Since the ink - splashing incident at the girls' academy, Yun Xi and Zhen Bao had never reached a conclusion as to whether it was better to be gentle but sharp - tongued or to confront head - on.
However, due to their shared interests, they gradually became "food friends".
Before long, the winter charity drive at the girls' academy arrived.
Every winter, holding a charity drive for the poor had become an unchanging tradition at the girls' academy.
But this year was particularly special.
Following Yun Xi's previous suggestion, the eldest princess decided to add a food - appreciation segment to this year's charity event.
Upon hearing this, even the Empress Dowager, who usually devoutly chanted Buddhist scriptures and shunned the limelight, rarely summoned the eldest princess and promised to attend in person.
This news immediately caused a stir at the girls' academy. The eldest princess had been beaming with joy for days, feeling highly esteemed.
She ordered every female student at the girls' academy to personally prepare at least one dish. The type was not restricted, but it must be creative.
Those who had the chance could even present their food to the Empress Dowager on the spot!
Although the female students at the academy all came from official families, many of them had never seen the Empress Dowager.
Faced with this once - in - a - lifetime opportunity, they naturally spared no effort and wracked their brains day and night.
Finally, the day of the girls' academy's charity drive and appreciation event arrived!
Yun Xi was woken up from her sweet dream by Yu Zhu early in the morning. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she came to the kitchen of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
At this moment, the sky was just turning light, and dawn had not yet broken. Madam Jiang and her daughter Yun Ni had been in the kitchen preparing for a long time.
On the kitchen counter were piled up all kinds of rare ingredients. Many of them were hard to find in winter and were almost as precious as gold.
It was obvious that Madam Jiang had gone to great lengths this time to ensure that her daughter could shine in front of the Empress Dowager!
When Yun Xi and her maid entered, Madam Jiang just gave her a cold glance and ignored her.
Yun Ni, on the other hand, looked domineering. She deliberately bumped into Yun Xi's shoulder and said,
"The kitchen is so small. What are you doing here? Be careful not to ruin my ingredients!"
Yun Xi was already in a bad mood because she hadn't slept enough after being woken up so early. Being bumped into by Yun Ni like this, she immediately got a bit angry.
She retorted,
"With your skills, you still have the nerve to cook?"
Hearing this, Yun Ni's face flushed with anger. "You laugh at my cooking skills. Why don't you show us a decent dish? You're just as bad as me. In the end, you'll only make a fool of yourself!"
Originally, Yu Zhu had woken Yun Xi up early and brought her to the kitchen so that her mistress, who was only an average cook, would have more time to prepare.
But unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived in the kitchen, a conflict broke out. And her mistress was just lazily leaning against the wall, dozing off, which gave Yu Zhu a headache.
She stepped forward and shook Yun Xi's shoulder, saying earnestly,
"Miss, stop sleeping. We're already much later than others. If we don't start preparing now, there won't be enough time!"
Shaken by Yu Zhu, Yun Xi woke up a bit. She got up and stretched.
"What are you worried about? Auntie has already prepared the ingredients. We can just make something casually!"
Hearing this, Madam Jiang's face stiffened, but she didn't say a word. Yun Ni, with her hands on her hips, flared up at Yun Xi,
"Who said these ingredients were for you? If you want them, buy them yourself! Don't try to use ours!"
Facing Yun Ni's anger, Yun Xi casually picked at her ear,
"We're all family. Why be so stingy? If word gets out, people will laugh at the Prime Minister's Mansion for being disunited. They'll also say that Auntie is so petty that she can't even share a little bit of food."
"You!"
Yun Ni was so angry that she was speechless. Madam Jiang, however, held back her temper and tugged at her.
Yun Xi was pushed by Yu Zhu to wash her hands. There was also an apron tied around her waist. At first glance, she really looked like a cook.
She walked around the ingredients prepared by Madam Jiang. Ignoring Madam Jiang's fiery gaze, she picked up the bird's nest that Madam Jiang was about to grab and handed it to the guilt - ridden Yu Zhu.
"This bird's nest is of very good quality. It should make a nice dessert. Yu Zhu, soak it first. Don't waste it!"
Although it was just a few ingredients that were taken by Yun Xi, what annoyed Madam Jiang most was that Yun Xi acted as if it was completely natural.
If Madam Jiang got angry with her over such a small matter, it would only make the mistress of the Prime Minister's Mansion seem too petty!
Madam Jiang took a deep breath and repeatedly told herself not to get angry!
Because she found that recently, every time she talked to Yun Xi, she always felt chest - tight and irritable.
In order to live a long and healthy life, she must get rid of this thorn in her side as soon as possible!