Liu He glanced at Du Ji apologetically, then quietly exited the flower hall, leaving the guests to Li Qixian to greet them. She is just a cook, and she should stay in front of the stove, taking care of the knives and chopping boards, "washing hands and making soup" instead of showing up in the hall and making things difficult for others. The kitchen is her world, and only there can she gain inner peace.
However, when she pushed open the ajar wooden door, she discovered that there was another person in her world.
Guo Chuanlin stood blankly in front of the stove, looking at the pottery pot where the porridge was cooked. He had finished the porridge, but the remaining aroma had not dissipated. Liu He was startled, then realized what she was doing, and was about to avoid it when she suddenly heard Guo Chuanlin calling her and saying, "Don't leave yet -"
Liu He's heart skipped a beat and he whispered: "What are your orders, sir?" She was not worried that something bad would happen to her. Liu He knew that her appearance was ordinary and far inferior to the charming little maid next to you. , even if he changed his taste and hunted wild food, it would not be his turn. King Huai was generous, and the dancing girls and maids who stayed in the back hall were fat and thin, and none of them were beauties!
Guo Chuanlin ordered: "Fry some side dishes, I want to drink some wine."
Liu He glanced at him secretly and saw that his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was worried. He washed his hands carefully and thought about what dishes to make with the wine.
Guo Chuanlin suddenly said: "Did you reject Du Ji?"
"Yes, sir." Liu He was a little flustered. She was worried that Guo Chuanlin had betrothed her to Du Ji for some purpose. If the Liu family sent her here, she would no longer be free and could not disobey her master's orders unless she had to fight to the death.
"What do you think of him?"
Liu He thought for a while and said cautiously: "Although he is a man, his temperament is too weak. He has studied for a few days and has no skills. If he leaves his parents, he may not be able to support himself."
"So he is not a good match for you?"
"Yes...no...not a good match!" Liu He was worried that his master would misunderstand him, so he couldn't be restrained and hurriedly expressed his feelings and made it clear.
Guo Chuanlin laughed and said, "Then what kind of good match do you have in mind?"
Liu He whispered: "I told my aunt, live your whole life alone and never marry."
Guo Chuanlin was a little surprised and asked: "Why?"
While replying, Liu He put the blanched ribs together with the ingredients into the casserole, and covered the lid tightly with soaked rice paper. He thought while saying: "Everyone has his or her own ambitions, and I like to be alone." If you work in the kitchen, study recipes, cook, get married and have children, you may not be able to meet your loved one. Even if you are lucky enough to find your loved one, you still have to serve your parents-in-law, take care of your husband and raise your children. If you always put them first, you cannot be a fool. She is the best cook. The best cook cannot be distracted."
"Is it just because you want to be the best cook that you don't want to get married?"
"Yes." Liu He quickly picked up the oil pan, stir-fried a plate of green vegetables and a plate of meat slices, scooped out a pot of "Nerve Red" from the wine vat, brought it to the small table next to him, and set out the cups and bowls. Chopsticks, serve him and have a few drinks first.
Guo Chuanlin filled the glass with wine, drank a glass slowly, tasted a few chopsticks and appetizers, and was full of praise. He is from Hetao and is not used to the bland Huaiyang cuisine. This plate of green vegetables and sliced meat is seasoned with garlic and pepper, which is common in the north. It is stir-fried to make it spicy and refreshing, which suits his taste.
After drinking most of the bottle of wine, Guo Chuanlin said: "I think you are arrogant and don't want to be a man's vassal."
This sentence hit the nail on the head and pierced Liu He's heart. She suddenly changed her expression. She stopped and thought carefully for a moment. She sighed quietly and mustered up the courage to say: "Maybe that's the case... Sir, do I think so?" Very selfish?"
"Follow your heart, why bother caring about what others think. Life is a matter of life. If you can't agree with yourself, it's no different from the animals in the corral." Guo Chuanlin's deviant thoughts came from Guo Chuanlin's mouth. It became a matter of course. Liu He didn't feel that his metaphor was harsh, but felt sincere joy deep in his heart.
"However, it is not easy to live the life you want, especially for women!"
"I know. My aunt originally planned to leave Taibai Tower to me, but she never forced me to get married."
"What if I force you to marry Du Ji?"
Liu He lifted up his sleeves and poured him a glass of "Daughter's Red". He hesitated in his movements and said unconfidently: "Du Ji...it's not worth doing this..."
"Du Ji is not worthy of me doing this. What if he is King Huai?"
Liu He thought about it seriously and then plucked up the courage to say: "If your arms can't hold your thighs, then you have no choice but to die!"
Guo Chuanlin nodded and asked no more questions. He stuck to his heart and would rather break than bend. He admired Liu He's temperament very much. As long as he could, he was willing to put her under the protection of his wings to see where she could go in the future. Which step. The small Taibai Tower is nothing to worry about. After all, there are too few women like her who have their own ideas and are willing to act on them.
The owner is not an ordinary person, and the road ahead will be much easier. Liu He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and served another plate of tofu and a plate of mutton. Next, he just waited for the stew in the casserole.
Outside the window was a dark night sky, with cold stars twinkling, and everything was silent. Familiar footsteps came in a hurry. Li Qixian opened the door, smelled the aroma of the dishes, and shouted, "Okay, let's hide and drink alone, leaving the guests alone." It’s too much to throw greetings at me!”
Liu He was slightly startled, and felt very strange in his heart. This little maid was so bright and beautiful, so arrogant and pampered, and had no sense of being a servant. What would happen to her if her appearance grows old one day? It was not her turn to comment on other people's affairs. A pair of cups and chopsticks were placed opposite the host. Li Qixian sat down with a smile on his face. Guo Chuanlin picked up the wine bottle and poured "daughter's red" for her and greeted her slowly. drink.
Li Qixian picked up a piece of tofu with chopsticks, put it into his mouth and tasted it. His eyes lit up and he said, "Spicy, delicious! Well, it also has crickets in it, very fresh!"
Guo Chuanlin said: "Mother Du Xingyun and the others are all gone?"
"Let's go. I gave them a letter of money to avoid talking behind their backs. Du Ji was unwilling and looked aggrieved. It looked like we were evil people who broke up a good marriage!"
Liu He was restless and a little embarrassed when he heard this. Li Qixian glanced at her, waved his hand and said, "It's none of your business. It's the boy named Du who doesn't know how much he weighs. The toad wants to eat swan meat!"
Liu He felt more and more embarrassed. She was a swan as a serving cook. However, she also knew that the little maid next to the master was outspoken and said casually without any bad intentions. With her appearance and favor, she would become a swan in the future. I am a concubine who is sure of her success, so I cannot afford to neglect her.
There were outsiders again, so Li Qixian paid attention and didn't reveal any clues. He didn't mention anything about his senior sisters and younger brothers, and talked about irrelevant gossip. He drank a few bottles of wine with Guo Chuanlin, and he was drunk. He forgot about the deep hatred for the time being, and it was rare to feel relaxed. one time.
This was one of the few times she was intoxicated in her short life.
