After dinner, Tianxuan, who was helping her younger siblings clean up the dishes, had mixed feelings.
Before making dinner, he had planned it all out. He knew he would cook too much food and there would be more than they could eat. But that was okay. He told his younger siblings to make sure they finished the stir-fried chicken intestines, the chicken carcass stewed with mushrooms, and the spicy chicken blood and liver.
It's okay if the rest of the dishes are left over; we can eat them tomorrow as lunch or as snacks in the afternoon.
But unexpectedly, three more guests joined the party at the last minute, and all the dishes he made were eaten!
There were a few dishes left on the table, all brought over by the three guests.
Sigh, the younger siblings' snacks are all gone. These three are really eating too much. We're guests, not even that close, how can they be so unrestrained?
However, doesn't this also mean that my cooking skills are really good?
After Lan Zechen finished eating, he didn't leave immediately. He stood up with a burp and watched the group of young, efficient children clean up.
The food was so delicious that evening that he couldn't manage to eat something more refined, which was what he had originally wanted.
He didn't feel embarrassed at all. What was there to be ashamed of? He was already here and had already eaten!
Since we'll be traveling the same way from now on, I can show my appreciation in other ways, like paying for inns or restaurants along the way.
Alternatively, if she has any other information she wants to find out from me, I can just not charge her.
No, no, why did I go to Jiaozhou with her? Wasn't it just to get a few more good things from her?
“Lord Lan, the dishes you brought haven’t been touched much. How about I take them back for you to eat on the road tomorrow? I know you’re not short of money, but the map shows there are no villages or towns along the way tomorrow.” Seeing that he had finished eating but still showed no sign of leaving, Hong Xiaoduo brought up a topic to talk about.
“Miss Hong, I have a favor to ask. We’re going the same way from now on, and your child’s cooking is so delicious. Could I join you for a meal?”
"Don't worry, I'm just one person. I won't eat for free. How about twenty, no, fifty taels for three meals a day? I won't be picky about the dishes. I'll just eat whatever you eat, is that okay?" Lan Zechen asked tentatively.
Before Hong Xiaoduo could respond, Jin Gui, who had returned to make tea for her master, secretly rejoiced upon hearing her master's words. She was glad she had been prepared to be scolded tonight and had eaten her fill.
Of course, you can't blame your master. He ate with others without taking you along. It's fifty taels a day. You're just a servant. What good could you possibly want?
The dinner was delicious, fresh and spicy enough. Lan Zechen grabbed the teapot and took a few sips.
“As long as you don’t mind, it’s just a matter of paying for extra bowls and chopsticks, of course we can do that. As for the money, let’s forget about it. We’re not eating any delicacies, why charge fifty taels for three meals?” Hong Xiaoduo immediately agreed.
Lan Zechen didn't expect her to agree so readily, and said repeatedly, "I'm so sorry, it's not just for a day or two, but for one or two meals."
"If Pavilion Master Lan feels bad about it, how about this: help me find out another piece of information?" Hong Xiaoduo immediately said.
What? Checking information? The old saying is so true, there's no such thing as a free lunch! They're just waiting for me here!
But in this atmosphere, it's inappropriate for me to either refuse or try to bargain with her!
Besides, it seems that he went up to her of his own volition!
Seeing him staring at her blankly, Hong Xiaoduo suppressed a laugh and quickly said, "Of course, if Pavilion Master Lan feels that he is at a disadvantage, then we can still follow the transaction process. I will pay for the information. Is that alright?"
Looking at the young woman in front of him with her innocent and genuine smile, Lan Zechen thought to himself, "Who are you trying to belittle and look down on, you little girl?"
“Young Lady Hong, you’re being too polite. There’s no such thing as losing out here. I can’t guarantee anything else, but gathering information is exactly what I do for a living. So tell me, what do you want to find out?” Lan Zechen said with a smile.
It's just a free inquiry for her, and besides, I'm not really losing out; she promised to have meals with me every day.
Besides, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. If you want to get more good stuff from her, you have to build a good relationship with her!
Hong Xiaoduo made a gesture and walked ahead. Lan Zechen raised an eyebrow behind her, thinking to himself, "What news do you have to keep from your own people?"
After helping to clear the dishes, Yao Guang turned to look for Hong Xiaoduo. Seeing her standing not far away, she was about to walk over when Fei Yan stopped her: "She should be talking to the Pavilion Master about something important. Don't go over there."
"Oh, okay." Yao Guang nodded obediently. If she couldn't play with her mother, then she could go play with her master? No, her master wasn't fun. He might make her memorize sword manuals. It would be better to play with Xiao Hui and Xiao Hei.
About half an hour later, Tianxuan, having packed his things, was walking towards his tent when he saw Hong Xiaoduo beckoning him over.
"Tianxuan, there's something I made a decision on my own without discussing it with you," Hong Xiaoduo told him about her promise to let Lan Zechen dine with them.
Upon hearing this, Tianxuan immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said, "You were the one who made the decisions for our family in the first place."
"It's different. I readily agreed with just a few words, but you're the one who has to work hard, cooking for one more person," Hong Xiaoduo said apologetically.
"What's the big deal? Even if there were ten more people, I could easily handle it, don't worry. By the way, weren't there three of them? Why aren't the other two eating with us? Did the sect leader forbid it?" Tianxuan asked after making her assurance.
Despite only having a brief encounter around dinner time, Tianxuan had a very good impression of the two people. She took the initiative to help carry water and even gathered some firewood in the dark.
“If you’re not afraid of getting tired, I’ll talk to them tomorrow.” After saying that, Hong Xiaoduo looked around. For the time being, only she and Tianxuan were outside. So she lowered her voice and said, “Actually, it’s not that I’m being generous. I need that person’s help with something, so I’ll let you work hard.”
Hearing this, Tianxuan was thrilled. Although all she knew was cooking, she could not only keep everyone from going hungry, but also help her. That was wonderful!
"What I'm about to tell you, you have to keep it a secret," Hong Xiaoduo whispered to her.
Tianxuan nodded vigorously and said, "I understand, don't worry."
As night fell, some of the boys couldn't sleep in their tent...
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