Chapter 5: The Third Wife's Lover
A tender, jade-colored lotus root floated into Lian Heng's dream.
"In our last lesson, we learned how to make Lotus Root and Astragalus Pork Soup, a dish that nourishes the spleen and heart. Today, we'll be preparing Steamed Lotus Root." A chef in a white hat stood at the lectern, holding a fresh section of lotus root.
This was a cooking class offered by a culinary school to the public. The students, mostly middle-aged women, each had a workstation equipped with a cutting board, ingredients, tools, and a stove beside them.
The beautiful Zhong Qinglan followed the instructor's steps: washing the lotus root, peeling its skin, smashing it lightly with the flat side of a knife, and cutting it into chunks. She diced cured pork, mixed it with the lotus root, and placed the mixture onto a plate. Then she added prepared rice flour, salt, minced ginger, chopped scallions, pepper, and oil, mixing everything before transferring it to a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water.
"Alright, half an hour's up! Take it out, plate it, and drizzle a sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil over the top. This dish is refreshing, savory, and nourishing—perfect for autumn." The chef looked utterly pleased with his creation.
"Mmm, delicious! So tasty!" Qinglan sampled her creation and nodded in satisfaction.
"Miss, Miss, what's so tasty?"
"Steamed lotus root."
"Got it. I'll tell the kitchen right away," came a voice.
"Luo-ma???"
Startled, Lian Heng awoke suddenly.
The sunlight was already piercingly bright. Rubbing her eyes, she saw Luo-ma, who lived in the outer chamber, standing by her bed.
"Uh… never mind, just a dream," she muttered awkwardly. "I'll get up now. Help me braid my hair!"
Looking into the mirror, she saw a young girl whose eyes weren't big enough, nose not prominent enough, but could barely be called cute. She silently reminded herself again: Lian Heng, you are now "Lian Heng"! You are nowhere near as beautiful as that foolish Zhong Qinglan!
Thinking of her past life, she felt exasperated. Back then, she'd foolishly learned to cook just to please the man who had died with her.
What was his name again? How had he even managed to fool her?
After breakfast, everyone discovered that Lu Qiaoqiao had gone missing again.
"What? Not in her room again? Where could she be?" Yu Luoying was visibly displeased. "Xiao Qiao is at home, isn't she?"
"I truly don't know where the Madam has gone," said Xiao Qiao, who had been summoned. She looked utterly confused.
"Never mind, Xiao Qiao. Go back to your chores." Su Caiyun sighed, holding her forehead. "Sister really should let us know when she goes out. She's the third wife of the Lian family now; it's not like when she was in Yunxin Tower. She should think of the family's reputation."
"Excuse me, but I'm not sure if I should say this…" Yu Zhong hesitated, bowing low. Ever since the water-splashing incident with Yu Luoying, Yu Zhong had been trying to ingratiate herself with the head wife, treading carefully in her words and actions.
Lian Heng had always found the phrase 'I'm not sure if I should say this' particularly grating. If you shouldn't say it, then don't. If you should, just speak up! For some reason, Yu Zhong had been irritating her lately.
Yu Luoying's face remained expressionless. "Speak."
Yu Zhong leaned closer, her voice low and pleading. "I can only tell the Madam."
Yu Luoying waved the maids away. "Second Madam and Miss may stay."
Yu Zhong edged closer and whispered, "Just now, I saw the Third Madam heading out nervously. I followed her to the door and heard her instruct the coachman to take her to Yong'an Alley, behind the county office."
"Yong'an Alley? Are you certain?" Yu Luoying's brows furrowed even tighter.
"I swear I heard it with my own ears!" Yu Zhong swore earnestly.
"Yong'an Alley? Isn't that where the county constables live?" Su Caiyun asked in surprise.
"Constables?" Lian Heng echoed, puzzled.
"What would the third wife be doing there?" Yu Luoying seemed deeply concerned.
"Madam, should we hire a carriage to go check?" Yu Zhong suggested cautiously.
Yu Luoying fell silent, gazing at the tea leaves in her cup. "You may go back to your tasks."
Once Yu Zhong had left, Su Caiyun said, "Sister, I think we should investigate. That place is full of men!"
Yu Luoying hesitated. "If word gets out, it won't reflect well on us, especially with the master…"
"Mother, let's not go. I don't think Third Mother would…" Lian Heng began, relying on her intuition. Though Lu Qiaoqiao could be capricious, her eyes always radiated sincerity.
"But if something scandalous happens and you don't intervene, Sister, the blame will fall on you!" Su Caiyun countered.
"Let's hire a carriage and observe from inside. If necessary, we can send Luo-ma to inquire."
"Mother, I'll come with you!" Lian Heng offered, worried that Yu Luoying might lose her composure and do something rash. This Ming Dynasty mother of hers wasn't exactly known for her cunning.
Yong'an Alley.
A short, ancient lane.
It was quiet during the day, as most constables were out working. The alley was lined with austere black-and-white Hui-style buildings, their walls weathered into a dull yellow by time, exuding a heavy, timeworn aura.
The carriage stopped in front of an old courtyard with its door slightly ajar.
"This seems to be the only open door in the alley. Let me go inquire," Luo-ma said, climbing out.
Three seconds later, she was back in the carriage, surprisingly nimble for her large frame.
"Shh!" She placed a thick finger to her lips. "Look outside the window!"
The courtyard door had fully opened.
A man and a woman emerged, one following the other.
The woman in a golden-yellow dress, carrying a bundle, was unmistakably the third wife, Lu Qiaoqiao.
The man, dressed in a long blue robe, exuded a tall and elegant aura. Though his back was to the carriage, obscuring his face, his posture alone hinted at sophistication.
"So it's true!" Yu Luoying hissed, lowering her voice in anger. "I must go down and question her!"
"Mother, wait! Let's watch a little longer!" Lian Heng urged, grabbing her arm.
"Why do you always reject my gifts so firmly?" Lu Qiaoqiao's soft voice floated to their ears, tinged with frustration.
"She's even giving him gifts?" Su Caiyun widened her eyes in astonishment.
Yu Luoying's face darkened with rage.
"I've told you many times, I can't accept them. Besides, I earn a salary," the man replied gently but firmly.
"You look down on my gifts, don't you?" Lu Qiaoqiao's voice quivered with emotion, as though on the verge of tears.
The man turned slightly, revealing a strikingly handsome face, likely no older than nineteen or twenty. The soft autumn sunlight outlined his features in a gentle glow, lending him an air of refinement and warmth.
"Well, he's certainly easy on the eyes," Luo-ma muttered under her breath.
Indeed, the man didn't resemble a scheming seducer at all. But who said philanderers had to look like Ximen Qing?
"There's only one person in this world I truly care about, and that's you," the man said solemnly, lowering his gaze.
"What a pair of star-crossed lovers!" Su Caiyun sounded almost envious.
Yu Luoying, on the other hand, was visibly shaking with fury.
"Madam, should I drag the Third Madam over?" Luo-ma asked, sensing her cue.
"Go ahead!" Yu Luoying commanded sharply.