Chapter 228: A Test (1) (1/2)
Anyway, at worst, she could just pass down some secret recipes to the best cooks in the Zheng Estate. What she had in abundance were those so-called ‘secret recipes’.
Chu Lian smiled, “Old Duchess Zheng, Duchess Zheng, please wait for a moment. I would like to discuss this matter with my grandmother first. You won’t be disappointed by the results.”
Old Duchess Zheng and the younger Duchess Zheng exchanged looks. They had indeed gone overboard with their request, so they felt a little guilty. Since Chu Lian was still trying to compromise despite their rude request, they quickly agreed.
Old Duchess Zheng even ordered her handmaid to lead them to a nearby room for privacy.
Once they entered the room and closed the door, Matriarch He took Chu Lian’s hands into her own. Her tone carried blame as she spoke, “Lian’er, they are the ones in the wrong for this matter. You don’t have to try to accommodate them.”
Chu Lian helped Matriarch He to a chair made of yellow peach wood and reassured her, “Grandmother, I know you’re trying to protect me because you’re worried for me. However, you and Old Duchess Zheng are such old friends and Old Duchess Zheng was just worried for Old Duke Zheng’s health. I think her actions are forgivable. Furthermore, this matter isn’t as serious as you think. Granddaughter-in-Law has plenty of ways to let Old Duke Zheng eat all the delicacies he wants! Just sit here for a moment and don’t worry for Granddaughter-in-Law. Granddaughter-in-Law will take care of everything!”
Matriarch He stared into Chu Lian’s bright eyes. When Chu Lian simply continued blinking at her innocently without any hint of forced reluctance, Matriarch He set aside her worries and smiled.
She was close with Old Duchess Zheng, so she didn’t want to make a huge fuss over this. No matter what, the two of them were the matriarchs of their respective houses, so it was hard to avoid these sorts of conflicts of interest. They had different statuses and different interests at heart. They usually tried to avoid clashing with one another, but if they couldn’t come to an agreement, then neither of them would give way.
Today, if their roles had been reversed, Old Duchess Zheng would have done the same.
However, if there was a solution that fulfilled the interests of both sides, that would be even better.
“Alright, Grandmother will listen to you.” Matriarch He patted Chu Lian’s soft little hand.
Chu Lian sat right next to Matriarch He. The only people in this room were the trusted servants she had brought from the Jing’an Estate and there weren’t any strangers here, so there was no need to observe etiquette so strictly.