novelzi Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Li Ming's tirade not only stunned Li Guang, but also left Li Chou dumbfounded. Earlier, Li Guang had been dozing off, but Li Ming had never been this furious before. What made him so enraged this time? Noticing Li Ming's gaze upon him, Li Chou nudged Li Guang twice with his foot, reminding him to focus and recite from the book.
Li Guang regained his senses, opened the book, and softly recited. As he recited, he stole glances at Li Ming, and when their eyes met, he was startled and quickly lowered his head, seriously reciting the book.
Li Hui stood up and handed the completed article to Li Ming. Li Ming accepted it with a satisfied nod, "Good, your essay clearly states the main argument from the beginning, and the subsequent support for the argument is well-reasoned..." As he spoke, he heard a gurgling sound.
Li Chou wore an embarrassed expression. He hadn't meant for that to happen. In order to complete the assignment given by Li Ming, Li Chou hadn't eaten a single bite during dinner and had gone straight to studying. By now, he was so hungry that he couldn't hold it in any longer.
Li Hui glanced at the water clock, realizing that the evening had arrived without them noticing. "Father, shall we request some late-night snacks?"
Li Ming was starting to feel hungry too. He instructed Li Chuan, who was attending to them, "Have the kitchen send some late-night snacks."
Li Chuan acknowledged and went to make arrangements. He went outside the courtyard and gestured for the attendant standing nearby to come over. The attendant, Gao Liang, approached, "Master Li."
"Your legs are swift. Go to the kitchen and request that they send some late-night snacks. The master and young masters require them."
Gao Liang ran swiftly to the kitchen. At that moment, a cook lady named Cook Lady Zhang and a fire attendant were chatting in the kitchen. Seeing someone enter, they stood up.
"Cook Lady Zhang, quickly prepare some late-night snacks and send them to the study room," Gao Liang knew all the cooks in the kitchen.
Cook Lady Zhang didn't move. Gao Liang's expression hardened, "Cook Lady Zhang, this is the master's request. If we delay, neither of us can bear the consequences."
"Little Gao, let me be honest with you. Ever since the Third Miss took charge of the kitchen, she has implemented a registry system. Everything we eat and make is decided by the Third Miss. The stoves have been extinguished, and the rice, flour, and other ingredients have been locked in the adjacent room. Only the Third Miss has the key. Even if I wanted to cook, I have no ingredients," Cook Lady Zhang spread her hands helplessly.
Gao Liang wore an expression of disbelief.
"Little Gao, you know I wouldn't dare deceive you," Cook Lady Zhang was truly at a loss.
Gao Liang looked around the kitchen. Apart from the stove and some pots and pans, there were indeed no ingredients. "I'll go find the Third Miss and get the key. You light the stove and wait," With that, Gao Liang ran to the Luhua Courtyard and knocked on the door.
"You still have the heart to eat, after the calamity you've caused," Aunt Wang's words left Li Shan perplexed. Cui Liu, who had been injured the previous night, was resting in her room and not attending to Li Shan. Li Shan was still unaware of her actions the night before.
"Auntie, what calamity have I caused?" Li Shan looked as if she had done nothing wrong.
"How did I end up with such a blockhead?" Aunt Wang wore an expression of disbelief.
"Auntie, why are you scolding me like this without reason?" Li Shan grumbled unhappily.
Aunt Wang had no desire to talk to Li Shan anymore. She waved her hand, signaling Hong Mei to explain the situation to Li Shan. As Hong Mei recounted the previous night's events, the chopsticks fell from Li Shan's hand with a clatter.
"So it wasn't a dream?" Li Shan's words made Aunt Wang laugh bitterly. She truly wished it had been a dream. But alas, it wasn't. Where had Li Shan's usual intelligence gone?
The more Li Shan thought about it, the more afraid she became. She rose and approached Aunt Wang, "Mother, what should I do? Will Father be angry with me? Will he ignore me? What should I do?" As she spoke, tears began to stream down her face. She was genuinely afraid of losing Li Ming's affection. If Li Ming became displeased and took away her kitchen duties, what would she do?
"Now you know to be afraid," Aunt Wang looked at the weeping Li Shan and calmed down. What's done was done; crying wouldn't help. They needed to find a solution.
"Auntie, what should I do?" Li Shan couldn't think of a solution.
"You should..." Aunt Wang whispered into Li Shan's ear.
"Would that work?" Li Shan had some doubts.
"It would," Based on Aunt Wang's understanding of Li Ming, she believed it would work.
"But Auntie..." Li Shan wanted to say more, but Aunt Wang's stern gaze stopped her.
Since no one had ordered silence on the matter, news of the incident spread throughout the manor. Li Xia even had an extra serving of the pork and pickled vegetable dumplings made by Mrs. Wu.
The servants didn't mention it openly but privately cheered the event. Ever since Li Shan had taken over the kitchen, she had implemented a steady stream of rules and regulations for the kitchen staff to follow, not to mention the declining quality of the food. The servants harbored resentment, and now that Li Shan had made a mistake, the gossip spread joyfully.