Lu Yan glanced at her.
This was Song mama, a respected nanny, her aunt's oldest, most trusted servant.
The old woman continued, "The mistress was worried because she hasn't heard from you in so long."
Lu Yan said, "I've just started recovering Song mama."
Pulling her handkerchief from her sleeve, she coughed loudly.
Hearing voices, Luizhu came out of the hut.
She caught Song mama's last words. Her hands clenched around the water bowl she was carrying.
She'd delivered dozens of letters when the young miss was sick, begging them to send a doctor.
Now, five months later, Second Madam was finally concerned!
She opened her mouth to give this old nanny a piece of her mind.
At that moment, Lu Yan called, "Luizhu, bring the water here. And brew some tea for our guest."
Luizhu looked over, and Lu Yan's eyes were full of warning. Pouting, she walked into the yard, and put the bowl of water on the stone table.
After wiping her nose and putting her handkerchief back into her sleeve, Lu Yan placed the wildflowers in the water.
Luizhu sneered at the old nanny and disappeared back into the hut.
Song mama plastered a smile on her face, and gestured to the maids accompanying her, "Bring the supplies here."
The maids brought out a few sacks from the carriage and placed them at the door of the hut.
"The Second Madam will be relieved to see you are well. She has sent more food for you."
Lu Yan hummed.
Song mama looked at the girl's rosy chubby cheeks. Remembering her thin, almost sunken, cheeks the last time she'd come to bring food, Song mama felt a creeping sense of discomfort.
She looked carefully around the yard.
When she looked at Lu Yan again, she found the girl looking back at her with cold eyes.
Song mama's heart jumped.
Lu Yan offered a slight smile. The coldness vanished as if it had never been.
Song mama approached, and seated herself at the stone table, "How was your winter young miss? It seems you gained some weight."
At this moment, Luizhu brought a new pot of tea and a cup.
Placing it on the stone table, and pouring a cup for Song mama, she retreated to stand behind Lu Yan.
"You won't believe it Song mama! In the dead of winter, we found a large burrow of rabbits. Luizhu has learnt how to catch and roast rabbits now. We were so lucky! We ate a lot of meat this winter."
Song mama looked dubiously at Luizhu.
Luizhu nodded her head quickly in agreement.
Turning back to Lu Yan, Song mama scolded, "You're a young lady. You shouldn't be doing these."
Lu Yan smiled with her teeth showing, "Now that you've brought supplies, of course I won't need to find more rabbits."
Song mama thought of the poor quality grain and oats she'd brought, and said without changing expression, "Of course. Of course. Your aunt cares for you the most."
Luizhu's face soured. Seeing Song mama's plastic smile made her want to vomit.
Song mama continued, oblivious to or uncaring of Luizhu's disdain, "Your younger cousin sister has to work hard all day, doing embroidery, playing the zither, practicing calligraphy, learning etiquette. Poor girl! Her life is so hard. But you're carefree as a bird."
Lu Yan continued arranging flowers.
After a pause, she said, "I like it here. It's quiet." She glanced meaningfully at Song mama, "And no one talks too much."
Song mama was thin-skinned. Her face flushed.
Taking a moment to gather herself, she took a sip of tea. Immediately, she spat it out. It was so bitter!
"What's the matter mama?" Lu Yan asked with concern, "Don't you like the tea you brought for me?"
Song mama smiled, "No, no, the tea is good. But the brewer doesn't know what they're doing." She arched a look at Luizhu, "On the other hand, the youngest lady has been learning tea brewing from a master. Even her maid has learnt some skills by watching and practicing."
"The youngest lady is of course the best lady in the world." Lu Yan said, without the slightest hint of sarcasm.
Luizhu rubbed her mouth to hide her smile.
Song mama's smile cracked.
Without further ado, she stood and said, "I've seen that you're living well young lady. I'll report to the Madam, and let her know not to worry about sending material for clothes."
She cast a contemptuous glance at Lu Yan's sleeves, which were noticeably short, and whirled away.
Lu Yan watched her go.
Her smile faded, and her eyes were filled with a chilling hatred.
"Luizhu," she asked, "Why do you think my aunt hates me so much? And why does grandmother never intervene?"
Luizhu shook her head, "I don't know."
They whiled away one more hour, creating many bouquets.
Finishing them up, Lu Yan realized she could only give one to master.
Ayan would never give Ashan flowers. Or place flowers on his desk in the treatment hall. Or in his room in master's residence in the Ji family military camp.
She chose the best one, then told Luizhu, "Throw the rest to the chickens."
Luizhu was confused. Why spend so much time creating them only to throw them away?
Afei soon emerged, saying, "Miss, the carriage is ready."
Lu Yan took the flowers for master, and followed him to the carriage.
In the carriage, they changed their clothes again.
Lunch hour passed. Lu Yan was hungry.
And when she was hungry, her emotions always felt too big for her body. Her mood got progressively worse as time passed.
At the Ji family camp, Ayan emerged from the carriage clutching a bundle of flowers.
She went to the main room, and master was there, talking to his aides. Seeing her, he smiled, and waved them away before beckoning her closer.
"How was it?"
Lu Yan thrust the flowers in his face, saying shortly, "Alright. I'm hungry."
He took the flowers, and glanced at her expression before gesturing to a waiting servant.
Soon someone brought a vase for the flowers. Then a big meal also arrived: crispy fried chicken and spicy noodles.
Master placed the flowers on a side of his desk, next to his brush holder.
Lu Yan sat at the side desk that was hers and ate quickly, not even stopping to breathe.