59: Chapter 0059 Madam, Don't Worry

Xiao Qingxuan was stunned for a moment, realizing the other party had misunderstood.

"No, Boss Su, these dishes are all quite good."

"But why does Madam only eat two or three bites of each at most?"

Su Wansha said with a smile, "If there's anything you find lacking, I hope you can offer some guidance?"

Lin Xiao recalled from the side that in Su Wansha's profile, the third entry was indeed 'Culinary Arts'.

It seemed this woman had a deep interest in food, so she cared exceptionally about others' opinions.

Lin Xiao naturally understood that these dishes were excellent by common standards.

But for royalty like Xiao Qingxuan, they were just simple fare.

"Wife, since Boss Su asked you, just speak the truth. Culinary arts are like martial arts; only through exchange and discussion can progress be made."

Seeing Lin Xiao say this, Xiao Qingxuan finally began to explain...

"Boss Su, take this Crispy Duck for example. I feel it's missing a flavor, likely something like vinegar, so it's a bit greasy."

"Then there's this Osmanthus Fish; it likely wasn't kept in clean water, and it wasn't thoroughly bled when killed, so it still has an earthy smell..."

"As for this Stewed Lion's Head Meatball, if some crab meat were added, it would be even more delicious..."

The more Xiao Qingxuan spoke, the more surprised Su Wansha's eyes became.

"Where did Madam learn all this? Could it be that Madam is a culinary master?"

Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly shook her head, "No, it's just that the cooks at home mentioned a few things before."

Her own cooking skills were merely edible; these were things the Imperial Chefs mentioned while describing the complex processes to claim credit.

And Xiao Qingxuan had a good memory, managing to remember all those miscellaneous details!

"Boss Su, I was just speaking casually, you needn't take it too much to heart."

"No, what you just said hit the nail on the head and was very enlightening for me!"

Su Wansha stood up and bowed, a hint of respect showing in her eyes.

"Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I was short-sighted. Once I've improved these dishes, I hope Madam will offer further advice!"

"Boss Su, you flatter me. I still need to rely on you to uncover the truth!"

"Leave this matter to me!"

Lin Xiao never expected that Xiao Qingxuan, just by being a picky eater, would actually earn Su Wansha's admiration!

No wonder they say she brings good fortune to her husband!

Adding another sister to the household is just around the corner!

While going downstairs, Lin Xiao deliberately pretended to be drunk, leaning on Xiao Qingxuan and Su Wansha for support.

"Wife! You... are my, Lin Xiao's, lucky star!!"

"In the future, whoever dares to touch us... will surely face divine retribution..."

Xiao Qingxuan felt like laughing; her husband... was getting addicted to acting!

Many guests at the Baiyu Pavilion, seeing Commander Lin "speaking the truth after drinking," felt even more that there was indeed something to this heterochromia!

That night.

Qiu Residence, back garden.

Squire Qiu Kangyuan held a maidservant, opening his mouth to eat a grape she fed him.

"Father! Father!!"

A woman in a red skirt with a jade hairpin in her hair hurried in, accompanied by a maid.

The woman pushed the maid aside, "Get out of the way!!"

Seeing it was Qiu Yuehong, the maid felt aggrieved but didn't dare to disobey and withdrew.

After all, Qiu Yuehong was the eldest daughter born to the primary wife; spoiled from a young age, no one in the manor except Qiu Kangyuan dared to provoke her.

"Yue Hong, it's late at night, why are you so temperamental?"

Qiu Kangyuan took a sip of tea and asked leisurely.

"Father, rumors are spreading in the city that Lin Xiao was able to defeat the Northern Barbarian Army and repel General Fan Zhong's thirty thousand provincial troops all because he married that heterochromatic bitch!"

"They also say that whoever provokes that bitch will suffer retribution!"

Qiu Yuehong said with an uneasy expression, "This... couldn't be true, could it?"

"Haha... the talk about heterochromia being a jinx is just meant to trick those fools."

Qiu Kangyuan waved his hand, "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

"But that Lin Xiao is indeed terrifyingly strong. Who could have imagined beforehand that he could really repel thirty thousand provincial troops?"

Qiu Yuehong said with a look of lingering fear, "Father, you haven't seen him kill people. He's ruthless..."

"Hmph! Scared already?"

Qiu Kangyuan said with dissatisfaction, "He killed your husband and son—a blood feud! Are you not going to take revenge!?"

"Of course I want revenge, but... but even thirty thousand troops couldn't do anything to Lin Xiao. What should we do?" Qiu Yuehong said gloomily.

"Don't worry, he offended Prince Bai. When Prince Bai's army arrives, he'll die all the same!"

Qiu Kangyuan sneered, "We just need to keep spreading the rumors, letting the reputation of the heterochromatic jinx spread, then kill a few commoners and pin it on that bitch..."

"Hehe, by then, let alone reclaiming land for farming, it's uncertain if Lin Xiao will even be able to stay in Baishui Prefecture!"

Qiu Yuehong's eyes were cold. "How about I find someone to mix in with the refugees and poison them while they're serving porridge?"

"That would be too many deaths. These are beasts of burden that can work; it would be a waste if they died."

Qiu Kangyuan sneered, "In a couple of days, when the timing is right, I'll find a group of people to pose as bandits and follow that bitch. Wherever she goes, we'll kill a bunch of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled."

"This way, her reputation as a jinx will be set in stone!"

Qiu Yuehong was overjoyed, "Father, you've thought of everything!"

"Naturally!"

Qiu Kangyuan said with arrogance, "If it weren't for our Qiu family renting land to those tenants, these commoners would have starved to death long ago!"

"A bunch of ungrateful curs, thinking they can brush aside our Qiu family and reclaim land for farming themselves? As if they're worthy!?"

The father and daughter plotted while sneering repeatedly.

Behind a few flowering plants not far away, a maid's figure quietly withdrew.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, at a quiet residence in the city.

The home of Registrar Su Chang.

In the study, the stout Su Chang handed a slip of paper to his daughter beside him.

"Here, the information you wanted."

Su Wansha happily snatched it up, and her eyes lit up as she opened it.

"It really is like this... It makes sense. In all of Baishui City, the only one who would dare to provoke Lin Xiao with such deep-seated hatred is the former Prefect's father-in-law."

Su Chang said helplessly, "Daughter, once this information is handed over, our family will be under suspicion. Your father's identity..."

"Don't worry, Father. I'll just say it was gathered by some beggars I've helped over the years. I won't reveal your Academy background."

"Sigh... I hope we can keep it hidden. A daughter grown is a daughter lost."

Just then, a "Lion's Roar from East of the River" came from the next room.

"You fat pig!! Still not coming to bed!? Do you want to become an immortal!?"

Su Chang jumped up from his seat in fright and ran out, shouting, "Madam, don't be anxious... I'm coming..."

Watching her father's stout yet agile figure, Su Wansha covered her mouth and giggled.

The next morning.

Just as Lin Xiao was about to head out, he learned that Su Wansha had come to see him.

Su Wansha had changed back into women's clothing, wearing a moon-white and emerald-green striped dress; she looked fresh and elegant, her figure graceful.

"Commander Lin, everything you wanted is on here..."

Su Wansha handed over the slip of paper.

After reading it, Lin Xiao couldn't help but be taken aback.

On it were the details of when and where the Qiu father and daughter plotted, who they sent to gather the children—a whole series of detailed information.

He looked at Su Wansha again, his gaze becoming playful.