A large tripod furnace stood for two days and nights. This time, the alchemical cooking of Essence Food, though exhausting, claimed no lives.
The Dragon Roar Charcoal was nearly exhausted.
The soup within the tripod, boiled from gray-brown to light blue, finally turned milky white. Its flavor transformed from murky to clear, gradually emanating a scent that, with just a sniff, made one’s mouth salivate sweetly.
A faint fragrance wafted through the air, lingering for miles.
"This Essence Soup is surely a treasure."
"Madam is like a celestial being; without her, we wouldn’t taste a single drop in a lifetime."
"Indeed. Madam even shares this precious soup with the servants. Alas, those lowly servants like mud, how can they bear such favor from Madam."
...
When the task was completed, the furnace fire was out. The Nursing Home guards were sent several miles away, where the towering buildings and dense greenery blocked their view, preventing them from seeing the Copper Tripod.
The scene of opening the soup was not something they would witness.
"Madam looks like a celestial being, yet remains mysterious and ethereal," they all thought alike.
Suddenly someone said:
"Madam eats the meat, we drink the soup. I wonder how it will be distributed this time."
With these words, everyone perked up.
"According to past practices, the Nursing Home gets seventy percent, Commander Pang gets twenty percent, the remaining fifty percent is split; twenty percent to the A-class, the remaining thirty percent divided among B, C, and D-class."
"There are many D-class Nursing Home members, barely calculated, each person can drink two or three sips."
At such times, everyone wished they could climb higher. The higher one climbs, the fewer their peers.
The more soup one can get... naturally increases as well.
"But this time, it may not be the case. Didn’t you see? There are four pieces of meat this time. The largest piece is naturally Madam’s, but who gets the other three?"
"Indeed, now that you mention it, it is quite mysterious. One piece for Commander Pang, one for Miss Qiuyue, but there’s still one more?"
...
Upon this discussion, everyone grew more intrigued. Though the piece of meat was beyond their reach, "who gets the meat" was worth investigating.
"I speculate it’s for Master Hanying. I remember there was a time when Madam glanced at him."
"Ah! Are you talking about last winter’s hunt? When Master Hanying shot a striped tiger, Madam turned her head to look?"
A commotion broke out, and everyone’s attention shifted to the crowd’s forefront. Hua Hanying held his head high, full of pride. A trace of arrogance in his demeanor.
His thin lips curled upward, his thoughts stirred by the crowd, more lively with expectation.
"Could it... really be for me?"
"During last winter’s hunt, Madam indeed glanced at me."
His heart pounded, and the more he thought about it, the more probable it seemed, joy surfacing on his cheeks.
"Ahem, don’t speak nonsense; Madam’s intentions shouldn’t be speculated by us," Hua Hanying pretended to be indifferent and softly interrupted.
"Master Hanying, everyone saw it, so there’s no harm in discussing it."
Wan Xingke, also an A-class guard, elbowed Hua Hanying, smiling as he spoke.
Despite both being A-class, skill and seniority were important. Among the hundreds of guards, Hua Hanying was unmatched in talent and martial arts mastery.
"Oh well." Hua Hanying waved his hand, enjoying the discussion of this matter, finding glory in it.
The crowd continued:
"Master Hanying’s good fortune is also due to his strength. Winter hunts occur every year, yet only Master Hanying can bring back a striped tiger."
"Congratulations, Master Hanying, congratulations."
"Just what flavor might that piece of meat be, after tasting it, please share the experience with us."
...
"If this piece of meat is truly for me, and Madam truly values me, I must seize the opportunity, strive to perform, and... hopefully let Madam look at me a second time, remember my name!"
Hua Hanying could no longer stay calm, turning to look in the direction of the Tripod Furnace, his mouth slightly upturned, appearing full of spirit.
Soon, the sound of footsteps approached. The Nursing Home guards looked at Hua Hanying, their envy nearly tangible.
Pang Long walked into view, laughing heartily. Hua Hanying’s eyes were bright, staring intensely at Pang Long.
Unexpectedly, Pang Long just nodded at him, then turned away, heading straight to the C-class guards, calling out to a figure, "Li Xian, Madam calls for you."
"Madam calls for you," as these words were uttered, everyone was startled, revealing shock.
People looked around, their eyes gradually fixing on one person, with surprise, astonishment, and bewilderment...
Even a C-class guard has the privilege of being summoned by Madam!?
"Alright!"
Li Xian, anticipating this, calmly stepped out from the crowd.
"You all wait here, stay calm."
"This time, there’s enough Essence Soup for everyone, ha ha ha."
Pang Long was in high spirits.
As the two walked away, the Nursing Home guards broke into a clamor.
"Li Xian? Is that the one who started as a servant and rose to C-class within a month?"
"Wow! I’ve heard quite a bit about this guy. Who would’ve thought, who would’ve thought... the one to receive the meat this time is him!"
"I must say, although Li Xian shows potential, compared to Master Hanying, he’s far too immature. Logically, it shouldn’t even be his turn."
"I wager Li Xian has some hidden relationship with Commander Pang. Last time during his promotion, Mr. Pang gave him a Tiger Power Pill!"
"If that’s the case, then perhaps this meat reward was also strongly recommended by Mr. Pang."
"Ah, with that kind of relationship, we surely can’t compete."
...
The words carried a sour and bitter tone, tinged with defiance.
"Enough."
Hua Hanying said coldly, "Madam and Commander’s decisions are not for you to speculate, keep your mouths shut."
This time, his tone contained ire and anger.
No one dared to speak immediately.
Hua Hanying clenched his fists, looking coldly at the backs of Li Xian and Pang Long, unable to express his jealousy and anger.
He thought suddenly, "Who is this Li Xian, why does Madam reward him with meat instead of me? Commander Pang... I’ve always respected you, yet this is how you treat me."
Jiang Yun, a B-class guard, also looked deeply at Li Xian’s back.
"This kid indeed has some background, I should find time to ask Sister Qiuyue about this kid’s origins."
...
There were three others who felt deeply. Once sharing a room with Li Xian, Zhao Han and his two companions had a once harmonious relationship.
Not long had passed, and it seemed Li Xian was ascending higher.
...
Near the Copper Tripod, Luo Fang was kneeling on the ground.
The alchemical cooking was completed, only waiting for Madam’s distribution. By tradition, Luo Fang’s Servant Room could receive thirty percent.
"Li Xian? What is he doing here?"
Suddenly seeing a familiar figure approaching.
A storm brewed in Luo Fang’s mind, forcing himself to remain calm, secretly observing the situation.
"What is your name?"
Next to the big tripod where the Essence Food was cooked.
Li Xian was brought before Madam, with his head lowered, looking at his toes, and catching a faint fragrance.
"Reporting to Madam, my name is Li Xian," Li Xian replied truthfully.
Madam Wen nodded, "Tell me, how did you pass through the snow to arrive at Qingning County."
Li Xian paused internally, immediately thinking: "As expected, after leaving that day, Madam was secretly following all along. Fortunately, I didn’t choose to flee then. Being chased by a Snow Demon Monkey might still have a chance for Vitality. But being targeted by Madam, that would be slim."
He truthfully said: "Since I was young, my ears have been sensitive to the wind, allowing me to roughly determine direction through the sound of the wind."
"Reaching Qingning County that day was partly a coincidence. Perhaps, in the depths of fate, there are predetermined numbers."
"You did well."
Madam Wen’s voice resounded again.
With a touch of approval.
She had observed all of Li Xian’s actions that day. After buying rouge, Li Xian immediately returned, proving his loyalty at least.
Madam Wen, hearing Li Xian’s steady voice, but perceiving his youth, couldn’t help but be curious about his appearance, instructing: "Raise your head."