Chapter 10: The Way to Control the Lower Realm

Zhao Ximei picked up a piece of Chinese cabbage, first sniffed it, then took a small bite, and put down her chopsticks, instructing calmly, "Pack up these leftovers as they are."

The others were puzzled, but then they saw her brush her sleeves and say, "Don't we have vegetables in the rose garden? Ask Mama Liu to get some vegetables from the garden and prepare dinner."

Jinxiu responded and went to the small kitchen to give instructions.

Yinbao followed, feeling indignant, "Miss, I think the main kitchen is doing this on purpose! Are we going to eat radishes and cabbage from the garden for all three meals in the future?"

Zhenzhu quickly interrupted her with a meaningful look, "Say a few less words. The main kitchen may have just made a mistake, and this kind of situation happens. Let's endure for now and not stir up any other trouble."

Yulan carried a bamboo basket and picked some mustard greens, a white radish, and a Chinese cabbage.

The maids had never worked in the kitchen before, but fortunately, Mama Liu used to live in the countryside, so she took charge of the kitchen herself, instructing the maids to start the fire and steam the rice, while she began cooking.

Zhao Ximei stood on the veranda, unable to help but smile.

Madam San genuinely wanted to help her, deliberately bringing a servant like Mama Liu over, perhaps foreseeing that she would be treated coldly?

Before long, Mama Liu brought the dishes to the table.

There was a plate of shredded radish in vinegar, each strand finely cut; a plate of stir-fried radish greens, only two inches long, fresh and tender; a plate of sour and spicy Chinese cabbage, sprinkled with fine and bright red chili powder; and a steaming bowl of mustard green soup, emitting the unique fragrance of wild vegetables.

"Miss, please try it," Mama Liu said with a smile.

Jinxiu and Zhenzhu immediately stood on either side, while Zhao Ximei sat down as if no one else was there, picked up some shredded radish with her chopsticks, and tasted it. It was sweet, crisp, and refreshing, so she nodded with a smile and gave Mama Liu an approving look.

Zhao Ximei was not picky about food, and Mama Liu's cooking was indeed good, so she enjoyed the all-vegetable meal.

However, Mama Liu felt guilty and said, "When spring comes next year, I will plant various seasonal vegetables and fruits in the garden to ensure that the miss can enjoy a feast."

After the meal, Zhenzhu hurriedly brought hot tea.

After rinsing her mouth with tea and washing her hands in a copper basin, Zhao Ximei called for Jinxiu, "Go to the main kitchen and bring the duty cook here."

The maids looked at each other, and Jinxiu was the first to react, saying, "Yes, I will go."

Yinbao couldn't hold back any longer, "Miss, the people in the main kitchen are too disrespectful! The masters of each house usually eat delicacies! Last time, when the fourth miss was sick and wanted to eat fresh bamboo shoot and chicken soup, the soup was simmered for two hours with chicken, duck, and pork bones, and then fresh matsutake mushrooms were added. But the fourth miss found it too greasy and spat it out. The old lady got angry and said she knew they didn't put their heart into cooking, and suggested replacing them with more dedicated cooks. The kitchen staff were so scared, their faces turned pale as paper, and they made another pot of soup. How come you can only eat radishes and cabbage now!?"

"Alright, that's enough. Times have changed," Zhenzhu pulled her by the sleeve and looked at Zhao Ximei, saying with a worried expression, "Miss, don't listen to her nonsense. The main kitchen is short-staffed, and sometimes they are careless."

Yulan pursed her lips, lost in thought.

Zhao Ximei pointed and raised her eyebrows, "Yulan, you speak."

Yulan then bowed and said, "Miss, you may not know that the head of the main kitchen, Mama Ding, has a daughter named Cuilian, who serves the fifth miss."

She looked at Zhao Ximei with concern, "Miss, it's reasonable to have a good talk with the main kitchen, but I'm afraid it will be embarrassing if the second madam finds out."

Zhao Ximei smiled, "What do you mean?"

She was not blind to the complex relationships, but she wanted to use this matter to observe the reactions of the maids.

Jinxiu was clever but reserved. It would be difficult for her to show genuine affection without some guidance.

Yinbao was lively and straightforward, but too impulsive. She was prone to causing trouble when facing enemies.

Zhenzhu was obedient but timid, often shrinking from trouble.

And Yulan was calm and composed, but too indecisive, not suitable for taking on major responsibilities.

"Yes," Yulan said carefully, "Since the second madam entered the family, she has been helping the second master manage the business outside."

"Even the old lady praises her for being talented and capable, equal to a man. So, although she doesn't have the authority of a housekeeper, her status is the same as our first madam's."

"Our first madam also gets along well with her... If you want to pursue this matter, it may upset the first madam, as she is your nominal mother."

Zhao Ximei smiled. She knew that the people in the Zhao family would not easily acknowledge her. But she didn't expect that even her maids didn't see her as their mistress.

The main kitchen dared to serve her leftovers, and as the mistress, she couldn't hold them accountable?

At that moment, Jinxiu's voice came from outside the door, "Miss, Mama Ding is here."

Mama Ding was about thirty years old, tall and sturdy, with a square face and sharp eyes, exuding an air of authority.

She greeted Zhao Ximei and stood waiting in place.

Zhao Ximei poured tea and sipped it unhurriedly.

The four maids stood on either side, their faces calm, but they were all very curious about how their new mistress would hold Mama Ding accountable.

Yinbao was the most anxious. She had been a maid for so long and had never eaten leftovers. Now she was about to be bullied by the people in the kitchen. She was itching with anger and only hoped that Zhao Ximei would give the order so she could vent her frustration.

Seeing that the tea was almost finished and Zhao Ximei had not spoken, Yinbao cleared her throat and said, "Do you know, Mrs. Ding, why our young lady invited you to the Rose Garden?"

Mrs. Ding, in charge of dozens of people in the kitchen, was not to be intimidated by a young maid. She also cleared her throat and replied, "I am confused. I hope Miss Yinbao will tell me."

Zhao Ximei set down her teacup and smiled lightly, "There is nothing else, just heard that Mrs. Ding is skilled in cooking and wanted to exchange some cooking techniques with her."

She then called out with a smile, "Yinbao, bring the food box over."

"Yes!" Yinbao went over with a sullen expression.

Mrs. Ding's face darkened.

Pearl quietly stepped back, observing her mistress with concern from the corner of her eye.

Yulan frowned. Although she hoped her young lady would fight back against Mrs. Ding, no one dared to say what the consequences would be.

Pearl glanced at Mrs. Ding, her eyes filled with worry: This will offend the Madam and the Second Madam in an instant!