Lanzhin didn't reply to Anning's words but quietly left her through another path just by the side of the residence, her steps were steady but firm as she walked. Seeing how large this house or rather mansion was, Anning couldn't help but wonder how she remembered the road.
Anning followed closely behind her, doing her best not to fall behind, as she moved, her eyes couldn't help but drift side to side despite the earlier warnings to keep her head down.
The further they went, the less refined the surroundings became.
The polished floors gaze way to grounds made with gravel, the scent of incense in the air slowly changed to something heavier. By the time they reached the kitchen, the change in scenery was almost impossible to ignore.
The space in front of them was wide, supported by thick wooden pillars that looked like they had been burnt. Large iron pots sat over open flames, the fire beneath them crackled softly as steam rose up from the pots.
Jugs made of clay were lined up against the walls, some filled with water and others filled with something Anning couldn't quite place. Long, wide wooden tables were placed in the center. Large chunks of meat and heavy heaps of vegetables were placed on the surface of the tables.
The smell that hit Anning next almost made her gag. It was a strange mix of things she couldn't quite separate at first, the sharp metallic scent of raw meat blended with the almost overwhelming scent of herbs.
The scent wasn't entirely unpleasant, but at the same time, it wasn't comforting either. Only a few people were moving around the kitchen.
No one spoke unnecessarily and she couldn't even see a single person with a smile on their face.
Just the quiet sound of knives hitting wood, the bubbling of boiling liquid, and the occasional clink of metal pots being opened and closed.
Anning paused just for a second, her brows furrowed together as she took it all in.
'Yeah...this definitely isn't 2026' Anning thought inwardly.
The confusion she was currently feeling only grew as she stared at the clay pots.
Who even stores water like that?
Before she could think about it any longer, Lanzhin had already moved ahead, stopping in front of a woman dressed in plain white clothing.
Her sleeves were rolled up as she stood over one of the larger pots, stirring some black liquid with ease.
"Head cook," Lanzhin called out softly.
The woman glanced over her shoulder once, nodding in acknowledgement.
"This is Lin Anning. She will be responsible for delivering young Miss Wanqing's meals." Said Lanzhin.
The woman nodded once more, not bothering to look at Anning for more than a second before tilting her head toward a corner of the kitchen.
"Over there." The head cook instructed.
Anning turned her head in the direction of her gaze and on a wooden platform was a large tray, several dishes neatly arranged on it and covered to keep the heat in.
"Hurry," the woman added, her time flat. "The young miss does not eat food that has gone cold."
That was all the explanation she got. Anning didn't want to waste another second, she stepped forward and lifted the tray.
She adjusted her hand slightly, trying to balance the tray before she turned and hurried out of the kitchen.
Behind her, she heard Lanzhin call out to her. "Do you remember the way?"
"I do!" Anning yelled over her shoulder, already increasing her pace.
The tray was heavier than she expected, but she still held onto it carefully, her steps were quick as she moved through the wide corridors.
She didn't like Wanqing. Not even a little bit.
But she wasn't stupid enough to ignore all the warnings she had gotten from Lanzhin earlier.
And from everything she had seen so far, Wanqing didn't seem like someone who would tolerate mistakes
'I refuse to get punished over food' She chanted inwardly and that alone made her walk faster.
Now that the sky had begun to get darker, the halls felt quieter now. The fading light casted long shadows across the floors and the noise from earlier had died down, leaving behind an eerie silence that made her footsteps echo through the hallway.
After a few turns, she finally saw a very familiar door up ahead.
Wanqing's room.
Her lips stretched into a small smile despite herself. Even after everything, her memory still hadn't failed her.
Not bad.
As she finally came to stand in front of the door, she adjusted the tray she had been holding in her two hands onto just one.
Then her free hand moved almost on its own, smoothening the fabric of her clothes and tugging the low neckline higher. Then her fingers reached up to her hair, making sure it was still in place.
"Wait...am I trying to look good for her?" Anning whispered to herself, her hand hanging in the air.
The thought came so suddenly that it caught her off guard. She shook her head slightly, a small scoff escaping her lips.
"That can't be possible. I mean...we just met." She muttered under her breath, almost laughing at how absurd her thoughts were.
"What do you think you're doing?"
The voice came out of nowhere. Cold, calm and deep enough to make her heart skip a beat.
Anning let out a small yelp, her body shaking slightly as she took a step back, nearly losing her balance along with the tray she had in hand.
She snapped her eyes up and noticed the door was already open, standing right in front of her was Gu Wanqing.
Anning blinked, momentarily thrown off by how she currently looked. She wasn't dressed the way she had been earlier.
Gone were the silk robes that seemed almost too flashy.
Now, she was clad in something simpler, long fitted pants and a top that wasn't too different from what Anning had on, though the quality was clearly better.
'Were women of this era really allowed to wear trousers?' Anning wondered inwardly.
But still, the outfit definitely made her look... different. She looked less distant
Yet, she still spelt danger to Anning.
Anning quickly lowered her gaze, adjusting her grip on the tray as she bowed once.
"I-i was asked to bring your meal to your room." She said softly.
A soft sound escaped Wanqing's lips. It sounded like a chuckle or probably a snort... Anning couldn't quite identify it.
But there was definitely no warmth in it. If anything, it felt closer to mockery.
"You were told I do not eat food that has gone cold." Wanqing began slowly.
Anning stiffened instantly at her words, the food wouldn't have gone cold by now, right?
"And yet you stand here, smiling to yourself while I wait?"
Wanqing's voice remained calm, the kind of calm that made her words sink deeper into Anning's mind and the type that made her feel anxious.
"Do you enjoy playing with your mistress, Anning?"