With Zhao Dahe and Madam Chen both out, Younger Mrs. Li felt perfectly at ease. Too lazy to cook, she secretly helped herself to some of Madam Chen’s eggs and boiled them to eat. She knew Madam Chen always kept the eggs locked in a cupboard in her room, with the only key in her own possession. Younger Mrs. Li had once caught a glimpse of where Madam Chen hid the key: tucked beneath a jar of pickled vegetables inside the room.
Madam Chen was usually extremely shrewd. All food was kept in the room she shared with Zhao Dahe, and it could only be accessed with her permission. Even then, she insisted on fetching it herself, never giving anyone else the chance to touch it. In the past, it was Madam Chen who managed the kitchen duties. Younger Mrs. Li often shirked her chores, so those tasks never fell to her. She didn't mind Madam Chen’s tight control over the food—as long as she was fed, she was happy. Madam Chen doted on her two grandsons, Zhao Wei and Zhao Yu, often slipping them extra food on the side. Since her own sons were being fed, Younger Mrs. Li naturally benefitted from the occasional scraps.
Ever since the Second Branch had severed ties and moved out, however, Younger Mrs. Li’s relationship with Madam Chen had soured. She could no longer touch any of the food; everything was under Madam Chen’s absolute command. This drove Younger Mrs. Li to distraction—she did all the work, while Madam Chen enjoyed all the benefits. *How is that fair?*
Chapter 36