Chapter 969: 967 Eating the Sweetness

Words : 1202 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Chapter 969: Chapter 967 Eating the Sweetness The front yard was bustling with activity, while the back yard seemed somewhat desolate. For one, the wives accompanying the small officials were already timid upon hearing their husbands talk about how extraordinary Imperial Doctor Du was, especially since he had come from the Capital City. Moreover, seeing Lady Qi, elegantly dressed with a regal air, made them feel even more inferior. Then there was the banquet setting, filled with dishes they had never seen before, even more impressive than those at the home of the Magistrate’s Lady. Even the maids serving the dishes were adept, dressed uniformly in refreshing green gowns, their demeanor more pleasing than the pampered daughters of their own households. A few maids stood beside the banquet table, introducing each dish as it was served, occasionally asking guests if they needed anything. This made the wives of the small officials feel even more restrained, watching Lady Qi at the head seat, feeling as if they couldn’t even hold their chopsticks properly. Finally, someone gathered the courage to compliment Lady Qi with a few words, but she merely gave a light smile, showing no hint of pleasure. This only made them more reluctant to act recklessly. Old Granny Zhang, however, felt at ease in front of Lady Qi. She knew that Lady Qi actually had a playful nature, and was only putting on airs in front of outsiders, so she wouldn’t be tactless enough to expose her. Comfortably seated at the table, she avoided many dishes due to mourning customs. Lady Qi had prepared in advance, instructing the kitchen to make a few vegetarian dishes for Old Granny Zhang. A maid approached to assist Old Granny Zhang with her meal, observing which dish she glanced at most, and serving it on a plate before her. After eating a couple of bites, Old Granny Zhang felt restless and declared plainly, “You, child, go about your business, let me serve myself, it tastes sweeter.” The maid pursed her lips into a smile—she was Lady Qi’s personal maid, and had accompanied Lady Qi to watch the games, understanding the relationship between the two families, and knowing how Lady Qi favored Old Granny Zhang. Today, Lady Qi assigned her to assist Old Granny Zhang, in case there was any inconvenience or difficulty. Unexpectedly, Old Granny Zhang was quite at ease, behaving as if she was at home, not treating herself as an outsider in the slightest, and so the maid cheerfully set her chopsticks down, saying, “Let the old lady eat first, call me if you need anything.” With this, she stepped back. Old Granny Zhang heard the maid beside her introduce the head chef of the day, claiming he was the apprentice to the chef who cooked for the Emperor. How remarkable was his skill? No doubt about it, the dishes on that table not only looked beautiful but were arranged like flowers, making one reluctant to start eating. Looking at the other officials’ wives, normally they wouldn’t give an eye to a country woman like her. Unexpectedly, she found herself sharing a table with them today. She was observing mourning customs, so couldn’t eat those seemingly delicious dishes, merely admiring them. To her surprise, these official wives were just watching too; it made Old Granny Zhang wonder if all of them were mourning someone at home. Later, as these official wives awkwardly reached out for a taste, stopping at one or two bites, they sat watching again. Confused, she thought, “This apprentice made the Emperor’s dishes, why isn’t anyone eating? What a waste!” If she could eat, she’d finish this whole table herself, and take leftovers home to let Old Madam Ding and Old Granny Wu taste them. Thus, when the vegetarian dishes came, she barely tasted them, wishing she could swallow her tongue, it was so delicious. But she could only get such a small serving, barely enough. So she simply dismissed the maid and served herself. Old Granny Zhang ordered a bowl of rice with a few vegetarian dishes and ate heartily. Watching her, Lady Qi, accustomed to her chef’s cuisine at home, also couldn’t resist hunger, so she ordered half a bowl of rice and surprisingly, finished it too. Seeing Lady Qi eat like this, other wives were dumbfounded. Not to mention, their men were merely small officials with limited salaries, even with extra income, supporting a large family wasn’t easy. Being well-off, having meat on the table every meal, was considered good. Coming to this banquet today, their men had instructed them to be restrained, lest they appear as though they hadn’t eaten at a feast before—better to go hungry than eat disgracefully. Some even ate buns before heading out, ensuring full stomachs. Seeing such a feast, who wouldn’t want to eat? But fear of appearing ungracious kept them from doing so. With Old Granny Zhang leading, followed by Lady Qi, these wives were momentarily lost about whether to follow their hearts and eat freely or obey their men and return hungry. All the wives at the table, watching Old Granny Zhang and Lady Qi eat so deliciously, swallowed hard. After a while, one of the older wives couldn’t resist, turning to the maid behind her, “Miss, can... Can I have a bowl of rice?” The maid blinked, then quickly smiled, “Please wait a moment, Madam.” Soon a steaming bowl of rice was brought, and that wife dug in, chopsticks raining toward the dishes on the table. Once one person started, the rest couldn’t hold back. “Miss, me too, a bowl of rice, make it large.” “Miss, do you have buns? Give me five first.” “Miss, a bowl of noodles—” ... No one spoke anymore; flattery wouldn’t reach the right person. Lady Qi, having seen much, wasn’t impressed. They might only have this one chance in their life to enjoy such an elegant banquet, might as well count it as a feast akin to a royal banquet. Who cared what their men said? Eat first, they thought. Being able to talk about this one banquet could last a lifetime. Thus, each woman set aside her pride and started eating in earnest. The courtyard suddenly grew quiet, except for the sounds of eating. Several Qi Family maids and servants looked at one another; in all their years with their master, they’d never seen a banquet eaten so heartily before—this was real eating! Several distant maids couldn’t help but comment, “Why does it seem like Chef Li’s skill is even better today, making me hungry just looking?” “Later, let’s send someone to tell the kitchen, we’ll chip in some Silver to have Chef Li set aside a couple of dishes for us, to try?” “Alright, count me in. Look at that roasted duck, the skin is golden and bright, crispy and tender. What a shame these guests don’t know how to eat it; that skin should be dipped in sugar, I’ve heard—that’s best—” “Normally, this banquet’s leftovers would be given to us, but seeing today’s situation, I’m guessing the kitchen is busy steaming rice to keep up, or there may not be enough—”

Chapter 969: 967 Eating the Sweetness

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