Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1419 - 238, Valuable mother because of her son (35)

Lao Fan shook his head, his voice carrying a few traces of despondency, and gave a bitter laugh, "Let’s talk about fun later. What I need to tell you is that I left the house in disguise that day, but when I returned home, I still felt someone was following me. I was a bit puzzled, but when I looked back, I only saw Yao Mansion’s carriage. Since Yao Mansion is right across from us, I thought maybe Miss Yao just happened to be going home, so I didn’t give it much thought. But these past few days, the more I think about it, the more I feel something’s not right. Perhaps my identity has already been exposed."

Pausing, Lao Fan continued, "Now that Xia Zheng, that stinky boy, has gone to the frontier, I feel even more uneasy. I simply took this opportunity to expose my identity, and then I moved into the General Mansion. I do not believe that those people would dare to mess with the General Mansion."

Move away? Lin Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. These past two years, although their interactions with Lao Fan had been nothing but arguments and mutual derogation, it was undeniable that these days together had been joyful; they’d already become like a family. Not to mention the gratitude Lao Fan held towards Lady Xin Liu of Lin family and the mentor-apprentice relationship with Xiao Linshuang.

Although it was hard to let go, Lin Yuan also knew that she wasn’t capable of protecting this lovable yet sometimes annoying old man if he continued to stay at Lin Mansion.

Lin Yuan had a million reluctant words to say, but when she raised her head to speak, she saw Lao Fan, who had just been downcast, suddenly brightening his eyes and cheerfully approaching her, his mustache curling high up with a smile.

"Did you just say that I can come to play anytime? Is that true? Can I play with those beautiful things too? Last time I came, I was afraid you’d discover I touched many things; oh, you have no idea, after going back home, I was so frustrated for many days thinking about coming back to see, but that old man Liu wouldn’t let me go to the third floor again! It really infuriated me!"

Lin Yuan was almost infuriated herself. They had just been discussing life and death, so how could he suddenly change his demeanor? Was all her worry superfluous?

"Hey? What are you thinking? Can I or can’t I? If you don’t say anything, I’ll take it as you agree! Then I’m going!"

While Lao Fan was still concerned about the pavilion of colored glaze on the third floor, Lin Yuan was both irritated and relieved—it’s no wonder Xia Zheng called him Lao Fan; he was truly annoying. Here she was worried almost to tears, and this old man seemed as if nothing was wrong!

But no news is good news. Today, Lao Fan had been a great help to her; it would be too unkind not to let him go to the Pavilion of Colored Glaze to have some fun.

"Go ahead then, just this once today, but no sneaking in there after this! I’ve made a considerable amount of Silver because of the Pavilion of Colored Glaze this month!"

The more Lin Yuan forbade him, the more he wanted to go.

He agreed pleasantly, but the moment he entered the Pavilion of Colored Glaze, Lao Fan started wreaking havoc. Listening to the clanging sounds upstairs, Lin Yuan felt both distressed and amused, but she shook her head and decided not to worry about it any longer.

They say having an elder in the house is like having a treasure, and indeed it was so!

Yao Mansion.

Mo Zhu hurriedly rushed into Yao Hanai’s room and reported, "Miss, the servant women who went out shopping just said that something really did happen in Dong Tian today!"

Yao Hanai was studying a musical score when she suddenly looked up, interested, "Has something happened? What’s going on, did Dong Tian make a fool of itself? And that little wretch, did she embarrass herself as well?"

Mo Zhu shook her head, disappointed, "At first, she indeed made a fool of herself, but then it was nothing. I heard something about Five Stones Powder, even the Officer of the Jingzhao was alerted. But later, that little wretch invited a formidable person who exposed the lies of those troublemakers."

A formidable person? Yao Hanai’s eyes flickered, could it be him?

Mo Zhu nodded, "Exactly, Old Mr. Zhen! Remember we saw him going to Lin Mansion last time? This time that little wretch invited this old gentleman over to help her find the Five Stones Powder!"

Yao Hanai’s lips curved slightly upwards. She no longer looked at the musical score and stood up to walk to the table, casually pinching the flowers in the vase as her tone became lighter, "Back in the day, Old Mr. Zhen was a highly sought-after Divine Doctor in the Capital City. Later, because he got on well with Xia Zheng, he disappeared to who knows where. Now he’s back and hiding in Lin Mansion. Hmph, what’s so good about Lin Yuan that even Old Mr. Zhen would reside at her place!"

But now that Old Mr. Zhen’s return to the Capital City had become known, surely many people would come to visit. By then, not just Lin Mansion but even ordinary mansions wouldn’t be able to keep them out. If Old Mr. Zhen really wanted to continue living quietly, he would have to leave Lin Mansion and find someone more capable of protecting him. As for whom, it didn’t matter, as long as Old Mr. Zhen didn’t continue to stay in Lin Mansion and give that little wretch more opportunities to be close to Xia Zheng.

The thought of that little wretch being utterly vexed by Old Mr. Zhen’s departure thrilled Yao Hanai. No one was to have what she couldn’t, and that was Yao Hanai’s biggest desire.

Mo Zhu sneaked a glance at Yao Hanai’s expression. Although she couldn’t fully understand her thoughts, the prospect of Yao Hanai actually marrying Xia Zheng left her uneasy.

Men in the General Mansion didn’t take concubines, something everyone in the Capital City knew. If she followed Yao Hanai into the General Mansion, her fate would be to match with a young servant. She didn’t want such a future; even being a serving maid or Little Concubine was preferable to marrying an ordinary person and continuing as a Servant Girl.

However, if Yao Hanai didn’t manage to marry into the General Mansion, that was another matter. Better still, she should marry a Prince, where she might momentarily be a Little Concubine or serving maid, but with time or if she became pregnant, things might change.

Hehe.

Mo Zhu quietly chuckled to herself, as if envisioning her glorious future days as a Master, favored through her children.

News of Elder Zhen’s return to the Capital City spread even faster than the uproar over Dong Tian’s Five Stones Powder, and even the people in the palace had heard.

"What did you say? Zhen Xiuming, that old codger, has returned to the Capital?" Consort Liu exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock, her hands trembling so much that the teacup shook.

Standing in front of Consort Liu was her little palace maid, who replied with submissiveness, "The person sent by uncle master indeed said so. My lady, uncle master mentioned that the Officer of the Jingzhao’s men have already approached them and asked for your help in deciding on this matter..."

"Hmph!" Consort Liu slammed the teacup down on the table, her gaze unfriendly.