25 Sisterly Bonds I

Chu Yunli opened her eyes to find herself standing in a study full of an antique charm. This was the very room she had left behind. Glancing to the side, she saw Feng Shao'an seated behind the desk, just as expected.

The two shared a smile, and he rose to embrace her. Then, he opened the jade pendant.

The jade pendant was shared between the two; to ensure Feng Shao'an would remember her at all times, they had to continue performing good deeds.

Resentment of Luo Meiniang: 500
Resentment of Luo Yun: 500
Resentment of Luo Pingyu: 500
Resentment of Hu Yian: 500
Resentment of Hu Jiangshi: 500
Merit Points: 350,000 + 3,000

This time, they had spent most of their savings on the poor. Chu Yunli had also brought along many useful formulas and later helped improve crop seeds—all of these were virtuous acts.

The merit points were not much, but they added up. Chu Yunli was confident that the day would come when she would get her wish.

When Chu Yunli opened her eyes again, she found herself standing in front of a kitchen stove. She looked around in a daze and immediately sensed that something was wrong.

Several maids stood by the doorway. The original owner was dressed in fine silk, but she wore an apron over it, her sleeves rolled up to reveal her fair, delicate wrists. Before her stood a stove, and on the side lay oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and a large spread of prepped meat and vegetables—enough for over a dozen dishes. On three small stoves to the side, soup was simmering, filling the air with a rich fragrance.

Before Chu Yunli arrived, the original owner must have been busy preparing a feast.

Chu Yunli knew that the mistress of a wealthy household would rarely cook for herself, and even if she did, she wouldn't prepare so much. She reached up to rub her forehead, wearing a pained expression.

A maid by the door immediately asked with concern, "Mistress, are you feeling unwell? Would you like to go back and rest?"

If possible, she would certainly prefer to go rest. After all, the same dish and seasonings, prepared by different people, could taste completely different. Not to mention that Chu Yunli lacked the memories; even if she had them, the dishes she made might not turn out exactly like the original owner's. If she insisted on cooking herself... there might be some person with a peculiar palate who would notice.

Otherwise, why would a wealthy mistress like the original owner bother herself with such things?

After leaving the kitchen, Chu Yunli was supported by the maid into a courtyard opposite. She felt quite speechless—just how much did the original owner love cooking to have a kitchen built not far from her own courtyard?

As soon as she entered, another maid dressed in rose-red clothing came forward, looking worried. "Sanqi, what is wrong with the mistress?"

The maid supporting Chu Yunli hurriedly said, "Sister Feiyao, the mistress has another headache. We must invite a doctor quickly."

"Ah!" The maid called Feiyao hesitated for a moment and said, "But Master Gao's family is coming to visit today; they will be here soon. It was agreed earlier that they would taste the mistress's cooking. If she doesn't cook, will they think she is unwilling to host them personally?"

Sanqi stomped her feet in anxiety. "I only know that the mistress's health is the most important thing. If the master finds out, he would certainly not bear to let her cook. Besides, it's not like Master Gao is visiting for the first time; they can taste her cooking another time..."

Growing increasingly impatient, she turned to the little maid rushing out from inside, "Go invite a doctor immediately, and tell the master as well."

Chu Yunli thought she would be able to go inside, lie down, receive the memories, and deal with the incoming guests. However, before she could even reach the veranda, rapid footsteps sounded behind her: "Mistress, the guests have arrived. The master says you should go out to greet them first, then return to cook..."

Hearing this, Chu Yunli sneered inwardly.

So, the original owner's husband truly treated her as a kitchen maid. Since they were honored guests, the couple should have been hosting them together. Why did it have to be that she alone was forced to cook?

Were there not a dozen servants in and out of this courtyard? Could they not make a single meal?

Even if they couldn't, there were plenty of capable people in the world; those who could cook well were everywhere. Could they not spend a little silver to hire a cook?

"I have a headache," Chu Yunli said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Have someone else start cooking first, so as not to be rude." She glanced at her own attire. "I need to go change."

She intentionally didn't mention that this outfit was inappropriate—to be honest, it really was. But since the so-called "Master" wanted her to see the guests before returning to cook, Chu Yunli guessed that the original owner had always entertained guests this way.

After all, this apron was exquisitely crafted from high-quality materials.

But no matter how exquisite, it was still an apron. If the original owner truly wore this to greet guests, she would be no different from a servant.

While changing clothes, Chu Yunli dismissed the servants.

The original owner, Zhang Qingxue, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant in the city. Since birth, she had been pampered by her parents, living in refined luxury. A girl raised with such care, she was sought in marriage at fourteen by Yu Shanmeng, the eldest son of another wealthy merchant family in the city.

Yu Shanmeng, as a young man of wealth, was completely different from other young masters. He kept to himself, never frequented brothels, did not indulge in alcohol, and was handsome—a rare talent among the city's youth.

The two families were well-matched in status, and since he was the standout among the young men, Zhang's father arranged the marriage after letting his daughter see him.

In fact, after Zhang Qingxue married, the couple was harmonious and deeply affectionate. Within five years, she bore two sons and a daughter. What made the wives of other families in the city even more envious was that even after Yu Shanmeng won his beauty, he never strayed or flirted outside, not even with the maids. The only concubine in their household had been a gift from the mistress herself.

Zhang Qingxue thought