Chapter 20: The Farewell Letter

Early the next day, Su Yuxin went to visit Xia Zhi again. Xia Zhi was already able to get out of bed. Upon seeing Su Yuxin enter, he involuntarily hid behind Xia Granny. He dreaded the twenty lashes.

"Why don't you thank Madam quickly? If not for Madam's effort in summoning the peculiar physician yesterday, you'd have met your demise," Xia Granny pulled Xia Zhi out from behind her, remarking.

"Thank you, Madam," Xia Zhi murmured, his voice barely audible. Observing the fear in Xia Zhi's eyes, Su Yuxin tried to smile gently. "Do you feel better? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?"

"No," Xia Zhi shook his head, his frail body still trying to hide behind Xia Granny.

"Go and play," Su Yuxin reached out, patting his head. "Just because you're better doesn't mean you can't catch a chill."

"Many thanks for Madam's concern," Xia Granny expressed gratitude.

"I came today to ask you for a favor," Su Yuxin stood up straight.

"I dare not. If Madam needs anything from me, just send someone to instruct," Xia Granny hurriedly replied.

"I want to learn cooking from you," Su Yuxin pursed her lips.

"If Madam tells me what she wants to eat, I'll personally make it. The kitchen is filled with smoke, not suitable for Madam to linger," Xia Granny responded.

"I... I want to cook for the General," Su Yuxin's face blushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

Xia Granny was momentarily stunned. Although her impression of Su Yuxin had improved significantly the day before, she hadn't expected her to be willing to prepare a meal for the General, considering the way Madam had avoided the General since their marriage.

"Madam truly cares for the General," Xia Granny felt pleased.

Everyone in the General's Mansion had followed the General for many years. In their hearts, he was an almost godlike figure. Naturally, they hoped for his happiness.

Su Yuxin shyly smiled, "Granny, could you teach me a couple of dishes the General loves but are relatively easy to make?"

"Then it shall be Yang Chun noodles," Xia Granny pondered, "The General enjoys it, and it's straightforward to prepare."

"Okay," Su Yuxin nodded, then blushed slightly, "I've never done this before. I'm a bit clumsy, so Granny, please don't mind."

"Madam, rest assured, it's quite simple. I promise to teach you," Xia Granny smiled.

Xia Granny was a clean person, and the kitchen was also neat and tidy, which made people feel comfortable just looking at it.

First, Xia Granny explained the method of making the clear soup noodles, then demonstrated it herself, explaining each step in great detail. Su Yuxin watched intently, focusing on memorizing each step.

She suddenly felt that cooking might not be so difficult. However, when she actually started, she realized it was much harder than expected.

Kneading the dough, cutting the noodles, rolling the egg skins, preparing the broth, adjusting the flavors... Su Yuxin was frantically busy but couldn't manage to produce a bowl of Yang Chun noodles. Either the dough wasn't kneaded properly, the noodles stuck together, or the egg skins tore apart.

Su Yuxin was on the brink of collapse in the kitchen. She spent the entire day there and only managed to make a decent bowl of Yang Chun noodles by evening. Seeing Xia Granny praising her with a thumbs-up, Su Yuxin felt that the entire day had been worthwhile.

She began planning to cook it for the General upon his return to the mansion in a few days, wondering if he would like it.

Another day passed, and Feng Yao indeed returned to the capital after patrolling the camp. He first went to the palace to report and then returned home. From a distance, he saw thick smoke billowing from the mansion.

Feng Yao urged his horse forward, and within moments, he arrived. Upon entering the mansion gates, he saw servants carrying water buckets in a rush.

"Where is the fire?" Feng Yao stopped a servant and asked.

"It's in the kitchen. Madam is there," the servant wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied.

Feng Yao's heart skipped a beat. Without further inquiry, he used lightness skill to rush over. He prayed that nothing serious had happened.

Upon reaching the kitchen door, he saw Xia Granny covered in soot, in a miserable state, dragging Su Yuxin out of the kitchen desperately.

Feng Yao caught Su Yuxin, and his fingers trembled as he lightly checked her breathing.

Finally, his suspended heart settled when he confirmed she was still breathing, just unconscious.

"What happened? How did the fire start?" Feng Yao inquired.

But Xia Granny, exhausted from dragging Su Yuxin, collapsed before she could answer.

Although the kitchen fire was significant, fortunately, it was isolated from the rest of the building. It was soon extinguished, sparing any further damage. Su Yuxin and Xia Granny had only inhaled smoke and fainted, without any serious injuries.

Feng Yao stayed by Su Yuxin's bedside, watching her unconscious form, his heart in turmoil.

It seemed she genuinely detested herself, as incidents continued to occur in the mansion. This time, it nearly cost her life.

Perhaps, he shouldn't have insisted on keeping her by his side. If he liked her, he should fulfill her wishes rather than confining her to his side, causing her resentment.

Feng Yao stood up, sat at the table for a long time, and finally wrote a farewell letter, signing his name. He folded it neatly and placed it in Su Yuxin's hand.

Hopefully, she would meet a man who could make her smile every day. Unfortunately, it wasn't him.

Feng Yao fought back the bitterness in his eyes, gazing at Su Yuxin deeply before leaving.

He had been by Su Yuxin's side upon his return and was unaware of recent events in the mansion or Su Yuxin's changes, which led him to painfully write the farewell letter. He thought it was another ploy by Su Yuxin to seek separation.

He feared she might resort to any means in the future for separation, even harming herself. Perhaps, it was best to let go.

Unbeknownst to him, this farewell letter was about to trigger a bloody conflict: a furious clawing from an angered feline at a certain General.