Liang Hemiao drank two more cups of water and set down the cup. She dragged Ye Yunniang onto the bed and tucked her in.
Liang Maimiao pushed the door open, carrying a bowl of noodles. "Why are you alone? Where's Yunniang?"
"Sister Yunniang went back to the Qunfang Tower," Liang Hemiao said, taking the bowl and eating the noodles in big mouthfuls, looking utterly famished.
"Yunniang, why didn't you wait for me?" Liang Maimiao mumbled.
"Sis, your noodles are still the best," Liang Hemiao said with a sigh. "It'll be hard to have them in the future."
"What's so hard about that? You can come to my house anytime you want. I'll not only make noodles for you but also your favorite spicy stir-fried pork with peppers."
"I knew it, Sis, you're the one who loves me most." Liang Hemiao was deeply moved.
"You eat your noodles, I'll head out first." Liang Maimiao couldn't stay long in the bridal chamber.
"I'll see you out." Liang Hemiao started to get up but was stopped by Liang Maimiao.
"Don't. The bride should stay properly in her room."
Liang Maimiao left the bridal chamber.
Once the door closed, Liang Hemiao immediately stopped eating.
She spat, ejecting all the noodles in her mouth back into the bowl.
She tossed the chopsticks casually onto the table.
"Disgusting."
"The Wang family's garden is quite nice, isn't it?"
"Yes, the scenery is very beautiful." Ye Yunniang sat down beside Baise and poured herself a cup of tea to drink.
"There's still some time before the banquet starts. If you like it, you can look around a bit more."
"I wore soft-soled shoes today, and my feet hurt from walking." Ye Yunniang said, frowning slightly.
"After the banquet ends, you can ride back with me in the carriage."
"Would that be too much trouble?"
"It's perfect. I can go see my future home." Tie Yi had been putting off Baise's visits to Wanxia Lane.
Ye Yunniang thought of what she had seen at the Tie family house: scattered ironware and coal, along with various marks of scuffles on the walls.
"It really isn't suitable for visits."
After hearing Ye Yunniang's description, Baise became even more determined to go see it. Just how badly had the house been trashed?
"I heard there's been quite a lot going on in your Wanxia Lane?"
"Yunniang, I'm here." Liang Maimiao strode over. She picked up a clean cup, poured some tea, and drank it. Catching sight of Baise out of the corner of her eye, she greeted her warmly, "Shopkeeper Baise, long time no see. How have you been lately?"
"By fortune, not bad. I'm getting married on the 16th. Come have a celebratory drink then." Baise said, pulling out an invitation and handing it to Liang Maimiao.
"Congratulations. Which family is the groom from?" Liang Maimiao offered her congratulations and accepted the invitation with both hands.
"You know him too. Tie Yi."
"Master Tie!" Liang Maimiao was very surprised, never imagining these two would end up together.
"What, we're not a good match?"
"No, no, you two are a match made in heaven. A perfect pair." Liang Maimiao shook her head.
After saying this, Liang Maimiao poured herself another cup of tea and drank it.
Ye Yunniang also drank another cup.
"You two are acting strange. Why are you guzzling tea like this?" Baise looked at Ye Yunniang and Liang Maimiao.
"Walked too much in the garden, a bit thirsty." Ye Yunniang said, pouring another cup.
"Yeah, it's only just March, but the weather is so hot." Liang Maimiao looked up at the sky.
"The weather this year is hotter than previous years."
"Could this mean...?" Liang Maimiao didn't finish her sentence.
"Hot or not, life goes on." Baise was very philosophical about it.
"Shopkeeper Baise, hot weather doesn't affect your embroidery shop. But for us in the food business, it's tough." Liang Maimiao thought of the drought ten years ago.
Drought, poor harvests.
Grain prices soared, and merchants hoarded, selling only a tiny amount each day.
Fortunately, her in-laws decisively shut down the noodle stall and kept the wheat for the family to eat. That's how they survived the famine.
"The family that used to live in Courtyard No. 7 in our lane couldn't buy grain. The elders went without, saving it for the younger ones, and ended up starving to death."
"Lord Bao is a good official. He wouldn't let the people starve." Ye Yunniang had great faith in Bao Min's abilities.
"I hope so." Liang Maimiao didn't hold out much hope.
"Stock up on more grain at home." Baise reminded them both.
Ye Yunniang hummed in agreement, planning to tell Cai Damei about stockpiling grain as soon as she got home.
Having never experienced a drought herself, Ye Yunniang asked Baise and Liang Maimiao about stockpiling grain.
The two told her everything they did back then and also mentioned many areas that could be improved.
Ye Yunniang listened carefully, asking questions and discussing points she didn't fully understand.
Gurgle... The sound interrupted the three women's chat.
"I haven't eaten since this morning," Liang Maimiao said, embarrassed, patting her stomach.
"Have some pastries." Ye Yunniang said, reaching for the pastries on the table.
Empty plate.
Why hadn't they been refilled?
Ye Yunniang found it strange. Previously, when a plate of pastries was finished, the Wang family servants had been very attentive in bringing a fresh plate.
"By the timing, the banquet should be starting now." Baise sensed something was wrong.
"Could something have happened?" Liang Maimiao, worried about her sister, stood up. "I'll go check on the bridal chamber."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Ye Yunniang said, also standing up.
Liang Maimiao pressed Ye Yunniang back down. "I'll go by myself."
Ye Yunniang sat back down and watched as Liang Maimiao was stopped by someone at the door.
Baise leaned closer to Ye Yunniang. "You're acting strange, you know."
Ye Yunniang looked back at Baise. "What's strange about me?"
"You're off overall. There are many questions." Baise said while looking Ye Yunniang up and down, as if to say she saw all her secrets.
Ye Yunniang remained calm and composed, letting Baise look.
Baise suddenly laughed. "I'm kidding. I didn't notice anything."
"That statement is the one that's kidding me." Ye Yunniang's reply made Baise laugh even louder.
"Good, good. After just a few days with me, you've already learned my true skills. I can rest easy leaving the embroidery shop to you." Baise was very satisfied with Ye Yunniang's performance.
"I still have much to learn." Ye Yunniang said, taking a sip of water to calm her racing heart.
Liang Maimiao walked back, her expression grim.
"What's wrong?"
"They wouldn't say. Just told me to come back and sit, not to leave."
"What is the Wang family trying to do?"
"How dare you block my young lady? Step aside." The voice at the door drew the attention of the three women.
Baise recognized at a glance who the mistress was behind the speaking maid.
"Now there's going to be a good show."
"Who is that lady?"
"The widowed sister of Judicial Affairs Officer Xing Wenzhi—Miss Xing Jinxiu."
"If she's a widow, why is she still called 'Miss'?" Liang Maimiao was puzzled.
"A 'doorstep widow.' Her fiancé fell off his horse and died the day before the wedding.
Originally, the groom's family wanted to marry her into their household to live as a widow.
The Xing family disagreed. After some back and forth, Miss Xing did not go to her in-laws' home to observe widowhood. Instead, she stays at her parents' home, wearing her hair in a married woman's style." Baise explained, leaning closer to Ye Yunniang again.
"I heard Miss Xing has taken a fancy to our Lord Bao. Her doting brother, Officer Xing, has hinted many times, openly and secretly, wanting to betroth Miss Xing to Lord Bao. Lord Bao has refused every time." Baise shared the news she knew.
"As the manager of the embroidery shop, you must be very careful when dealing with Miss Xing in the future. Never mention anything related to Lord Bao." Baise instructed Ye Yunniang.
Ye Yunniang looked carefully at Miss Xing, committing her face to memory. She needed to tell Cai Damei about this when she got back.
Bao Min had a troublesome admirer.
