Zhu Yanyan followed Shi Fa Ke into the kitchen, curiously looking at the piece of meat hanging on the hook.

However, Shi Fa Ke didn’t go for the meat first, but instead scooped rice from the rice jar to wash it.

“What is this?” Zhu Yanyan crouched beside Shi Fa Ke, watching her wash the rice.

“This is white rice.” The wet nurse beside them explained kindly, her tone gentle and soft, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would blow away her young miss.

“Aren’t we making meat?” Zhu Yanyan asked again.

This time, even the wet nurse looked at Shi Fa Ke.

Being stared at intently by this master and servant pair, Shi Fa Ke twitched her lips. “I plan to make minced meat porridge.”

“Ah, I know this!” Zhu Yanyan’s eyes lit up. “I’ve eaten it before.”

How wonderful for you…

Shi Fa Ke silently placed the washed rice in a ceramic pot, added water to soak it, then turned to handle the raw meat.

“Let me help.” Seeing Shi Fa Ke take down the piece of meat from the hook, Zhu Yanyan said eagerly.

Shi Fa Ke silently glanced at her. Someone who didn’t even recognize raw meat—what help could she possibly offer!

Zhu Yanyan miraculously understood the meaning of Shi Fa Ke’s glance, blushed slightly, and mumbled, “I can learn…”

“Oh my dear Miss, this isn’t work you should be doing!” The wet nurse hurried forward to stop her.

Although what the wet nurse said wasn’t wrong… Shi Fa Ke somehow felt rather annoyed. This wet nurse was really irritating when she spoke. Who wasn’t their family’s little treasure! Her parents and brothers loved her dearly too!

Grumbling silently, Shi Fa Ke lowered her head and divided the piece of meat in half.

“Meat is also considered a precious thing. Ordinary families still need to use it sparingly.” Seeing Zhu Yanyan’s curious expression, the wet nurse explained kindly with a loving expression.

Sorry that our family can’t afford meat!

They couldn’t use up a whole piece of meat. Lu Chi had a poor appetite, and too much meat would be greasy, destroying the porridge’s original sweet taste and being counterproductive. But Shi Fa Ke was too lazy to explain, silently hanging half back on the hook and placing the other half in water to wash.

After washing away the blood, she first cut it into pieces, then chopped it into minced meat, placing it in a bowl for later use.

The process of chopping meat was simple and monotonous, but Zhu Yanyan stood beside her watching with great interest. One could imagine how boring her daily life must be.

After finishing the minced meat, the rice in the ceramic pot had soaked long enough. Shi Fa Ke bent down to start a fire and cook the porridge.

“Shouldn’t the minced meat go in?” Zhu Yanyan blinked and asked curiously.

“Wait until the porridge boils before adding it. If you put it in now, the meat will become tough and taste dry.” Shi Fa Ke explained.

“So there’s such great learning in cooking porridge! A’Ke, you’re amazing!” Zhu Yanyan looked at Shi Fa Ke with bright, shining eyes, appearing very admiring.

Shi Fa Ke’s lips curved up suspiciously, but she quickly suppressed it and said in a very mature and steady manner, “This isn’t difficult at all. You’d learn it after watching once.”

Zhu Yanyan smiled until her eyes curved into crescents.

The wet nurse beside them quietly raised her hand to wipe her eyes. She naturally knew her earlier words had been somewhat inappropriate, but after so many years she had grown accustomed to acting this way, putting Miss first in everything. She couldn’t change anymore. But Miss had beautifully resolved the grievance in Miss Shi’s heart. She really should let those gossipy women in the residence see how wise and kind her Miss was…

After the porridge was set to cook, Shi Fa Ke took a knife and walked out of the kitchen.

“What are you going to do?” Zhu Yanyan followed closely behind.

“Cut some chives. Chives at this time are very fresh and delicious. Adding some to the porridge brings out the best flavor.” As Shi Fa Ke spoke, she thought of Lu Chi who was obsessed with minced meat porridge. Her temple twitched, and she said with some exasperation, “Moreover, the scent of chives can stimulate appetite.”

As she spoke, she walked to a corner of the courtyard where rows of chives grew, emerald green and vibrant, giving off a sense of vigorous beauty.

“It sounds like it would be very delicious.” Zhu Yanyan also crouched beside her, watching her cut chives.

Her beautiful dress got some dirt on it, but she didn’t mind, just kept curiously leaning over to watch Shi Fa Ke cut chives. She looked back at the wet nurse who hadn’t followed them out and whispered quietly, “Can you let me try?”

Shi Fa Ke shook her head and refused straightforwardly, “Cutting chives looks easy, but since you’ve never done it before, you’d better not try. It’s very easy to cut your hand.”

But Zhu Yanyan’s eyes were still bright, looking eager to try. Just as she was about to persist in asking Shi Fa Ke to agree, the wet nurse worriedly poked her head out to look. Zhu Yanyan deflated and shut her mouth. “Oh.”

Shi Fa Ke found it amusing, only now discovering that Zhu Yanyan just appeared well-behaved, but was actually a restless girl at heart. At this time, Shi Fa Ke still didn’t know… not just restless—this seemingly well-behaved Miss Zhu was wholeheartedly wanting to marry into a bandit’s den to become a bandit chief’s wife!

After Shi Fa Ke finished cutting the chives, seeing her still looking dejected, she felt somewhat sympathetic. Thinking that this girl had just been heartbroken and needed some comforting, she happened to notice some foxtail grass growing among the chives, fluffy and cute. She picked some and wove them into a fluffy little rabbit.

“A’Ke, your hands are so skillful!” Zhu Yanyan said with fascination.

Shi Fa Ke finally couldn’t help but laugh. “Not as sweet as your mouth.” She handed over the woven little rabbit. “For you.”

Zhu Yanyan accepted it, looking at it with great joy again and again. “Thank you, A’Ke. It’s so cute.”

Just as she was happy, the wet nurse walked over and said, “Miss, we should go back.”

Zhu Yanyan immediately felt her mood spoiled and pouted, refusing to leave.

“If we return too late, Madam will worry.” The wet nurse earnestly persuaded.

“But the porridge isn’t ready yet.” Zhu Yanyan said quietly.

…What was she trying to do? From this tone, could she possibly want to drink the porridge before leaving?

The wet nurse was getting a headache. Today’s Miss was being particularly disobedient… She had said she wanted to go out for some fresh air, but after leaving the residence, she wanted to find Miss Shi. She had said that after finding Miss Shi, she would only say a few words from inside the carriage, but when they reached the Shi family, she wanted to come in and sit. She had said she would only sit for a little while… and now she wanted to eat before leaving?

“I just want to taste the porridge A’Ke made… it looks very delicious.” Zhu Yanyan said with tears in her eyes.

Seeing Zhu Yanyan’s expression on the verge of tears, the wet nurse panicked. “Alright, alright, we’ll go back after eating the porridge. Miss, don’t cry. Be careful not to hurt your eyes—you already cried quite a bit earlier…”

What were principles? They ceased to exist the moment Miss cried.

“But won’t Mother be angry…”

“No, Madam will be very comforted to see Miss willing to go out for fresh air.” The wet nurse hurriedly coaxed. “At worst, this old servant will risk her old face to beg Madam’s forgiveness. It’s no problem…”

No… there is a problem…

This is the minced meat porridge Lu Chi has been thinking about…

If you eat it up…

The consequences would be unimaginable!

You master and servant pair, don’t just talk amongst yourselves! At least ask the host family! Shi Fa Ke stood to the side expressionlessly, wailing internally.

“A’Ke, may I go back after eating the porridge?” Zhu Yanyan turned to look at her, her beautiful big eyes blinking, asking shyly in a soft voice.

Shi Fa Ke clutched her chest and smiled, “Of course you can.”

“A’Ke, you’re so good!” Zhu Yanyan said sweetly.

So well-behaved and cute—who could refuse? Shi Fa Ke silently shed tears in her heart, but how would she face Lu Chi’s anger…

But seeing Zhu Yanyan looking so happy at this moment, Shi Fa Ke still felt somewhat comforted. Her earlier heartbroken appearance was still fresh in memory. If eating a bowl of minced meat porridge could make her a little happier, why refuse her?

She believed Young Master Lu would definitely understand.

He would definitely understand, right?