Transmigration: From Farmer To Empress
Chapter 400: The Empress’s Invitation Letter (2)_1

Chapter 400: Chapter 400: The Empress’s Invitation Letter (2)_1

"What is there to fear? They’re nothing but a declining family who relies on selling off their daughters to fortify their own place. Why should we fear them? Once I find out who hurt you, I will make sure they face their punishment!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Mei fell silent for a moment before responding, "I am old and nearing the end of my journey. I no longer have the fiery spirit of the young. My remaining wish is not for you to avenge me, but for you all to live in peace and harmony. If bringing me justice risks offending Duke An’s Mansion, then I would rather have never met you..."

With that, tears welled up in her eyes.

Cai Wei remembered that Old Turtle had once told her not to let Lady Mei cry, as it was bad for her eyes. Upon seeing her tears, she quickly produced a handkerchief to wipe them away, gently comforting her as she did so.

"Grandmother, I will not provoke them, I promise. Please, don’t cry. If you cry, then I will cry too," she finished, her delicate little face spotted with a teasing smile.

Recognizing Cai Wei’s false sobbing, Lady Mei laughed, exclaiming, "Don’t ease me with your sweet words, young girl."

Cai Wei responded, "I would never placate you, grandmother. Everything I’ve said is true."

After calming Lady Mei, she proceeded to share her experiences and discoveries near the entrance of Fangfei Pavilion.

Upon hearing the happenings at Fangfei Pavilion, Lady Mei managed to cease her weeping and fell into a contemplative silence. After a long moment, she sighed deeply and said, "Who could have imagined that she too would end up in such a predicament!"

Cai Wei understood that Lady Mei was referring to the middle-aged woman she saw outside the Fangfei Pavilion and couldn’t help but ask, "Grandmother, are you very familiar with her?"

Lady Mei chuckled wistfully and replied, "Those are passé matters. It is better not to delve into them."

As Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong were also present, Cai Wei didn’t probe further. After all, both girls had ties to the Duke An’s Mansion, who knows if they had been planted around them as spies?

Though she didn’t yet know why the Duke An’s Mansion had taken her family in, she had an instinct that things were not as simple as they seemed. There was surely a hidden agenda, and towards these two girls, she had to be vigilant!

Even when it came to making dim sum, she would only allow them to knead and roll the dough. The more technical tasks were delegated to her mother and Cai Fei to prevent her precious secret recipe from being stolen.

After chatting with her mother and grandmother, Cai Wei set off to make dinner.

The Changchun Garden kitchen was located in the Eastern Chamber. It comprised two rooms; one was the bedroom where the Du couple resided, and the other was the kitchen.

Upon entering the kitchen, she found it brimming with ingredients for dim sum - milk, eggs, flour, butter, etc., which made the already small space feel cramped.

She cautiously maneuvered through the ingredients, picked up some spinach, and kneaded a little flour. She was about to make a bowl of Pearl, Jade, and White Jade Soup when Lady Du burst in exclaiming, "Wei’er, something big has happened. Someone is at the front yard looking for you!"

Cai Wei paused, placing a hand on her forehead before turning to her mother, "Mother, is it really necessary to make such a fuss because someone is looking for me in the front yard?"

Lady Du replied anxiously, "You don’t understand! The person who came is none other than Lady Hua Mei, Old Madame’s personal maid. She said that people from the palace are here and they specifically asked to see you! Wei’er, when did you get involved with people from the palace? What on earth is happening?"