"Why aren't you saying anything? The ingredients you've been choosing lately are all very good, and many of them are medicinal dishes for nourishment. I'm very curious why you chose these."
Xiao Qingwan's back was covered in cold sweat, and she said with a flustered smile, "Because I wanted to help my brother recover..."
Xiao Lingchen casually put his hands behind his back and looked at the lotus pond in the distance: "There are many nourishing medicinal herbs, why use Atractylodes macrocephala? What, is this question so difficult to answer?"
Of course it's a difficult question to answer!
Little did she know why that vile woman Xiao Baishu wanted to use that broken tree root!
Xiao Qingwan panicked inwardly, sweating profusely. She knew that if she made any more excuses, she would seem strange. She could only force a smile and try to find a reason. Just then, the cooks in the kitchen called out.
"Miss, the ribs are served. Is there anything else we need you to do?"
She was overjoyed and said without hesitation, "Brother, please allow me to arrange for a cook. I'll be right back!"
After saying that, she hurriedly turned and fled into the kitchen.
Upon entering, Xiao Qingwan pushed aside the curious cook who was looking over, grabbed Tongsu's hand, dragged her into a corner, and asked urgently, "Why did you use Atractylodes macrocephala? What are the benefits of Atractylodes macrocephala!"
Tong Su slowly wiped the flour off her hands, completely oblivious to Xiao Qingwan's anxious mood, and said with a smile, "It's for making medicinal cuisine. Atractylodes macrocephala is very good."
Atractylodes macrocephala is good, but is it the medicinal herb Atractylodes macrocephala that is good, or Xiao Baishu himself?
Xiao Qingwan was furious, her eyes glaring fiercely at her: "Xiao Baishu! How dare you try to fool me?"
Tong Su looked at her with an even more ambiguous smile and said leisurely, "Sister, how have I been perfunctory with you? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Stop talking nonsense and tell me right now!"
Tong Su shrugged: "Atractylodes macrocephala dries dampness and promotes urination, strengthens the spleen and replenishes qi. It's just right for someone like you with spleen deficiency and poor appetite, as it can strengthen the spleen and stomach and improve appetite. The Changsha Materia Medica also says that it tonifies the middle jiao and dries dampness, quenches thirst and generates fluids, is most beneficial to the spleen essence, greatly nourishes the stomach qi, and reduces turbid yin to improve appetite..."
Xiao Qingwan was completely baffled. She recognized each word individually, but couldn't understand them at all when put together. How could she possibly remember them?!
The cook stepped out of the kitchen and saw the man standing by the courtyard gate. Her legs went weak, and she hurriedly bowed, saying respectfully, "My lord!"
Hearing the shouts from inside the room, Xiao Qingwan instinctively looked out the window and saw that Xiao Lingchen hadn't left and was still waiting for her.
She became increasingly anxious, turned to look at Tongsu, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
Tongsu was dressed in a kitchen uniform identical to her own, and the servants coming and going couldn't tell them apart. If it were her who went—
Xiao Qingwan's eyes darted around, then she grabbed Tong Su's sleeve, her face darkening as she coldly hissed, "I need you to do something for me..."
Xiao Lingchen dismissed the cook and grew increasingly impatient. His dissatisfaction with Xiao Qingwan intensified, accompanied by a strange feeling of being both amused and exasperated.
Even when he entered the palace, His Majesty never made him wait in vain. Now, however, he experienced the feeling of waiting for someone right at the entrance of the kitchen, where the atmosphere was filled with the warmth of cooking.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, the kitchen door creaked open.
The girl pushed open the door with leisurely steps. She put her hood back on and even covered her face with a thin veil, revealing only her dark hair like algae, her eyebrows and eyes curved, and a smile on her lips.
The blazing fire in the stove seemed to brighten the snow-white chef's uniform and tint a pale pink hue on her delicate face.
She emerged from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, yet she was more pure and refined than the ladies of the imperial family who had long resided in the boudoirs and palaces.
Xiao Lingchen held his breath slightly, his expression momentarily stunned.
The kitchen door opens and closes, and the person entering or leaving seems to be a completely different person.
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