Chapter 212 - 204: Turns Out to Be a Little Village Girl
Chapter 212: Chapter 204: Turns Out to Be a Little Village Girl
When Dong’er returned to the courtyard, Gu Xi was still in her room, scowling and sulking.
"Young Miss!"
Gu Xi looked up at her, her gaze dark. "Did you find out?"
Dong’er nodded, quickly leaning in close to Gu Xi and lowering her voice. "I did. The Miss Bai that Jin Xiao’an mentioned is the same girl who saved the Young Master’s life last time. I heard she knows a bit of medicine and has been treating Lord Meng’s hand. Today, she even went into the kitchen and cooked for him herself. The dish Jin Xiao’an just delivered was made by her."
"Where is she from? How old is she? What does she look like?"
Dong’er reported, "She’s said to be a village girl from Huangtuo Village, about twelve or thirteen years old. At best, you could call her comely, but of course, she can’t compare to you, Young Miss. She’s an excellent cook, but as for her medical skills, who knows."
Gu Xi’s tense expression finally relaxed a little. "Oh, so she’s just a village girl."
Dong’er quickly added, "Yes. She’s excellent at making spicy dishes. As you know, Miss, Lord Meng is from the Capital City, where the cuisine is heavy on spice. It’s only natural he’d enjoy that kind of food."
Gu Xi’s expression relaxed even more. ’So that’s how it is. A man of Brother Meng’s standing would never like a common village girl. And she’s only twelve or thirteen—a mere child who hasn’t even fully matured. How could a man like Brother Meng possibly be interested in a little girl? It’s impossible.’
At this thought, her mood brightened. "Go find that Miss Bai and ask her to teach you how to make her spicy dishes. Learn a few of her tricks, and when you’ve mastered them, you can teach me."
Dong’er was inwardly reluctant, but she didn’t dare defy her mistress’s orders and could only head to the kitchen begrudgingly.
"Well, what brings Miss Dong’er here? This is a rare sight!" the cook said, smirking at Dong’er’s reluctant expression.
’This maid is just like her mistress—the epitome of pretentiousness. One is the daughter of a mere County Magistrate, the other a little maid. They may count for something here in Qingyuan Town, but what are they outside of it? Their constant posturing is truly nauseating.’
Dong’er held a handkerchief over her nose and mouth, making no effort to hide the disdain in her eyes. ’How could a filthy, smoke-filled place like this be somewhere a first-rank maid like me should be?’
"Is Miss Bai still here?" she asked, shooting the cook a sidelong glance, her tone impatient.
The cook pointed toward a figure inside who was stir-frying up a storm. "That’s Miss Bai. You need something from her?"
Dong’er ignored the cook and walked straight toward the bustling stove. A rich aroma wafted over her. It was fragrant, very fragrant, but also overpowering. She didn’t need to taste it; the smell alone told her it was intensely spicy.
’I really don’t want to get any closer. Not one bit...’
"Miss Bai!" she called out, pressing her handkerchief tightly over her nose and mouth as she finally reached the stove.
Bai Zhi, busy stir-frying beef in her wok, glanced over her shoulder at Dong’er. The girl was fair-skinned and neatly dressed, her clothes unlike those worn by the kitchen staff. In fact, she looked rather similar to the maid who had fetched her to save the Young Master.
Seeing the girl covering her nose and mouth, she said, "It’s smoky in here. You should go wait outside."
’Go outside? I’d love to! I don’t want to be here a second longer than I have to.’
Dong’er said, "Miss Bai, my name is Dong’er. I serve the Young Miss. She heard you’re an excellent cook and sent me to learn from you, so that when you’re not around, she can make dishes for Lord Meng herself."
’That’s actually a good idea,’ Bai Zhi thought. ’If someone could regularly cook for Meng Nan and Jin Xiao’an, then I wouldn’t have to be so tired from always having to feed them.’