Chapter 262 Eating You Until You’re Poor
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Mingzhu was waiting for Zhou Nushi’s response. She immediately counted on her chubby fingers and said, “Since we’re all family, for a simple family feast, I think there’s no need to spend too much. No need for extravagant dishes like camel soup, bear paws, fish maw, and bird’s nest. Just a few symbolic dishes like ox tails and otter would be enough. And the alcohol doesn’t have to be expensive, lamb alcohol and Su Hexiang alcohol would be fine. Oh, and His Highness loves grapes, big and sweet, and served chilled. Also, I heard that Dai Wangfei is a vegetarian, but she insists on the best quality vegetarian dishes. Fu Wang’s concubine loves drunken crabs, and Hu Yang Wangfei loves deer meat. We can’t leave out these items.”
Just a few symbolic dishes? No need for extravagance? She’s going to clean them out of everything exotic and rare! Will this meal bankrupt everyone? How could there be such an impolite mistress? Where will their money go after all this? Truly, the rich know nothing of the poor. Ping Nushi’s face turned green instantly, and Zhou Nushi’s face showed an expression of disbelief.
These two were still thinking about the face of the Ying Wang Mansion, thinking that the Wangfei wouldn’t really refuse to spend a single penny, and might even provide some assistance. But Mingzhu, with a smile, asked, “Why so quiet? Can’t bear it? Originally, you invited His Highness and me, so these dishes are essential. We have few people and can’t finish it all. It would be a waste to throw it away. His Highness said he wants to manage the household prudently, so I think it’s just right to take care of two things at once. I’ve invited guests, and you’ve fulfilled your wish. Isn’t that perfect?”
Without asking if they had money, she instead said they couldn’t bear it… Inviting two people is the same as inviting several Wangfeis? How shameless. Ping Nushi wanted to cry but dared not, and Zhou Nushi suppressed her annoyance, collected herself, and said softly, “They say a good memory is better than a bad pen. Could the Wangfei please grant me a pen and paper so I can jot down the ingredients you just instructed? So as not to make any mistakes.”
Su Jin and the others couldn’t help but exchange glances. It was really amusing. They didn’t know how to peacefully enjoy life in the house, but now that they’ve started, who knew it would come to this? Mingzhu raised her chin at Su Jin, “Prepare pen and ink for Zhou Nushi.”
Su Jin quickly prepared the writing materials, Zhou Nushi wrote them down, and then stood up, “Please continue your instructions, Your Highness.”
Mingzhu propped up her chin, pushed her green sleeves up to her elbows, revealing a section of snow-white, tender, and delicate arms, like coagulated fat. The vermilion mole on her wrist was glaringly red. “Hmm, regarding the food, there’s nothing more to say. Also, His Highness has been very busy and tired lately, without much rest. You should find a way to have some fun, either by inviting some famous performers to entertain, or arranging some magic performances to liven things up. It should be novel and interesting, or it will be boring. We have plenty of delicacies, so we need something to match.”
The maidservants all understood that she intended to use a soft knife to kill, forcing these concubines to bleed heavily, all pretending to smile as they looked towards Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi. Su Zi and Su Ye had already pledged their allegiance, so they weren’t worried. Instead, they were advising Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi, “We’ve heard of several excellent troupes. The most famous for magic performances is the Purple Qi Pavilion in the north of the city, the best for singing and dancing is the Fairy Music Troupe, and the best for storytelling is the Shao Family. However, these people charge very high prices.”
Mingzhu smiled and said, “Indeed, they are very good. I’m sure His Highness will like them very much.”
Since His Highness liked them, they must be hired at all costs! Ping Nushi’s scalp tingled with numbness, and she looked resentfully at Zhou Nushi. It was all because of this old woman causing trouble. Knowing that this tigress was difficult to deal with, she still pretended to be formal and polite, inviting guests. What’s the point of knowing a few words? Knowing words is nothing special. When encountering such an unreasonable and shameless bandit woman, let’s see how you handle it!
Zhou Nushi’s forehead and nose were covered in fine sweat. Of course, she was aware of all these things. If they were to invite the Wangfeis to the mansion, they would indeed need these things to be presentable. Inviting guests to the mansion was not a big deal, but for them, it was not an easy matter.
His Highness had never given much money, and everyone was poor. Only she occasionally received some rewards from Imperial Consort Min, and the Wangfei had just increased her monthly allowance. She was the one who had to take the lead and bear everything that others couldn’t afford. It was truly a matter of emptying their pockets.
It’s not that she was unwilling. Anything that could be done with money was not a big deal. The problem was that the money spent was not worth it. If you throw money into the water, it would at least create some ripples. After this meal, who would remember who invited the guests? People would only remember that it was the Wangfei who invited them. And the concubines of the northern garden would resent her for losing their money. As for herself, she didn’t have much money, and it wasn’t convenient to even think about inviting people.
Zhou Nushi regretted it. If she had known this, she wouldn’t have harbored such thoughts. She had misunderstood the new Wangfei, thinking that a noblewoman from a prestigious family would care about her reputation. She didn’t expect her to be so shameless and arrogant, and so brazen.
Seeing these two still not expressing their stance, Mingzhu pushed them further, “Why aren’t you speaking? Regretting it?”
Since things had come to this point, they had to endure it no matter how difficult it was. Since the Wangfei wanted her to be isolated and resented by the people of the northern garden, then let them resent and isolate her. Perhaps this was the way to survive. First, survive, and then think about other things. Otherwise, if they died or were driven out, they would have nothing left. Zhou Nushi raised her head and calmly said, “No, I’m considering how to handle this matter without causing offense.”
Was she trying to act tough until the end? Since she wouldn’t plead for mercy, then let it continue. Mingzhu said, “It’s okay. Our kitchen staff are excellent. As long as the ingredients are good, they won’t make any mistakes. Once you’ve decided on the troupe, you can discuss with Li Quanxin and let him arrange for someone to run errands for you. As for the invitations, I’ll take care of them. The other trivial matters, I’ll leave to you two.”
When Mingzhu began to serve tea, Zhou Nushi politely took her leave. Ping Nushi lingered behind, unwilling to leave. Zhou Nushi ignored her and followed Su Zi and Su Ye, the sisters, first.
Only then did Ping Nushi kneel in front of Mingzhu and said, “Your Highness, it wasn’t this maidservant who wanted to come, it was Zhou…”
Mingzhu gave her a cold look, “Did I ask you to stay? Withdraw!”
Helpless, Ping Nushi had to withdraw.
Su Jin whispered, “Just now, she wanted to surrender. Why not see what she wants to do before making a decision?”
Mingzhu said indifferently, “I don’t need her. Let her struggle on her own.” With no peace of mind, she would bite even harder. Wanting to get close to her, it’s not that easy, is it?
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