In the blink of an eye, the day for the ladies’ banquet arrived.
The entire residence was busy so early in the morning as servants ran up and down the courtyard carrying baskets, trays, and decorations. The sll of flowers and fresh paint filled the air as everyone rushed to make the event perfect.
Lin Xu went into the main kitchen together with Yan i and Rulan as they looked around the huge table where the remaining ingredients were placed.
The kitchen maids all stood with their heads bowed.
The head cook pretended to be in denial, yet a sly smirk was visible on his lips. Lin Xu didn’t miss it.
"So these are all the ingredients available, huh?" Lin Xu asked as her hands were placed behind her while she scanned the table.
"Yes, my lady, unfortunately the goods we ordered have yet to arrive... but my lady, it is just 5 in the morning, I’m very sure it will arrive soon."
Just 5? The banquet starts at 10 a.m. Five hours was the maximum ti they needed to cook; if it was delivered two hours late, they wouldn’t make anything in ti.
"M-my lady, please be pati—"
Before the head cook could finish speaking, a hot slap landed across his face.
PA!
Everyone in the kitchen froze.
Even Yan i jumped a little, while Rulan covered her mouth in shock.
The head cook held his cheek, stunned. "M-my lady...!"
Lin Xu lowered her hand slowly, her expression cold.
"Patience? With this?" she asked, pointing at the half-empty table. "You call yourself the head cook and this is the best you can do?"
The man dropped to his knees, trembling. "M-my lady, I—I tried—"
"Tried?" Lin Xu stepped toward him, her voice sharp. "If you had any sense, you would have made sure everything was prepared ahead of ti. How useless can you be?"
He shook his head quickly, bowing until his forehead touched the floor. "My lady, please forgive ! I will do better—"
"You’d better," Lin Xu cut him off. "Because if anything goes wrong at today’s banquet, you won’t be working here anymore."
The kitchen maids all lowered their heads, terrified.
Lin Xu turned to the table again, examining the few ingredients left. Her face remained calm, unreadable.
Yan i leaned close and whispered, "Lin Xu... this is not enough. What are we going to do?"
Rulan nodded nervously. "Should we send soone to check on the supplies? Maybe they can hurry."
Lin Xu waved her hand lightly, keeping her voice level.
"No. Let them be. We’ll just have to wait till all the ingredients arrive, then we will begin preparation." Lin Xu said, closely watching his expression.
Imdiately those words left her lips, he smiled slightly while nodding, "Yes, yes, my lady, you are very wise. Very wise."
Turning around, Lin Xu made her way out with Yan i and Rulan striding beside her.
"So what are we going to do now, Lin Xu?" Yan i asked as Lin Xu smiled.
"Go and send a carriage to Duan Inn. I sent a ssage to Mainmain two days ago to send so of my staff here. They are currently at the Duan Inn... with the help of Head Maid Han, sneak them through the back gate and into our quarters’ kitchen."
Lin Xu explained as Yan i smiled brightly, "Hmm, I’ll go get that done imdiately." She said as she and Rulan both made their leave.
With her now alone, Lin Xu went into her quarters’ kitchen.
It was quite huge, just a slight difference between the main kitchen. She was glad she had her own personal kitchen; now she could prepare for the banquet without any of them knowing.
Her quarters were even in a more secluded place, so even with the aroma going out and all, it wouldn’t reach the noses of the Mo family mbers, especially Chu Ming.
"Susu!" she called out with a serious expression.
Susu now appeared in her old form, a flying white airball.
[ Yes Host! How may Susu be of help? ]
Lin Xu folded her arms behind her back, her expression sharp. "Open the system shop. I need to purchase ingredients. High-quality ones."
Susu imdiately brightened.
[ Opening Host’s Ingredient Store! Displaying premium banquet items! ]
A taelsen screen shimred into existence in front of Lin Xu, lines of glowing text sliding down like a heavenly scroll.
---
[ SYSTEM SHOP — BANQUET INGREDIENTS :
[ 1. Snow Jade Rice (Top Grade) — 25 taels per sack ]
[ 2. Erald Lotus Chicken (Fresh, tender, spiritual grade) — 40 taels each ]
[ 3. Red-Shell River Crabs (Saltwater, extra fresh) — 30 taels per basket ]
[ 4. Winter Silk Mushrooms — 10 taels per bundle ]
[ 5. Purple Cloud Peppers — 6 taels per jar ]
[ 6. Mountain-Spring Fish (Caught today) — 20 taels each ]
[ 7. Taelsen Lotus Honey — 8 taels per jar ]
[ 8. Snow lon Fruits (Fragrance grade) — 12 taels per set of 6 ]
[ 9. Imperial Grade Flour — 5 taels per sack ]
[ 10. Seven-Spice Heavenly Blend — 15 taels per jar ]
---
Susu wiggled as though proud of the list.
[ Host, Susu recomnds buying everything! This banquet must blind the eyes of those jealous chickens outside! ]
Lin Xu chuckled softly, but her eyes remained cold. "Buy all."
Susu’s entire body glowed.
[ Host is lavish! Deducting 171 taels... ]
[ Purchase successful! Delivering items now! ]
SWOOOOSH—!
In an instant, the kitchen filled with neatly stacked sacks, baskets, jars, and bundles, each ingredient glowing faintly.
Lin Xu walked among them, checking each item carefully.
"Good. Now the tools."
Susu flipped to the next page like an eager little assistant.
---
[ SYSTEM SHOP — HIGH-GRADE KITCHEN TOOLS :
[ 1. Spirit-Fla Wok (Heats evenly, cannot burn food) — 50 taels ]
[ 2. Moon-Steel Knife Set (Self-sharpening, precision cutting) — 20 taels ]
[ 3. Cloud-Breeze Stear (Retains aroma & moisture) — 30 taels ]
[ 4. Spirit-Ore Pot (Slow cook, boosts flavor) — 25 taels ]
[ 5. Ice-Lotus Storage Box (Keeps food fresh for 72 hours) — 18 taels ]
---
[ Host, cooking with these will make the main kitchen look like a pigpen! ]
"Buy all of them," Lin Xu said without hesitation, after all, they were all small money for her.
The puffball twirled dramatically.
[ Deducting 143 taels... purchased! ]
SHIIIIING—!
A sleek set of kitchen tools materialized before her, gleaming like moonlit tal and jade.
Lin Xu traced a finger along the Moon-Steel knife’s edge. It humd faintly.
"Perfect."
Susu floated to her side.
[ Host, should Susu summon the recipe enhancent mode too? ]
"Not for now," Lin Xu said. "Wait for Yan i and the others to arrive. Once they’re here, we begin."
Susu puffed its chest proudly.
[ Yes Host! Susu will monitor the back gate. No suspicious rat will pass without Susu knowing! ]
Lin Xu’s lips curled into a cold smile as she swept her hair up and tied her sleeves.
"Good. Today’s banquet?" She lifted the Spirit-Fla wok.
"—Will be mine."
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