Chapter 208: A Request from Duchess Zheng (2) (1/2)

When Matriarch He heard her explanation, she was stunned. She couldn’t have imagined that the problem laid with Old Duke Zheng. Apparently, he was currently bedridden and refusing food and drink.

Those close to House Zheng knew that Old Duke Zheng was a glutton for food. He had visited most of the top-ranked restaurants in the capital. Ever since he had passed the duke’s seat to his heir, Old Duke Zheng would travel far and wide each day to search for gourmet food. He had just returned home two months ago, but for some reason, he had completely lost his appetite. It was almost to the point that he was refusing to eat any food at all.

When the reason behind her request was revealed, the two Duchesses Zheng looked at Chu Lian with hope in their eyes. Chu Lian was close to being embarrassed to be the focus of those expectant looks.

Matriarch He hadn’t thought that Old Duchess Zheng’s request would turn out to be something like that. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry for the moment. She had no choice but to speak truthfully. “Old Sister, I know that you’re worried about Old Duke Zheng. I’ll just speak honestly with you. Sanlang’s wife does know how to make some interestingly new dishes, but we can’t promise that we’ll be able to solve your problem for you. We can only say that Sanlang’s wife will try her best.”

“Aye! Of course! As long as Honoured Lady Jinyi is willing to help out, I’ll be endlessly grateful. We have simply run out of ideas. The old man isn’t willing to eat anything at all. If this goes on, his body won’t be able to hold on…” It was clear in her tone that Old Duchess Zheng was anxious.

After they had finally gotten Chu Lian’s agreement and Matriarch He promised to help out with Old Duchess Zheng’s request, they set the visit to the Zheng Estate to be three days later.

Chu Lian wanted to hide her face in her hands but didn’t know whether to start sobbing or laughing her heart out. Old Duke Zheng had passed away about two months later from now in the original story. Had the cause of his death truly been from refusing food after not being able to taste the gourmet food he had wanted?

When they reached the point where their paths home diverged, Old Duchess Zheng bid her farewells and led her daughter-in-law back to their own carriage.

Now only Matriarch He and Chu Lian were left in the carriage.

Matriarch He petted Chu Lian’s fair and tender hand gently, “Lian’er, you’ve done us a great service today. Otherwise, our house would have completely lost its reputation.”

Chu Lian realised that the matriarch liked to call her ‘Lian’er’ when they were talking in private.

She smiled, “Grandmother, don’t say that. I’m also a part of House Jing’an, I was just doing my part for our House.”

When she heard Chu Lian’s answer, Matriarch He was even more gratified. “You silly child. It’s been hard for you. It’s not all your eldest sister-in-law’s fault today, so don’t hold a grudge against her. Grandmother knows that it’s not easy for her either.”

Chu Lian felt a slight pang of shock. She hadn’t expected the matriarch to think that she might hold a grudge. “We’re all one big family. What is there to hold a grudge against? Eldest Sister-in-law couldn’t have known that she would lose the round cakes like that. We still need Eldest Sister-in-law to manage our household in the future!”

“Grandmother knows. Your eldest sister-in-law has been treating you too harshly recently. Don’t worry, Grandmother will remind her of her duties.”