A few days ago, Qingdai gleaned some information from Cuihong about the Yongchang mansion that all the servants knew.The Marquis of Yongchang started his career through military service.The first generation that earned the marquis title assisted Taizu to conquer the country. After several generations of changes, the1Marquis of Yongchang was passed down to Wei Yuan's generation.Wei Yuan's father, the former Marquis of Yongchang, died in the battlefield, leaving Wei Yuan as the sole heir.Wei Yuan followed his father on the battlefield since he was twenty years old and went through several conquests.Therefore, it was not difficult to guess that the pairs of boots in the storage trunk were from the original owner. Who created themstitch by stitch each time Wei Yuan was about to go on an expedition.But they were never given to him.The handwritten recipe book seemed to be the pastry recipes that the original owner had collected from various sources, and sherecorded the adjusted portions by observing his expression when eating the pastries.After Wei Yuan went to court, he would stay in the study if he had nothing to do, and the refreshments during this time were preparedand delivered by the small kitchen in the study.A task that was managed by Qingdai.So after sketching a plan in her mind, she was ready to take action.In order not to arouse suspicion, Qingdai stayed in bed for three days before reporting she recovered, and waited for another twodays before taking action.However, the remaining days of her life were very tight.During the day, it was the duty of her and Cuihong to clean the study and wait on Wei Yuan when he came over. And Qingdai wouldbring tea from the kitchen every day for the afternoon tea.At noon, the Marquis's mansion was quiet, the masters were all taking a rest, and so the servants could take it easy.Qingdai walked into the small kitchen of the study room.Inside, an old woman with good-looking features was sitting on a small table. When she saw her pushing the door open, she called outin surprise."Miss Qingdai, you are finally here. You didn't come for a few days and this old woman was not used to it." The words of the old woman guarding the kitchen confirmed her assumptions. As expected, Qingdai often came here to the smallkitchen and she moved naturally when she was making pastries according to the recipe in the booklet.Further confirming that the pastries delivered every day were made by the original owner, tailored to Wei Yuan's tastes.When a plate of crystal clear water chestnut cake was ready, she took a bite first. It tasted slightly sweet but not too greasy.She then asked Granny Zhang, who was guarding the kitchen, to have a taste.Granny Zhang smiled while chewing. "The cakes made by Miss Qingdai are still as sweet as before."The taste was fine, so she put down her worries and checked the sunlight outside the window.After guessing that it was about time, she picked up the food box containing the water chestnut cake and walked towards the mainhall of the study.Wei Yuan sat elegantly behind the desk, flipping through a military book, when a woman's soft voice came from outside the door."My lord, this servant has brought pastries.""Come in."The lightly closed door was pushed open, and a thin girl wearing a pink spring shirt walked in. She held a mahogany carved food boxin her slender hands.With her head and eyes lowered, she walked to his desk, took out the pastries and placed them gently.Wei Yuan's eyes followed her soft white and delicate hands to the pastries on the blue and white porcelain plate.The translucent water chestnut cake was shiny and looked very elastic.He stretched out his hand, picked up a small piece and put it into his mouth.It was soft and chewy, and the sweetness was just right for him.The few diced water chestnuts embedded in the cake were even sweeter and refreshing.Qingdai stood beside him, secretly raising her eyes to glance at the corners of his lips, and was relieved when she noticed the slightupward curve of his lips.It seemed that this was the right way to proceed.For the next seven or eight days, Qingdai behaved like a maid, and there was nothing out of the ordinary except giving Wei Yuan apastry made by herself every afternoon.When she had only eight days left, it was time for the Marquis's mansion to dry out the clothes in the storage trunks, swapping springclothes for summer ones.The opportunity she had been waiting for finally arrived.In the study, she and Cuihong, the two bedwarming maids, happen to live in a room that had Wei Yuan's clothes.And it just so happens that the books in the study have to be taken out to dry as well.So Wei Yuan called his personal attendant, Wei Yong, to help.The three people moved the storage trunks and books to the yard, then rushed to open the books and spread them on the table.And also opened the lids of storage trunks."Hey, isn't this box filled with clothes?" Wei Yong, unlike his master, had a straightforward personality and loved to laugh. So he opened the lid and revealed it in a strange way.Cuihong had a good memory and recognized it at a glance as the storage trunk that was moved from Qingdai's room.She took a closer look and found that there were six pairs of men's boots and a booklet inside.She immediately called out in a loud voice without much thought. "Qingdai! How could there be men's boots in your storage trunk?Could it be…"Cuihong's voice was so loud that Wei Yuan, who was sitting in the study hall, could hear clearly.He put down the cloth he was using to wipe his sword, got up and stood at the door, looking into the courtyard"I, I'm not… this isn't…" The delicate girl's face was flushed, and the color added a bit of beauty to her pale and oval-shaped face.It was completely different from the taciturn person in front of him.And it was a look he had never seen before."I moved the wrong storage trunk. I'll move it back right now." She rushed to put the covering back on, avoided Cuihong's arms andwas about to put the storage trunk back in her room."Wait."The man's deep and majestic voice came, causing the three people in the yard to freeze up.Wei Yong stared at the tip of his nose, found it somewhat fascinating, and forgot how to speak.Cuihong stood up straight and properly.While the flustered girl forgot to greet him and laid stiffly on the storage trunk with her back towards him.The man strode towards her step by step, then stopped behind her.He gave her a condescending look and ordered in a cold voice. "Open it."Her thin shoulders shook, and she trembled as she turned to look at him.There was moisture in her black eyes, and she shook her head desperately. "My lord, this servant has not-""Open it." He repeated again, his tone unchanged.The girl bit her pale lower lip and opened the lid with shaking hands.There were six pairs of boots in the storage trunk, two pairs were the oldest, two pairs were slightly newer, and two pairs were thenewest, but there were no signs of wear and tear.There was also a booklet on top of the boots.Wei Yuan bent down and stretched his hand into the trunk. This action brought him closer to the girl leaning against the storage trunk,and he could see her lowered and trembling eyelashes.He picked up the booklet with his fingers and turned to the first page. He expected to see a pair of obscene words about a pair ofwanton lovers.Unexpectedly, the first page showed how to make water chestnut cakes. He turned to the second page, which was about how tomake sweet-scented osmanthus cake.His fingers moved faster and he quickly finished flipping through the thin book without missing the small notes. He shifted his gaze to the six pairs of boots again. He picked up one and looked at it. The sole was thick and the inside of the shoe wasembroidered with peace knots.It looked about the same size as his shoes.Thinking back to the last three times he went on an expedition, Wei Yuan held the edge of the boots and lost focus.When he came back to his senses, the three people in the yard were already kneeling in front of him."Today's events are not allowed to be shared outside." He glanced at the two people except the girl emphatically."If I find out, I will kill you without mercy.""Understood." Wei Yong had followed Wei Yuan on the battlefield and had long been accustomed to his military orders, so he obeyedwithout question.Cuihong was frightened, and her voice trembled. "Understood."Finally, it was the girl who put her forehead on the ground. Her voice was thin and pitiful. "Understood."T/N: It's interesting how Wei Yong, the "Wei" , has the same surname and character as his master. I'm guessing he gave it to hispersonal attendant in exchange for his loyalty? Hmmm….And so the mission continues, how will Qingdai get Wei Yuan to love her? In about 8days?? Talk about rough….If you're enjoying the novel, please leave a review on NovelUpdates, thanks!1. Means the founder of a dynasty, usually someone who became the emperor.
