Ye Zhinan noticed that Concubine Shi looked unhappy. There was a faint glint of coldness in her eyes, but the next second, it was gone, and she regained her calm as if nothing had happened.
"If that's the case, what does Miss Ye like?"
She was clearly determined to send Concubine Thirteen away!
Ye Zhinan cast a sympathetic glance at the other woman. "I don't need anything. Just prepare the ducks. I'll get ready and come right away."
With that, she turned around and continued with her work, not wanting to get involved in the disputes among the Wei family members.
The concubines looked at each other. Finding it boring, they dispersed one by one.
After Ye Zhinan finished her work, she went straight to the Wei family's mansion. When passing by the entrance, Ye Yingfeng saw his sister stop at the door without going in and quickly called out to her.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the Wei family's to teach them how to make marinated food."
Ye Yingfeng casually picked up a stick. "I'll go with you."
Ye Zhinan quickly snatched the stick from his hand. "I'm not going to fight. Don't be so excited! Besides, they're asking for my help this time. They won't do anything to me. If something happens, I'll shout, and you can rush over immediately."
Although Ye Yingfeng was still worried, he couldn't persuade his sister. He could only give her repeated instructions before letting her go.
As soon as Ye Zhinan arrived at the Wei family's mansion, she saw Concubine Liu waiting at the door.
She was taken aback for a moment, then immediately put on a smiling face.
"Concubine Liu, sorry to keep you waiting. I said I'd come, and I will."
Concubine Liu forced a smile, which looked rather out of place on her weather - beaten face, making it seem somewhat fake.
Ye Zhinan was invited in. Concubine Shi stood in the courtyard with a group of people. Their eyes were fixed on her, each pair carrying a different meaning.
This wasn't her first time in the Wei family's mansion, but it was the first time she'd been entertained by so many people. Among the thirteen concubines of Wei Louming, none of them was easy to deal with. However, the eldest mistress could hold her position firmly and maintain harmony among them all. This was something Ye Zhinan admired.
The eldest mistress didn't show up this time. Concubine Shi was the spokesperson. But the moment Ye Zhinan walked in, she could read a lot of hidden agendas. First, Concubine Liu's show of concern, then Concubine Eleven's secret glances, and Concubine Thirteen's coquettish posturing. She understood and yet didn't understand. She understood that with so many concubines, it was hard to unify their minds. What she didn't understand was that although they were standing together, they each had their own plans. It seemed that no one wanted to fall behind when it came to making money!
As soon as Concubine Shi moved, Concubine Thirteen rushed over, grabbed Ye Zhinan's arm, and said warmly and affectionately, "Niece, you're finally here. See if our preparations are thorough enough?"
Following the direction of her finger, Ye Zhinan saw a person standing upright behind the concubines, holding a fat duck with both hands.
Wei Shishi?!
There was stubbornness and disdain in her eyes, but her hands were holding the dirty and bloody duck obediently.
Ye Zhinan noticed that her face had lost its former radiance. Although she was heavily made - up, there was an extra look of fear and caution. Moreover, her delicate hands were stained with blood, and there were even tiny wounds mixed in the bloodstains.
It seemed that she was having a tough time!
"What are you looking at? Do we need to invite Miss Ye to start?"
Wei Shishi threw the duck on the ground. The duck blood splashed up. Ye Zhinan moved slightly, and all the blood splashed on Concubine Liu. But Concubine Liu just silently wiped it off in disgust. Her lowered eyebrows hid the flash of hatred in her eyes, but Ye Zhinan, who was watching coldly, saw it all.
Would she really not say a word?
Ye Zhinan composed herself and immediately showed a look of sympathy and surprise on her face. "Concubine Liu, are you okay? Wei Shishi, how could you be so disrespectful and splash duck blood all over Concubine Liu?"
Although she said so, she didn't offer to help. She just gave Concubine Liu a look full of empathy when the latter looked at her.
"Yes, Shishi, you mustn't be rude in front of guests. How unseemly!"
Concubine Eleven scolded her in a timely manner.
How could Wei Shishi let herself be wronged? Just as she was about to step forward to argue, a woman grabbed her sleeve. "Hurry up and put the duck in."
This woman was simply dressed, completely different from Wei Shishi in style. But judging from her eyebrows, she must be Wei Shishi's mother.
Wei Shishi glared at Ye Zhinan fiercely, then picked up the duck and left.
Ye Zhinan gave her a sideways look when no one was noticing, then her expression returned to one of shock, panic, and innocence.
Concubine Shi walked towards her slowly and said, "If Miss Ye has no problems, we can start now."
"I have no problems. Then you can start. I still have to go home early to help my mother with the housework."
With that, she pulled over a stone bench in the courtyard and sat down.
Concubine Shi was stunned. "Us? Isn't Miss Ye going to give us instructions?"
"Yes, I'm giving instructions. Instructions are given by mouth, aren't they?"
Suddenly, Ye Zhinan seemed to have an epiphany. "Don't tell me you want me to cook for you! If I burn down your house, don't blame me!"
"You can't do it?"
As soon as Concubine Shi said this, even Concubine Liu looked at her in disbelief.
"Niece, wasn't the marinated food made by you?"
"Who said it was made by me?"
"Then why..."
Ye Zhinan couldn't help laughing. "You're so funny. I'll tell you what to do. Do you think a master has to cook every dish when teaching an apprentice? Is that teaching or working?"
Concubine Liu looked at Concubine Shi tremblingly. Concubine Shi's face became even more gloomy. Her almond - shaped eyes seemed to be killing people. Concubine Liu quickly smoothed things over. "Knowing the method is good enough. As long as we can make it."
"Okay then. Who among you will learn from Miss Ye?"
Concubine Shi's sharp eyes scanned the crowd.
But everyone lowered their heads. After Concubine Shi's gaze swept around, no one volunteered. She lowered her eyes again and snorted.
"Let Shishi do it. She's been busy for half a day."
The one who spoke was Wei Shishi's mother. Ye Zhinan looked at her carefully and thought: This is really her biological mother!
"Okay then. Sister Liu, you're so dexterous. You can go with her."
Concubine Liu frowned but couldn't refuse and could only nod in agreement.
After everything was arranged, Ye Zhinan began to speak. "The most important thing for all food is the ingredients. So I'll start teaching you from the most basic ingredient of marinated food, the duck. First, to choose a good duck, you have to start from raising the ducks. Although ducks don't pay much attention to hygiene, your duck shed is too dirty. Not only will the ducks get sick, but sick ducks are extremely harmful. Not only will it affect the taste of the marinated food, but it can also be transmitted to humans!"
At this point, she paused and saw everyone taking a step back, as if the duck shed was emitting bacteria.