Carefree Farmwife: Training the Husband, Raising the Bun - Chapter 127

“Little lady, hurry and hand that ink orchid over to me. In a few days, I’ll personally come to your house…” Master Zhang spoke with hidden meaning, stroking his chin as his eyes lingered on Ying Su, a lecherous grin spreading across his face.

“Go to hell, you old bastard!” Ying Su muttered under her breath.

Her gaze suddenly dropped, lashes lowering. But when she raised her head again, her phoenix eyes tilted slightly, and a mysterious smile tugged at her lips.

“Master Zhang, are you sure you won’t give it back to me? Do you even know whose Jianyang Butterfly that is? And you dare to keep it?” Ying Su’s voice was laced with amusement, but her aura shifted completely. Her phoenix eyes gleamed with the bearing of someone who looked down upon the world.

Master Zhang, of course, didn’t take her words seriously. He laughed instead. “I, Zhang Hairu, wasn’t raised on vegetables. In this whole Shili Town, there’s nothing I don’t dare to take!”

The ice-cold beauty in front of him chuckled, as though mocking that very statement. An odd unease crept into Master Zhang’s heart.

“Then you’d better remember what you just said.” Her voice dropped, colder than ice. “Don’t come crying when disaster falls on your head and you don’t even know how you brought it on.”

Her certainty made Master Zhang nervous. But he quickly reminded himself, he was giving the flower to Imperial Physician Wang. In a backwater like Shili Town, what powerful figure could she possibly know? His heart settled again.

“Do you even know who I saved just over twenty days ago? Do you know who placed that flower in my home? If that person returns to find you conned it away…” Ying Su’s gaze swept over him, mocking, as if saying he was completely overestimating himself.

Her serious tone rattled him, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Who did you save?”

Ying Su’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Never mind. You want the ink orchid? Fine, take it! As long as you won’t regret it later.” Narrowing her eyes, she added, “Curious who I saved? Go ask at the yamen. Surely you’ve heard about the incident at North Mountain? Master Zhang, you’re truly bold.”

With that, Ying Su casually tossed the orchid to a servant standing nearby. She turned to the dumbfounded Li family and said, “Let’s go. We’ll eat at the Lark Pavilion! If someone dares to challenge them, well, that’s just asking for death.”

Without another glance, she turned and strode off.

“Wait! What did you mean by that?” Master Zhang called out behind her.

Ying Su turned back, her face innocent. “What did I say? I didn’t say anything. I just said we’re going to eat.”

Master Zhang’s face twisted. From her words, it was clear she was hinting that the Jianyang Butterfly had an extraordinary origin. But what big shots could Shili Town possibly have? And why mention the Lark Pavilion?

The Lark Pavilion… A sudden flash struck him. His daughter had mentioned seeing the Bai family’s second young master from Jiangnan there not long ago…

Could it be…? No. Impossible… right?

His mind raced. Quickly, he beckoned a servant and whispered something in his ear. The servant nodded and hurried away.

When Master Zhang spoke again, his face carried a smile. “It’s already noon. Let’s set aside the matter of the orchid for now. Lunch is prepared in my manor. Come in and eat first, after that, we’ll talk.”

Li Zhi and Feng Qiufang nearly dropped their jaws. They’d been to the Zhang estate several times. Even when Master Zhang deigned to see them, he was always lofty and disdainful. Forget inviting them for a meal, even once, when they arrived during mealtime, he’d left them standing and watching as his family ate before speaking to them.

“No need. Goodbye.” Ying Su gave a cold smile and walked away, ignoring the Li family’s stunned expressions.

Li Yin followed her, calling back to his parents, “Father, Mother, let’s go!”

Li Yunyao muttered under her breath, “Look at her, nose stuck so high, like she doesn’t see us at all!”

“Quiet!” Feng Qiufang tugged her daughter along, shooting Li Zhi a look before hurrying after Ying Su.

“Didn’t she just say she’s going to the Lark Pavilion? Let’s follow!” Li Zhi whispered.

Feng Qiufang nodded quickly and dragged Li Yunyao along, whispering, “Our sister-in-law really spoils her. Imagine, going to a place like the Skylark Pavilion to eat!”

“Hmph! Must be with the ten taels of silver Mother got from selling the flowers. We’d better order some good dishes later!” Li Yunyao glared spitefully at Ying Su’s back.

Li Yin caught up with Ying Su, looking slightly embarrassed. “This time, we owe you. My parents… they don’t know how to talk. Don’t mind them.”

Ying Su only gave a faint hum.

Li Yin rubbed his nose, sneaking a glance at her cool profile, wondering if she had even replied.

After a moment of silence, he asked, “How did you bring that ink orchid back to life?”

Ying Su ignored him. Realizing he was prying into her secrets, he quickly explained, “I didn’t mean anything by it, I just asked casually.”

Ying Su tilted her chin in acknowledgment. Li Yin looked embarrassed, and the two walked in silence after that.

When they arrived at the Lark Pavilion, the waiters hurried to greet them and led them to a square table. Feng Qiufang and her daughters craned their necks to gawk, whispering, “This place is so grand. Just standing here makes my legs weak.”

Li Yunyao quickly looked away, frowning. She nudged her mother with an elbow and muttered, “Mother, don’t talk so much.” To her, Feng Qiufang looked embarrassingly unsophisticated.

Li Zhi kept a facade of calm. But when it came time to order, he froze. He’d barely been to a restaurant in years, how could he recognize the fancy dish names the waiter rattled off?

Ying Su simply ordered two vegetable dishes and a bowl of rice, ignoring the others.

Not wanting to appear small-minded, Li Yunyao lifted her chin proudly. “What’s your house specialty?” She asked.

The waiter beamed. “Sliced Fish in Spicy Broth, Braised Rabbit with Soy, Red-Braised Lion’s Head Meatballs, Steamed Pork Ribs with Rice Flour, these are our signature dishes!”

“Then bring them all up!” Li Yunyao said airily, unable to hide the pride on her face. After all, someone else was paying, why not eat well?

The other three all stared at her wide-eyed. Feng Qiufang whispered, “Yunyao… are we really ordering that much?”

Li Yin frowned too. “Two vegetable dishes are enough. Why so many?”

But Li Zhi nodded approvingly. “Since we’re here, we should try their best dishes. Cuìhuā, don’t you agree?” He turned to Ying Su with a smile.

Ying Su’s lips curved faintly. “Do as you please.”