The Feast Part One

Chapter 31: Detective Work

And so, faced with such a tearful beauty, Su Nuan Nuan could not bear to hit or kick her. She could only wave her hand back and forth, saying, "Fine, fine, aren't I in excellent condition? What are you crying for? If you're really that worried about me where have you been these past few months? Why haven't you visit me then?"

Xue Zi Lan answered with a choking voice, "It's little sister who has offended elder sister, there's nothing I can say. You know that I've always been meek. Ever since elder sister left the Inner Court, all matters had been left in the hands of Madam Yun. Little sister has to live under her pressure, and thus..."

"Nothing to say but still end up saying a whole bunch of things." Though she could not strike a beauty, Su Nuan Nuan has no intention of controlling her tongue. As expected, this single line of hers has awesome killing power. It immediately killed off whatever tender speeches that Xue Zi Lan has prepared.

"Did the Lord brought these for elder sister?" There was no way that Xue Zi Lan was going to just retreat like that, using a handkerchief to dab at her eyes, she cleverly switched the subject and pointed towards the ingredients.

"Oh yes," Su Nuan Nuan happily admitted. She watched as Xue Zi Lan curiously bent over to inspect the ingredients. Her cute movements and expression set off her peerless face even more, nearly making her shine with brilliance. Nuan Nuan's contempt for Duan Tingxuan grew even more.

That slag male, that slutty man whore, such a great beauty is not enough to slake your lust. Still want to collect more women like Pokémon cards[1]. You already have how many children? Were you a stud horse[2] in your past life? God in heaven, you tell me honestly, have you prepared the five coloured god-thunder[3]? This kind of slag male who don't know how to appreciate good things must be struck by lightning at least a couple of times, otherwise there won't be any justice in heaven, ah.

Letting the person into the house, this Xue Zi Lan, although enchanting and glamorous, did not have Madam Ran's kind of aura. She sat there like a mistreated little wife, her voice was soft as she asked Su Nuan Nuan how was life in Mei Yue Lou? Has Duan Tingxuan bullied her recently? When will she come back to the Inner Court? Finally, she brought up a request to learn some cooking skills.

Though Su Nuan Nuan liked looking at beauties, her common sense still remained and she remained vigilant and did not bother to answer Xue Zi Lan's request to learn cooking skills. This allowed an anxiously hovering Hong Lian to relax a little. Finally, seeing the sky getting dark, Xue Zi Lan excused herself and left after a heartfelt farewell.

"Hehe, when we're in trouble at Mei Yue Lou, just where was this Madam Lan? Why did Missy even bother to speak nicely with her? Did Missy really thinks that she's a warm and kind person, the type that could be squashed by mere unkind words?"

"Am I such a stupid person in your heart?" Su Nuan Nuan rolled her eyes at Hong Lian. "Civility, this is called civility, understand? I just felt that she's really beautiful, and enjoyed her presence like eye candy, but at the same time know that her flower like face hides a heart filled with scorpions and snakes. Relax, I'm not like that slutty rascal Duan Tingxuan, stunned by a mere beauty's presence."

Hong Lian finally relaxed. In the past, though Su Meng Nuan was bossy and domineering towards everyone including Xue Zi Lan, she had never bothered to guard herself against that woman, believing her to be a warm, gentle and good hearted great beauty. It was after they had been cast out into Mei Yue Lou to fend for themselves, that Hong Lou finally realised that this woman was no ordinary creature.

When she saw the Su Nuan Nuan's attitude towards Xue Zi Lan had not change much, her worry became almost unbearable. The mistress from before was not a good person, however that person from before and this person now was different. Hong Lian really loved this sassy and good hearted mistress, and did not wish to see Su Nuan Nuan carelessly eaten up by that cruel and merciless woman who could swallow a human whole without spitting out any bones.

"Actually, the master won't necessary be stunned by Madam Lan or Jing Yi Niang. In this maid's eyes, ever since the master came into this Mei Yue Lou, the master found it difficult to stay away from this place." Hong Lian cheerfully said.

Su Nuan Nuan waved a disdainful hand, "A dog can't help eating shit. Your master is just intrigued by my unusual cooking, once he had enough then that's it. Therefore while the effect is still fresh, we must blackmail everything we can from him...wait, no, hmm, extort, that's not right either, that is...the point is to grab as much ingredients as we can from him. It's best if we can get silver or something, the future is uncertain after all, it's best to be prepared. Oh yes, must learn more kungfu from him. As long as I have kungfu, where under heaven do I need to fear?"

"If the master heard Missy's words and knew that you have such plans, he would be even more reluctant to teach you kungfu." Hong Lian felt her mistress' words were really odd and funny.

Su Nuan Nuan retorted, "Hong Lian, why do you keep thinking that your master would have feelings for me again? Don't you know the expression 'in times of hardship, feelings become thin'? Furthermore, he and I never had strong feelings in the first place. We are now distant in feelings and apart in manner. We take what we need from the other without need to give face. This is good, a slutty rascal and poisonous wife, this is how it should be. I advice you not to hold out dreams of your master and I joining together to form a whole mirror, otherwise the ones with shattered hearts will be you."

She had hardly finished speaking when they suddenly heard Duan Tingxuan's loud voice howling from the yard, "Oh yes, one more thing. Nuan Nuan, you prepare a few more roasted ducks for me. Just like the ones from a few days ago. Make more of those Lotus Leaf Bread[4]. I need to bring some to the East Palace tomorrow."

"This rascal is getting too much, it's not enough to just eat here, you want to take my food away too?" Su Nuan Nuan made and angry 'Humpf!', stood and rolling up her sleeves she angrily stomped to the entrance, gritting her teeth and muttering, "Greedy, hope you get struck by lightning, just because I let you take some leftovers back you treat me like a pushover that you can order around."

Hong Lian was stunned for a moment, and was a moment too late to pull her mistress back. A loud scream came from the yard. By the times she made it outside, Duan Tingxuan was being chased by Su Nuan Nuan as he dodged into the kitchen. He emerged with two Sugared Fried Dough[5] in his hand. Before he could make his escape, Su Nuan Nuan managed to smack his leg with a broom.

The master's level of kungfu was powerful, and therefore was not at all bothered by such minor injuries. Clutching the two pieces of Sugared Fried Dough he made for the entrance, aiming to escape with his prize. Seeing Su Nuan Nuan standing at the balcony and huffing with anger, he dared to laugh.

"If you're tired, two roast ducks would be enough, can't be less. The guy's still a crown prince after all. Just bringing one duck would make me look miserly, especially if I eat half of it, wouldn't that be too stingy? Good Nuan Nuan, considering all the high class ingredients I've brought over these few days, you should at least give me some face. When hunting season comes with autumn, I'll bring in all kinds of deers[6] for you."

"Pei!" Su Nuan Nuan spat on the ground. How could this be considered a kindness? This rascal thinks she doesn't know the real intention in his heart? "You don't need to bring me any game, after I've slaved over them, those things would just ended up in your stomach."

"Don't say it like this, ah. Though some will enter my stomach, surely some would be eaten by you? We have such a perfect arrangement together, and you're so clever, surely you can find a way to profit over this? Right?" Duan Tingxuan smile filled his face, he waved the Sugared Fried Dough in his hands. "Well, I still have some business, don't forget about the ducks." So saying, he turned and was about to leave when he sensed a great force of wind surging his way. He ducked in the last minute, and a small stone whizzed past his ear.