Chapter 229: A Test (2) (1/2)

Matriarch He hadn’t expected such a solution from Chu Lian. Her smile was full of hidden meaning as she also looked at Xiyan and Mingyan.

After hearing Chu Lian’s additional explanation, Xiyan had obviously relaxed, but Mingyan suddenly tensed.

Chu Lian continued staring at the two handmaids. There was no small amount of pressure on them, facing down those piercing eyes. Xiyan and Mingyan’s hearts were beating like drums.

“Tell me honestly what you think about this. No matter what your choice is, I won’t blame you.”

In an instant, Xiyan took in a deep breath and found the courage to look up. In a trembling voice, she said, “Third Young Madam, this servant doesn’t want to stay behind. This servant… only wants to serve by your side.”

Chu Lian was only startled for a moment. She smiled. “Then just stay by my side. Mingyan, what about you?”

Chu Lian’s answer lifted the great burden in Xiyan’s heart. She looked at her master with slightly misty eyes before moving to one side.

When Mingyan heard Xiyan’s response, she clearly became even more nervous. After a fierce battle with herself, Mingyan still chose the path that was the most beneficial to herself. She looked up into Chu Lian’s eyes and said, “Third Young Madam, this servant is willing to stay behind to look after Old Duke Zheng.”

Mingyan had a pair of large eyes with double eyelids. Compared to Fuyan’s liveliness, she was much more taciturn. The original novel hadn’t described Mingyan much. Chu Lian also hadn’t noticed any shortcomings in her personality after observing her for a few days. However, as she was someone serving her so closely, Chu Lian would always find a way to test her personality. Today’s problem was one such chance. Unfortunately, Mingyan had clearly disappointed her.

However, this was her own choice, so Chu Lian wasn’t going to blame her.

Chu Lian’s expression didn’t reveal any trace of her inner thoughts. She smiled sweetly and said, “Alright, then you’ll stay and take care of Old Duke Zheng. Since you’re my handmaid, don’t disgrace my name. Don’t be stingy with the secret recipes you’ve learned from me and use them generously for Old Duke Zheng’s meals. As for the rest of the arrangements, leave it to me and Grandmother.”

Mingyan hadn’t expected Chu Lian to have agreed so quickly; her sudden happiness showed on her face. She secretly glanced at Chu Lian before looking carefully at Matriarch He. It was only after observing their expressions that Mingyan finally relaxed.

She began to look forward to her new life in the Zheng Estate.

In the end, as smart as Mingyan was, she was only a young maidservant who hadn’t seen much of the world. As ambitious as she might be, there was a limit to her vision.

Since they had already finished their discussion and there wasn’t any need for the other ideas she had prepared, Chu Lian instructed Mingyan on a few other things before helping Matriarch He out of the room.

Old Duchess Zheng hadn’t thought that a simple handmaid serving Chu Lian could know so many secret recipes. She was full of shock and surprise, as well as disbelief. A single secret recipe was already rare enough. Even if Chu Lian could cook well, she couldn’t possibly be so generous as to teach all of her recipes to her handmaids!

Taking in their disbelief, Chu Lian smiled and asked someone to prepare some ingredients. She then told Mingyan to show off her skills for the old duchess.

Mingyan prepared some dragon beard noodles. Rolling out the dough and cooking the noodles were not skills that normal people would know.

It wasn’t until the finished dish was placed before Old Duchess Zheng that she finally believed that Chu Lian’s handmaid was actually a skilled cook.