Little Cooking Saint – 0158 – Cold Serve Rabbit (a)

Chapter 158 Cold Serve Rabbit (a)

Translated by Gumihou

Edited by Gumihou

 

When Xiao Shu left her grandmother’s courtyard, her brows furrowed again. The day’s happenings were still haunting her and she found it difficult to let things go.

She wandered past her mother’s courtyard several times before plucking up the courage to walk in.

Her mother loved her very much, so, surely she would not simply find fault with her? [4] No, she must find out why Mother is so dissatisfied with Lingfei. How could Mother not like someone so wonderful and perfect? Surely there must be some kind of misunderstanding?

[4] No, she must find out for sure today and mend the fences between Mother and Lingfei no matter what!

However, when she finally braved Madam Shi’s courtyard, she found that Mother was not there. In fact, most of her maids were gone, leaving only the young rough work little girl trimming the flower bushes.

“Where is Mother?” she asked the flower trimming maid.

The girl paused in her work to answer, “Madam has gone to look for you.”

“For me?” she thought of how she had gone to give her greetings to Grandmother. Why, the two of them must have just missed each other.

 

On Madam Shi’s side.

Madam Shi intended to return to her courtyard after visiting Shiyu, but then changed her mind and headed towards the old lady’s courtyard.

 

Xiao Shu waited for her mother in the receiving hall. After a while, she grew bored and began to explore her mother’s rooms. Eventually, she wandered through the private rooms. When Xiao Shu reached her mother’s bedroom, she suddenly stopped.

Under Mother’s bed was a box. She knew that something precious was kept inside, but she had never opened it. She only knew about the box because she once saw Mother held it tenderly in her hands. Somehow, the sight of her mother holding it so lovingly made her feel a little hostile against it.

At that very moment, the sudden desire to know what was inside the box nearly overwhelmed her.

So, she went under the bed, opened up the secret compartment and lifted out the jade box. She carefully raised the lid and saw the ball of light, and a piece of black paper. Her eyes were immediately attracted by the glowing ball of light.

A light scattering of mist clustered around the ball, but when she looked closely, she could see a dazzling light flashing within.

Xiao Shu’s heart beat faster.

“You say you give me the best things?”

The best thing… surely, if she gives this to Lingfei… surely, Lingfei would finally understand what’s inside her heart?

Without giving herself the time to think, Xiao Shu seized the ball. That’s when she registered the [1] torn piece of black paper. She had been so dazzled by the ball that she had overlooked it. Surely, this piece of paper must be something precious too? Xiao Shu dithered for a moment, but finally seized the black paper as well before returning the jade box to its hiding place.

Heart thumping with nerves, she dashed out of the courtyard. A quick look around showed that her mother was not back yet, but she dared not stay any longer. Xiao Shu quickly strode out of the courtyard. The moment her feet stepped out of the Shu Estate, she began to run.

 

Please read this at kitchennovel dot com ~

 

The moment Xiao Shu left the Shu Estate, Shiyu’s eyes suddenly opened.

[2] Shiyu leapt to the roof and began scanning the horizon. Then, she flitted over rooftops and finally spotted her quarry. For some reason, Xiao Shu was running away from the Shu Estate.

[2] Shiyu’s eyes narrowed, considering all that had happened as well as the urgent tugging in her heart, the Black Page must be in Xiao Shu’s hand.

[2] Now, the million tael question.

Where is Xiao Shu heading?

[2] Shiyu flitted closely after Xiao Shu. She barely had to use Chasing Clouds & Moon to keep up with her. Soon, the gates of Dawn College loomed and Shiyu decided that enough was enough.

She landed directly in front of Xiao Shu and called out, “Xiao Shu, where are you going?”

Xiao Shu actually jumped a little when she heard someone called her name. When she saw Shiyu, she forced a smile and said, “I- I’m going to look for Lingfei?”

“Oh? Why so urgent? You look a little anxious, why don’t I go with you?” Shiyu smiled.

“No, no, it’s nothing. I’m not really worried or anything.”

“Really? Well, you should go back soon. Your mother is waiting to see you,”

At the word ‘mother’, Xiao Shu’s whole body shivered, “I- I know, I will.”

“Good,” Shiyu nodded. “That’s very good.

Then, she stepped aside and let Xiao Shu dashed past her. Once Xiao Shu stepped past Dawn College’s gate, Shiyu flashed forward.

Within the College, Xiao Shu soon stumbled upon Shen Lingfei. He was walking briskly down the lane with a bunch of other people.

At the sight of him, Xiao Shu brightened up, “Lingfei…”

However, Shen Lingfei did not look as happy to see her, “Why are you here again?”

His companions all flashed contemptuous looks at Xiao Shu, “Who made Lingfei your person? Humph, some people are too shameless when it comes to sticking where they are not wanted.”

Being scolded like this shook Xiao Shu enough that her eyes became heavy with sadness. However, what saddened her more was Lingfei’s uncaring attitude.

“Lingfei, I need to speak to you about something.”

“I’m busy.”

“But, I have a gift for you,” she quickly took out a jade box and presented it hopefully to him.

At this, the person next to Lingfei suddenly roared with laughter, “Haha! Lingfei, just take that thing and see what rare herb or treasure your sweetheart brought you this time.”

Shen Lingfei reddened with shame and he slapped the jade box forcefully away.

The jade box flew to the air.

He yelled, “Are you trying to remind me how much I owe you? Well, not to worry, everything you’ve ever given to me will be returned to you. Go away! If you don’t go away now I’ll leave Dawn City and never return!”

While he was yelling, the jade box, which had been slapped so hard that it flew high up in the air. It spun several times until its cover came unhinged, and a glowing ball tumbled out, followed by and a fluttering piece of black paper.

There was a crowd around them now, and their eyes zoomed in on the strange glowing ball.

Shiyu, who had been lurking on the edges, quickly reacted. Activating Chasing Clouds & Moon, she leapt forward and snatched both items out of the air. As soon as her hand touched the black paper, she experienced the same sensation as the first time when she touched Prologue. That was not surprising. What was more surprising was that once she had the glowing ball in her hand, she could feel her mental powers slowly knitting and recovering.

“Jade Spirit Essence! No, there’s something else,” Fat Cat, who had been lurking on her shoulder waved his plumy black tail. He pounced onto the glowing ball and after some careful investigation declared, “There’s a soul inside here. It’s a pity it’s so weak.” [3] Shrugging, he puffed out some black mist, letting it settle around the ball. Then, he flicked his tail once again before leaping nimbly onto Shiyu’s shoulder.

Both Cat and Girl caught the attention of the crowds. As for Shen Lingfei, when he saw the ball of light, something dark flashed across his eyes.

Shiyu was still holding onto the ball, but her mental powers did not continue healing. Perhaps it had been blocked by Fat Cat’s black mist?

Restraining herself from running off with the ball of light, Shiyu turned to Xiao Shu. She tucked the items into the jade box and handed the closed box to Xiao Shu. She said, “Your mother is waiting for you.”

Xiao Shu bit her lip and received the box. As she turned to walk back home, Fat Cat leapt nimbly onto Xiao Shu’s shoulder.

Once Xiao Shu had left, Shiyu turned to Shen Lingfei, “What an upstanding young man we have here. Well, since you do not want to accept Xiao Shu’s favour, that’s fine. I shall not count the items given to you in the past. However, you could at least pay for the 400-year-old precious herb that Xiao Shu gifted you last time, right? I shall not be excessive, 200,000 silver taels is enough.”

“Who are you? Even if I were to pay, the silver should be given to Xiao Shu. Why should I deal with an outsider like you?” Shen Lingfei glared.

“Who am I?” Shiyu sneered. [2] Then, she leapt forward and kicked him in the chest. When he realised he was on the floor, Shiyu landed with one foot on his chest.

“I am your bloody aunt! That’s what I am!”

 

[Gumihou: Ah, so this is why Xiao Shu is stupid. Plot related reasons, tsk, tsk]

 

Gumihou is keeping track so that you don’t have to ~

 

Condensation Stage	Stage 1
Core Transformation	Stage 2
Core Condensation	Stage 3
Divine Transformation	Stage 4
Nascent Formation	Stage 5*

 

*Previous ‘missing stage’. Now it re-appeared as Stage 5. Eh, whatev…

 

[1] Adjusted Detail for Dramatic Purpose: It was actually mentioned much earlier, but was rather purposeless so relocated the line.

[2] Adjusted Details for Dramatic Purpose: I’ll spare you the gritty details. Suffice it to say Gumihou has expanded drops of ink into flowers and butterflies.

[3] Change Details for Logistic Purpose: The ball was in Shiyu’s hand! The ball was pounced on by Cat! The ball was… returned to Shiyu’s hand? Was it on the floor or Shiyu’s hand before this, ah, ah, ah!!!??

[4] Added Details for Character Development: Decide to add this on later because it was found lacking on a second read.

 

If you love my translations, do consider dropping a comment at novelupdates!

Gumihou loves reading your comments, so gimme, gimme ~

( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Or Supporting me via Patreon or Ko-fi ~

໒( ́ ۝ ́ )७