Qiutong Courtyard rarely had visitors. Recently, only because Qi Yue and A’Hao loved to tinker with food had they attracted some young maids to the door, but those were just the lowest-ranking rough maids.
“A’Hao, A’Hao,” a clear female voice called from outside the door.
“It’s Caijuan,” A’Ru recognized the voice and said, somewhat surprised.
“Who is Caijuan?” Qi Yue asked casually.
Just as A’Hao was about to speak, someone outside answered for her.
“I’m Caijuan from Third Young Master’s courtyard,” the female voice said, while gently knocking on the door again.
Marquis Dingxi had four sons. Qi Yue nodded and paid no more attention, continuing to lie down fanning herself while looking at the stars.
“Caijuan, why are you here?” A’Ru went forward to open the door.
Qi Yue glanced over and saw a maid about the same build as A’Hao standing at the door, but she didn’t step inside.
“What else could it be? I was lured here by the fragrance…” Caijuan said with a laugh. Halfway through her words, she suddenly noticed Qi Yue sitting in the courtyard. By the light of the lanterns and stars, she saw the woman’s posture was languid – if not for the small fan moving in front of her, she would have thought she was asleep.
“Young Madam…” she called out, lowering her body in a bow.
Qi Yue didn’t move, just smiled at her while fanning herself.
“Do you want to try A’Hao’s cooking?” she asked with a smile.
“A’Hao’s cooking is quite famous now,” Caijuan said with a flattering smile.
A’Hao, who had just picked up two meat skewers, smiled proudly.
“It’s what the Young Madam taught…” she started to say.
A’Ru coughed.
“Here, these are for you to eat,” A’Hao quickly swallowed her unfinished words, and as if to cover up, she stepped forward and handed the skewers to Caijuan.
Caijuan accepted them with a smile.
“Then I won’t be polite. I came here just for this. I happened to be passing by, smelled the fragrance, and couldn’t move on,” she said with a laugh, while bowing to Qi Yue again. “Young Madam, please don’t laugh at my gluttony.”
“Being able to eat and loving to eat is great fortune,” Qi Yue said with a smile, sitting up. “A’Ru, take this eggplant, garlic, and chicken wings for her to try.”
“Thank you so much, Young Madam,” Caijuan said with a bow and a smile.
“You’re really lucky. These were personally grilled by our Young Madam…” A’Hao said somewhat reluctantly. Before she could finish, A’Ru interrupted her again.
“Since the Young Madam has spoken to reward someone, don’t think about being lazy. Just grill some more for the Young Madam,” A’Ru said with a smile.
A’Hao nodded somewhat sheepishly.
Caijuan smiled without speaking, took the handful of skewers A’Ru handed her, thanked them again, and turned to leave.
She took quick small steps to a large tree not far away. Only when she got close did she see a figure standing in the tree’s shadow.
“Young Master,” Caijuan called out in a low voice.
Chang Yunqi stood in the tree’s shadow, his gaze still fixed on Qiutong Courtyard. The main gate was closing, blocking the view of that already somewhat unfamiliar female figure.