Chapter 20: Change Clothes! If Others Saw This, They’d Think Our Prince’s Mansion…

 

Liu Hexiao paused for a moment after hearing this command.

 

Yihuan felt a bit nervous but kept her expression calm and raised her head as instructed.

 

Under her soft bangs, a pair of clear, bright eyes were revealed. Her skin was as flawless as snow, her lips as delicate as crimson pearls.

 

The old madam, having spoken casually, now froze briefly, seemingly taken aback.

 

The maids Bai Li and Qingxing also looked over curiously. Bai Li’s expression visibly shifted.

 

The old madam smiled faintly and asked, “How old are you?”

 

Yihuan answered calmly, “I will soon be seventeen.”

 

“Do you have family?”

 

“I have a younger brother at home.”

 

The old madam pondered this briefly and asked, “Are you now supporting your younger brother on your own?”

 

Yihuan replied gently, “Yes.”

 

The old madam nodded, “That’s not easy. Working as a cook must be exhausting, isn’t it?”

 

Yihuan smiled softly, “Not at all.”

 

The old madam, just about to take another piece of the coconut milk osmanthus cake, paused.

 

Looking at Yihuan with a hint of puzzlement, she heard the girl continue, “Although I rely on my cooking skills to make a living, I genuinely enjoy the craft. Doing something I love never feels tiring.”

 

Hearing this, the old madam smiled warmly. “You’re an interesting young woman.”

 

Yihuan returned the smile but said nothing further. Inwardly, she thought, If the old madam has a good impression of me, Liu Hexiao won’t dare bully me too much.

 

As the old madam slowly took another bite of the dessert, her mood improved further. She glanced at Yihuan with interest. “By the way, what is your name?”

 

“Yihuan.”

 

The old madam’s expression stiffened slightly, and she quickly asked, “What is your family name?”

 

Yihuan’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly replied, “My family name is Xie.”

 

The old madam frowned slightly, “Your family name is Xie?”

 

Yihuan smiled gracefully and nodded. “Yes.”

 

Her expression was sincere and firm, leaving no room for doubt.

 

Liu Hexiao, sensing the tension, interjected curiously, “Grandmother, what’s wrong?”

 

The old madam forced a smile, “Nothing… her name just sounds familiar.”

 

In truth, her appearance also seemed vaguely familiar, but the old madam couldn’t immediately recall where she might have seen her before.

 

Seeing the old madam drop the matter, Yihuan let out a silent sigh of relief.

 

Her original identity had been that of a noble daughter raised in a secluded Mansion. Though rarely seen in public, she had some fame. Now that she had been demoted to the status of a commoner, it was best to conceal her past as the daughter of a convicted official.

 

Just as she began to relax, the old madam asked, “Have you been married?”

 

Yihuan froze for a moment, while Bai Li, standing nearby, seemed to tremble almost imperceptibly.

 

“No, I haven’t,” Yihuan answered truthfully.

 

The old madam’s smile deepened. “Good cooking skills, and well-mannered too…”

 

Yihuan’s heart raced. She isn’t planning to marry me off to her darling Liu Hexiao as a concubine, is she?

 

No way! Absolutely not!

 

Before the old madam could continue, Yihuan quickly interrupted, “Old Madam! Your sour plum soup is almost finished. Allow me to refill it for you.”

 

Without waiting for a response, she stepped forward to take the bowl.

 

Bai Li, who had been glaring at Yihuan with disdain, rushed over and interjected, “Miss Yihuan, it’s my duty to serve the old madam!”

 

As she stepped in front of Yihuan, deliberately blocking the old madam’s and Liu Hexiao’s view, she pretended to stumble. The bowl slipped from her hands, spilling the remaining sour plum soup all over Yihuan’s dress.

 

Everyone froze in surprise.

 

Bai Li feigned panic and stammered, “Miss Yihuan, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t holding it properly and stained your dress…”

 

Yihuan glanced down at her simple linen dress, now smeared with dark red stains spreading from her knees to the floor. She frowned slightly.

 

The old madam, clearly displeased, scolded, “Why are you so careless?”

 

Bai Li bowed her head and murmured, “It’s all my fault. I beg for your forgiveness, Old Madam, Miss Yihuan.”

 

Inwardly, Bai Li panicked. She feared the old madam might truly take Yihuan into the Mansion, which would reduce her chances of staying by Liu Hexiao’s side.

 

Seizing the opportunity, Yihuan said, “Old Madam, Your Highness, my dress is dirty, making it inconvenient for me to stay. May I take my leave now?”

 

The old madam nodded slightly.

 

Overjoyed, Yihuan turned to leave. But Liu Hexiao called out, “Wait.”

 

Yihuan froze mid-step and turned back, feigning innocence. “Your Highness, do you have further instructions?”

 

Liu Hexiao raised an eyebrow, “You’re my cook now. If you go out looking this messy, people might think our Mansion mistreats you.”

 

The old madam seemed to agree.

 

Yihuan hastily waved her hands, “Oh, no, it’s really fine! There’s no need to trouble anyone.”

 

Liu Hexiao tilted his chin. “Absolutely not. Qingxing—”

 

Qingxing stepped forward. “What are your orders, Your Highness?”

 

Liu Hexiao replied casually, “Take her to change into something decent. She looks too shabby like this.”

 

Yihuan forced a smile. “Thank you, Your Highness, but that’s really not necessary—”

 

She was cut off as Liu Hexiao added nonchalantly, “I mind. It offends my eyes.”

 

Yihuan: “…”

 

Qingxing, seeing Liu Hexiao’s insistence, approached Yihuan and said, “Miss Yihuan, please come with me to the rear courtyard.”

 

Helpless, Yihuan sighed, “Thank you for the trouble, Sister Qingxing.”

 

Bai Li’s face darkened even further. She had hoped her actions would cut short the old madam’s interest in Yihuan. Instead, Liu Hexiao appeared more invested in her.

 

—

 

In the rear courtyard, Qingxing found Yihuan a dress.

 

As one of the old madam’s senior maids, Qingxing’s wardrobe was far better than what commoners wore. She chose a pink cross-collared dress with a hibiscus-embroidered sash. Once Yihuan donned it, her figure immediately appeared more graceful and elegant.

 

Qingxing, admiring Yihuan’s transformation, exclaimed, “Miss Yihuan, you look stunning—like a noble lady!”

 

Her eyes sparkled with genuine praise.

 

Yihuan smiled modestly, “It’s all thanks to Sister Qingxing’s lovely dress.”

 

Qingxing laughed and said, “Miss Yihuan, your modesty is charming. Your hair has come undone—shall I help you fix it?”

 

Hurried from changing, Yihuan’s hair was indeed a bit messy. Feeling embarrassed, she agreed, “Thank you for your help.”

 

As Qingxing combed her hair, she couldn’t help but remark, “Miss Yihuan, your hair is so beautiful…”

 

Yihuan chuckled, “Please, just call me Yihuan, Sister Qingxing.”

 

Qingxing nodded, “Alright, Yihuan.” While combing, she asked, “How did you meet our young master?”

 

Yihuan hesitated, recalling their first encounter when she’d feigned an accident to get his attention. Skipping that part, she replied, “He once tried my coffee at Jinxiu Restaurant and later tasted my sour plum soup. That’s how he remembered me.”

 

Qingxing nodded. “The young master loves seeking out new delicacies. He’s never satisfied with the food at the Mansion.”

 

Yihuan asked, “If he dislikes it so much, why not hire new cooks?”

 

Qingxing smiled. “The side consort manages the household affairs, and the young master doesn’t interfere much.”

 

“Side consort?”

 

“Yes, she’s the mother of the third young master and now oversees the Mansion’s operations.”

 

“What about the princess consort?”

 

“She passed away long ago. But the prince, deeply attached to her, never took another official wife.”

 

“I see.”

 

The two chatted casually as Qingxing finished styling Yihuan’s hair.

 

“Yihuan, take a look. Are you satisfied?” Qingxing smiled warmly.

 

Yihuan glanced in the mirror and froze for a moment. “Sister Qingxing… isn’t this a bit much? It doesn’t suit my…”

 

Before she could finish, Qingxing interrupted, “Alright, let’s go. Don’t keep the old madam and the young master waiting.”

 

Sighing, Yihuan followed Qingxing back to the main hall.

 

—

 

In the main hall, the old madam had just finished the last piece of the cake. Wiping her mouth with a silk handkerchief, she appeared quite pleased.

 

“Where did you find this girl?” she asked with a smile.

 

Liu Hexiao answered casually, “Near Changming Street.”

 

The old madam frowned. “Changming Street? Isn’t that by Tianshui Alley?”

 

Bai Li interjected, “Surely not someone from Tianshui Alley?”

 

Liu Hexiao glanced at her dismissively. “It’s close, but she’s not from there.”

 

The old madam frowned deeper, “That area is full of unsavory characters. You should visit it less often.”

 

Liu Hexiao didn’t bother arguing and simply replied, “Understood.”

 

Bai Li, displeased, thought bitterly, How can he associate with such a lowly woman?

 

But no one paid attention to her sulking expression.

 

At that moment, Qingxing entered with Yihuan in tow. Bowing slightly, she announced, “Old Madam, Your Highness, Miss Yihuan has changed.”

 

Yihuan stepped forward with graceful movements and curtsied. “Thank you, Old Madam, Your Highness, for your kindness.”

 

Liu Hexiao, casually turning to look, froze the moment he saw her.