The other kitchen maids all nodded in agreement.

"Right, put all these Spiritual Medicines into the storage ring for me. I need to keep them to study later!" said the kitchen maid named Cui Hua. She then hurried toward the staircase, disappearing around the corner in the blink of an eye.

"Miss Cui Hua, wait for me! Miss Cui Hua..."

Seeing Cui Hua running faster than a rabbit, the other kitchen maids scrambled after her.

「Upstairs!」

Cui Hua dashed all the way to the second floor, pushed open a door, and closed it behind her before stepping inside.

The kitchen maids also rushed upstairs, and seeing the door closed, they immediately began to make a fuss. "Miss Cui Hua, what are you doing closing the door?"

"Exactly! This is an inn, not your home!"

"Other girls are staying here too. What if you run into someone you know?"

"Hmph! Who would come to a godforsaken place like this?" Cui Hua huffed. She plopped down on a chair and casually flipped through an ancient book.

"Miss Cui Hua, you mustn't speak so carelessly. This is the capital, near the palace, not some remote backwater!"

"Exactly, exactly!" the others chimed in.

"All right, quiet down. All these Spiritual Medicines are mine. The rest are for you," Cui Hua said indifferently, still browsing the ancient book.

"Really?"

At her words, the maids' eyes lit up, their gazes filled with greed.

"Of course, it's true. Why would I lie to you?" Cui Hua confirmed with a nod.

"Then we'll graciously accept!" The kitchen maids exchanged glances before stuffing the pile of Spiritual Medicines into their own storage rings.

"By the way, what's your name? We don't actually know you," one of the kitchen maids said, looking at Cui Hua.

"Cui Hua. I'm Cui Hua," she replied.

"So you're Miss Cui Hua! It's an honor to meet you!" the maids said, hastily clasping their fists in a flattering gesture.

"Heh, the pleasure is mine," Cui Hua nodded lightly, her gaze returning to the ancient book in her hands.

The kitchen maids glanced at each other and couldn't help but swallow nervously before departing their separate ways.

「The next day!」

Cui Hua had just gotten out of bed when there was a knock at her door.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

She quickly dressed and opened it. An old steward stood at the door, smiling. He spoke to Cui Hua with great respect.

"Miss."

"Miss, the master has asked you to come down for breakfast at once."

"Understood." Cui Hua nodded and went downstairs.

As Cui Hua descended into the main hall, the chefs, who were already standing by four tables laden with a sumptuous breakfast, quickly rose to their feet.

"Miss, you're awake!"

"This way, Miss!"

"Please, take a seat!" they said respectfully.

"Alright, everyone sit down and eat," Cui Hua said with a wave of her hand, taking the lead to the dining table.

"Thank you, Miss!" The kitchen maids' faces lit up with excitement as they took their seats.

After sitting down, Cui Hua looked at the feast before her and couldn't help but swallow. "Everyone, don't be shy. Help yourselves!"

"Thank you, Miss!"

"Yes, yes, you're so kind! Is the food here any good?"

"It is!"

Upon hearing her, the kitchen maids had no reservations and began to wolf down their food.

"Miss, these dishes were made with ingredients we bought just last night. They're incredibly fresh! You have to try this. It's made with top-grade Spirit Rice—absolutely delicious!"

"That's right! I cooked them myself. It's a flavor an ordinary person could never create!"

Hearing their words, Cui Hua didn't hesitate and began to eat heartily.

"Miss Cui Hua, eat slowly!"

"Please, Miss Cui Hua, take your time!"

"This food is amazing!"

"It's my first time eating anything this delicious!"

"Yes, this is the finest meal I've ever had!"

The kitchen maids ate with relish, praising the food continuously. "Miss Cui Hua, you should come by more often!"

"Miss, why don't you take us with you? We promise we can help you earn more money and won't be a burden!"

"Yes! These ingredients might be precious, but their true value can only be brought out by us cooks! Besides, these dishes use grade-one Spirit Rice, which we worked very hard to obtain!"

"Miss, please take us in!"

"You..." Cui Hua glared at the maids. "I'm not short of money. I earned these things through my own hard work. I'm not taking you with me."

The maids began to plead, talking over one another.

"Miss, we sincerely want to learn cooking from you!"

"Yes, yes, we can help with the simple chores!"

"If you think our cooking isn't good enough, we can change! We know how to make many kinds of dishes!"

"Miss, please just take us in!"

Cui Hua frowned. "Enough. Stop talking about it. This isn't for you. Just focus on your own work."

With that, she turned and walked up the stairs.

"Miss, wait!"

"Please, take us with you!"

"We're begging you, Miss!"

"Miss!"

Seeing her leave, a few of the maids quickly chased after her.

Helpless, Cui Hua reluctantly brought the maids back downstairs.

Just as they stepped out of the courtyard, they ran into several maidservants.

"Miss Cui Hua!" Upon seeing her, the maidservants' faces lit up with delight as they crowded around.

"What are you doing?" Cui Hua asked, startled, as she quickly stepped back.

The maidservants looked embarrassed, unsure how to respond. Just then, one of them who had been silent lowered her head and explained softly, "Miss, it's like this. The master gave an order. Since your clothes are of the latest fashion, he wants us to have several new dresses tailored for you to better complement your grace and elegance. He also prepared two dresses for you already."

After speaking, the maidservant opened the package she was holding, revealing two light green dresses.

"Oh," Cui Hua nodded. "Well, thank you for your trouble."

"You're too kind, Miss!"

"Miss Cui Hua!" A servant boy came running over at that moment.

"Miss Cui Hua!" he panted, looking at her with urgency. "This is bad! The master wants you to return to the estate immediately!"

"Why?" Cui Hua asked.

The boy's face was fraught with anxiety. "The master said..."

"Said what?" Cui Hua frowned.

"The master said that if you linger here too long, he'll sell you!"

"What?!" Cui Hua's face filled with rage. "How do you people handle things? Why wasn't I told?"

"Miss Cui Hua, the blame is all mine! It was my negligence!" one of the kitchen maids immediately fell to her knees.

"This was my mistake, it has nothing to do with her!" another maid quickly tried to absolve her friend.

Cui Hua snorted coldly. "Hmph! This was your blunder, but I can't be bothered to investigate. However, you'll all forfeit this month's wages!"

"Miss Cui Hua, have mercy! Miss Cui Hua!" the maids cried out, kneeling and bowing.

"Get lost!" she snapped. "And you'd better behave yourselves from now on! Otherwise..." Cui Hua snorted derisively, then left with a flick of her sleeve.

As soon as Cui Hua was gone, the kitchen maids helped each other up and stumbled away.

"Ouch, that hurts so much!"

"I'm in so much pain!"

"Me too!"

They had just escaped the courtyard when a sudden whooshing sound filled the air. Several dark figures flashed past like lightning.

THUD! THUD!

"Ah!"

The kitchen maids fell to the ground, crying out in pain as blood trickled from the corners of their mouths.

"Ah! Help!"

"Assassins!"

"Somebody, help!"

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