CHAPTER 329: CHAPTER 167: KITCHEN FRUSTRATIONS

At the side hall, the dishes were all brought out from the two food boxes, eight neatly arranged dishes and one soup with vibrant colors, tempting to the palate.

However—

"Master, Madam!" Mrs. Gui sighed softly, "These dishes have gotten a bit cold, it might be easy to upset the stomach if eaten. How about I take them to the kitchen to be reheated?"

Third Madam Shi frowned and said, "Didn’t they put hot water in the food box for insulation?"

Mrs. Gui hurriedly replied, "They did, but maybe it took too long to deliver. I just tested it, and the water is not hot anymore."

Upon checking, Third Madam Shi indeed found the dishes had lost their steam, and touching the edges of the plates and bowls, they were lukewarm.

"Forget it! You all take these dishes and share them! Reheating them now won’t be good! Just get someone to make us a bowl of noodles!" Third Madam Shi sighed.

Their family had lived in the warm climate of Sichuan for many years, and the weather since returning was already uncomfortable enough, let alone these chilly dishes devoid of any heat. Despite their grumbling stomachs, no one had the appetite to eat. They looked at one another, all agreeing with Third Madam Shi’s suggestion.

Mrs. Gui quickly agreed, thanking the Master, instructed people to pack up the dishes to be shared in the wing room, and then said with a smile, "Master, Madam, and the young ladies, please wait a moment, I will go to the kitchen right away!"

Third Madam Shi laughed, "Just send a maid over, no need for you to go personally!"

"What do those maids know, they may not explain it clearly and mess up Master’s matters! It’s better I go, this is also part of my duties!" Mrs. Gui said with a laugh. She had been looking for a chance to assert her authority over the household servants, and now that the opportunity had come, how could she let it slip by?

Third Madam Shi laughed in silent consent, thinking to herself: After all, she’s an old servant who has been with us for many years, always thinking of the Master first!

"Mrs. Gui, please be quick, I am very hungry!" Shi Yulin pouted and said.

With these words from Shi Yulin, Mrs. Gui was even happier, patting her chest and ensuring, "Fourth Miss, rest assured, I will be back soon! How about making some chicken noodle soup for Master and Madam?"

"Just make it quickly, we’ll eat whatever there is! Don’t fuss over it too much!" Third Master Shi said indifferently.

Third Madam Shi glanced at him without a word, only instructing Mrs. Gui, "Hurry and go!"

Mrs. Gui quickly responded, wrapped her cloak around herself, took up a lantern, and left the courtyard of Jicui Pavilion.

It was not until Mrs. Gui was outside the courtyard that she slapped her forehead, remembering a crucial issue. Age had diminished her memory, and years had slightly altered the mansion’s layout; moreover, it was nighttime, and just for a moment, she felt disoriented about the direction to the kitchen!

Mrs. Gui, being an experienced and senior servant, of course, wouldn’t make the foolish mistake of turning back to ask the Master—that would be inviting scolding for no reason!

She thought for a while and decided to follow her memory, slowly walking and searching for the right direction, and would ask someone casually if she ran into anyone along the way.

Having made up her mind, Mrs. Gui tightened the cloak on her body and headed north along the small path at the entrance.

Mrs. Gui had to admit she had indeed aged! Or perhaps, the changes in the mansion were too great. Wandering about, all the scenery she saw seemed half-familiar, and after a quarter of an hour, she still hadn’t found the kitchen!

The Masters were still waiting hungry for food! Mrs. Gui felt a sudden urgency in her heart, becoming more flustered. When you’re out of luck, even drinking cold water gets stuck in your teeth; Mrs. Gui, not paying attention, stumbled and fell hard, moaning in pain as tears almost sprang to her eyes.

"This damn cold weather! It’s far worse than the southwest!" Mrs. Gui got up, dusting herself off and rubbing her sore behind, while complaining. Complaints aside, she still had to continue searching for the kitchen.

"It’s absurd! In such a big mansion, how come there isn’t a single maid or daughter-in-law to be seen!" Mrs. Gui burned with impatience. She didn’t consider that in such cold weather, at this time, who would want to leave the warmth of the fireplaces inside to come out and face the chill?

Looking up, she finally saw a bit of moving light behind the trees ahead, like grasping at straws for salvation, Mrs. Gui no longer cared about the path beneath her feet and hurriedly rushed towards the light.

"Young lady, is there a shortcut to the kitchen from here? It’s dark and my old eyes can’t see clearly," Mrs. Gui finally caught up and asked the two maids with a mild smile.

One of them pointed in a direction and said with a smile, "You can go from here, circle around the front corridor, turn left at the two big pomegranate trees, and you’ll see it after a short walk!"