Hearing what Butler Li said, Si Hongxi's face suddenly changed. He quickly said, "Okay, I'll go there right away. Butler Li, this is Miss Wan Ruo, and this is Miss Man Man. Later, please arrange accommodations for these two ladies!" After saying that, Si Hongxi looked at Wan Ruo and said, "I have something urgent to attend to. Once you're ready, they'll take you there!"
"Oh, okay! Hurry up then!" Wan Ruo nodded in reply.
After Si Hongxi left, Butler Li said respectfully, "Ladies, please follow me!" Butler Li led Wan Ruo and the others forward. Qin Man Man just kept looking around. The prince's mansion was truly imposing. It was so huge, and the scenery was simply beautiful. Oh my goodness, if only I could live here!
"Mr. Li, I'd like to ask. I've heard that the old lady hasn't been feeling well recently. How's her appetite?" Wan Ruo asked.
Butler Li hesitated a bit and then said, "Miss, to be honest with you, the old lady has been seriously ill recently and has become quite strange. Her appetite has suddenly increased greatly, and she's very picky about food. Even though she can eat as much in one meal as ten strong men would eat in a day, strangely enough, no matter how much she eats, the old lady has become extremely emaciated... Sigh!"
"This is so strange! Could she be possessed by evil spirits?" Qin Man Man blurted out carelessly.
Hearing what Qin Man Man said, Wan Ruo also felt that something was amiss. Butler Li looked around and quickly stopped them, saying, "Hey! Miss Man Man, don't make irresponsible remarks! Be careful that there might be eavesdroppers!"
Then he continued with a sigh, "Alas! Everyone in the prince's mansion is saying this, but the prince never believes in such things. More than a dozen famous doctors have been invited, but none of them could diagnose the cause of the illness. The prescriptions they prescribed didn't work either! These days, the old lady's condition is not looking good. She's too picky about food and gets angry if she's not satisfied! The prince has been looking everywhere for famous chefs to prepare meals for the old lady. Sigh!"
Qin Man Man whispered in Wan Ruo's ear, "This old woman seems so scary. I'm getting goosebumps all over! Eww!"
Butler Li shook his head helplessly and led them on.
Soon they arrived at the dining hall. As soon as the door opened, they saw all kinds of chefs busily preparing their signature dishes! It really shocked Wan Ruo.
Butler Li led them into a room inside the dining hall. This room was fully equipped with kitchen utensils, like a place for making special dishes. He pointed to the things on the table and said to Wan Ruo, "Miss Wan Ruo, all the things you brought have been prepared. They're here. If you need any other items or someone to assist you, just tell me! I'll make the arrangements for you!"
Wan Ruo looked around. This dining hall was even bigger than the back kitchen of Shan An Fang! "Oh, okay. There's no need to trouble yourself. I can handle it on my own. Thank you!"
"Then I'll go back to my work first! If you need anything, just let me know. There are servants outside the door. You can just give them your orders!" Butler Li instructed.
Wan Ruo nodded and replied, "Yes! Okay!"
"This old servant will take his leave!"
After Butler Li left, Qin Man Man couldn't hold back any longer. She looked around, rummaged through things, and complained, "The prince's mansion is so big. Why did they call you to the kitchen? Could it be that they invited you to cook? ... Oh my goodness! Can you do it?"
At this time, Wan Ruo had already started preparing the snacks. Hearing Qin Man Man's doubts, she casually replied, "You'll know if you give it a try!"
On the other side, Si Hongxi quickened his pace and rushed to the imperial concubine's bedroom. "Mother! Are you feeling any better today?"
"Xi'er!" the imperial concubine said in a trembling voice.
Si Hongxi looked up and was quite shocked. He hadn't seen the imperial concubine for just a couple of days, and now her bones were showing! Si Hongxi quickly stepped forward to support her. "Mother, how could this happen? Haven't you eaten for a long time?" he asked with a worried look on his face. Then he turned to the maids beside him and scolded, "How have you been serving the imperial concubine!"
As soon as he said this, the maids were so scared that they knelt down immediately. "Hey! It's my problem. I just finished my meal, but I still feel hungry all the time. And the more I eat, the thinner I get. It's not their fault!" the imperial concubine said weakly.
"Quick, lie down and rest!" Si Hongxi helped her lie down and then walked out. He hesitated for a moment. He originally planned to introduce Wan Ruo to the imperial concubine, but he never expected the imperial concubine to be in such a state. He was really afraid that it would scare Wan Ruo!
Wan Ruo had already finished making the snacks. The butler was about to take her to see the imperial concubine. As they walked, he said to Wan Ruo, "Miss, the imperial concubine should be having her meal now. After she finishes, the servants will send the snacks in. You'll have to wait until the imperial concubine summons you before you can go in. So you'll have to wait for a while!"
Butler Li led the two of them to the hall to rest. Then he said to Wan Ruo, "Miss Wan Ruo, if you're going to meet the imperial concubine later, your current attire... might not be quite appropriate!"
Wan Ruo looked at herself. Her clothes were indeed rather shabby, and she felt a bit embarrassed.
Qin Man Man saw Wan Ruo's expression and couldn't help but snicker.
"It's okay. The prince has already prepared something for you. Please follow me. Miss Man Man, please wait here!" Butler Li said.
Hearing this, Qin Man Man's face instantly changed. She stamped her feet angrily and had no choice but to sit there and wait.
Wan Ruo was led to another room. The maids there had been waiting for a long time. Butler Li backed out and closed the door.
When Wan Ruo turned around, she was startled. There were at least four or five maids ready. They all pulled Wan Ruo in. Wan Ruo looked at the big wooden tub in the middle of the room. There was steaming water in it, and a layer of rose petals was floating on the surface. Oh my goodness! Do I have to take a bath?
She had never been served by so many people in her life. Naturally, she wasn't used to others touching her body. She quickly pushed them away awkwardly and said, "No, no. I'll do it myself. I'll do it myself!"
Just like this, Wan Ruo was being groomed by these maids half-heartedly!
Si Hongxi couldn't wait any longer and came to the hall to look for Wan Ruo, but he only saw Qin Man Man. Qin Man Man was bored, but as soon as she saw Si Hongxi, she immediately perked up!
She quickly stepped forward and greeted him, saying, "Your Highness, you're finally here! I'm so bored here all by myself!"
"Shall I have someone send you back first?" Si Hongxi looked at Qin Man Man coldly and said.
He was already very annoyed because of the imperial concubine's illness, and Qin Man Man had just happened to catch him in a bad mood.
Qin Man Man didn't expect Si Hongxi to say this. She felt a bit embarrassed and quickly said, "Ah, it's okay. I'll leave with Wan Ruo!"
At this time, Butler Li quickly reported, "Your Highness, Miss Wan Ruo still needs a little more time!"
"Okay. The imperial concubine's mealtime is over. Has the snack been sent in?" Si Hongxi asked.
Butler Li quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness. Your servant has already sent someone to deliver it!"
Suddenly, there came the hasty voice of a servant from behind. "Your Highness, Your Highness, the imperial concubine wants to see the person who made the pastry! Right now!"
Hearing this, Si Hongxi frowned tightly. Since the imperial concubine had fallen seriously ill, she didn't want to see anyone. But now she suddenly wanted to see Wan Ruo. He didn't know if it was a blessing or a disaster!
Just at this moment, the maid led Wan Ruo out!