Chapter 30

Today Xie Junling is resting, not going to the Hanlin Academy; he stays in the main house with Lu Bao'er.

Lu Bao'er usually has no special pastime; she's not interested in needlework, and her only joy is thinking about food. Since Xie Junling is also in the residence, Lu Bao'er has even more fun.

Grandma changed her into a peach‑flower patterned satin robe and a coral‑red hundred‑flower skirt; her thick black hair was loosely tied into a small bun, and Grandma used a hair stick to shape it into pointed cat‑ear tips, then added a pair of white rabbit‑fur pearl hair ornaments.

Thus she looks with red lips, bright teeth, playful and cute—truly like a cat fairy stepped out of a New Year picture.

Xie Junling also thinks this attire suits her age; when receiving guests he usually seeks a steady and generous appearance, and this look has a somewhat old‑fashioned, solemn flavor, which he does not particularly like.

Lu Bao'er lifted the hem of her skirt and, like a fluttering flower butterfly, darted before Xie Junling. She perched on his knee and, coquettishly, asked, "Lord, do I look good like this?"

Xie Junling saw her eyes like autumn water, lively gazing at him, and his heart twitched. He actually liked Lu Bao'er's look, but feared she might become overly praised and act without restraint, wearing it out in public. If some lecherous rogue took notice, they might develop ill intentions. Thinking that, Xie Junling felt a bit displeased and, insincerely, said, "It can only be described as plain and unremarkable."

Hearing that, Lu Bao'er's hopeful, smiling mouth instantly drooped. Pouting, she said unenthusiastically, "Grandma said this outfit would surely please my lord, but even an experienced person isn't always accurate. I won't dress like this again!"

Was it deliberately styled for his eyes? Xie Junling's mouth twitched upward slightly, yet he feared it would be obvious, revealing his shallow scheming, his pleasure evident on his face.

So Xie Junling raised his hand to cover his mouth, gave a light cough, and said, "Earlier it was only a fleeting glimpse, but now, examining closely, I can see some merit. It is still attractive; you may dress like this at home. However, when meeting guests outside, one must be steady; overly bright colors may be unsuitable, so consider it carefully."

"Is that so?" Lu Bao'er instantly brightened, almost as if a dog's tail sprouted from her rear, and she swayed joyfully.

"Hmm." Xie Junling solemnly affirmed her.

Hearing the praise, Lu Bao'er felt satisfied, and she took Xie Junling's hand, leading him into the Flower Hall.

Today Lu Bao'er seemed to have taken a tea‑boiling stove into the kitchen, piled with coal glowing scarlet, and placed an iron grate atop it.

When the flames licked the hot iron grate, Lu Bao'er neatly arranged the marinated, sesame‑topped slices of crimson pork on the grid.

Xie Junling knew Lu Bao'er's fondness for meat; back in the countryside, each meal required a small pan of minced‑garlic fried meat for her to eat.

Meat was expensive then, but Lu Bao'er's family wasn't poor, so she could afford some meat each meal; Xie Junling only ate vegetables and never competed with the young lady for meat.

Nevertheless, Lu Bao'er was obedient; she often recognized Xie Junling's kitchen toil and would pick a glossy piece of meat from the bowl to place in his rice bowl, earnestly urging him to eat.

Recalling the past, Xie Junling smiled and said to Lu Bao'er, "Stewed meat can cause internal heat; remember to have Grandma fetch some sun‑dried honeysuckle and minced berberine, so you can brew a few bowls of fire‑quenching tea to drink."

Must I drink berberine? Lu Bao'er's once sparkling almond eyes instantly dimmed; she whispered pleadingly, "Can we omit the berberine? Grandma says I have a cold stomach and cannot take berberine, fearing it will hurt my stomach."

Xie Junling smiled wryly, "Since you remember your cold stomach, why don't you consider whether the meat will cause heat, to avoid a sore throat later?"

Stung by Xie Junling's remark, Lu Bao'er could not utter a single word.

Lu Bao'er grimaced as she used chopsticks to flip the pork browned golden; although minced garlic was mixed in, the meat aroma wafted, oil bubbled wildly, she still did not find it fragrant.

When the meat turned deep yellow and the skin crisped, Lu Bao'er instructed Liu Xiang to place the meat on the table. Finding it amusing, she also took the liberty to grill some duck meat and eggplant.

The eggplant was grown by the kitchen maid in a black‑cloth greenhouse in the back yard; the cloth blocked the snow, and the plants, covered by snow, were not afraid of the harsh winter and grew robustly.

Lu Bao'er thought Ye Daniang indeed had some skill; there was almost nothing in the back kitchen she didn't know. Previously, Lu Bao'er had curiously asked Grandma why a palace chef with such skill could leave the palace.

Isn't it for delicious food and drink to serve the palace? Grandma whispered, "Ye Daniang fears being locked in the palace; after all, the imperial kitchen isn't a pleasant place to stay."

If the filth among the harem ladies isn't handled well, failing to align with the prevailing winds, the dishes will be criticized, and one could lose one's head.

Ye Daniang realized she couldn't manage this affair, so she concealed her incompetence for years, and was eventually assigned to an imperial‑granted official residence; first, to reflect the emperor's favor, second, to lose a mediocre kitchen hand—nothing remarkable.

Lu Bao'er pursed her lips and smiled, "Then I truly have found a treasure."

Grandma originally thought Lu Bao'er was a wise fool, but after time she realized she is truly simple. She doesn't fight for anything, doesn't take things to heart, and says everything she gets is fine.

If she hadn't plotted for Lu Bao'er, Lu Bao'er would have been devoured long ago. This girl's one virtue is obedience; obedience prevents trouble.

Enough; she'll just share insights with Xie Junling, and the rest need not be overly concerned about Lu Bao'er; as long as she's happy, that's fine.

Lu Bao'er had the rice set out, then took a clean vegetable leaf, shook off the water, and spread it in her palm. She placed eggplant, soybean paste, roasted meat, and a clump of white rice on it, wrapped it into a small ball, and handed it to Xie Junling: "Lord, open your mouth!"

Xie Junling saw she intended to feed him; though he didn't know what kind of dish this was, he at least spared Lu Bao'er's face, slightly opened his lips, and took the vegetable‑wrapped rice.

Lu Bao'er excitedly asked, "Lord, do you think it's tasty?"

Xie Junling chewed for a while without speaking. The meat's smooth richness was balanced by the leaf's fresh sweetness, plus the sweet eggplant and mild rice, finally blended with a touch of spicy bean‑paste, making the flavor fairly good.

He nodded, used a handkerchief to wipe his mouth corner, and asked, "Madam, how did you devise this way of eating?"

Lu Bao'er blinked and said, "Last night I dreamed of a table with chicken, duck, fish, meat, and various vegetables. I thought eating each item was too slow, so I came up with this trick: a single bite lets you taste everything at once."

Hearing that, Xie Junling was rather speechless; it was her greedy, gluttonous appetite that accidentally led to this odd eating method, not innate cleverness.

Fine, he had almost thought Lu Bao'er was naturally clever, but now sees she remains simple‑stupid as always. Thus, Xie Junling has never misjudged anyone; his perception remains extraordinary.

---------- Aside ----------

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