Chapter 294: Chapter 295: Conversation

Lin Youning called Shanmoi and Hailan to sit down, while Li Si and the guards sat at another table. However, he soon noticed that it was mealtime, yet no one was coming upstairs.

Glancing over at Li Si, he quickly averted his gaze, seemingly guilty.

Lin Youning understood it was Li Si’s doing. When the food was brought by the old woman, Lin Youning felt a bit uneasy, thinking that she was burdening them by eating here.

“The roasted lamb leg is best when roasted and eaten at the same time. If Madam doesn’t mind, I can roast it for you myself,” the old woman offered.

Lin Youning quickly thanked her, “There’s no need to trouble you, Granny.”

Understanding her good intentions and feeling guilty earlier, Lin Youning naturally didn’t refuse.

“This is a salad made from thick leaves grown here in the border city. In other places, this plant is treated like a flower, planted for ornamental leaves, never blooming. The leaves are thick. When the first snow falls, you just move them outside to freeze in the snow. The thick leaves then won’t change color. When you’re ready to eat, just wash them and mix with seasonings,” the old woman described the dishes while roasting, “Madam should eat more of this dish upon first arriving in the border city to reduce internal heat since the climate here is dry and prone to causing it. If Madam doesn’t mind, you can take some back to the residence to have the servants prepare for you to eat daily.”

Fearing she didn’t understand, the old woman explained further, “These thick leaves are available only at the old woman’s place, grown in my house.”

Lin Youning then realized no wonder this wasn’t prepared at the residence. It seemed the plant was privately grown by the woman herself, now served for her to eat.

The thick leaves, once eaten, retained a lot of water inside, probably because they’d been frozen outside, making them refreshing and palatable.

“Thank you very much, Granny,” Lin Youning said, enjoying the dish.

Originally being fond of vegetarian dishes, this was entirely to her taste.

The old woman, seeing Lin Youning’s approval, seemed as if she received a reward, her eyes narrowing happily, and proceeded to introduce the rest of the dishes.

After listening, Lin Youning marveled that although it was just a border city, the house specials here were made with such dedication that they would be welcomed even in the Capital.

Especially the grill beside the table where the ribs sizzled under the charcoal fire, gradually releasing their aroma.

It was somewhat reminiscent of the winter barbecues in the Capital.

Shanmoi and Hailan lent a hand, which the old woman did not stop, and Lin Youning noticed that, with their help, the old woman managed with composure, still handling everything steadily and orderly.

Seeing this scene, Lin Youning involuntarily thought of Nanny Guo, who, having come from the palace, always handled things with such ease, no matter the situation.

Moving more slowly with her meal, Lin Youning observed the old woman, who wore nothing in her hair, her clothes clean and neat. As she observed, the old woman looked up and smiled, showing no sign of nervousness.

Such demeanor was not typical of ordinary townsfolk.

Moreover, the old woman seemed quite pleased with Lin Youning’s gaze, her smile deepening.

After the meal, the old woman invited Lin Youning to her residence, “I have some thick leaves growing indoors. Would Madam like to see?”

Shanmoi and Hailan were on alert this time. Li Si also slowly approached. The old woman’s enthusiastic behavior seemed to have a motive.

Lin Youning also noticed but didn’t go there, instead dismissing her attendants, saying, “You all go down and wait for me. I’ll talk with Granny for a bit.”

“Madam,” Shanmoi was uneasy.

Hailan likewise wore disapproval.

Lin Youning shook her head, smiling, “You can go now.”

Only then did Shanmoi and Hailan lead Li Si away.

The old woman remained silent beside them.

Lin Youning finally said, smiling, “What is it, Granny?”

“Madam is wise. Thank you for trusting me,” the old woman said, bowing to Lin Youning with a formal noble family salute from the Capital.

It was quite proper.

Lin Youning grew more curious about who this old woman was and what she wanted to say.

“Please excuse my rudeness. Madam looks familiar. Might I ask which residence you are from?” The old woman got straight to the point.

Lin Youning smiled, “I observe your mannerisms. If you aren’t from a large noble family in the Capital, then you’ve served in one. If you say I seem familiar, might you have served at the Prime Minister Liu’s Mansion?”

The old woman’s eyes widened, “Are you from the Prime Minister’s Mansion, Madam?”

“Chancellor Liu is my grandfather,” Lin Youning replied.

The old woman nodded, appearing lost in thought, an unspeakable sadness evident on her face.

Lin Youning asked, “Granny, do you perhaps know my grandmother or mother?”

She could only guess if this woman was her mother’s nanny.

The old woman shook her head, apologetic, “Please forgive me, Madam. It seems I’ve mistaken you for someone else. I never served at the Prime Minister’s Mansion.”

Lin Youning noted this but believed she wasn’t being truthful. With her mother already gone, even if there were a connection, it was in the past, and she didn’t wish to press further.

As they descended the stairs, the old woman mentioned she would send the items directly to the mansion. Lin Youning thanked her, instructing Li Si to pay an extra ten taels of silver, which the old woman did not refuse.

Shanmoi and Hailan had no idea what the old woman and Lin Youning discussed. After strolling a bit on the street, the group returned to the residence.

Upon returning, they found that the old woman had sent the items to the residence, including thick leaves and other things, which Lin Youning didn’t recognize, but a servant mentioned they were rare items only found in the border city.

Lin Youning, appreciating their thoughtfulness, asked Shanmoi to select two pieces of fabric from what they brought from the Capital to send back.

Even though Li Si paid an additional ten taels of silver, the gesture was something money couldn’t buy.

Meanwhile, Wu Xueqin was in better spirits, “Did you hear correctly? Did the Marquis really leave the residence after a quarrel?”

Yangtao laughed, “Aunt, don’t worry. Everyone in the residence is talking about it. They say the Marquis left the main courtyard looking upset, went out drinking, returned late at night, and hasn’t been back to the residence since.”

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