43: Who Will Receive the Meat? Madam's Praise

A single session at the great cauldron lasted two days and one night. Though boiling Essence Food was hard and exhausting, no one died this time.

The Dragoncry Charcoal burned down to nothing.

The broth in the cauldron had been boiled from a grayish brown to pale green, then finally turned milky white. Its flavor had gone from muddy to clear, gradually wafting out until one light sniff was enough to make sweet saliva well up in the mouth.

A faint, delicate fragrance drifted out, lingering without dispersing and carrying for several miles.

"This Essence Food Treasure Soup is quite something."

"Madam truly is as beautiful as a celestial being. Without her, we'd never get to taste even a mouthful in our entire lives."

"That's right. Madam even shares this Treasure Soup with the Miscellaneous Servants. Sigh, those lowly servants are beneath the dirt. How could they possibly deserve such kindness from Madam?"

By the time it was done, the Cauldron Flame had gone out. The House Guards had all been sent several miles away. The Manor's tall buildings and dense greenery blocked their view, leaving them unable to see the Copper Cauldron.

They were out of luck when it came to seeing the soup being served.

"Madam is beautiful as a celestial being, yet mysterious and elusive." Everyone had more or less the same thought.

Suddenly, someone said:

"Madam eats the meat, while we drink the soup. I wonder how it'll be divided this time."

At this, everyone perked up.

"According to the usual practice, the House Guards get seventy percent, Commander Pang takes twenty percent, and the remaining ten percent is split up: twenty percent of it goes to the Grade-A House Guards, while the remaining eighty percent is divided evenly among the Grade-B, Grade-C, and Grade-D House Guards."

"There are so many of us Grade-D House Guards that, at best, each of us gets two or three mouthfuls."

Every time this happened, everyone wished they could climb a little higher. The higher they climbed, the fewer people there were at the same level.

That meant their share of the soup... naturally grew larger too.

"But that might not be the case this time. Didn't you notice? There were four pieces of meat this time. The biggest one was naturally Madam's. But there were three others, weren't there?"

"Right. Now that you mention it, it really is strange. Commander Pang gets one, Miss Qiuyue gets one, but what about the last one?"

"..."

Everyone grew even more excited as they discussed it. That piece of meat might not be theirs, but figuring out "whose household it would land in" was certainly worth investigating.

"My guess... is that it's for Eagle Lord. I remember Madam once looked at him."

"Ah! You mean during the last Winter Hunt? Eagle Lord killed a Spotted Tiger, and Madam turned to look at him?"

An uproar broke out, and everyone turned to look at the front of the crowd. Hua Hanying held his head high, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. A proud, disdainful air emanated from him.

His thin lips curled upward. The crowd's discussion had stirred his thoughts too, making him increasingly restless with anticipation.

"Could it... really be for me?"

"During the last Winter Hunt, Madam really did look at me."

His heart pounded. The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and joy surfaced on his face.

"Ahem. Don't talk nonsense. How could we presume to guess what Madam intends?" Hua Hanying pretended not to care, gently telling them to stop.

"Eagle Lord, everyone saw it happen. There's no harm in talking about it."

Wan Xingke, another Grade-A House Guard, nudged Hua Hanying with his elbow and said with a grin.

Even among the Grade-A House Guards, strength and seniority mattered. Among the hundreds of House Guards, Hua Hanying was second to none in talent and Martial Dao attainments.

"Fine." Hua Hanying waved a hand. He was happy enough for everyone to discuss the matter, and it reflected well on him.

Everyone continued:

"Eagle Lord deserves this good fortune. Sigh, it's because he's forged himself into good steel. There's a Winter Hunt every year, but he's the only one who's brought back a Spotted Tiger."

"Congratulations, Eagle Lord!"

"I just wonder what that meat tastes like. I hope you'll tell us about it later."

"If this piece of meat really is for me, and Madam truly thinks highly of me, I have to seize the chance and do everything I can to impress her. Better yet... I'll get her to look at me a second time and remember my name!"

Hua Hanying could no longer remain composed. He turned toward the cauldron, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly as he stood full of confidence.

Before long, footsteps sounded. The House Guards looked at Hua Hanying, their envy seeming almost tangible.

Pang Long came into view, laughing heartily. Hua Hanying stared intently at him.

Unexpectedly, Pang Long merely nodded at him, then turned and strode past him, straight to the Grade-C House Guards. He called out to a figure there, "Li Xian, Madam wants to see you."

At the words "Madam wants to see you," everyone stared in disbelief, their faces filled with astonishment.

They looked around at one another, then their gazes gradually converged on one person, filled with surprise, shock, and confusion...

A mere Grade-C House Guard was qualified to be summoned by Madam!?

"Okay!"

Li Xian had expected this. He calmly stepped out of the crowd.

"Wait here, and behave yourselves."

"There's plenty of Essence Soup this time. Everyone will get some, hahaha."

Pang Long was in high spirits.

The two headed into the distance, and the House Guards immediately began chattering.

"Li Xian? Is he the one who started out as a Miscellaneous Servant, then became a House Guard and rose to Grade-C within a month?"

"Good heavens! I've heard quite a bit about him. I never imagined... never imagined he'd be the one receiving the meat this time!"

"I have to say, Li Xian may have potential, but compared with Eagle Lord, he's far too green. By rights, it shouldn't be his turn."

"I reckon Li Xian has some hidden connection with Commander Pang. When he was promoted last time, Lord Pang gave him a Tiger Force Pill!"

"In that case, perhaps Lord Pang strongly recommended him for the meat this time too."

"Sigh, with that connection, we naturally can't compete."

Their words dripped with sourness and bitterness, along with a note of defiance.

"Enough."

Hua Hanying said coldly, "Madam and Commander Pang made their decision. You'd better stop wild speculation and keep your mouths shut."

This time, his tone carried anger and malice.

No one dared speak after that.

Hua Hanying clenched both fists and stared coldly at the backs of Li Xian and Pang Long. His jealousy and fury were beyond words.

He thought suddenly, Who does this Li Xian think he is? Why did Madam give the meat to him and not me? Commander Pang... I've always shown you so much respect, and this is how you treat me.

Jiang Yun, a Grade-B House Guard, also gazed intently at Li Xian's back.

This fellow really does have some backing. I'll find a time to ask Sister Qiuyue and look into his background.

Three other people were deeply affected: Zhao Han and the two others who had once shared a room with Li Xian and had gotten along quite well with him.

It had only been a short while, yet they suddenly realized that Li Xian seemed to have climbed higher and higher.

Near the Copper Cauldron, Luo Fang was kneeling on the ground.

The Essence Food had finished boiling, and all that remained was for Madam to distribute it. As was customary, the Servant Quarters would get thirty percent.

"Li Xian? What's he doing here?"

He suddenly saw a familiar figure approaching.

Luo Fang's heart was rocked by a storm, and he could only force himself to stay calm while quietly observing what was happening.

"What's your name?"

Beside the great cauldron used to boil the Essence Food.

Li Xian was brought before Madam. His head hung low, his gaze fixed on his own toes, and he could smell a faint fragrance.

"Reporting to Madam, my name is Li Xian." Li Xian answered truthfully.

Madam Wen nodded. "Tell me, how did you cross through the snowstorm and reach Qingning County?"

Li Xian's thoughts jolted, and he immediately thought, As expected, Madam had been following me in secret ever since I left that day. Fortunately, I didn't choose to flee then and there. Even being hunted by the Snow Demon Monkey might have left me some hope of survival. But if Madam had her eye on me, my chances would be slim.

He answered truthfully, "My hearing has been sharp since I was little, and I'm very sensitive to the wind. By listening carefully to the wind, I can roughly determine my direction."

"Being able to make it to Qingning County that day was partly a matter of chance. Perhaps some kind of destiny had already been decreed by the Unseen."

"You're not bad."

Madam Wen's voice sounded again.

It carried a hint of praise.

She had seen Li Xian's actions that day. After buying the rouge, he had immediately turned back, which at least proved that he was loyal.

Hearing Li Xian's steady voice despite his youth, Madam Wen couldn't help wondering what he looked like. She ordered, "Now, raise your head."