Chapter 244: The Demon Lord Junzhu's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 244: Pagoda Meat

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

An Wangfei, listening here, couldn't help but feel a surge of complex emotions in her heart.

She had originally only half-jokingly thought of leaving Qianqian with the Empress, but upon seeing Qianqian's determined look, her heart and eyes full of martial arts practice to protect herself, she suddenly felt a pang of distress, as if a thousand words were stuck in her throat, yet she knew not how to voice the conflict and contradiction in her heart at this moment.

Meanwhile, the Empress, observing from the side, keenly sensed An Wangfei's unusual state, and smiled softly: "This Qianqian, truly is a clever and sensible good child!"

The Empress's words were like a breath of spring breeze, slightly dispersing some of the awkward atmosphere permeating the air.

Just then, a crisp knock on the door broke the brief silence inside the room. Shangguan Xingyan, seated at the head, responded with a "Come in," and three waiters entered in single file. Their steps were light, movements practiced; the first two each steadily carried a tray of dishes excellent in color, aroma, and taste, the last one following close behind.

When they reached the table, the three carefully placed the trays gently down. One waiter, face full of smiles, said: "Honored guests, please enjoy some cold dishes to whet your appetites first; the remaining dishes will be served shortly." Finished speaking, he bowed slightly, then turned and left briskly with the other two companions.

Everyone first turned their gazes to the exquisite cold dishes before them, only to see the ingredients in the tray sliced evenly in thickness, arranged neatly, and dotted with various brightly colored seasonings, making one salivate just by looking.

So everyone picked up their chopsticks to taste, eating and praising incessantly, all acclaiming the shop's superb skill, that even ordinary ingredients could be cooked into such delicious fare.

Before long, the waiters brought up several steaming hot dishes one after another. These dishes were fragrant, stirring the appetite. The seated few enjoyed the pleasure of the food to the fullest, while still longing for that legendary Pagoda Meat yet to be served.

Just as everyone was eating with relish, they suddenly saw a sharp-eyed waiter walk in lightly, steadily holding a large tray white as snow in both hands.

Atop that white tray stood a delicate and unique "pagoda," instantly capturing the gaze of everyone present.

After the waiter carefully placed the tray on the table, everyone's gazes could not move away from this "pagoda" for even a moment.

Immediately after, the waiter introduced proudly: "Honored guests, this is our shop's signature famous dish — Pagoda Meat! This dish selects a whole piece of premium streaky pork with alternating fat and lean, distinct grain, meticulously cooked.

First, the streaky pork must be sliced into pieces thin as cicada wings, yet ensuring each slice is not completely severed. Then, relying on the chef's superb knife skill, these meat slices are cleverly stacked and arranged into a shape like a real pagoda. Only after a round of careful roasting did the dish before you, complete in color, aroma, and taste, come to be."

The waiter paused slightly, swallowed, and continued: "This Pagoda Meat is not only extremely tempting in appearance, its texture is also peerless. It melts in the mouth, soft, glutinous, and delicate, not greasy at all; moreover the meat is tender and juicy, the flavor rich and mellow, leaving an endless aftertaste! Honored guests, do taste it quickly!" Finished speaking, the waiter turned to leave.

Just then, Shangguan Xingyan seated at the table swiftly reached into his bosom, took out a piece of crystalline silver, flicked his wrist, and the silver flew straight at the waiter like a meteor.

The waiter, sharp-eyed and quick-handed, caught the flying object in one grasp; looking closely, it was a piece of silver of considerable value, and he immediately beamed with joy, bowing repeatedly in thanks: "Many thanks for the Young Master's reward! This little one thanks the Young Master!"

With that, he withdrew happily, leaving everyone to begin enjoying this incomparably delicious Pagoda Meat. And at this very moment, the others present had long been unable to suppress their inner urgency and desire, yet surprisingly, despite the anticipatory light flashing in their eyes, not a single one rashly picked up their chopsticks.

Everyone waited silently, gazes all focused on Shangguan Peilin, as if only after he moved his chopsticks first could this feast formally raise its curtain.

Finally, Shangguan Peilin elegantly extended his chopsticks, gently picking up a piece of Pagoda Meat. At that moment, as if receiving some silent signal, Qianqian, sharp-eyed and quick-handed, picked up a chopstick of Pagoda Meat, carefully sending it into her mouth.

However, that delicious piece of meat had just touched the tip of her tongue, before she could even carefully savor its flavor, it slid down her throat smooth as silk into her belly, leaving only a faint aftertaste.

Qianqian couldn't help but blank slightly, clearly shocked by this astonishing texture. Immediately after, she unhesitatingly extended her chopsticks again, this time targeting a larger piece of Pagoda Meat. After putting it in her mouth, she chewed gently.

In an instant, a rich aroma spread; that soft glutinous meat, the just-right ratio of fat and lean, and the faint sweetness intertwined, composing an incomparably wonderful flavor.

"Wow, this Pagoda Meat is really too delicious!" Qianqian couldn't help but exclaim, her face full of intoxication. Her words of praise were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring ripples.

Hearing this, everyone picked up a chopstick of Pagoda Meat half-believing, half-doubting, and put it in their mouths. Moments later, exclamations rose and fell in succession, filling the entire room; satisfaction and joy overflowed on every face.

Just like that, everyone enjoyed this rare delicious dish to the fullest while enthusiastically exchanging their feelings. Unknowingly, the originally full tray of Pagoda Meat quickly hit bottom.

Yet even so, people's love for it did not diminish in the slightest, still immersed in that endless aftertaste, unable to extricate themselves.

So when the waiter came to serve more dishes, Shangguan Xingyan hurriedly said: "Another serving of Pagoda Meat!" His words barely fell before the others chimed in agreement. Before long, a new serving of Pagoda Meat was brought to the table, and everyone began tasting like hungry tigers pouncing on prey.

Time flowed quietly; this sumptuous lunch neared its end amid laughter and joy. Finally, everyone finished the meal satisfied, carrying full bellies of happiness and contentment back to the Imperial Palace. After returning to the palace, because they had eaten too full, and the afternoon sun was just right, everyone returned to their respective residences to rest, preparing to conserve energy and await the beautiful times ahead.