24. Beauty

In the empress' kitchen, other than the fact that the size of the kitchen was not comparable to the emperor's imperial kitchen, the ingredients were almost identical, and it was equipped with a cold storage, so there was no need to worry about the ingredients going bad.

In fact, the spices for making braised pork were also all there.

It was just that Chen Mo deliberately fabricated the fact that he was missing one spice in order to leave the palace last time.

Perhaps Wang Ying realized that Chen Mo was getting more difficult to control, in addition to Little Mirror, Wang Ying also arranged a number of eunuchs next to him. In name, they were there to help Chen Mo, but in fact they just wanted to steal his knowledge.

Chen Mo didn't care. His original intention was not to please the empress. But rather, it was by accident.

Moreover, as a popular dish, braised pork was not very difficult to make to begin with, and Chen Mo couldn't hide his technique in front of so many eyes.

Braised pork was widely spread all over the country, and there were as many as twenty or thirty variations, but most ordinary families used an iron pot to cook them.

Chen Mo chose to use a casserole, and the meat he chose was also a three-layered pork belly with fat and thin layers.

Now that he had to do it, he wanted to show his best.

With all the eyes around him, they stared at every movement of Chen Mo's hands, for fear of missing a step.

Some people even secretly took notes in a notebook.

Soaking.

Boiling.

Simmering, then high fire to evaporate the juice.

The whole process took about half an hour.

Of course, the other eunuchs did not just stand around during this process.

Every time the empress ate, there was more than one dish.

Although she advocated not to splurge, there were still at least five dishes and one soup.

Plus, Noble Concubine Hu was here today, so there naturally were more dishes prepared than usual.

...

Night slowly arrived.

The moon was hidden among the clouds.

The stars were also dim.

One after another, delicious food was brought into the empress' outer hall.

In the outer hall, there were two long tables placed there. Each had a wine glass, a three-legged tripod, and other items, and the plates were filled with cakes and fruit wines of different colors.

The hall was brightly lit and filled with sandalwood.

When Chen Mo walked in with the braised pork, he happened to see two beauties that sat next to each other on the soft couch. They held hands, chatted causally and laughed sweetly, like sisters.

Especially the beauty on the left, which almost made Chen Mo swallow down his saliva. Her eyes were as bright as crystals, teeth as white as the finest pearls. Her demeanor exuded charm in every movement. Because she laid on her side, when Chen Mo looked up, the thin dress on her body could not hide the towering hills.

She seemed to be in her early twenties.

It's a pity not to nurse a child.

After Chen Mo suppressed the restlessness in his heart, with his back bent, he brought the braised pork and thought, she should be Noble Concubine Hu.

When the dishes were ready, Wang Ying whispered from the side, "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."

After that, he left behind the palace maids while he waved to Chen Mo and the other eunuchs to leave.

Xiao Yunxi raised her hand. "Little Hong, you can stay, everyone else can go."

Wang Ying's complexion changed slightly, he glanced at Chen Mo for a second, then he said "Roger that" respectfully. Chen Mo, and two palace maids, including Cai'er, were the only people left.

Chen Mo frowned slightly. He bent his back carefully, and waited for instructions.

However, Xiao Yunxi made him step forward.

"Raise your head." Xiao Yunxi's red lips parted slightly.

Chen Mo didn't dare to respond slowly.

When Chen Mo raised his head, Xiao Yunxi said to Noble Concubine Hu next to her, "Sister, he is Little Hong that I mentioned."

"Oh..."

Noble Concubine Hu, who was next to her, responded, then raised her head and took a look at Chen Mo, and jokingly said, "He is so handsome. Upon first glance, he does look like a caring and thoughtful person."

Chen Mo immediately pretended to be flattered and lowered his head.

Noble Concubine Hu chuckled. Her laughter was as melodious as the silver-bell."Interesting, very interesting."

"Then sister, let's start eating," Xiao Yunxi said.

Noble Concubine Hu nodded and walked towards the long table. It seemed like where they sat was based on their status.

Her status was not as prestigious as Xiao Yunxi's, so she had to sit on the second seat.

When she passed by Chen Mo, Chen Mo smelled a gust of fragrance. He turned his head slightly and saw Noble Concubine Hu lazily stretch her body, and reveal her splendid curvature.

Then she sat down behind the long table.

The maid at the side poured fruit wine.

"It looks pretty good..." Xiao Yunxi fanned the smell with her hand and sniffed it lightly before she said, "What's the name of your hometown dish?"

"Your Majesty, this dish is called braised pork..."

Chen Mo walked over quickly, sat down behind the long table in front of Xiao Yunxi. He rolled up his sleeves, took a piece of braised pork into the bowl in front of Xiao Yunxi, and explained how to cook the braised pork.

It seemed like he had done this a million times. 

"Braised pork..."

Xiao Yunxi picked up the chopsticks made of white jade, picked it up and put it in her mouth. Her movements were full of elegance and nobleness.

Her eyes immediately lit up: "It's delicious, it's really delicious. Fat but not greasy and there is a touch of sweetness. Sister, try it too."

Chen Mo took a few pieces from the plate and placed it in front of Noble Concubine Hu.

Concubine Hu gently rolled up her sleeves, picked up a piece of braised pork, and placed her hand under her chin to prevent oil and water from dripping onto her skirt. After she had a taste, the corners of her mouth were stained with oil and water, and her rosy tongue rolled to the corner of her lips as she said.

"It's really delicious, I'm afraid even the chefs in the imperial kitchen can't compare."

She then picked up the handkerchief on the side and wiped her mouth.

Every move exuded a seductive charm.

Chen Mo raised his eyebrows.

This woman is a stunner.

Immediately, he turned his eyes away.

She deserves to be a noble concubine.

"Since sister you like it, then eat more." Xiao Yunxi smiled.

"Knows how to cook, and is a caring person. I heard, sister, you say just now that he can cultivate. I'm very envious..." Noble Concubine Hu joked. "My palace is full of idiots, I wonder if you can give him up to me?"

"Normally, if you mention it, then the older sister, I, should agree…" Xiao Yunxi paused, then took a sip of the fruit wine, "But I always respect the wishes of others, if Little Hong is willing to go to the Yonghe Palace, I am naturally willing to give him up."

As she said this, she looked at Chen Mo.

Noble Concubine Hu also looked at Chen Mo. Her bright eyes were like a beauty who had taken off her clothes.

Chen Mo…

You two are joking, but you put me on the fire to roast.

Damn it, be decent human beings.

Chen Mo hesitated for a moment, and then kneeled in front of Xiao Yunxi, "With how kind you have been to me, Your Majesty, I'm willing to serve the empress for the rest of my life."

After Xiao Yunzi heard what Chen Mo said, she was taken aback for a second, but the smile on her face became brighter as she looked at Noble Concubine Hu.

It was uncertain whether she really felt pity or not but Noble Concubine Hu sighed, "That's really a pity."

"But I also have to congratulate you for finding such a caring person."