vrcanaries Chapter 372
Chapter 372
"Who knows if that Miss Li will even appreciate your good intentions, Miss," Qiuyue said with a pout.Qiuyue thought to herself that if this Miss Li was as greedy and insatiable as Miss Zhang, then her young lady's kindness would be completely wasted.
"It's fine," Wen Xiu replied. She believed that you had to interact with someone first to truly know their character.
If she could see a person's true colors just by gifting some incense, it wouldn't be a loss at all.
At the very least, she would know going forward that this person wasn't worth befriending.
When Wen Xiu arrived with her gifts, Li Zhiwei had coincidentally just had the kitchen prepare a few sweet treats.
"Miss Li, please forgive my presumptuous intrusion." Wen Xiu was momentarily stunned when she saw Li Zhiwei. Although she had heard rumors about her, this was her first time seeing her in person.
Li Zhiwei was just as beautiful as she had imagined.
No wonder Prince An was so devoted to her.
"What are you saying, Miss Wen? We've been moved in for a few days now. I should have been the one to visit you. It's just that some things came up in the estate recently, and I haven't been able to find the time. I hope you won't take offense." Li Zhiwei looked at Miss Wen and saw a gentle and elegant girl. She thought to herself that this Miss Wen and the Miss Zhang who came yesterday were as different as night and day.
That Miss Zhang had supposedly visited several times, and every time she came empty-handed.
Miss Wen, on the other hand, had sent a formal calling card in advance and even brought gifts upon arrival. It was clear she was a polite and thoughtful girl.
"Have I come at a bad time?" Hearing that something had happened in the estate, Wen Xiu felt a bit embarrassed. If they had important matters to attend to, her unannounced visit would be highly improper.
"Don't worry, Miss Wen, everything has been sorted out. You're in for a treat today. I had the kitchen make some fermented rice wine glutinous balls. You must try some later and give me your thoughts," Li Zhiwei said with a smile.
After all, so far, she found Miss Wen quite to her liking.
Some people are just like that; you can tell at a glance whether or not you could be friends.
Her first impression of Wen Xiu was that she was someone worth befriending.
Zhang Zifu, on the other hand, gave her the impression of someone she should stay as far away from as possible.
"Then I won't hold back." Wen Xiu was slightly taken aback at first, but then she realized that Miss Li was probably thinking of starting a small business, likely related to food.
This must be a trial run. Usually, one wouldn't let someone they didn't trust taste-test. Wen Xiu hadn't expected that on her very first visit, Miss Li would invite her to try a new dish. She felt truly flattered.
Li Zhiwei gestured for Cuiguo to bring the food over.
At first, Wen Xiu only caught a faint, fragrant scent of wine.
Then, a bowl of small glutinous balls was placed in front of her. They floated on top, and bits of fermented rice wine lees were visible in the soup.
"Try it, Miss Wen. It's called fermented rice wine glutinous balls, a new sweet treat we just whipped up. See if it suits your taste." As Li Zhiwei spoke, she began to eat first.
For one, she really wanted to eat it. Secondly, she was afraid Wen Xiu would feel too polite to start eating if she didn't take the first bite.
Seeing Li Zhiwei start, Wen Xiu didn't stand on ceremony either. She picked up the spoon beside her, scooped one up, and put it in her mouth.
The combination of the chewy glutinous rice ball and the sweet fermented rice wine made Wen Xiu's eyes light up.
She never knew that this ingredient could be eaten this way.
"Alright, don't just stand there. There's more in the kitchen. This young lady can go have some too." Li Zhiwei smiled and asked Cuiguo to take Qiuyue with her.
Qiuyue looked at Wen Xiu hesitantly.
"It's fine, go ahead," Wen Xiu said with a smile.
After finishing one bowl, Wen Xiu felt quite full.
"Are you planning to open a sweet soup shop, Miss Li?" Wen Xiu didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
"I haven't decided on the specifics yet." Li Zhiwei just smiled. Although she felt the person in front of her was trustworthy, it was still their first meeting, so she kept her guard up a little.
"When you do open for business, Miss Li, you must let me know. This is so delicious, I'd love to have it a few more times." Wen Xiu felt a little shy saying this. After all, she wasn't usually one to crave food, but this time, her appetite had truly been whetted.
"Of course." Li Zhiwei figured that since Wen Xiu was a noble lady of the capital, she must have her own social circle. When the time came, she could definitely help bring in some customers.
"I also brought a small gift for Madam Li today," Wen Xiu said as she took out a small box from the side.
"This is—" Li Zhiwei caught a very pleasant fragrance and was slightly surprised. She actually knew a bit about incense making, and the moment this incense was brought out, she could tell it was special.
"This is a soothing incense I specially blended. It's nothing expensive," Wen Xiu said, feeling a bit modest.
"Then thank you, Miss Wen. This is a very thoughtful gift. You see, my mother hasn't been sleeping well since we arrived in the capital. I'll have her try it later. If it works well, I might have to trouble you to blend some more for us." Li Zhiwei genuinely thought it was a great gift, and if the incense really worked, she would gladly pay for more of it.
"It would be my honor if it can help Madam Li." Wen Xiu felt quite happy hearing this. Since she had no parents and lived alone in her estate, the feeling of being needed by others felt novel and heartwarming to her.
"What are you two secretly eating? How could you not tell me there was good food?" Cheng Qingli smelled the aroma from afar and grumbled in dissatisfaction as she walked over.
"Second Miss Cheng, is the matter settled?" Li Zhiwei was a bit surprised to see her.
After all, she had asked her to go to the palace earlier, and there should have been news by now since a whole day had passed.
"It's done! Oh, Sister Wen, you're here too?" Cheng Qingli greeted Wen Xiu with great enthusiasm.
"Second Miss Cheng." Wen Xiu looked at Cheng Qingli and simply smiled and nodded.
Towards Cheng Qingli, who was always overly enthusiastic whenever they met, Wen Xiu always maintained a mild demeanor.
After all, she didn't think there was anything a person of Second Miss Cheng's status could want from her.
Beside them, Li Zhiwei raised an eyebrow.
She suddenly remembered Xu Heming mentioning that Cheng Qingli had a sweetheart.
He had said that the man was stationed at the border.
And wasn't Miss Wen's older brother the General of the West?
Wasn't he stationed at the border right now?
Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei found it rather amusing to watch these two who might become sisters-in-law in the future.
"Go bring a bowl of glutinous balls for Second Miss Cheng," Li Zhiwei said to Qinghua beside her, eager to watch the show unfold.