Chapter 6 — The Tofu Seller Who Wouldn't Wait for Him

The Marquis next to him was also stunned.

“What the lady said… is it true?”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

The hall was silent for a moment. Then the woman suddenly stood up, walked quickly in front of me, and grabbed my hand.

“Miss, is that really tofu you made?”

“Ah…”

“Can you make it eat?”

I looked into her eyes, filled with urgency and hope. But we still find it mythical.

"Madam," I took a step back, "you're not lying to me, are you? Marquis of Tang Tang, why are you missing a meal of tofu?"

She froze, then smiled bitterly.

“It's okay if you don't believe it, Miss.” She took off a bracelet on her wrist and gave it to me, "This is what I've been wearing for twenty years, you take it first. Make Than Chi a meal of tofu, regardless of whether it's edible or not, this bracelet is all yours."

I didn't accept the bracelet, so I turned around and wanted to leave.

“Ten taels of silver.”

Behind him came the Marquis's voice. I stop walking.

“Make a meal, give me ten taels of silver.”

I turned around and looked at his face. Ten taels of silver is enough for me to open a small shop.

"Okay."

Our tofu shop was easily unsealed. We tie an apron, choose a piece of soft tofu, cut it into evenly thick and thin slices. When the oil is hot, put it in the pan, fry until golden brown on both sides, sprinkle with a pinch of fine salt. As the fragrance spreads, we hear movement behind us. Do Than Chi didn't know when he was standing at the kitchen door, leaning against the door frame, staring at the pan.

“Are you awake?” I asked.

He didn't say anything, walked over, picked up a pair of chopsticks, took a piece and put it in his mouth.

“Be careful, it's hot——”

He has already chewed it. There were footsteps outside. Marquis and Madam Hau hurriedly ran over. Seeing this scene, they both stood at the door. Do Than Chi finished chewing one piece, then picked up another piece. After eating a few bites, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at me.

“You're not going anymore?”

“Nonsense.”

He grinned. Then he put down his chopsticks, took a few steps forward, and hugged me.

“Let go!”

He didn't let go. Marquis and Madam Hou stood at the door watching, their faces extremely complicated. In the end, Mrs. Hau coughed softly, stepped forward, and "rescued" me from his arms.

"Miss," she held my hand, her eyes moving back and forth between me and Do Than Chi, "I think Than Chi is very compatible with you. Or... will you come with us to the Marquis Palace to stay for a while? Consider taking care of him."

I opened my mouth to refuse.

“One month, one hundred taels.” Marquis's voice rang out from behind.

I closed my mouth.

9

Not even a few days into the Marquis Palace, trouble had already arrived. I was frying tofu for Do Than Chi when the servant came to say: "Master Moc asks for an audience." The oil in the pan sizzles, we don't turn around.

"Who?"

“Moc Bac Than, Lord Moc.”

Do Than Chi was lying by the kitchen, chopsticks already in hand. Hearing that, he raised his head and frowned.

“What did he come for?”

The servant did not dare to answer. We flip the tofu pieces, fry them until golden brown, and put them on a plate. Do Than Chi reached out to take it, I threw the plate aside.

“Eat it.”

He froze, withdrew his hand, and obediently held the chopsticks. I wiped my hands and walked out of the kitchen. In the main hall, Moc Bac Than stood in the middle, his face very unsightly. Seeing me coming, he took two steps forward, then stopped again, took a deep breath, and turned to the Marquis and Mrs. Hau sitting above.

"Master, ma'am, Mong Vi comes from a rural background and does not understand the rules. If there is anything rude, I would like to apologize on your behalf."

He clasped his hands and bowed, his posture lowered to the extreme. I stopped at the door.

"Lord Moc," I spoke up, my voice very light, "we don't have a marriage certificate, we're not considered husband and wife. It's my business, I don't need you to admit your mistakes."

His face stiffened for a moment. Suddenly, a shadow of a person rushed out from behind. Do Than Chi did not know when he followed, his mouth still chewing tofu, and he said inaudibly: "Did you hear? There is no Lady Moc here." After swallowing, he walked next to me, standing in front of Moc Bac Than.

"Master Moc, right? Please go home. Where are you, see the guests off."

Two servants stepped forward and made an inviting gesture. Moc Bac Than did not move, just looked at me.

“Mong Vi, follow me.”

Do Than Chi turned his head to look at me, his eyes clearly asking: are you going? I bow my head. The Marquis Palace is not my place, Do Than Chi's illness has improved a lot, I have no reason to stay.

“Little prince,” I raised my head, “If you're okay, then I'll go.”

He was stunned. The piece of tofu in my mouth forgot to swallow, my cheeks bulged, my eyes widened.

"…Go?"

I nodded, pushed past him, and walked out the door.

“Hey—wait!”

He chased after me and grabbed my wrist. Moc Bac Than stepped forward almost at the same time, pulling my other hand.

“Let go.”

“You let go.”

Neither of us let go, sandwiching me in the middle like a tug of war.

“Do Than Chi, let go.”

“What right do you have to control me?”

“I am your husband.”

“Is there a marriage certificate?”

“…”

“Then it's not.”

While we were struggling, a voice suddenly rang out outside the door.

“Lord Moc.”

The three people froze at the same time. A palace maid stood at the door, dressed somewhat familiarly. I recognized it—it was the palace maid who followed the queen to town looking for Moc Bac Than the other day. She bowed and bowed to Moc Bac Than: "The Queen is sick and wants to see you." Moc Bac Than's face changed, and the hand holding me also let go.

“Sick?”

"The doctor said it was a mental illness. These days, you can't eat, can't sleep, and only you can console me."

I withdrew my hand and took a step back. Moc Bac Than looked at me, his eyebrows furrowed. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, then swallowed again. A moment later, he turned to the palace maid, his voice cold.

"Go back and tell your lady, I won't care about her matters in the future."

The palace maid was stunned.

“Lord Moc…”

"You used the grace of saving your parents' lives that year to bind me for many years. The favor should have been repaid." His voice was very tired, "Go away."

The palace maid stood there motionless, looking at him and then back at me. Do Than Chi took the opportunity to pull me back a little. Moc Bac Than turned his head and looked at me, his eyes slightly red. He took a step forward, Do Than Chi immediately blocked in front of me.

"Mong Vi," Moc Bac Than looked at me over Do Than Chi's shoulder, his voice very low, "I didn't mean that. I'm just... afraid you'll misunderstand."

Misunderstood what? I don't ask. I just bowed my head, pushed past him, walked out of the main hall, and left the gate of the Marquis Palace. Behind me it seemed like someone was calling me. I don't turn back. I ran all the way back to the tofu shop, there was still half a seal on the door.