Chen Qing tidied up briefly, then headed to the dining hall belonging exclusively to his small courtyard.
Four dishes and a soup had already been laid out on the table, steaming hot and fragrant.
There was a plate of braised pork knuckle, a bowl of steamed jade carp, a dish of stir-fried emerald shoots, a serving of chilled crystal lotus root, and at the center, a pot of rich, milky-white old chicken soup stewed with mountain ginseng. A few bright red goji berries floated on its surface, making one's mouth water.
Chen Qing sat down at the table, glanced at Qing Dai standing attentively nearby, and casually asked, "Have you eaten? If not, have some with me."
At his words, a faint smile appeared on Qing Dai's face. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. We have already eaten. Please enjoy your meal."
Chen Qing nodded and did not stand on ceremony. He picked up a piece of pork knuckle and put it into his mouth.
The pork knuckle had been stewed until it was wonderfully tender and flavorful, melting as soon as it entered his mouth.
He nodded in satisfaction and praised, "The cooking is excellent. The heat was just right."
Qing Dai covered her mouth and chuckled, glancing at another woman beside her. "Senior Brother flatters us. Zi Su prepared most of today's meal. Her cooking is the best among us."
Hearing this, Chen Qing raised his eyes toward the woman named Zi Su.
She was exceptionally tall and slender, graceful as a jade tree.
Although she wore the same simple, elegant dress as the other maidservants, the outline of her long, straight, well-proportioned legs could still be seen beneath the concealing folds of her skirt.
When she saw Chen Qing looking at her, she lowered her head