Reborn Lady

Chapter 113

The round-faced maid gestured to two young maids who were tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard and said with a smile, “I’ll go supervise them first, and you can get to work. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”

Liao Qiuniang nodded and surveyed the tranquil and elegant kitchen.

As expected of a prominent family, the kitchen was stocked with a wide array of ingredients, including fresh meat, poultry, and fish, all neatly organized. Liao Qiuniang set down the food box containing her homemade sauce, selected the finest piece of pork belly, and handed it to Lihua to prepare the filling. Then, she started kneading the dough.

For roast meat buns, both the filling and the dough needed to be exceptional. The filling was enhanced by the addition of her special sauce, while the dough’s quality was a result of the chef’s skill.

The kitchen grew increasingly stuffy, and both of them were gradually working till they sweat.

The round-faced maid returned with two tea bowls on a tray and remarked, “Look at me, I almost forgot to bring you some tea. It’s already cooled down, but please have a drink.”

Liao Qiuniang, deeply focused on kneading the dough, declined the offer.

Lihua continued to chop the filling and wasn’t eager to drink either, but the round-faced servant girl’s enthusiasm prevailed. She brought the tea bowl to Lihua, who reluctantly took a sip. In the process, some tea spilled, and Lihua had to take a substantial gulp.

The round-faced maid set the tea aside and resumed her duties. After Liao Qiuniang had finished kneading the dough, she wiped the sweat from her brow with her sleeve. Suddenly, a muffled thud came from beside her, and when she turned to look, she found Lihua had collapsed to the ground.

“Lihua!” Liao Qiuniang rushed over, squatting down to assist Lihua, not minding the fact that her own face was still wet with perspiration.

Lihua’s eyes remained closed, as if she had fallen into a deep slumber.

Suddenly, the kitchen door was closed, enveloping them in darkness.

Liao Qiuniang peered to see who stood at the door, and when she recognized the person, a chilling sensation surged from the soles of her feet to her heart. Yin Wen glanced inside, flashed a smile at Liao Qiuniang, who appeared as though she had seen a ghost, and leisurely unbuttoned his coat, saying, “It’s been a while, Qiuniang, do you still remember me?”

Liao Qiuniang, finally comprehending the situation, asked, “You planned all of this?”

Yin Wen responded, “Otherwise, do you truly believe someone would be willing to spend ten taels of silver just to buy your steamed buns?”

Liao Qiuniang, her gaze never leaving Yin Wen, cautiously reached out to check Lihua’s breathing. Fortunately, it seemed that the tea had been laced with a sedative drug.

After confirming that Lihua was safe, Liao Qiuniang gently laid her down. While Yin Wen was still looking for a place to hang his coat, Liao Qiuniang vaulted over Lihua’s body, swiftly seized a kitchen knife from the chopping board, and warned Yin Wen with a defensive stance, “Don’t come any closer, or I’ll stab you.”

Her face was as pale as paper, but her eyes blazed with determination. If Yin Wen tried to force her, she would rather fight to the death.

Yin Wen put away his coat, observed her stance, and said with a smile, “Why is this necessary? As long as you come with me, when I get married, you’ll be immediately accepted as a concubine. You must be aware of the wealth of the Yin family. Follow me, and I’ll provide for you. You’ll have a life of luxury with gold and silver.”

Liao Qiuniang retorted, “Never! I’d rather be so destitute that I eat chaff and subsist on vegetables than become your concubine! I suggest you leave, because even if you win, I’ll report you to the third lady!”

Yin Wen advanced toward her with a determined smile on his face, saying, “The third lady is my younger sister, so whom do you think she’ll help? Moreover, given her current status, she’s most concerned about her family’s troubles affecting her comfortable life in the palace. If you go to her, it might lead to reprisals. Why don’t you just obey me willingly?”

Liao Qiuniang remained steadfast in her refusal, and as Yin Wen steadily approached her, forcing her to retreat, she became so desperate that she actually swung the knife at him.

The sharp kitchen knife was truly menacing, but Yin Wen remained unperturbed. He quickly sidestepped the strike, simultaneously seizing Liao Qiuniang’s wrist and pinching it forcefully. He then pushed the slender Liao Qiuniang against the rice vat behind her, using one hand to muffle her cries and the other to hold her skirt.

Liao Qiuniang fought vehemently, but Yin Wen was unyielding, securing her by her waist and legs, making it impossible for her to break free.

In Yin Wen’s eyes, Liao Qiuniang was akin to a rabbit with her hands and feet tied. No matter how much she struggled, she would ultimately succumb to him.

As his hand pressed against her mouth, Liao Qiuniang suddenly stopped resisting and began weeping uncontrollably, her tears streaming onto Yin Wen’s hand.

Yin Wen, despite his actions, wasn’t a common street thug. Seeing her cry so sadly and her body becoming docile, he sensed she had resigned herself to her fate. With a touch of pity, he released Liao Qiuniang’s mouth and leaned in to kiss her cheek, saying, “Silly girl, don’t cry. Follow me, and you’ll have a good life in the future.”

Liao Qiuniang simply continued to cry and made no attempt to evade when he came in for the kiss.

In a sudden and desperate act, just as Yin Wen cupped her face and touched her lips, Liao Qiuniang swiftly retrieved the pear flower’s copper hairpin hidden within her sleeve and lunged at Yin Wen, attempting to stab him.

Yin Wen detected the change and managed to evade it in the nick of time. However, Liao Qiuniang pursued relentlessly, exhibiting the determination of a cornered animal. As they continued to dodge and chase each other, the sharp end of the copper hairpin grazed Yin Wen’s face, drawing blood, but he promptly knocked it away.