Minister, would suffer for it.

Yao Ruoshui felt sticky and miserable, thinking of Su Lilu’s tears and other things smeared on her clothes. Veins bulged at her temples as Su Lilu’s wailing grew ever louder, as if determined to make sure everyone knew what had transpired in the kitchen.

Taking several deep breaths to contain her fury, Yao Ruoshui spoke gently, “Lilu, what are you doing? I’m tired today, and you’re acting like a child. Come now, get up so we can speak properly.”

Su Lilu, suppressing laughter, trembled with mirth. Fearing Yao Ruoshui would notice, she covered her face with a handkerchief and slowly withdrew from her embrace. Yao Ruoshui, seeing the dark red stain on her chest, was livid.

With a cold expression, Yao Ruoshui watched Su Lilu stand before her, head bowed, her face unreadable. Remembering Su Lilu’s earlier defiance, she snapped, “Su Lilu, I heard that today you were punished again by Madam Zhao and Madam Chang. What kind of lessons are you attending?”

“You are right, Mother. I know I was wrong,” Su Lilu replied suddenly with surprising meekness, leaving Yao Ruoshui somewhat taken aback. Yet sensing her attitude was half-hearted, Yao Ruoshui vented all her earlier frustration on Su Lilu.

“Is a single admission of fault enough for forgiveness? Since you haven’t learned proper conduct, and dare to cause trouble in the kitchen, clearly you need to be taught a lesson.” Yao Ruoshui regained her outward calm, but her words were sharper than ever. Yet she soon regretted her loss of composure—why let herself be angered by a daughter so out of favor?

“Mother, I was simply too hungry and acted out of line. Please don’t punish me; I already know my mistake. Let this pass, Mother—show mercy to your wayward child.” Su Lilu glanced toward the stove, seeing the old woman plating the dishes. Her mood brightened, and she was content to drag out the conversation with Yao Ruoshui.

With one “I know I was wrong” after another, Su Lilu left Yao Ruoshui at a loss as to how to discipline her. As the dishes were set out, Su Lilu suddenly raised her head. “Yuxin, bring the food. It is late; we should return to our rooms.”

Taking a few steps toward the door, Su Lilu paused to bow. “Your daughter takes her leave.”

Yao Ruoshui pointed after her, rendered speechless. Madam He, weeping, clutched at Yao Ruoshui’s skirt, but with a quick kick, Yao Ruoshui kept her at bay. “This is all your fault, you wretched servant!”