Chapter 33: Chapter 19 Wardrobe Malfunction
Gu Changsheng looked at the table full of dazzling dishes, a good twelve courses paired with two soup basins, all made quite exquisitely, and the sight of them made one’s mouth water.
“Xiao Leizi, worthy of being the cook’s daughter, you’ve really brought out all your family skills.” Gu Changsheng gave a thumbs-up. She was someone who was particular about food, and while it was difficult for people of the present to reach the level of fine cuisine, now that she had found a promising apprentice, with a little more training, she wouldn’t have to worry about meals in the future. It seemed that the saying ‘good deeds reap good rewards’ was indeed true.
Dong Lei stood behind Gu Changsheng with a face full of hope and pride, “It’s delicious, consort, please try it.” Saying so, she took a pair of chopsticks and picked up some food for Gu Changsheng’s bowl, “Consort, this is called Ruyi Meatballs, made from bread.”
Gu Changsheng put it in her mouth and immediately smiled, narrowing her eyes, and while her mouth was full she began speaking indistinctly, “Mmm, mmm, delicious.”
“Consort, my mother said that you should not speak while eating, to prevent food from splattering into other dishes,” Dong Lei swiftly moved forward to adjust the plates in front of Gu Changsheng and stated discontentedly.
After swallowing the meatball in her mouth, Gu Changsheng glanced at Dong Lei. The dish was cooked well, although far from the level of modern chefs, it was still considered delicious in these ancient times.
Casting a glance and seeing that only she, Zhou Mu, and Little Meat Bun had taken their seats, Gu Changsheng shook her head and called out, “You all should sit down and start eating as well.”
Xiao Cui, Han Qiu, and Han Mo stepped forward to sit down upon her prompt. They too felt it was improper, but couldn’t stand up to the consort’s firm attitude and hunger strikes. Having endured it day after day, they had grown accustomed to it.
“Consort, my mother said this is not appropriate, masters and servants should not dine together,” Dong Lei quickly interjected upon seeing this.
Everyone paused and looked towards Gu Changsheng, as someone finally voiced their protest!
With a face full of lines, Gu Changsheng rubbed her forehead helplessly and turned to Dong Lei, “What else did your mother say? Speak all at once so that your consort can be prepared.”
Dong Lei’s pretty face looked down, pondered for a moment, then lifted her head and replied seriously, “My mother said too much, I can’t finish in one go.”
Gu Changsheng covered her face, thinking what sort of person had she provoked! Then she looked up again with a mischievous smile, “Xiao Leizi, didn’t your mother tell you to address your master as ‘maid’?”
“Ah! I forgot just now, please punish me, consort,” Dong Lei panicked and quickly covered her mouth, looking pitifully at her mistress.
“Hehe… the consort won’t punish you, your consort will also forget the rules for a while. Don’t use what your mother said to pressure me. It’s settled then,” Gu Changsheng said with a wave of her hand, “Han Qiu, get her seated in a chair. Let’s start the meal…”
Zhou Mu didn’t say a word and began eating his meal, his every move just as elegant as always. However, Little Meat Bun sitting beside him, upon encountering something delicious, would from time to time pick something up with his left chopstick for his mother, and with the right for Zhou Mu’s bowl. Eventually, Zhou Mu went from initial rejection to letting it be, and occasionally would even return a bite, leading Little Meat Bun to giggle until his eyes disappeared in his cheeks.
Gu Ze was indeed much cuter than his mother.
Suddenly snapping out of his thoughts, Zhou Mu realized what he had been thinking, frowned slightly, and then continued eating as if nothing had happened.
The meal left Gu Changsheng clutching her stomach and reveling in satisfaction, while Dong Lei appeared to have eaten with suffering, her face on the brink of tears.
The consort is truly unruly!
This made her, someone who knew proper manners, feel too distressed.
Xiao Cui looked at her with empathy, as she had felt the same way at first…
“For some after-meal entertainment, um, Xiao Cui, tell us a joke,” Gu Changsheng said, leaning back in her chair and patting her stomach, then pointed at Xiao Cui.
Xiao Cui, when chosen, immediately shook her head. The consort knew nothing better to do all day than to amuse herself with them; it was just too unreasonable.
Left with no choice, Gu Changsheng pointed to someone else, and as one by one they shook their heads, only Zhou Mu was left. Gu Changsheng glanced at him and turned her head away, deciding not to choose him.
But she couldn’t let the atmosphere turn cold, so Gu Changsheng sighed, “No one’s cooperating, so I’ll have to tell the joke myself.”
Zhou Mu, who felt excluded from humanity, looked up with a dagger-like glance.
Gu Changsheng glared back, as if to say, who’s afraid of whom, you really think I’m afraid of you!
However, it didn’t take long for Gu Changsheng to admit defeat. Competing in endurance with the Great General King was a sure way to trouble oneself.
“Ahem, ahem…” She coughed twice, clapped her hands, and with a wicked smile began, “So I start telling the joke! It goes : a lady boss once said, ‘I’ve always regarded money and handsome men as trifles!’ She paused and then added, ‘They think the same of me!'”