Chapter 118: Setting Lin Sangqian Up for Embarrassment

“Master Guan,” Lin Sang gave him a gentle smile in greeting.

Guan Yanqing had intended to take a stroll, but as soon as he reached the doorway, he unexpectedly ran into her. His previously placid mood lifted at once.

“What brings you here?” Guan Yanqing asked.

“A certain lady here has invited us as guests,” she replied.

A lady… most likely the one from the inner quarters.

So, she had not come looking for him after all.

Guan Yanqing’s mood soured again.

“Miss Lin, does that mean the Fried Chicken Shop is closed today?” An Yu asked.

These days, Guan Yanqing relied on the Fried Chicken Shop for his daily meals. He’d eaten there for so many days in a row and still wasn’t tired of it.

“It’s still open. I’ve already marinated the drumsticks and wings; my brother can fry them. He’s mastered the cooking time now.”

“I see,” An Yu said.

At that moment, two maids approached. They greeted Guan Yanqing first, then respectfully addressed Lin Sang and Liao Shuxia, “Ladies, please follow us.”

Lin Sang nodded to Guan Yanqing, then departed.

“Master, shall we still go out?” An Yu asked softly.

Guan Yanqing was silent for a while, then said, “Forget it. Suddenly I don’t feel like going.”

Clearly, it was because he had seen Miss Lin arrive…

Of course, An Yu only dared to say that to himself.

“Shall I still send someone to buy fried chicken from the shop today?” An Yu inquired. He had a hunch Guan Yanqing wouldn’t want it today.

“No need,” Guan Yanqing replied.

If it wasn’t made by Lin Sang herself, he had no appetite.

As expected… An Yu sighed to himself.

After ten years at his master’s side, he understood him all too well. It seemed the young master’s meal today would be torture again.

But now that his master was so dependent on Miss Lin’s cooking, what could be done?

An Yu began to worry once more.

——

The two maids led Lin Sang and Liao Shuxia to Kang Ya’s courtyard, where a dozen or so small wooden tables had already been arranged, each with a soft cushion in front.

Several ladies had already arrived, adorned in jewels and finery—clearly people of wealth.

Lin Sang couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

Who would have thought this little town was home to so many wealthy folk!

“Little one, you’re here!” As soon as Kang Ya saw her, her spirits lifted, and she called Lin Sang to sit at her side, loading her up with sweets and snacks.

Lin Sang introduced Liao Shuxia, and Kang Ya was full of admiration for her exquisite embroidery, arranging for her to sit at the very front.

This was a clear signal to everyone that Liao Shuxia was an important guest today.

So even though Liao Shuxia was dressed simply, no one looked down on her.

After a while, most of the other ladies had arrived. Noticing Lin Sang by Kang Ya’s side, one of them joked, “Kang Ya, since when do you have a daughter?”

“Oh, don’t talk nonsense! Her own mother is sitting right there,” Kang Ya laughed. “This is a young friend I recently made—clever and adorable.”

“She really is adorable!”

Now that life was better, Lin Sang had filled out a bit—no longer so skinny and frail. Today, with her two little buns and red dress, she looked just like one of those lucky children in New Year paintings—utterly endearing.

The ladies couldn’t resist coming over, patting her head and pinching her cheeks, leaving Lin Sang both amused and exasperated.

“What are you all doing? Hands off my little darling!” Kang Ya shielded Lin Sang like a mother hen, “You’re all a bunch of mischief-makers!”

The ladies burst out laughing.

Lin Sang shot Kang Ya a look, and Kang Ya immediately understood, pulling out a handkerchief embroidered by Liao Shuxia to dab at nonexistent sweat on her brow.

At once, a sharp-eyed lady noticed the handkerchief. “Kang Ya, where did you buy that? It’s lovely.”

“This? The little one’s mother embroidered it. She’s right over there—if you want to buy, just ask her. She has quite a few, all new,” Kang Ya responded naturally, as if she weren’t promoting anything at all.

The ladies, always eager for good things, hurried over to Liao Shuxia, quickly surrounding her.

Their husbands were usually busy with business, seldom at home, some even kept concubines or chambermaids, and their marriages weren’t particularly affectionate. With little entertainment, shopping was their favorite pastime.

Liao Shuxia seized the opportunity, displaying her handkerchiefs and purses. She was eloquent too, charming the ladies one by one.

“Madam, with your fair complexion, these peach blossoms suit you perfectly!”

“Madam, this gold ingot pattern is a lucky omen—it will surely bring your husband thriving business!”

——

“Oh my, madam, are you interested in a dudou? I can show you right now…”

“Ladies, tell me what patterns you like—I can embroider anything!”

In no time at all, everything Liao Shuxia had brought was sold out.

The ladies were generous, handing over silver in bulk when they had no small change.

But the embroidery was so exquisite that, in their eyes, it was well worth the price.

Liao Shuxia made over fifty taels that day, so delighted she couldn’t stop smiling.

Several ladies had missed out and were so anxious they stamped their feet, grasping Liao Shuxia’s hands and urging her to make more—they’d send someone to the Lin household to collect them.

Some even took a fancy to Lin Sang, trying to negotiate with Liao Shuxia to make her their daughter-in-law.

Startled, Lin Sang desperately signaled to Liao Shuxia.

She was still so young! She hadn’t earned enough money yet—how could she think of such things?

Naturally, Liao Shuxia would never make such a hasty decision about her daughter’s future. She deftly changed the subject, chatting animatedly with several ladies, becoming fast friends in no time.

Everyone was delighted with the gathering—everyone, that is, except the maid Hong’er.

Previously, out of jealousy, Hong’er had tried to push Lin Sang into the lake, only to fall in herself. Since then, she’d held a grudge.

Seeing Liao Shuxia and Lin Sang in the limelight at this gathering only made her angrier.

She was determined to embarrass Lin Sang.

Hong’er went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of tea.

She brought it over, poured a cup for Lin Sang, and set it before her.

Lin Sang, deep in conversation with Kang Ya, didn’t notice. Seeing the tea, she absentmindedly took a sip.

But as soon as the liquid touched her lips, her expression changed and she spat it out immediately.

“What’s wrong?” Kang Ya asked, puzzled.

Lin Sang turned to the side, eyes fixed on the retreating Hong’er, and said in a cold voice, “Stop right there.”