Everyone laughed and responded.
Xiqiu turned and instructed Chunliu, "Ask Nanny Cen to stew it and bring it over, be careful with it." After a pause, she added, "You don't have to come back, stay there and help out." She thought over it again and felt it was better for her to go back and check on the children who had been left there all day.
Chunliu agreed.
The dining hall was still as organized as it was at noon, but unlike the earlier meal which had more meat than vegetables, this one was lighter. Each table had a wine pot, no different from a standard banquet, yet it felt particularly exquisite and meticulously prepared.
Old Madam Lou raised her eyebrows and nodded at the Grand Dowager, whose eyes flickered slightly, though she sighed inwardly.
Xiqiu led everyone to their seats and approached the Grand Dowager to greet her, "Mother, I'm going to check on the children in the room."
