My whole family sucked my blood; after being reborn, the little cook went on a killing spree.

Xu Lingxi's picky eating habits were well-known throughout the village.

The old ancestors were getting on in years and didn't like things to be chaotic all the time. They only allowed the younger generation to pay their respects on the tenth of each month, and they didn't see them on other days.

But Su Wan Ning was able to coax Xu Lingxi into talking about her every day, and she could even enter and leave the ancestral courtyard and receive a word of praise from the ancestral master.

The people in the village had long been extremely curious about her.

Therefore, as soon as Li Xuzhi said this, everyone looked at him with either probing or questioning eyes.

"Third Young Master."

Su Wanning nodded slightly, neither answering nor asking, waiting for Li Xuzhi to finish his sentence.

She was well prepared and unafraid of being watched.

This action, like a hook, lightly tossed everyone's gaze back to Li Xuzhi.

Li Xuzhi covered his mouth and coughed even more violently. After a long while, he finally replied, "After eating Madam Su's food that day, I couldn't eat anything else. I wonder if Madam Su has time later? I would like to ask you to help me research a medicinal diet to properly regulate my body."

It turned out she was asked to prepare medicinal cuisine.

However, he could have asked her privately if all this fuss was because he was afraid she wouldn't agree? Was he trying to get her to agree first?

Su Wan Ning chuckled inwardly, but maintained a polite smile on her face. "Of course, Third Young Master can just send a maid next time. Your health is important. Preparing a medicinal diet early will make you feel more comfortable."

Some people sensed the subtle tension in their words, but their eyes merely flickered.

Several young masters and ladies, who were not yet adults, ran over and asked, "Sister Su, is this medicinal cuisine? What's medicinal cuisine? Did you add any medicine?"

"That must taste awful, so why does Sister Lingxi love it so much?"

"Yes, may I try some?"

Li Rouhui pretended to shoo them away, "Can't you all see your aunt? Do you still want your gifts?"

Immediately, a group of children began calling out "Auntie, Auntie!"

Li Xuzhi also came over, greeted Li Rouhui, and then took his leave, saying he was feeling unwell. However, before leaving, he didn't forget to tell Su Wanning to come and see him later.

"..."

How annoying!

Su Wan Ning smiled and said, "Yes, Third Young Master."

After Li Xuzhi left, the atmosphere in the room seemed to relax a bit.

Xu Lingxi leaned over and whispered in her ear.

Su Wan Ning then learned that Master Li had three sons, the eldest and second eldest sons each had only one wife, and the married young masters also each had only one wife, and the backyard was very clean.

Only this Third Master Li, after marrying his third wife, Madam Feng, brought another woman back after only half a year.

The ancestor was furious. He wanted to get rid of the woman, but she had a very tragic past. Her parents and brothers had all passed away, and she was pregnant!

Feng Shi wasn't pregnant yet, but she was!

Li Sanye couldn't bear to part with her, so he knelt in the ancestral courtyard for a day and a night before begging for mercy and being allowed to keep the woman.

Later, the woman gave birth to a child, who became the third young master, Li Xuzhi.

However, childbirth is a life-threatening situation, and the woman had never taken good care of her health. She died a few years after giving birth to Li Xuzhi, and Li Xuzhi's health deteriorated further.

The child was ultimately innocent, so the ancestor took him in and raised him until he was ten years old before setting up a separate courtyard for him.

Therefore, he became very close to Xu Lingxi. However, the other children were not so close to this only illegitimate child.

"So, no matter how sensible and obedient this child is, Third Sister-in-law still treats him..."

Li Rouhui joined in the chatter, then pulled the hairpin off her head. "Let's not talk about them anymore. Here, take this hairpin as a gift from your aunt. Don't be offended."

The hairpin is made of gilded gold, with a honeysuckle vine pattern on the body and a golden phoenix head with rubies inlaid in the bird's eyes. It is very exquisite and beautiful.

"This is far too valuable, Wan Ning can't..."

Su Wanning was surprised by her generosity and was about to refuse.

Li Rouhui grabbed her and, avoiding others, quietly pressed the ruby ​​on the phoenix's head.

The clasp snapped open in an instant, revealing a blade hidden within the hairpin! Its cold light was chilling, with a faint blue glint flashing within—was it poisoned?

Su Wan Ning was deeply moved.

Even the best boning knife can't compare to the exquisite and convenient hairpin!

Neither of them spoke again. Li Rouhui placed the hairpin in her hair and said, "It's very pretty."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Su Wan Ning's emotions surged, finally coalescing into just four short words.

Everyone chatted and laughed, and with the ancestor present, the meal was very warm and quick.

Before she left, the young masters and ladies still wouldn't let her go, insisting on tasting the medicinal cuisine.

Su Wan Ning suggested taking them all to the Third Young Master's courtyard. Upon hearing this, the children all ran off, clamoring to go to Sister Lingxi's place to find Sister Su that night.

Li Xuzhi waited for Su Wanning on an empty stomach.

Upon seeing her, he subtly gestured, "Has Madam Su finished eating? I haven't eaten yet. After eating Madam Su's cooking, I can't eat anything else's."

"Young Master is joking."

Su Wan Ning ignored him and began to ask him in a businesslike manner whether his recent diet, sleep, and even bowel movements were regular.

"..."

Li Xuzhi, holding his breath, answered one by one, "I wonder how much Madam Su will charge? Is it also one tael a day, one meal a day?"

"nature."

Su Wan Ning's smile gradually turned cold. "I've only served two guests so far, and the price hasn't been made public. Even Ling Xi doesn't know it. How did you find out, Third Young Master?"

"I can know if I want to."

Li Xuzhi's smile grew wider and wider.

He pushed over the silver he had prepared beforehand, saying, "Give me thirty days' worth first."

"Starting on April 29th, Third Young Master, please don't be in a hurry."

Su Wan Ning deliberately set the date after Mu Xun's, and picked up a silver ingot with her fingertips, "If the Third Young Master thinks it's acceptable, I'll take a deposit first."

Li Xuzhi chuckled, then suddenly stood up and leaned closer, "You know I invited you here for more than just the medicinal cuisine, why didn't you ask?"

"Why should I ask? If you're going to tell me, then tell me; if not, I'm leaving."

Su Wan Ning took a step back, pondering whether it would be more convenient to use a boning knife or just a hairpin.

"Okay, you're good."

Li Xuzhi was a head taller than her, looking down at her.

It must be said that, under the sunlight, his face looked like a delicate piece of porcelain.

Su Wan Ning wanted to punch him and see if he would shatter instantly! It would definitely be a spectacular sight!

"Your eyes are fierce! I'm here to help you!"

Li Xuzhi looked a little aggrieved, blinked a few times, and said with a smile, "Someone is targeting you, trying to embarrass you at the birthday banquet, no, to ruin your reputation."

"So, tell me what you want to do?"

Su Wanning stared at him.

He grinned, revealing perfectly white teeth. "From now on, you'll follow me, and I'll tell you who's targeting you. If you please me, I might even protect you."

"You're dreaming."

Su Wanning scoffed.

He punched Li Xuzhi hard in the stomach.