Shen Chuwei entered from outside, stepped forward, and curtsied, "Empress."
The Empress lifted her gaze to Shen Chuwei standing before her. Had she not known that Chuwei prepared the noon meal, she would never have guessed that Chuwei had come from the kitchen.
"I had not realized that your culinary skills were quite good, and you even know not to be wastefully extravagant."
Shen Chuwei responded, "Your Majesty flatters me, I can only manage some home cooking, hardly refined enough for esteemed guests."
Yet the Empress said, "Even though they are simple home-cooked dishes, they taste much better than those from the Imperial Kitchen, far surpassing your sister, who talks a good talk but couldn't chop vegetables properly to save her life."
Shen Chuwei respectfully listened, with her gaze lowered.