Chapter 667: 277 Rural Life_2
Yueyao held Mingzhu’s hand and said, "They are scheming deliberately, how could you possibly guard against them? I can see clearly because I am a disinterested observer. In fact, you don’t need to be frustrated; if you didn’t know Ning Lixuan’s true colors, he would indeed seem like a very suitable husband. Look at him, with respectable appearance and demeanor, very good at pretense, and with a family background to boot. Such a man is naturally popular with the ladies. You should also know that Ning Lixuan is one of the four distinguished young masters of Capital City."
Mingzhu was surprised, "In the past, you always spoke ill of him, this is the first time you’ve said something good about him."
Yueyao smiled and said, "The reason I spared no effort in speaking ill of Ning Lixuan before was that I hoped you would come to your senses. Now that he has nothing to do with you anymore, let’s assess this person fairly and impartially. Mingzhu, there’s nothing to be upset about. As the saying goes, ’You can know a person’s face but not their heart.’ If you had known how filthy his nature is, you definitely wouldn’t have liked him before, right?"
Mingzhu nodded her head. If she had known how hypocritical and shameless the person was, she would rather have fallen for a dog than like this person.
Yueyao laughed and said, "See, that’s the right attitude. If you continue to fret over this matter, it would truly be a waste of time. With this time, it’s better to read more books and engage in other activities."
After hesitating for a moment, Mingzhu spoke, "Yueyao, actually, I have also found something I like to do, but it’s not something to be brought up in public."
Yueyao was somewhat surprised, as she had never heard Xiang Wei mention this. Yueyao laughed, "What is it that you like? Something that can’t be brought up in public?" As long as it’s not inappropriate, it’s all good.
Mingzhu said softly, "I like to make delicious food." In simple terms, Mingzhu loved to eat and also enjoyed cooking.
Yueyao said cheerfully, "Food is the first necessity of the people; it’s a good thing. How is it something that can’t be brought up in public? I don’t know about others, but I will be the first to support you."
Mingzhu was overjoyed, "Yueyao, do you really think that a passion for culinary arts isn’t a bad thing? Don’t you think it’s something that doesn’t belong in high society?"
Yueyao laughed and said, "You’re not asked to be a kitchen maid, you just enjoy culinary arts and like to study gourmet food, what’s wrong with that? Just go ahead and do it, what’s the problem? You’re not bothering anyone, what’s there to feel embarrassed about? Wait until you have developed many gourmet dishes, then we’ll compile them into a book and distribute it, so people all over the world can enjoy the food you make. Everyone will be grateful to you then."
A radiant smile appeared on Mingzhu’s face, "Okay."
Yueyao thought that this was an area where they could ask Yuehuan for help. Last time Yuehuan had talked about recipes, Yueyao believed that Yuehuan must still have many methods for making tasty snacks up her sleeve.
The next day at noon, the two of them were eating stir-fried frogs and loach soup. Mingzhu’s eyes teared up from the spiciness, but she still wanted to eat more, and after the meal, she drank another bowl of loach soup.
After Mingzhu finished eating, she exclaimed, "Truly delicious."
Yueyao just shook her head and smiled, not saying much. In the afternoon, Yueyao took Mingzhu to fish by the lake.
The lake next to the villa was only a little over ten acres. Mingzhu felt it was a pity and said, "What a large lake, why not cultivate lotuses in it? Not only could we harvest lotus pods, but we could also sell the roots, what a good enterprise that would be!"
Yueyao burst out laughing, "Then how many roots do they harvest each year from the lake full of lotuses at your residence?" The lake belonged to the master, and the common folk around it couldn’t plant lotuses there. Besides, the lake’s main purpose was for fish farming, providing for the consumption of the Ma’s Mansion. If lotuses were cultivated, it wouldn’t be suitable for fish farming anymore.
The two set down their fishing rods, and Mingzhu said, "I wonder how many fish we can catch today?"
Xiang Wei said from the side, "The fish in the lake are easy to catch, unlike the ones in the river!" The fish in the lake are docile, while river fish are tricky.
Unfortunately, Xiang Wei’s words ended up discouraging Mingzhu. She waited quite a while before catching a fish, and it was only about the size of two fingers. As for Yueyao, she sat nearby reading a book, oblivious to when the bait was taken.
Mingzhu couldn’t help but laugh watching Yueyao once again retrieve a hook with the bait eaten off, "Yueyao, what kind of fishing is this? The bait always gets eaten."
Yueyao said, "Fishing requires peace of mind; with your attitude, you won’t catch any fish. Even if a fish bites, you’ll scare it off."
After speaking, Yueyao set aside the book, waited quietly by the side, and when the fishing rod twitched, she quickly pulled it up, catching a carp weighing about half a pound.
Mingzhu stopped laughing and, taking Yueyao’s words to heart, started fishing earnestly. She soon caught a grass carp weighing a pound, "Tonight, we’ll have fish chowder."
Ever since she started fishing, Mingzhu fell in love with the activity. However, Yueyao did not always accompany her. After about ten days at the villa, Bai Yi said to Yueyao while Mingzhu was out bathing, "Miss, Heir Ning has also arrived here. He has come looking for Mingzhu."
A look of disgust flashed across Yueyao’s face as she asked, "What’s going on?" He vowed not to marry and now he shows up? What for?
A hint of sternness flashed in Bai Yi’s eyes. The fact that Heir Ning hadn’t made a move was simply due to some considerations. Once he took action, Bai Yi believed that the people at Duke Ning’s Mansion would realize what pain was. Bai Yi informed Yueyao about the current situation of Duke Ning’s Mansion, "Duke Ning’s Mansion is gradually declining, and Duke Ning’s Mansion has been edged out of the circle of top-tier nobility. Duke Ning wants Ning Lixuan to marry our young lady hoping to gain the support of the Marquis’ household and achieve power to return to their former social circle."
Yueyao wondered why Duke Ning’s Mansion was so desperate to marry Mingzhu, and it turned out to be for that reason. She sneered, "Do they think that everyone in the world is a fool, and only they are smart?" Playing the whore while wanting to erect a shrine, how disgusting.