She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 128 - 127: Brought Some Tasty Food

Chapter 128: Chapter 127: Brought Some Tasty Food

Qi Jia, being a child, quickly forgot his reluctance to part with the tasty treats when he saw his Big Aunt, who was always kind to him. At this moment, he thought of the joy and sweetness of tasting the cream cake with Big Aunt, Second Cousin, and Brother Sanshun.

Qi Jia proudly lifted the little basket and with a childlike tone said, "This is for Big Aunt and Second Cousin, and oh, for Brother Sanshun as well, since he had less yesterday."

Lady Xu thought Qi Jia had brought breakfast or some children’s snacks as usual and took his words as just a child’s innocent talk, responding with a smile: "Our little Jiajia can even bring food for Big Aunt and his cousin now, that’s so nice. Big Aunt and your cousin are adults; they can’t compete with children for food. It’s fine for you and Brother Sanshun to eat together."

Ye Xinyan smiled and said, "Big Aunt, it’s not just child’s talk from Qi Jia. What’s inside here is really for Big Aunt and Meizi. It’s a new dessert from our snack shop. You and Meizi should at least try it, see if it suits your taste."

Before Lady Xu could reply, Lady Han, who overheard the conversation, came out from the western chamber and started, "Ye Zi, the goods from your snack shop are meant for the rich folks in the county, they must be of high quality. I used to think you were quite an understanding person, but I didn’t expect you to be so good at currying favor. You’re such an opportunist, cozying up to those who are useful to you. Now that you need Big Aunt, you couldn’t be keener to offer her little favors, while disregarding the rest of us."

Ye Xinyan merely glanced at Lady Han and pretended not to hear her, continuing her conversation with Lady Xu, "The snacks in the basket were made yesterday, with rare ingredients, but they shouldn’t be left out too long. Remember to share them with Meizi and the others. Later, I’ll ask about your taste experience. If there is anything unsatisfactory, I can make corrections earlier."

Lady Xu, sensing the awkwardness for Lady Han as she was being ignored, attempted to smooth things over, "Well then, since these are rare treats, let’s have the Great Uncle and Great Aunt try them too." That meant handing them over to Lady Wang to decide who would eat them.

"There’s no need, Great Uncle and Great Aunt already have theirs. After dinner yesterday, Great Uncle took some back for Great Aunt. What’s in Qi Jia’s basket is for you, Uncle, and Meizi," Ye Xinyan said softly and slowly.

Qi Yourong had repeatedly caused trouble in the Second Branch family, and Lady Han was always behind it. Ye Xinyan had refrained from taking issue with her out of respect for Qi Yougui and Qi Sanshun. But seeing as Lady Han was bluntly pushing her luck, Ye Xinyan decided to include Qi Dazhu too in the list of those who would taste the cake.

The pricing of Ye Xinyan’s cream cakes was such that even the commonly wealthy could not afford them frequently, while for the ordinary farming household used to subsisting on wild greens and assorted grains, these cakes, without a special chance, were like products from the clouds—delicacies not intended for the likes of Lady Han.

Lady Han was of course indignant. Having learned from Sanshun’s return from the Second Branch family last night about their extravagant dinner, she had pressed him for details.

Sanshun was reluctant to speak, but after much coaxing and a stern interrogation, the begrudging boy revealed that the dinner was a feast more lavish than festival meals. Through cunning questioning, she learned that they had also enjoyed an incredibly delicious item called a cream cake, allegedly so exclusive that even wealthy households might not taste it.

According to Sanshun, this cake was unlike any they had shared with Qi Jia before, not only exceptionally soft and sweet, literally melting in the mouth, but also with an indescribably rich aroma, so delicious it could make one want to swallow their own tongue.

His description left Lady Han enviously craving. Unfortunately, those stingy ones in the Second Branch family, even with the capacity to make such treats, did not deign to share with their own relatives, instead being miserly with what they let only the family head and the children enjoy.

Initially, Lady Han had her mind set on savoring the delicious food the family head had brought home after dinner, figuring that, based on the size Sanshun had indicated, if the First Branch family was sharing, they too would receive a sizable portion.

As soon as the siblings Ye Xinyan and Qi Jia entered the door, Lady Han had been all ears for any movement in the courtyard. Hearing them mention bringing yesterday’s delectable treat mentioned by Sanshun to their eldest brother’s family, she immediately felt a sense of injustice. Now this despicable Abandoned Wife was even counting Qi Da in the equation, making it clear she intended to exclude their family.