Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Chapter 24: 24 Stunning Beauty

As the Empress’s private kitchen, except for the fact that it doesn’t compare in size to the Emperor’s Imperial Kitchen, its ingredients are almost complete, and it is equipped with a cold storage, so there is no need to worry about spoilage.

In fact, the spices needed for the red-braised pork are also complete.

It was just that Chen Mo previously fabricated a story about the lack of one spice to leave the palace.

Perhaps realizing Chen Mo was becoming difficult to control, in addition to the assistant eunuch named Xiao Jingzi, Wang Ying arranged for several more eunuchs nearby, ostensibly to help Chen Mo, but in reality to secretly learn from him.

Chen Mo didn’t mind; his original intention wasn’t to please the Empress, and how things had turned out was completely unexpected.

Moreover, red-braised pork being a popular dish, isn’t very difficult to cook, and Chen Mo couldn’t hide anything in front of so many pairs of eyes.

Red-braised pork is widely spread across Huaxia, with more than twenty or thirty methods, but most ordinary families use an iron pot to make it.

Chen Mo chose to use a clay pot and selected the meat with alternating layers of fat and lean.

If he’s going to make it, he’ll do his best to make it perfect.

As Chen Mo started, all eyes around focused on his hands, fearful of missing any step.

Some people even secretly took notes.

Soaking.

Blanching.

Cooking, slow simmering over low heat, high heat to thicken.

The whole process took about half an hour.

Of course, during this process, the other eunuchs weren’t idle.

Every time the Empress dines, there is more than just one dish.

Though frugality is encouraged, at least five dishes and one soup are expected.

Including today, with Noble Consort Hu present, the dishes are certainly more extensive than usual.

...

The night slowly descended.

No moon tonight.

The stars were dim and lackluster.

One by one, the delicious dishes were carried into the Empress’s bedchamber.

In the bedchamber, two long tables were laid out, each adorned with wine cups, three-legged braziers, and plates filled with pastries and various fruit wines.

The hall was brightly lit, and sandalwood incense lingered.

When Chen Mo carried the red-braised pork inside, he happened to see two beautiful ladies leaning against each other on a soft couch, holding hands and chatting brightly, as affectionate as sisters.

Especially the lady on the left, who nearly made Chen Mo swallow his saliva with her bright eyes and dazzling smile, alluring grace, and slightly leaning delicate body that couldn’t hide her majestic figure, fair and tender skin.

She seemed to be just over twenty years old.

It’s a pity not to nurse a child.

Suppressing the turbulence in his heart, Chen Mo carried the red-braised pork and walked over with a bent waist, thinking: ”This should be Noble Consort Hu.”

Once the dishes were served, Wang Ying softly said from the side: ”Empress, you may dine now.”

After the words, he prepared to summon Chen Mo and the others to leave, leaving behind only the palace maids to serve.

Xiao Yunxi raised a hand: ”Little Hongzi stays, you may leave now.”

Wang Ying’s expression slightly changed, glanced at Chen Mo, respectfully said ”Yes,” and left with Cai’Er and another palace maid.

Chen Mo slightly furrowed his brow, cautiously bent by the side, waiting respectfully.

Yet Xiao Yunxi prompted him to step forward.

”Raise your head,” Xiao Yunxi’s red lips lightly parted.

Chen Mo dared not delay.

When Chen Mo lifted his head, Xiao Yunxi said to Noble Consort Hu beside her: ”Sister, he is the Little Hongzi I’ve been talking about.”

”Oh...”

Noble Consort Hu uttered a sound, then raised her head to glance at Chen Mo, casually joked: ”Such a handsome man, clearly someone considerate.”

Chen Mo instantly feigned being flattered, lowering his head.

Noble Consort Hu immediately let out a peal of laughter like silvery bells: ”Interesting, interesting.”

”Well, sister, let’s start dining then,” Xiao Yunxi said.

Noble Consort Hu nodded, heading towards the long table; this dining, too, distinguished between precedence.

Her status was inferior to Xiao Yunxi’s, so when dining, she had to sit in the subordinate seat.

As she passed Chen Mo, Chen Mo smelled a fragrant breeze and slightly turned his head, seeing Noble Consort Hu lazily stretching, exposing her breathtaking curves.

And then she knelt behind a long table.

A nearby palace maid poured fruit wine into her wine cup.

”It looks quite tasty...” Xiao Yunxi sniffed lightly, then said: ”This hometown dish of yours, what is it called?”

”To report to the Empress, this dish is called red-braised pork...”

Chen Mo quickly walked forward, knelt beside the long table in front of Xiao Yunxi, rolled up his sleeves, picked up a piece of red-braised pork, and placed it in the bowl in front of Xiao Yunxi, slowly narrating the method to make red-braised pork.

The movements were skillful enough to resemble those in a mythological TV show, like Zhao Gao serving food to the First Emperor.

”Red-braised pork...”

Xiao Yunxi picked up the chopsticks made of White Jade, ate it with elegant actions that radiated nobility.

Moments later, her eyes brightened: ”Delicious, truly delicious, rich but not greasy, with a mild sweetness. Sister, you should try it too.”

Chen Mo picked several pieces from the plate, handed them to Noble Consort Hu.

Noble Consort Hu gently rolled up her sleeves, picked a piece of red-braised pork, placed her hand under her chin to prevent grease from dripping on her skirt, ate it, and spoke with her tongue playfully licking her oily lips:

”Truly delicious, even the chefs at the Imperial Kitchen can’t compare.”

Speaking, she picked up the handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

Her every move emanated enticing allure.

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

This damn thing is a stunner.

Promptly he shifted his gaze.

No wonder she became a Noble Consort.

”Since sister likes it, eat more,” Xiao Yunxi smiled.

”Cooks well, a considerate person, and as sister mentioned earlier, he can also cultivate. I’m so envious...” saying this, Noble Consort Hu jokingly said: ”All my palace’s staff are fools, may I ask sister to share?”

”In principle, sister asks, I should agree...” Xiao Yunxi paused, then sipped fruit wine and said: ”But I always respect others’ wishes, if Little Hongzi is willing to go to sister’s Yonghe Palace, I am naturally willing to share.”

Saying this, she gazed at Chen Mo.

Noble Consort Hu also turned her gaze to Chen Mo, eyes as bright as an undressed beauty.

Chen Mo: ...

You two are joking, but place me on the burning stake.

Dammit, behave like humans.

Chen Mo hesitated slightly, then lay prostrate before Xiao Yunxi: ”The Empress has shown such immense kindness, I wish to serve her lifelong.”

Upon hearing this.

Xiao Yunxi was momentarily stunned, but her smile grew deeper, she glanced at Noble Consort Hu.

Whether truly regretful or falsely so, Noble Consort Hu sighed: ”A pity indeed.”

”But I also congratulate sister for finding such a considerate servant.”