Chapter 3 — 10 Years Working as a Kitchen in the Hau Palace

This time, I did not hesitate anymore. 7Finally, I endured until the day before leaving the palace. In the afternoon, the manager called me to the table, his tone was natural and proficient. "Your employment contract will continue to be signed for another ten years." Having said that, he took out the new contract and pen, just waiting for me to point it out. I pushed the contract back and politely said: "I won't sign this contract anymore, I will leave the palace tomorrow." "What?" His calm and leisurely appearance immediately shattered. A moment later, the manager realized this was not something he could decide on his own. He did not advise anymore, immediately stood up and said: "Let me inform you first." Not long after, I was called to the hospital by my wife. In her hand, she held the Buddha's rosary, the first sentence she spoke was: "A Lien, I have always respected you." Before, I would be moved to tears, but now I just want to laugh. But I still answered properly. "Thank you for your consideration, ma'am. Now that the ten-year period has expired, I want to find another way to live." "A Lien!" She called my name heavily. "You have been living in the Marquis's residence since childhood. You dress and live no less than a normal family's daughter. How do you know how cruel it is outside? You are a lady, how should you live outside?" "Madam, this servant has a cooking skill, enough to make a living." There was a look of disdain in her eyes. "You only understand how to cook in the kitchen. Opening a restaurant looks glorious, but in reality you have to deal with thugs, thugs and all kinds of customers. You have absolutely no idea about the difficulties." "If you stay in the palace, I will definitely support you in the future. After the summer party, you will still have to go out and suffer?" I am a fool to deceive. I no longer had the strength to argue, I just stubbornly bowed my head, constantly repeating: "Thank you for your good intentions, this servant has made up her mind." Seeing that I refused to be soft, she could only agree. The Marquis attaches great importance to reputation and will not forcibly detain people. It is precisely because I saw this point that I dared to bluntly refuse my lady. Before I left, the lady's sighing voice came through. "In the end, I am still of low birth, with limited vision. From now on, I will know suffering." My steps stopped slightly, then without turning around, I walked straight out. 8 The news that I was about to leave the Marquis' palace quickly spread throughout the backyard. Unexpectedly, the first person to come find me was Van Nuong. I thought she would be sarcastic, but she explained to me. "I didn't come to the Marquis's palace to force you to leave." "That inlaid silver price was not my intention to torture everyone. You value the fact that I know how to cook food in the palace, I was forced to show my true bravery." I said: "Van Nuong, I'm not leaving entirely because of you. The thing that crushed the camel was never just the last straw." "She and I are both tired little people struggling to survive. No one is more noble than anyone else, in the end it's all about food. Seeing that I was calm, Van Nuong finally said the purpose of this trip. "That taste book, before you go, can you give me a copy? It doesn't need to be too detailed, just a simple list will do." I smiled slightly, a little hope appeared in her eyes. But in the next second, I coldly blurted out two words. "Impossible." "You are taking public revenge for personal revenge!" I saw through her face, did not want to argue further, just calmly said: "Giving you is gratitude, not giving is duty. There is no friendship between you and me." Having said that, I turned around and paid no attention to her anymore, sitting by the kitchen to finish the last day's work. Van Nuong stood behind me, lowering her voice.

Even without looking, I could still hear the unwillingness in it. "Do you really think I can't do it without that notebook? Ah Lien, you just wait and see. I will use the summer party to prove to everyone that you didn't make the wrong choice. I am stronger than you, I can do better than you!"But her provocation didn't make any sense to me. I never thought I would have to compete with her, I just wanted to do my job well. Seeing that I still didn't answer, Van Nuong coldly snorted, the footsteps gradually moved away and disappeared. Early the next morning, after saying goodbye to old acquaintances, I put my luggage on and headed towards the back door. Just step through this door, I will be free. "A Lien!" Suddenly someone called me. The maid of the third room panted and ran over, placing a kaleidoscope in my hand. The glass is heavy and extremely delicate. I raised my head in surprise. She smiled: "The third young master gave it to you. He said the breakfast was delicious, thank you." In that moment, my already tense eyes suddenly felt stinging. It turns out someone still saw it, even if it was just a child. The words I wanted to say were swallowed back. I was afraid that as soon as I opened my mouth, tears would fall. "Take care!" She patted my shoulder, her eyes showing a bit of admiration. "You too."9