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Although it wasn’t completely dark yet, the red lanterns outside and in the courtyard were already lit.
The kitchen door was slightly ajar, and through the crack, Chen Feng saw a person in a dark cloak walking at the front with Qiqi on his left shoulder and Gray on his right. He must be the amiable and bird-loving Old Marquis Chu. Following closely behind were two men, one in a dark blue cloak leading Dabao is Chu Lingxuan, and another man in an indigo cloak carrying Chu Hanyan in a red cloak, who must be Third Master Chu.
Chen Ming, Lu, Steward Luo, and Zeng Shuang followed behind.
Estimating that they should have been seated and begun drinking, Chen Feng started stir-frying garlic chives with pork. Once done, she arranged the scallion lamb and braised beef on a plate and took them to the main room with Zeng Xiaoqing.
At the door, two maids quickly opened the door and held up the door curtain upon seeing them.
Inside the room, four candles were lit, and two braziers were burning, providing a warm and bright atmosphere.
An elderly man in his sixties sat at the head of the table, his face red and his demeanor genial. He was dressed in a dark red satin jacket with a marten fur collar, looking nothing like a dignified old Marquis. Seated to his left was a man in his thirties, who had a dignified appearance with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a faint beard, and a resemblance to Chu Lingxuan. He wore a dark blue cloak with golden borders and cloud-patterned brocade. Next to him was Chen Dabao. Chu Lingxuan, in a brown brocade jacket, was seated to the right, with Chu Hanyan beside him. Chen Ming and Lu sat at the lower end of the table, opposite the old Marquis. Steward Luo and others were serving at the back.
Chen Ming had indeed been seated at the table, he must have been called up by the Chu family.
Chen Feng began by serving the scallion lamb and the braised beef before placing the stir-fried garlic chives with pork on the table. With a smile, she said, “Although garlic chives stir-fried with pork is a simple home-cooked dish, it’s also my specialty. Please, Old Marquis and esteemed guests, give it a try. Does it suit your taste?”
The old Marquis smiled first and said, “Little girl, there’s no need for such courtesy. I’ve heard from my grandson that you’re skillful, not only in teaching my great-granddaughter well but also in cooking and raising birds. I’m quite satisfied with the dishes and snacks you’ve prepared.”
Chu Lingxuan glanced at the old Marquis and, perhaps due to shyness, his face flushed slightly. He quickly added, “My grandpa mostly hears from Yanyan and Uncle Luo.” He then continued, “However, Ms. Chen is indeed skilled in cooking.”
Third Master Chu, without speaking, first picked a piece of the stir-fried pork for the old Marquis and then took a piece for himself. He chewed slowly, seemingly savoring the taste. After swallowing, he picked up a bunch of garlic chives and tasted it, nodding in satisfaction. He said with a smile, “I’ve had stir-fried pork many times, but this is exceptionally delicious. The meat is rich but not greasy, and the garlic chives are fresh and flavorful. Your culinary skills are impressive. You’re almost as good as a palace chef.”
She certainly is a Confucian scholar and a military leader, with a gentle and amiable attitude.
Chen Feng felt a bit embarrassed by the praise. She knew that her cooking owed much to the special water and the swallow droppings from her family. She modestly responded, “Old Marquis and esteemed guests, you’re too kind.”
Chu Hanyan then spoke up, “Auntie’s golden… is the best.”
The old Marquis, having eaten several pieces of stir-fried pork, paused when he heard Chu Hanyan’s words and asked, “What? You can eat gold?”
Chen Feng explained with a smile, “Little Yan is probably referring to the golden silk cake I made.” She continued, “Today, I will make another dish called golden shrimp balls, which I’m sure little Yan will love even more.”
Shrimp was relatively expensive, and it wasn’t something they usually bought. However, the Chu family had sent some frozen shrimp, so Chen Feng decided to make this dish.
Third Master Chu chuckled, “Then we’ll look forward to eating these golden shrimp balls.”
Chen Feng nodded with a smile and glanced at Dabao, Lu, and Chen Ming. Dabao was the least afraid, happily picking the food he liked and occasionally providing descriptions of the dishes, helping Chen Ming with his food. Chen Lu was also managing well. Though a bit nervous and blushing, he didn’t say much but knew to eat quietly.
It was Chen Ming who seemed so nervous that he couldn’t pick the dishes, his nose even starting to sweat.
Chen Feng felt truly sorry for him. But there was nothing she could do, he had to endure it for now. This family had to curry favor with the powerful to ensure their future safety. Once the powerful were accustomed to visiting more frequently, things would get better.
Her eyes dimmed slightly as she bowed and exited the room.
As she was opening the door, she heard Chu Lingxuan’s voice from inside, “Uncle Chen, don’t be nervous, come and taste…”
The door blocked out the rest of the voices from the room, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
After the golden shrimp balls were ready, Chen Feng personally brought them to the main room, only to find that the stir-fried garlic chives with pork had all been eaten. Chen Ming’s bowl was filled with half a bowl of food, and he was slowly eating with his head down.
Everyone smiled when they saw the plump, golden shrimp balls, each adorned with a small shrimp tail protruding from the top.
The old Marquis picked up a golden shrimp ball, tasted it, and nodded in approval, saying, “Mmm, delicious. It looks good, has a crispy texture, and tastes delightful. Excellent!”
The little Chu girl eagerly exclaimed, “I want, I want, I want!”
Chu Lingxuan hastily picked one for her and placed it in her bowl, then picked another for Chen Ming before starting to eat himself.
After Third Master Chu and Chu Lingxuan tasted the dish, they also nodded repeatedly, praising its delectable flavor.
They continued to comment on the other dishes on the table.
Chen Feng felt as though it resembled a culinary competition from her past life on television, where the judges would taste and then discuss each dish.
With the dishes all done, Chen Feng began making the golden silk cakes. The preliminary work had been done by Mrs. Wang, so she simply fried the noodles in the pan.
By the time the golden silk cakes were nearly done, the members of the main room had finished eating and drinking. Mrs. Zeng and others came to collect the dishes and utensils.
Once the golden silk cakes had cooled, Chen Feng, along with Zeng Xiaoqing and Mrs. Wei, carried two food containers each containing the golden silk cakes to the main room.
As they walked through the courtyard, they could hear laughter coming from the main room. Chen Feng knew it must be the two parrots chattering away.
Inside, the room had returned to its original state. The old Marquis and Third Master Chu sat at the Eight Immortals table, with others seated on either side.
The old Marquis had Qiqi and Gray perched on his legs, and they had just finished eating, so their beaks weren full. They were now putting on a show, continuously chattering and imitating various sounds.
They alternated between reciting poetry, singing a “health song,” performing “Little Swallow,” and imitating voices, including those of Zhui Feng and Wangcai’s howls, which amused everyone in the room, especially the old Marquis, who laughed heartily. In his joy, he even fed them a pine nut.
As Chen Feng entered, Qiqi and Gray eagerly called out, one saying “Mother” and the other saying “Auntie,” mimicking the voices of Dabao and Chu Hanyan. This sparked laughter among the group.
Chen Feng and her companions placed the six food containers on the Eight Immortals table. Third Master Chu nodded in gratitude and gestured for a servant to bring over a tray.