Chapter 09: Caught in Adultery

Yao Mi was strenuously pulling the teapot, and without warning, Xie Teng suddenly let go. As she snatched it away, there was a muffled "bang" sound, and the teapot struck her own head with force. Her head jerked, her hand slipped, and with a loud crash, the teapot fell to the ground, shattering into pieces, with the remnants of yellow tea leaves scattering everywhere.

Meng Wanqun and Gu Meixue saw that Xie Duoshi agreed to let Yao Mi and others serve him, and immediately understood that Xie Duoshi intended to protect them

"Did you not come here as well?" Shi Xiuer retorted, giving Gu Meixue a glare and saying, "Although we are cooks and cannot compare to Miss Gu's nobility, Miss Gu should not casually knock someone unconscious, right?"

Seeing Xie Duoshi nodding, he looked at Yao Mi with compassion. Shi Xiu'er and Fan Qing, seizing the opportunity, also hurriedly said: "Old General, the three of us came to the mansion together and do not wish to be separated! We request the old general to allow us to accompany Yao Mi in serving you."

Due to the constant scheming of the maids against Xie Teng, they often lay in ambush outside his study late at night. Xie Teng, unable to bear the disturbance, had instructed the butler with a few words. Since the current affairs of the general's residence were being managed by Meng Wanqun, the butler conveyed this matter to her. Meng Wanqun then took the opportunity to deal with those maids who sought to get close to Xie Teng. In situations like tonight, they believed it must be Yao Mi who was enticing Xie Teng; even if they broke in, Xie Teng would not blame them, but would instead leave Yao Mi to them to handle.

Cousin, are you alright?" Gu Meixue rushed in, bypassing the broken teapot and Yao Mi, and walked to the side of the table, speaking with a charming tone, "I heard someone was bothering you, so I brought them over right away.

Xie Teng coldly stared at Gu Meixue, not responding to her words. At this moment, the strange fragrance at the tip of his nose faded away, and his hands and feet were no longer numb, yet he felt extremely displeased. Whether he loved to engage with the little chef was his own business; how could this group of women just barge in? What kind of place did they think this was? Who did they think he was?

As Yao Mi pouted, her expression bore a resemblance to Xie Yun to some extent. Xie Duoshi couldn't help but fix his gaze upon her, his heart trembling, nearly calling out "Yun'er." After a moment, he asked, "Does it hurt?"

Xie Lan has never liked Gu Meixue. Upon seeing Yao Mi collapsed on the ground, she shot a fierce glare at Gu Meixue and was about to speak when two voices rang out simultaneously: "Yao Mi, what happened to you?" Then, Shi Xiuer and Fan Qing rushed in like the wind, squatting down to shake Yao Mi while crying and pleading with Xie Duoshi, saying: "Please, old general, help us." It must be that Gu Meixue set a trap, lured Yao Mi into it, and now has come in to catch her in the act, intending to knock her out with a teapot!

With Xie Teng's keen hearing, he had long since noticed that someone was peering in from outside the window, someone was lifting the tiles on the roof, and the sound of footsteps was approaching from a distance.

Ouch! Yao Mi reached out to press the large bump on her forehead, tears welling up in her eyes, sobbing, it hurts so much!

After such an incident, Yao Mi understood in her heart that without the protection of Xie Duoshi and Xie Teng, after tonight, they would surely be expelled by Meng Wanqun

Seeing the look in Xie Teng's eyes, Yao Mi steadied herself and quickly reaffirmed her goal. In a moment of wanting to prove her innocence, she hurriedly explained to Xie Duoshi: "Due to the heat, I went to the well to fetch water to wash my face. General Xie and the others were playing tricks and scared me into fainting. When I woke up, I was in the study. In a moment of panic, I grabbed the teapot intending to throw it at General Xie, but accidentally hit myself instead."

Xie Duoshi immediately understood, what a pitiful girl she is, afraid of being kicked out by Meng Wanqun and Gu Meixue, seeking help from me and *Tu* *Shu*! Not to mention that she resembles Yun'er, just considering that Teng'er just "bullied" her, I should protect her a little.

"Yao Mi, are you feeling better?" Shi Xiu'er and Fan Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Yao Mi awake. Indeed, Xie Duoshi was leaning towards Yao Mi, displaying a look of both pity and affection. They felt secretly delighted, it was done, it was halfway accomplished!

Shi Xiu'er was also quick-witted, already signaling Yao Mi with her eyes to act quickly

As Yao Mi sat up and illuminated her surroundings with the candlelight, Meng Wanqin could clearly see her appearance, and her heart sank involuntarily. Earlier, she had heard that the new little cook resembled Xie Yun to some extent, but she had not taken it to heart. However, upon seeing her tonight, it was indeed strikingly similar. Xie Duoshi was a sentimental person; seeing that this little cook resembled Xie Yun, he would surely help her. Looking at the other two little cooks, their appearances were also quite charming, not inferior to Meixue in the slightest. If they were allowed to stay in the General's residence, it would likely lead to trouble.

Xie Duoshi merely glanced and concluded that Yao Mi had been knocked unconscious by Gu Meixue, and with a sudden change in expression, he said: "Meixue, your strength is quite formidable!"

As Gu Meixue's words fell, Xie Duoshi and Xie Sheng, along with others, were momentarily stunned, casting reproachful glances at Xie Teng. What a rascal, getting intimate with someone at the counter, and upon hearing that someone had arrived, he resorted to violence, knocking the little chef unconscious to save face. What did the little chef do to deserve this? She merely stepped out in the middle of the night to wash her face, only to be frightened and dragged into the study for some nonsense. Now, after suffering such a blow, it would be strange if she ever spoke to you again.

Yao Mi cast a sidelong glance at Xie Teng and saw that his expression was extremely foul. Her heart trembled slightly as she reached out to tug at Xie Duoshi's sleeve, her eyes filled with admiration, and tentatively asked: "Old General, may I serve you in your room?"

Although the force with which Yao Mi struck her temple was considerable, it was not enough to cause her to faint. However, feeling flustered and anxious, coupled with the impact, she could not withstand the shock and thus fainted. As soon as Xie Duoshi pinched her, she opened her eyes and sat up, pouting in a wronged manner as she glanced at Xie Teng on the table. It was utterly embarrassing; instead of hitting someone else, she ended up hitting herself.

Xie Duoshi reached out and patted Yao Mi's shoulder, speaking gently: "Do not be afraid, the residence is stocked with excellent wound medicine; just apply it once, and it will soon stop hurting."

Meng Wanqun felt a flush on her face. Although she was an elder, she felt somewhat intimidated by Xie Teng. Just as she was about to speak, a voice behind her, belonging to Xie Duoshi, said: "Why is it so lively at this late hour?"

Xie Teng's right hand unconsciously clenched into a fist, well, although his grandfather is old, he is still vigorous, appearing to be only in his fifties, and one can still faintly see that he was a handsome man in his youth. Now, he has a caring demeanor, and when this little cook caught his grandfather's eye, his expression changed. She looked very docile. It is said that just a moment ago, when she was on top of me, her gaze was fierce, nothing like the way she is now.

Seeing Xie Duoshi believe his words, Yao Mi cast a triumphant glance at Xie Teng, huffing, what is this so-called prestige? Just wait to call me grandmother!

Gu Meixue was taken aback, and immediately understood, defensively explaining: "It wasn't me!"

Xie Teng interrupted Meng Wanqun, saying: "Aunt and cousin have it tough as well, staying up all night, specifically going around to catch people in the act, it must be hard work."

Xie Teng, quick-witted and agile, extended his foot to press against Yao Mi's hip, half-raising his body, and reached out to pull her. However, he noticed a large bump had formed on her forehead, and she had already fainted, feeling soft and limp.

Gu Meixue glanced at the broken pieces of the teapot on the ground and deliberately said, "Cousin, how could you bear to strike such a delicate person?" The old general, your cousin does not like this woman, yet you insist on having her serve you; does this not affect the relationship between you and your grandson?

With a loud bang, Meng Wanqun and Gu Meixue had already led people to crash open the study door. With a whoosh, everyone rushed in. Upon entering, they saw Xie Teng sitting leisurely at the desk, while Yao Mi lay softly on the floor beneath the desk, next to a broken teapot.

Xie Duoshi appeared to understand, nodding along as he listened, indicating his complete trust in what Yao Mi was saying. The little girl was shy and her words should not be challenged.

Xie Teng's face darkened, and he snorted disdainfully through his nostrils, refusing to argue. He merely cast a threatening glance at Yao Mi, saying, "You little girl, I won't mention the matter of you knocking yourself out. But if you dare to speak of how you charmed me tonight, you will regret it"

Xie Duoshi's expression darkened further. If it is not Gu Meixue, then it must be Meng Wanqun. Gu Meixue has not even been betrothed yet, and these two women dare to knock out the little chef. If she were to marry in the future, would the little chef even have her life? It is rare for Teng'er to take a liking to someone; it would be one thing if the two women did not support it, but to sabotage and even knock someone out?

"Be quiet." Xie Duoshi admonished Meng Wanqun, squatting down to pinch Yao Mi's acupoint while instructing a maid to fetch the medicine for the injury

Upon seeing the situation in the room, Gu Meixue thought that Yao Mi had entered to seduce Xie Teng and had been knocked unconscious by Xie Teng with a teapot. She felt a secret joy, thinking it was well done, and wondered if she would dare to seduce anyone again in the future

Meng Wanqun noticed that Xie Teng's expression was not right, but she quickly realized that although her daughter admired Xie Teng, they had not yet discussed marriage. It was indeed a bit excessive to bring someone in the middle of the night to catch someone in the act and break in. Therefore, she composed herself and smiled apologetically, saying: "My dear, it seems we have acted rashly, ... ... "

Gu Meixue had already sensed that something was amiss, and she could not help but feel angry. She turned to Shi Xiuer and Fan Qing and said: "What are you talking about? What do you mean by taking charge or not taking charge? Coming to my cousin's study in the middle of the night, and you still have the nerve to say that."

Meng Wanqun was also angry and scolded Shi Xiuer and Fan Qing, saying: "Which of your eyes saw Meixue knock someone unconscious? If you haven't seen it with your own eyes, don't speak carelessly. Moreover, a mere kitchen maid running into the young master's study in the middle of the night and getting knocked out like a thief is also her own fault"

I did not. If you don't believe me, ask my cousin. Gu Meixue was extremely angry; it was clearly my cousin who knocked him out, yet you insist on placing the blame on me

As soon as Xie Duoshi's voice fell, he stepped into the study and immediately saw Yao Mi lying on the ground. In a moment of shock, he was filled with anger. He had just seen clearly from the rooftop that the young cook resembled his daughter Xie Yun to some extent, and she was being affectionate with Xie Teng. In his mind's eye, he had already regarded Yao Mi as one of his own. Yet in an instant, one of his own had collapsed on the ground, unconscious. How could this be?

Who is trying to ruin my good fortune? Hmph, I will make them pay later! Xie Teng let out a captivating nasal sound, moving his waist while holding the teapot spout, allowing Yao Mi to struggle and twist. For a moment, he listened intently as footsteps approached from outside the room, suddenly letting go, opening his mouth, and spitting out the teapot spout.

Indeed, the little chef is named Yao Mi, which is quite a pleasant name. Xie Duoshi looked at Shi Xiuer and Fan Qing, inquired about their names, and nodded, saying: "Since you entered the residence together, you shall naturally serve me together." Teng'er likes Yao Mi, Sheng'er likes Shi Xiuer, and this Fan Qing also looks quite pleasing; perhaps Lan'er will like her as well. It is indeed appropriate to arrange them all by my side. ... This way, Teng'er and Sheng'er will come to my courtyard every day to pay their respects and converse, and they will see the three little chefs daily. ... She looks quite pleasing, and perhaps Lan'er will like her as well. It is indeed appropriate to arrange them all by my side. ... This way, Teng'er and Sheng'er will come to my courtyard every day to pay their respects and converse, and they will see the three little chefs daily. ...