Qi Zhenzhen instinctively wanted to refuse. Little Niu was more at ease with Gu Sinian, while Madam Yu felt a bit constrained. If they stayed for a meal, Madam Yu would inevitably be tired. She regarded Madam Yu as an elder and didn't want to trouble her with this.
"Aunt Yu, no need. His Highness the Heir Apparent promised..."
Madam Yu chided her with a glance, "You're going to say His Highness the Heir Apparent has something important to do? I just asked, and His Highness the Heir Apparent said he has nothing to do and will accompany you today. As for staying for a meal, His Highness the Heir Apparent said he'd stay if you agreed. I know you're afraid of tiring me out. But how much can cooking a meal tire me out? I treat you the same as Mingyue, and acting like this makes us strangers."
With Madam Yu having said so much, if Qi Zhenzhen refused, it would truly be disheartening.
"I want to eat your braised pork, Auntie. Put in more dried bean sprouts, and leave plenty of the meat sauce to mix with rice," Qi Zhenzhen said with a smile, her eyes curved.
Madam Yu happily agreed, "Just right, I bought a piece of excellent pork belly with skin today. I promise to make it just as you said."
Fei Xu, with her keen eyes, said, "Madam, I'll go with you to learn a few things, so I can make it for our Heir Apparent's wife later."
This was to offer help.
Madam Yu waved her hand. In her opinion, although Fei Xu was a servant, she had come with Qi Zhenzhen, and as a guest, how could she make her work?
"Little Niu pities me. We have a cook helping at home," Madam Yu said with a smile. "We can manage."
"Madam, please let me learn a few things. That way, when my Heir Apparent's wife wants to eat it, I can make it for her," Fei Xu said with a smile.
Qi Zhenzhen also said, "Aunt Yu, please let Fei Xu follow along and learn."
In the kitchen, a young girl was already busy. Madam Yu introduced Fei Xu, "This is Liu Ye'er, who helps out. She's quick and a good cook. She comes to help with meals three times a day, and with her here, I'm much more relaxed."
The young girl had a round face and curved eyes, giving off a smiling impression even when not smiling. This kind of appearance easily made people feel favorably towards her.
"Auntie, didn't I say you don't need to do anything in the kitchen? There's not much work, I can do it myself. Brother Zhang hired me to let you rest, not to be my assistant. If it's like this, I'd feel too embarrassed to take the generous wages Brother Zhang gives me," Liu Ye'er spoke frankly and crisply, without any hesitation.
Madam Yu smiled, "Normally, I don't do much. But His Highness the Heir Apparent and his wife are visiting you, my sister-in-law. The Heir Apparent's wife loves my braised pork, so of course, I have to make it myself. Besides the braised pork, I'll have to trouble you with the rest."
"Brother Zhang is truly capable, having such a good relationship with His Highness the Heir Apparent and his wife," Liu Ye'er praised.
Madam Yu beamed, unable to stop smiling, "Little Niu is promising."
Fei Xu subtly remarked, "If it weren't for Madam Mingyue, Lord Zhang wouldn't have been so heavily relied upon by His Highness the Heir Apparent. Madam, Lord Zhang's success is inseparable from Madam Mingyue's contributions."
If Madam Yu were Zhang Xiaoniu's mother, she would surely be displeased to hear Fei Xu's words. But since Madam Yu was Song Mingyue's mother, and Fei Xu's words emphasized her daughter, she was naturally very pleased. "Yes, yes, yes, Mingyue has contributions. This girl is blessed."
Liu Ye'er's gaze flickered. Not just blessed, but extremely blessed. A country bumpkin could actually befriend a noble lady and gain such good fortune. This family was benefiting from it. She wondered if she would have such good fortune. She probably would, after all, she had been praised for being lucky since childhood.