Regent, please maintain your aloof image.

In the kitchen, Su Qianrou was researching new dishes, with Chunzhu assisting her, while Juxia recorded every ingredient and seasoning she needed, along with their quantities. The three worked together efficiently and methodically.

Su Qianrou first poured a lot of oil into the pot. After the oil was hot, she added the chopped chicken and started frying it. Once the chicken turned golden brown, she took it out. Then, she added dried chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, garlic cloves, and other ingredients to the pot and stir-fried them.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with a spicy smell, which made the three of them choke.

Chunzhu couldn't help but cover her nose. "Miss, why don't we let the chef do it?"

"Cough cough... No need, I can manage on my own."

“But…” Chunzhu was very worried, afraid that the kitchen would burn down later.

"chicken".

Helpless, Chunzhu had no choice but to hand her the fried chicken.

Su Qianrou took it and poured it all into the pot.

In no time, a spicy chicken dish was ready.

"Try it."

"Miss, this looks really spicy."

"This dish is supposed to be spicy."

"Miss, are you sure this is safe to eat?"

"certainly".

"Juxia, why don't you try it first?" Chunzhu looked at Juxia.

"Chunzhu, what do you mean? You don't believe me?"

"No, Miss, as you know, I can't eat spicy food."

So Su Qianrou handed the spicy chicken to Juxia, saying, "Juxia, you should try it."

Without hesitation, Juxia picked up her chopsticks, took a piece, and put it in her mouth.

"How is it?" Su Qianrou asked.

Chunzhu looked at her curiously as well.

"tasty".

"Are you sure?" Chunzhu asked, expressing her doubt.

"Yes, it really tastes good."

Chunzhu didn't believe it. She took her chopsticks, tasted a piece, and her eyes lit up. "Miss, when did you learn to cook? I had no idea."

"Is it tasty".

"It's delicious, but it's a bit spicy."

“This is spicy? I only put in half the amount of chili peppers, it’s only mildly spicy at most,” he said, then looked at Juxia and asked, “Juxia, do you think it’s spicy too?”

"A little bit."

Just then, Ang Lee ran in excitedly, "Miss."

“Ang Lee, you’ve come at the perfect time. Try this dish,” Su Qianrou said.

"What dish?" Ang Lee instantly forgot about the matter.

"Chunzhu, get him a pair of chopsticks."

So Chunzhu casually handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Try it."

"Miss, what is this? It looks delicious."

Spicy chicken.

"Spicy chicken," Ang Lee said curiously, then picked up a piece and put it in his mouth.

"How is it?" Chunzhu asked.

"tasty".

"Don't you think it's spicy?" Su Qianrou asked.

"It's not spicy. I think it would taste even better if it were spicier."

"Finally, there's someone who can handle spicy food. So you can have all of these spicy chickens. The other two won't get any."

"Really, Miss Xie?"

"If we could handle spicy food, you wouldn't have gotten such a good deal," Chunzhu said irritably.

"Hehe," Ang Lee chuckled as he held the spicy chicken.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"Oh, right, I almost forgot, Miss, the Second Miss was beaten."

"I was beaten. Who beat me? My dad."

"Yes, the master had him beaten."

Why?

"I don't know, but the eldest young master should know that just now he took the eldest young master to the master's study. Not long after, Magistrate Li came. After they left, the master ordered the second young lady to be beaten, and she was given a full twenty lashes."

“Serves him right,” Chunzhu said.

Su Qianrou then asked, "Where is my brother now?"

"I don't know, maybe we should send someone to look for it."

"Ok".

"I'll go right away," Li An said, and quickly walked out. But as soon as he left, he turned back and said excitedly, "Miss, the eldest young master is here."

Su Qianrou was somewhat surprised, then led Chunzhu and Juxia out.

In the main room, Su Qianrou came out after changing her clothes. "Brother, why did you come here? I was just looking for you."

"I know about Su Wanshan being beaten."

“Yes, I just found out,” Su Qianrou said, walking over and sitting down beside him.

"I knew it, so here I am to clear things up for you."

Su Qianrou smiled and said, "As expected, my eldest brother understands me best." Then she asked, "So, why did Father hit Su Wanshan? Wasn't he reluctant to hit her a few days ago? How could he be so heartless today?"

"Today I went to a restaurant with some friends. When we passed a private room, I heard Li Quanwei's voice, so I stopped to listen for a bit. I never expected that he would mention you."

*****

Inside the restaurant, Li Quanwei and his cronies were drinking and chatting in a private room.

One of them joked, "Young Master Li, I heard that you recently took a concubine. Have you been enjoying yourself at home these past few days and are reluctant to come out?"

"I heard she was a maid in Lord Su's mansion. I admire her."

"What is this? If it weren't for that useless thing, I would be Lord Su's future son-in-law by now."

"What do you mean? Could it be that you and Miss Su... are about to have a happy ending?"

"No, I'm telling you, but you're not allowed to tell anyone else."

"Don't you know us? We're the most discreet people; we promise we won't tell anyone."

Li Quanwei was relieved and then revealed his and Su Wanshan's entire plan.

What he didn't know was that Su Ming happened to be there too, and by sheer coincidence, he overheard his words. Enraged, he kicked open the door to the private room and went inside.

Upon seeing it was him, everyone in the private room showed expressions of horror.

Li Quanwei was even more timid, "Young Master Su, what brings you here?"

"Li Quanwei, what you just said was all true," Su Mingxuan said angrily.

“I didn’t say anything just now, Young Master Su must have misheard me.”

"You mean we all misheard?" Su Mingxuan glanced at the people behind him.

"Well... I really didn't say anything."

“You won’t admit it, huh? Fine, then let my dad ask you himself,” she said, grabbing his collar and pulling him outside.

"Young Master Su, what are you doing? Don't go too far. I am, after all..."

The people in the private room looked at each other, exchanging glances, and none of them tacitly decided to leave.