Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1278 - 166, Adopted Daughter 2

Chapter 1278: 166, Adopted Daughter 2

She tilted her head, Lin Yuan said, "I found this book in a pile of books at a friend’s house next door. I’m not really sure where it’s sold. However, the Capital City is a place of splendid talents, so who’s to say which bookstore might have it? Madam could send someone to inquire at the bookstores. Oh right, since this book isn’t very mainstream, Madam had better look for it in those smaller, out-of-the-way shops."

"Many thanks for informing me, Miss Lin."

Having received the answer she wanted, the woman smiled and thanked her.

It was rare to meet such an understanding and reasonable woman; Lin Yuan reciprocated with a smile as well.

Walking slowly out with Lady Liu, Lady Liu whispered into her daughter’s ear, "How come you never mentioned this book before? Did you really see it at Chen Zhu’s place?"

Indeed, no one knows a daughter better than her mother. Lin Yuan chuckled mischievously and winked, "I knew I couldn’t hide it from mother’s eyes. These people, I made them all up."

That she could hoodwink a room full of women with a story she concocted was surprising, and Lady Liu chided her daughter with a look, uncertain whether to praise her cleverness or to lament the naivety of the other women.

The mother and daughter had just reached the doorway of the flower hall when they saw Princess Anle and two elegantly dressed Consorts approaching from a distance.

Lin Yuan muttered to herself, "Well, there goes getting out. Might as well sit nicely in the flower hall."

Exchanging a glance, the two turned around and went back into the flower hall. The women inside, puzzled, watched them return and were about to ask when they heard a eunuch’s voice announcing from outside, "Consort Shu has arrived, Consort Tian has arrived."

The women in the flower hall quickly stood up and straightened their appearances, waiting for Consort Shu and Consort Tian to take their places at the top before they all respectfully greeted them in unison.

Not only were Consort Shu and Consort Tian present at the General Mansion today, but even the Emperor had come. After all, Xia Yuan was no ordinary subject; he was Dayong’s ever-victorious General with outstanding achievements. Furthermore, with Princess Anle being the Emperor’s most cherished younger sister, how could he not attend her son’s wedding?

Consort Shu was Xia Yuan’s younger sister; naturally, she could not miss her nephew’s wedding. Consort Tian was a close friend of Princess Anle and also got on well with Consort Shu, so of course she had to be there too.

After arriving at the General Mansion, the Emperor joined the male guests in the hall, while Princess Anle escorted Consort Shu and Consort Tian to the flower hall.

Though Consort Shu was the blood sister of Xia Yuan, the women who entered the palace were devoid of freedom, and it had been two or three years since she had been home. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions as she looked at the familiar sights of her childhood home. Consort Shu, Consort Tian, and Princess Anle chatted and pointed out various things, reminiscing about interesting stories from their boudoir.

Having just sat down, Consort Shu caught sight of Lin Yuan kneeling and paying her respects behind Lady Liu. She was delighted and beckoned her over, "Yuanyuan, come, sit by my side."

Lin Yuan was stunned, feeling unexpectedly favored.

Glancing at Princess Anle, she saw encouragement and joy in her eyes. Nodding slightly, Lin Yuan walked over to Consort Shu’s side amid the jealous or puzzled stares from the other women in the room.

A clever maid had already brought a small stool for her by Consort Shu’s side. Lin Yuan first curtsied, then seated herself gracefully on the stool.

Even while seated, she always remembered Sister Chang’s teachings, sitting on only the front half of the chair, keeping her legs together, her hands crossed atop her knees, and her back straight as a rod.

Lady Meng and Lady Han were hoping to see Lin Yuan mess up, but to their surprise and envy, the young girl’s manners were even more proper than their own daughters’ were.

Consort Tian, seeing Lin Yuan for the first time, looked her over curiously and smiled at Princess Anle, "Is this the girl Ah Zheng likes?"

Cough, cough!

The moment Consort Tian finished her sentence, many in the flower hall suddenly coughed.

Lady Meng and Lady Han were irritated by the comment; it was one thing for a little country girl to like Xia Zheng, but for her to be the talk of two Consorts in the palace was something they could not stand.

The others were shocked by the remark, glancing at Lin Yuan, then at Lady Meng and Lady Han, and finally fixing their gazes on Princess Anle, waiting for her to provide a definitive answer.

If even Princess Anle nodded, then those rumors circulating in the Capital City would likely be confirmed as true.

Actually, after asking the question, Consort Tian regretted it a little, as it really wasn’t appropriate for the occasion. If Princess Anle shook her head, it would embarrass Lin Yuan. If she nodded, wouldn’t it only make the women of the Capital City see Lin Yuan as a thorn in their side?