Chapter 45: Aftermath of Cooking

  The night was getting deeper. The people who came to mourn had all dispersed, and only Rui Xuan sat in the mourning hall set up in the Mei family ancestral temple. On her left and right were the bodies of Rui Hua and her daughter, wrapped in white cloth. The white candles in front of the coffin flickered in the night wind, casting an eerie glow on the many portraits and plaques of the Mei ancestors in the depths of the hall, making it seem a little ominous and terrifying.

  But Rui Xuan didn't notice any of this, and sat listlessly in the chair. Her face was gloomy, with a layer of dry skin cracking on her parched lips. From the moment she had rushed over after hearing the terrible news that morning until now, it had already been a whole day without food or water, and she was both heartbroken and exhausted. If she hadn't taken the "Protect Heart Restore Soul Pill" prescribed by Old Master He in time, she probably wouldn't have been able to hold on any longer.

  The pale white lanterns on both sides of the mourning hall made a rustling sound in the night wind, making the mourning hall even more solemn and desolate.

  Xiaoling is busy preparing for tomorrow's wedding with Meixia, Wu Xiu comes to accompany Rui Xuan, he repeatedly asks Lu Shu to take Rui Xuan back to the Lu mansion to rest, but Rui Xuan insists on keeping vigil for Rui Hua and her mother because she is their only beloved relative. Today is the last night accompanying Rui Hua and her mother!

  Lu's bowl of lotus seed and osmanthus rice porridge had gone cold. Although this was usually Rui Xuan's favorite snack, today she had been exhausted all day from performing a cesarean section on Rui Hua and her daughter, and the strong smell of blood still lingered in her nostrils. Looking at the thick porridge in the bowl, she thought of the filthy things she had cleaned up for Rui Hua and her daughter, and felt like vomiting, having no appetite at all.

  A delicate figure appeared at the entrance of the ancestral hall. Mei Xiang walked over gently, carrying a bowl of steaming hot rock sugar longan soup, "Madam, have some! You've had a tiring day!"

  Rui Xuan took over, the longan soup was stewed very smoothly, sweet and delicious, it should be Rui Hua's true transmission. A few mouthfuls of longan soup fell into her empty stomach, and Rui Xuan suddenly felt much more comfortable in her abdomen. After replenishing nutrition and energy, Rui Xuan's spirit also perked up a bit, only then did she truly notice the lonely little maid in front of her.

  Obviously, the tragic death of Madam and Miss has brought great shock to Mei Xiang, her two eyes are swollen like peaches. On the surface, Mei Xia and Mei Xiang seem to be just a mistress and a maid, but in fact, they have grown up together since childhood, as close as sisters, inseparable.

  Rui Hui had an even more motherly affection for Mei Xiang, always hoping that she would have a special skill to stand on her own in society. She was a master of cooking and often taught Mei Xiang culinary skills by hand, so Mei Xiang could make delicious dishes at a young age, especially skilled at making all kinds of pastries.

  Looking at Mei Xiang's pitiful appearance, Rui Xuan couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. "Now that Rui Hua and Mei Xia are both gone, what should be done with the people in the Mei household?" Rui Xuan thought to herself.

  After a long while, she seemed to have made up her mind. "Mei Xiang, go and call Mei Cheng over!" Rui Xuan instructed.

  Mei Cheng was slapped by Rui Xuan in the morning, and now half of his face is still swollen and burning with pain. Hearing Mei Xiang say that Rui Xuan called him made him even more anxious.

  "What instructions does Madam have?" Mei Cheng asked cautiously upon seeing Rui Xuan.

  "Mei Cheng, go find a few pieces of clothing for the ladies and young misses, then go to the store and get some good satin. Let Mei Xiang find a good tailor to make a set of longevity clothes and shoes for each of the ladies and young misses, to be used when they pass away." Rui Xuan instructed.

  "What colors should be used for the second mistress's and young lady's mourning dresses?" Mei Cheng did not dare to take it upon himself.

  "Second Mistress usually likes plain and elegant lotus-colored silk with golden thread embroidery, while Miss likes white background with red plum blossoms. You go to the warehouse and choose fabrics like that." Rui Xuan instructed.

  "Alright, I'll do as you say." Mei Cheng was about to leave after getting a clear instruction from Rui Xuan.

  "Wait a minute, Mei Guanjia. Now that the Mei family is in disarray and there's no one in charge, what should these servants and workers do?" Rui Xuan asked.

  Mei Cheng's face suddenly turned sour as he said, "Indeed, I'm worried. The mistress and young lady are not around, and Third Uncle never asks about business matters. There isn't even anyone in the Mei family who can make decisions."

  Since Third Uncle has let me take charge, I'll act as the head of the Mei household once again. Rui Xuan made up her mind and said, "Mei Cheng, go and take stock of what's left in the cabinets - how much stored goods and how much silver is there? Divide all the stored goods among everyone and give each servant and employee their full wages and travel expenses so they can return to their families. Remember: do not issue exchange coupons from Yicheng County or Japanese military notes, those are worthless outside; if there's not enough silver, go to the Ru household cabinet and ask Manager Ru Ning for some, tell him it's my idea.

  As the steward, you stay a few more days, take stock of the Mei estate and Mei family business, and send it to Uncle Mei for review. Handle it according to his wishes; The goods owed by the Mei family should be repaid; As for the debts owed by others, let's forget about them. A person is dead, and accounts cannot be owed, emotions cannot be broken! Besides, Mei Xiang has been with Miss for many years. Now that Mei Xia is gone, she is also helpless and lonely. If you are willing, I will act as a matchmaker to make you husband and wife, so that you can take care of each other in this chaotic world. I'll adopt Mei Xiang as my goddaughter, and the dowry will be paid by me!

  Mei Cheng listened to all of this, suddenly felt his eyes burning hot, and knelt down in front of Rui Xuan, "Madam! Thank you for considering everything. I thank you on behalf of Mei Xiang and the entire Mei household, thank you for your great kindness!"

  Mei Xiang also knelt beside Mei Cheng and called out to Rui Xuan with deep affection: "Mother!"

  Rui Xuan continued to say to Mei Cheng: "You have worked hard as a housekeeper in the Mei Mansion for a lifetime, now that the master of the Mei family is no longer there, you also have nowhere to go."

  Mei Cheng seemed to be touched by something, and this big man couldn't help but sob in front of Rui Xuan.

  "I'll make the decision for Rui Hua, and transfer the 'Ling Jiang Garden' inn by the Lei River to you and Mei Xiang to run together. The location of 'Ling Jiang Garden' is not bad, and Mei Xiang's cooking skills are excellent, so it shouldn't be a problem for you two to make a living together."

  In daily life, everyone in the Mei Mansion thought that Second Mistress Ruihuan was kind and generous, while Eldest Mistress Ruixuan was overbearing and strict. Some people even had some complaints about Ruixuan in private. At this critical moment, Meicheng truly felt that beneath Ruixuan's capable exterior, she and her sister shared a kind and sincere heart.

  Mei Cheng and Mei Xiang were deeply grateful to Rui Xuan, and they retreated with tears in their eyes. They quickly went their separate ways to take care of the aftermath of Rui Hua and her daughter's affairs as requested by Rui Xuan.

  The empty and quiet mourning hall was left with only Rui Xuan. As the night deepened, Rui Xuan leaned against the chair and dozed off. In a daze, she seemed to have returned to the past. At one moment, she was leading Rui Hua, carrying silk small school bags, wearing red small jackets, running happily on the cobblestone streets, with silver bell-like laughter filling the road, attracting countless envious glances from neighbors; at another moment, she and Rui Hua were getting married together, two flower boats with red decorations attracted the attention of the people of Lei Jiang along the river, the whole Lei Jiang was filled with firecrackers, red silk covered the ground, men and women, old and young all came out to celebrate, and the banquet tables in the large and small wine houses were opened for three days to celebrate the good marriage of the couple; at another moment, she took the young Xue Hua, Rui Hua took the young Mei Xia, together they sailed on the lake full of lotus flowers, watching the two children playing together and laughing uncontrollably.

  Suddenly, she found Rui Hua and her mother lying on the bed, a yellow snake with red eyes was quietly approaching them. She was about to shout "Rui Hua be careful", when the snake suddenly turned around, opening its bloody mouth wide towards her. Rui Xuan saw clearly that it was Inukawa Jiro's face with a ferocious smile! She was extremely frightened and was about to scream when she suddenly woke up with a start, realizing it was just a dream.