(Thank you for the red envelopes from the two girls, please call me Seventh Elder and Soft White Rabbit ~)

Besides, the worst way was just to pass on some recipes to Duke Zheng Estate's capable chefs. She happened to have plenty of secret recipes that others talked about.

Chu Lian smiled. "Please wait for a moment, Old Madam and Madam Zheng. I have some things to discuss with Grandmother. As for the results, I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

Old Madam and Madam Zheng exchanged glances. They had gone overboard earlier and felt a bit guilty. Now that Chu Lian had given in, they quickly agreed.

The Old Mistress even ordered her personal maidservant to lead her granddaughter and granddaughter to the room next door.

After entering the wing and closing the door, Old Madam He took Chu Lian's hand and rebuked, "Lian 'er, this was Duke Zheng Estate's fault. You don't have to be so worried about them."

Chu Lian helped Old Madam He to sit on the yellow peach wood chair and comforted her. "Grandmother, I know you're protective of me and care for me, but you have a close relationship with Old Madam Zheng. It's understandable that Old Madam is worried about Old Duke Zheng's health.

Besides, this matter isn't as serious as you think. If I want Old Duke to eat delicious food, Great-daughter-in-law has many ways!

Sit here and don't worry about Great-daughter-in-law. Leave this matter to Great-daughter-in-law. "

Old Matriarch He stared at Chu Lian's clear eyes and saw that her bright eyes were blinking. Indeed, there wasn't the slightest bit of reluctance and she suddenly smiled.

She and Old Madam Zheng were bosom buddies and didn't want to have any disagreements. But no matter what, they were both old madams of different estates. Sometimes, conflicts of interest were unavoidable. Their statuses were different, and their interests were different. It was best if they could avoid it, but if they couldn't, neither of them would back down.

In today's matter, if the roles were reversed, she believed that Old Madam of Duke Zheng would do the same.

However, it was better to have the best of both worlds now.

"Alright, Grandmother will listen to you this time." Old Madam He patted Chu Lian's soft hand.

Chu Lian sat next to Old Madam He. This wing was filled with confidants they brought from Duke Jing 'an Estate. There was no one else in the room, so there was nothing to hide.

Chu Lian glanced at Xiyan and Ming Yan who she had brought along.

Both of them were startled and understood some of Chu Lian's thoughts.

Actually, after hearing Chu Lian and Matriarch He's words, they had a vague feeling in their hearts.

Xiyan's face was bitter, her brows tightly knitted together. Ming Yan stood beside her but did not have any other emotions.

Chu Lian observed their reactions without batting an eyelid. She waved at them and said, "Xiyan, Mingyan, come here."

Xiyan and Ming Yan walked in front of Chu Lian with their heads bowed and said in unison, "What instructions does Third Mistress have?"

Chu Lian didn't like to keep people guessing. She said straightforwardly, "I think you've all guessed what I'm thinking. Old Marquess Zheng needs someone to take care of him, and I can't stay in Marquess Zheng's Mansion. You've always been with me, and I've never kept the secret recipes in the courtyard from you and let you learn them. Now, with this opportunity, which one of you is willing to stay and take care of Old Marquess Zheng's meals?"

As expected, Xiyan and Ming Yan could more or less guess what Chu Lian was going to say.

After Chu Lian finished speaking, Xiyan looked at Chu Lian reluctantly, her eyes full of unease.

At this moment, Ming Yan was even calmer than Xiyan. She only lowered her head and her bangs covered her eyes, so Chu Lian couldn't see her expression.

Ming Yan glanced at Xiyan from the corner of her eye. She saw that Xiyan was suppressing her emotions and not saying anything, so she didn't open her mouth to ask.

Chu Lian frowned slightly. Seeing that the two of them didn't say a word, she continued, "After all, you are my first-class maids. It's impossible for me to just give you away like this. If any of you can stay, I'll send someone to bring you back when the Old Duke's health is better. Of course, if you're not willing, I won't force you. People will always come up with a solution. If one path doesn't work, we'll just take another."

Chu Lian never liked to force people. If the two servant girls didn't agree, she wouldn't think much of it. At most, she would just give up a few recipes.

However, staying behind to take care of Old Marquess was a rare opportunity for Xiyan and Ming Yan. The two girls weren't stupid. With just a bit of thought, they would be able to figure out the many benefits.

Matriarch He didn't expect Chu Lian to be so domineering. She suddenly smiled meaningfully, and her shrewd eyes fell on Xiyan and Ming Yan in front of her.

Hearing Chu Lian say this, Xiyan clearly let out a sigh of relief. Ming Yan, on the other hand, tensed up.

Chu Lian stared at them. The two servant girls were under a lot of pressure. Xiyan and Ming Yan's hearts were beating fast under these two pairs of eyes that seemed to be able to see through them.

"Tell me what you're truly thinking. No matter what your choice is, I won't blame you."

After a moment, Xiyan took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to raise her head. In a trembling voice, she said, "Third Madam, I don't want to stay. I … only want to stay by your side and serve you."

Chu Lian paused for a moment, then smiled. "Then stay by my side.

Ming Yan, what about you? "

When Xiyan heard Chu Lian's words, the weight in her heart was finally lifted. She looked at her mistress with slightly teary eyes, then stood to the side.

After hearing Xiyan's reply, Ming Yan was clearly even more nervous than before. After a fierce struggle, Ming Yan still made the decision that was most beneficial to her. She raised her head and looked at Chu Lian. "Third Madam, I'm willing to stay and take care of Old Marquess."

Ming Yan had a pair of large eyelids. Compared to Fuyan's liveliness, she was much more taciturn. The original text did not emphasize on this servant girl by Chu Lian's side. After these days of observation, Chu Lian did not find any flaws in her character. However, Ming Yan was her closest servant girl. Chu Lian would always find a chance to train her. Today was the chance, but unfortunately, Ming Yan had clearly disappointed Chu Lian.

However, this was her own choice. Chu Lian wouldn't blame her.

Chu Lian didn't see anything wrong with Ming Yan's expression. She smiled sweetly. "Alright, then you stay and take care of Old Marquess. After all, you're my head servant girl. It's not good to embarrass me. Don't be stingy with the secret recipes I teach you. As for the rest, you don't have to worry. Grandmother and I will take care of it."

Ming Yan didn't think that Chu Lian would agree so readily and look so happy. She sneaked a glance at Chu Lian, then carefully looked at Matriarch He. Only then did she truly relax.

In the next moment, she began to yearn for life in Duke Zheng's household.

At the end of the day, no matter how smart Ming Yan was, she was still a little servant girl who hadn't seen much of the world. No matter how scheming she was, her horizons were still limited.

Since they had discussed it, the other methods Chu Lian had prepared were naturally useless. She warned Ming Yan about a few things before supporting Matriarch He out of the wing room.

Old Madame of Duke Zheng didn't think that Chu Lian's head servant girl would know so many secret recipes. She was astonished and, of course, her eyes were filled with disbelief. Nowadays, secret recipes were so hard to come by. Even if Chu Lian could easily make good dishes, she wouldn't be so lenient as to teach these secret recipes to her head servant girl.

Seeing that they didn't believe her, Chu Lian smiled slightly. She had the servants prepare the ingredients and had Ming Yan show off her skills in front of everyone.

Ming Yan was making Dragon Whisker Noodles. The skill in rolling the noodles and the method of cooking them weren't something an ordinary family could have.

It wasn't until the noodles were made and brought to Old Madame of Duke Zheng that she had no choice but to believe that Chu Lian's servant girl was also an expert in cooking.

Since it was proven, Ming Yan was left behind to take care of Old Marquess's meals. Old Madame of Duke Zheng also knew that this was Matriarch He's biggest concession. She led her daughter-in-law to personally send Matriarch He and Chu Lian to the front courtyard.

Just as they were about to enter the carriage, Heir Zheng hurried over.

Heir Zheng was young and had a sweet tongue. The first thing he did was greet Matriarch He and thank Chu Lian for her hospitality that day. Finally, he even asked about the opening of Guilin Restaurant.

Chu Lian was a bit surprised. "How did Heir Zheng know that I'm preparing for the opening of the restaurant?"

Heir Zheng laughed heartily. "I heard Big Brother He mention it a few days ago. When the time comes, Jinyi Village Lord, please don't forget to leave me an invitation."

"Of course."

So that's how it was. Chu Lian smiled. Heir Zheng was straightforward with his words. It was hard to dislike him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chu Lian followed Matriarch He back to Count Jing 'an Estate.

When he saw Count Jing 'an Estate's carriage leave the estate, Heir Zheng turned around and asked his grandmother and mother curiously, "I heard that the village lord left his personal head servant girl in our estate. Why is that?"

Madame Zheng glared at him when she heard his question. "Instead of doing proper work, you're actually asking about such trivial matters. Why do you need to know this?!"

Heir Zheng had always been good at coaxing people, especially older people like his mother and grandmother.

He hugged Madame Zheng's arm. "Mother, you also said that this is a trivial matter. Since it's a trivial matter, why don't you tell your son? That way, I won't have to send people to ask about it."

Lady Zheng only had this one son and she actually doted on him a lot. She looked at her son dotingly and helplessly and pointed at him. "The village lord left this head servant girl who's good at cooking. She's here to take care of your grandfather. Don't go and cause trouble."

Heir Zheng was a bit shocked. "Good at cooking? How does that compare to the village lord?"

Madame Zheng glanced at her grandson. "How can she compare to the village lord? This girl was taught by the village lord. Didn't you say that you've eaten the dishes personally made by the village lord? In the future, when you taste the servant girl's cooking, you'll naturally understand."

Heir Zheng was a bit more excited and expectant when he heard this.

In the afternoon, Matriarch He and Chu Lian returned to Count Jing 'an Estate.

Chu Lian first escorted Matriarch He back to Qingyi Hall. Before they left, Matriarch He sent all the servants away and held Chu Lian's hand to speak to her.

"Child, you've given away your personal servant girl just like that. Now that you're short on people, how about I give you the wooden incense?"