5. Tea ceremony

When Lili and Zhang Zuo entered the hall the whole of Zhang Zuo's family were already there to welcome them. Lili was after all the favorite niece of the queen, and the daughter of the duke from his main wife.

Zhang Zuo stopped in the middle of the room and Lili followed his example. He was on the right and she on the left as the position for tea ceremony.

In the novel, Lili refused to serve while kneeling because although she loves Zhang Zuo, she's still a princess. Why should she kneel to a mere Marquess family? She thought. Thankfully, she's not as stupid to do that, and to win Zhang Zuo's body… ehem… heart, she will do anything!

Everyone was smiling at them, and of course, she gave them her most winning smile back. Finally, it was time for the tea ceremony.

They first approached Zhang Zuo's parents who were sitting.

The maid carrying the tea set moved forward so that Lili and Zhang Zuo can serve the tea.

Lili did not wait for Zhang Zuo to guide her, she took initiative. She picked the saucer, careful not to touch the gaiwan for it should be hot. Then, she kneeled in front of Zhang Zuo's mother as she served holding the saucer with two hands. She was very polite, and she ensured that she was near and low enough so that his mother did not even have to move to receive the tea.

Zhang Zuo was surprised. He even almost mistakenly touched the gaiwan of the tea he was serving his father.

"Thank you. Ah, Princess Lili, no need to be so polite." Zhang Zuo's mother said smiling. She thought that Lili will be too prideful and cause trouble for her son. Apparently, she was wrong. Lili was humble and it seemed like she's a good girl after all.

Lili looked at her and smile, "I am happy to offer my filial love and duty to you, mother."

Her words made Zhang Zuo's mother very happy and after drinking from the gaiwan and handing it to the servant, she took off the clear white jade bangle she was wearing to put it on Lili's wrist.

Lili smiled thinking 'ah, this was not the gift original Lili received. Seems like she likes me. Haha!'

She and Zhang Zuo continued serving tea to the uncles and aunties in his family, and when they were done, Lili was so happy to receive lots of gifts that were more than what original Lili received.

Everyone praised Lili, while Zhang Zuo was just dumb founded.

--

After the tea ceremony, Zhang Zuo escorted Lili back to their chambers. She was about to act cute on him and get him to lay with her, but he was like a man on a mission. After dropping her off, he was quick on his feet to leave.

Lili wondered what she should do now. Zhang Zuo left her, and she has nothing to do.

Thinking of a new idea she learned from all the transmigration novels she read, she decided that she can cook for him, as surely, he will return for dinner. Perhaps… hehehe, she can lay her honey trap then.

'Ah, Zhang Zuo, the things I do for you.' She thought.

--

Lili went to the kitchen and all the cooks were surprised to see her. What could the princess be doing in the kitchen?

Acting all nice, she told them, "I want to cook for my husband before he gets back. Does anyone of you here know what his favorite food is?"

The cooks all respectfully bowed, "Princess, our lord do not have an exact favorite, but based on my years of serving here, I believe he prefers eating light food."

Lili nodded her head while thinking, 'ah, the author of this book was truly lazy, she did not even use the words nubi, and even just made servants talk like half-ass servants. Servants, you need to be in character more! If I were you, I think I would perform better!

Anyway, light food, that means that he doesn't like oily food, right? But only oily foods are tasty! In my previous life, I have to eat less oily food and well, less food in general to keep fit! Now that I'm in this body of a novel character, I should be able to eat all I want and still remain in this beautiful smexy body! Ha! I have a new idea! I will win all of his family to my side by letting them taste my tasty food!'

Thinking that, she decided to cook what other novels usually prefer in their novels to cook to show off the skills of the transmigrated FL! Braised beef! So, she asked the servants if they have ingredients. Surprisingly, all ingredients were there.

She was not sure how to light the fire, and she looked at the kitchen cooks/ servants. 'What are you there for? Decoration?' she wanted to ask. Thankfully, one of the servants was alert and lighted the fire for her.

She started to put the ingredients in one by one, then when she was done cooking, she instructed them to serve it later for dinner.

--

TBC