Ordinary observers in fast time travel

Chapter 1262 The Scheme Fails
"Chef He put a lot of thought into making these two dishes. Knowing that you, Third Young Master, were back, he specially made them to suit your taste, which is salty and savory!" Yu Fang said with a smile, praising He Chuan's culinary skills without reservation.

"Chef He? Wasn't it supposed to be Madam Li who made them?" Wan Anshou frowned. The two dishes did smell very good, but the pork still had a lingering gamey smell, and the eggplant looked a bit greasy.

Compared to braised duck and ginger-fried chicken, both dishes that are rich in oil and sauce, I feel that the former is far inferior.

"Reporting to the Third Young Master, it's possible that I arrived too late. Chef Li had already finished her work." Yu Fang said with a guilty look. "However, I have already found out that Chef Li goes home as soon as she finishes cooking. I will definitely walk faster next time."

Look how well he put it, seemingly taking all the blame upon himself. But every word he uttered hinted at Shi Jia's dereliction of duty.

"Huh? Why are we going back? It's not even dark yet." Wan Anshou subconsciously looked at his mother and father.

Upon hearing this, the latter two frowned, and Madam Wang, suppressing her anger, asked, "What's going on?"

"This servant doesn't know." A hint of joy flashed in Yu Fang's lowered eyes.

"Butler!" Madam Wang glanced at her and called out.

Prefect Wan frowned. "Let's eat first."

Madam Wang ignored him, and immediately a servant summoned the steward who was eating. The steward arrived and immediately told her the truth.

"How could the second son do such a thing? The master hasn't even rested yet, and the servants haven't finished their tasks, and he's already sending them back like this?" Madam Wang found it unbelievable.

"Madam, please calm down. This Lady Li has young children at home, so it's understandable." Prefect Wan could understand, but he hadn't expected his son to value this cook so much.

"Hmph, his wife is pregnant! He doesn't think about his wife, but he does think about a cook. Doesn't he even consider what would happen if his second daughter-in-law got hungry at night and wanted something to eat? Pregnant women can't stand being hungry." Madam Wang was furious, and her words became sharp.

Upon hearing this, Prefect Wan frowned and said, "Steward, talk to Chef Li tomorrow and ask her to stay a little longer in the evening... If that's not possible, at least ask her to prepare one or two more snacks for the evening."

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang snorted coldly, said nothing, and got up to leave.

"Mother?" Wan Anshou asked instinctively as his mother put down her chopsticks and got up to leave, "Are you full?"

"I'm full of anger."

"Ignore her, just eat," said Prefect Wan.

Wan Anshou nodded blankly, not quite understanding. What was there to be angry about? It was already very lucky for Madam Li to be able to come to the manor as a cook, wasn't it?

After all, Mom and Dad will be able to eat Li Niangzi's cooking every day from now on!
He immediately felt envious and hoped that his older sister wouldn't leave for the front lines so soon.

My second brother has set off to deliver grain. In a while, my eldest sister will also be escorting weapons to the front lines. She will definitely take him with her then.

If you count the days, he can only stay at home for another half a month at most!

Wan Anshou felt even worse.

Oh well, at least I'm luckier than my second brother; at least he can spend the New Year at home!
Yu Fang hadn't expected that the master and the old lady would let the new cook off so easily. Even if she did have some cooking skills, she was just a cook, just a servant!
Since they are all servants, why is she treated so differently?

Yu Fang gritted her teeth, a flash of jealousy in her eyes.

No one cares about a servant's thoughts—not the person in charge, and certainly not those in power. So even if the servant has many schemes, they can do nothing in the face of absolute authority. However, this has caused Shi Jia some trouble, though not insignificant. For example, she is currently being scolded by the mistress of the Wan family.

"Li, if you want to work as a cook in my household without worry, then starting today, you must stay in the household until 7:45 PM before you can go back." Madam Wang's tone left no room for refusal.

Shi Jia looked troubled. "Madam, however, the contract I signed with Young Master Wan stipulates that I can leave at 4:45 PM. If we follow what you say, it would be a breach of the contract."

Madam Wang was furious upon hearing this, "How dare you!"

Shi Jia was naturally not intimidated by her. "According to the contract, the one who violates the contract must compensate the other party with a corresponding amount of silver. If the circumstances are serious, the other party has the right to terminate the contract."

"You, you!" Madam Wang was so angry that her heart ached.

"Someone, someone quick, call the doctor!" Yu Fang, who was serving nearby, shouted in a panic, as if Madam Wang had already fainted.

Shi Jia was startled and looked at Madam Wang's face. Seeing that she was clutching her chest and her face was flushed, he couldn't help but worry.

She quickly said, "Madam, please don't be angry. I know you must be worried that when the second young mistress wants to eat something at night, there will be no one to serve her. Don't worry, starting today, I will make more snacks in the afternoon and keep them warm, and make more pickles to go with the porridge. I will definitely not let the second young mistress go hungry."

Inside the room, the maids were in a state of chaos. Someone took advantage of the confusion to push Shi Jia, sending her shoving towards the door.

Shi Jia certainly couldn't go out now. Although she felt she hadn't done anything wrong, the other person was indeed angered by her, and it would be unreasonable for her to leave now, and she might even be slandered by someone with ulterior motives. So, she silently retreated to the corner and watched quietly.

Once she calmed down, Madam Wang uttered only one word: "Get out!"

Shi Jia was stunned. Was he just being told to leave like that?
"Well then, Madam, I'll take my leave now." Shi Jia gave Madam Wang a curtsy. Just as she was about to leave, she remembered that today's menu hadn't been decided yet, so she asked, "Madam, what dishes would you like for lunch today?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang reacted like a cat with its fur standing on end, "Get out! From now on, you're not responsible for my meals!"

"Huh? Okay, then I'm leaving." Shi Jia shrugged and turned to leave.

As Shi Jia left, someone couldn't sit still any longer. "Madam, this Li Shi is too presumptuous. Why not just kick her out?"

Yu Fang looked indignant. "Even if we don't kick her out, we're not without ways to deal with her. Madam, perhaps..."

Madam Wang's icy gaze fell on Yu Fang's face, and the latter immediately stiffened. "Madam?"

"Stop your little schemes!" Madam Wang sneered, "You shameless hussy!"

"Old woman, please forgive me!" Yu Fang quickly took a step back and bowed her head to admit her mistake.

"go out!"

"Yes!" Yu Fang lowered her eyes, suppressing her shame and anger as she silently left the room. But as soon as she stepped out, she heard a conversation inside that made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

"Granny Wang."

"Old lady?"

"These maids in the house are all getting old. You should arrange marriages for them," said Madam Wang.

"Yes, speaking of which, just a couple of days ago, Steward Luo came to inquire about the maids on behalf of his nephew. Steward Fang's youngest son is also of marriageable age. If we can arrange marriages for them all, the manor will be quite lively for a while."