CHAPTER 212: CHAPTER 212: DECEIVED

Needless to say, this professional cook is truly different. Grandma Liang’s cooking is delicious, a fact that Yu Xiaolian, the picky food lover, has confirmed.

Grandma Liang not only cooks well but also can make various pastries.

Previously there were too many cooks in the main house; she never had the chance to showcase her skills. Now being the only cook in the entire Yu Mansion, Grandma Liang feels her culinary skills finally have a place to shine.

Every morning, Yu Xiaolian sends chicken, duck, and fish to the kitchen, and by noon, she can enjoy a variety of dishes that match the restaurant’s standards, making Yu Xiaolian impulsively want to hire two more cooks.

Yu Xiaolian put a piece of spicy chicken into her mouth and thought, yes, this is the taste.

As long as she described it to Grandma Liang and gave her the chili peppers, Grandma Liang could replicate the desired flavor, something her grandmother couldn’t do.

Although her grandmother’s cooking wasn’t bad, she was too frugal with oil. Accustomed to saving, if you asked her to use more oil, she felt as if she had committed a grave sin, making her uncomfortable all over.

Grandma Liang was different; she had cooked for wealthy families for many years. Not only was she generous with oil, but even her plating was exquisite, lifting one’s spirits at first glance and making them eager to eat.

After a sumptuous meal, Yu Xiaolian felt in great spirits.

As she walked out of the dining room and wandered into the backyard, Yu Xiaolian saw Grandma Liang pulling Zhao Erya aside for questioning.

She was asking how much monthly salary Zhao Erya received.

Zhao Erya stammered, unable to specify the amount, so Grandma Liang held onto her, not letting her go, smiling yet with an expression different from the one she showed Yu Xiaolian.

"Erya, we’re both sold to the Yu Family, sharing the same fate, you..."

Grandma Liang was still trying to pry open Zhao Erya’s mouth, unaware that Yu Xiaolian’s expression behind her had changed.

Zhao Erya was firmly grasped by Grandma Liang and couldn’t break free, so she said, "Aunt Liang, it’s the master’s right to decide who gets how much monthly salary. You’ve only been here for over half a month; getting eight hundred wen is already quite a lot.

The current monthly salary might be less compared to your previous household, but if you work hard, our young lady will raise your salary in the future."

Grandma Liang said sarcastically, "So your monthly salary is indeed more than mine? How much more? Does the young lady really give you a tael of silver each month?"

"Five taels, I give her five taels every month!" Yu Xiaolian said coldly.

Upon hearing Yu Xiaolian’s voice, Grandma Liang’s body stiffened, and she turned around mechanically, pulling a smile that looked worse than crying at Yu Xiaolian.

"Young lady, don’t be angry at this old woman. I was just joking with Erya. You can ask her, isn’t that right?

I’ve had no children all my life, and seeing that Erya is also without parents, I wanted to be a foster relative with her!" Grandma Liang said, winking at Erya.

Yu Xiaolian figured it out; Grandma Liang was a good actress.

To the master, she appeared honest and sincere, but to others, she was a different face altogether.

Truly a seasoned trickster molded by wealthy families, Yu Xiaolian was fooled by Grandma Liang’s seemingly honest expression.

Zhao Erya looked at Yu Xiaolian, "Xiaolian, Aunt Liang didn’t make any major mistake; perhaps you could forgive her today?"

Yu Xiaolian folded her arms behind her, "Sister Erya, go call Li Meng and Li Lie."

She’s going to the broker to change staff!

Her household has no place for such vexing things; if there’s anything that displeases her even slightly, she won’t tolerate it.

Yu Xiaolian had asked the headmaster about the servants’ monthly salaries, and most families only paid six hundred wen a month. She thought Grandma Liang could cook, so she offered eight hundred wen.

Even the Gao Granny and her daughter were each paid six hundred wen a month; she didn’t expect Grandma Liang, who gets two hundred wen more than Gao Granny, to be dissatisfied!

Sigh, it was so hard to find a good cook, and now she’s gone.

When Grandma Liang saw Zhao Erya going to call people, she realized that Yu Xiaolian wanted to sell her. At once, her expression changed, and she knelt before Yu Xiaolian.

"Young lady, this old woman was simply too talkative by asking Miss Erya. Regarding the monthly salary, this old woman didn’t commit any unforgivable crime!"

Yu Xiaolian said coldly, "Do you remember what I said on the first day? Stick to your duties, each doing their own job. Did you do that?

Your job is simply cooking; you are not allowed to inquire about anything else."

Grandma Liang nodded frantically, "This old woman remembers now, truly remembers this time."

Yu Xiaolian remained unsympathetic, "Too late!"

Grandma Liang stopped kneeling, stood up, and shouted, "I thought I had joined a good-natured household, but didn’t expect you, little girl, to have even more issues than my previous master. I just said one thing, and you’re making such a fuss..."

Yu Xiaolian said, "Selling you is already a light punishment. If you continue to shout, I’ll have people beat you to death with sticks!"

Grandma Liang’s face turned pale, and she shut her mouth, though her gaze still glared at Yu Xiaolian.

Old Mrs. Sun heard the commotion inside and quickly came out to ask what was going on.

After Yu Xiaolian explained the situation to her grandmother, she said, "Grandmother, this Grandma Liang is not suitable to work in our house. I want to sell her and buy another woman back."

Grandmother Sun knew her granddaughter had secrets; her biggest fear was the servants prying into each other’s affairs. She also found Grandma Liang’s actions annoying.

Although Zhao Erya would never betray Yu Xiaolian, Erya was still young. If she got words twisted from this old trickster, it would not be good.

Grandmother Sun shared Yu Xiaolian’s sentiment, "Sell her!"

When Li Meng and Li Lie arrived, Yu Xiaolian had them escort Grandma Liang, carrying her belongings, back to the broker.

Zhao Zhijie was not present at the shop this time, but the shopkeeper and staff recognized Yu Xiaolian.

Upon hearing that Grandma Liang was unsatisfactory, the shopkeeper immediately took charge, allowing Yu Xiaolian to select another one to bring back without payment, treating it as a free exchange for Yu Xiaolian.

This time, the back courtyard of the broker was even more crowded than before, packed with people.

Yu Xiaolian decided to pick some girls from poor families this time, preferably those who hadn’t worked in others’ homes before. These would be easier to train once brought back.

Just as Yu Xiaolian chose two young girls and was about to speak to them, she heard a timid voice calling her.

"Sister Xiaolian... is it really Sister Xiaolian?"

Following the sound, Yu Xiaolian saw a little girl with tears in her eyes in the corner.

"Manjiao?"

The girl sobbing like a pear blossom was none other than Sun Erji’s daughter, Sun Manjiao. Yu Xiaolian quickly walked over, pulling Sun Manjiao out from the line.

"Manjiao, why are you here? Are you alone? Where are your parents? Did they sell you?"

Sun Manjiao, seeing Yu Xiaolian recognized her, threw herself into Yu Xiaolian’s arms and cried, "Sister Xiaolian, my parents didn’t sell me. I got separated from them.

No, we didn’t just get separated; I was tricked by the traffickers with rations!"