"Greetings, Young Master, and peace be upon you." Xiao Man bowed respectfully.
Yue Zhong was very pleased with Xiao Man's demeanor. He took a towel from a servant and wiped his face and hands. "I heard you've been doing well in the small kitchen?"
"It is all thanks to the Young Master's recommendation."
A smile curved Yue Zhong's lips. He asked casually, "Who are you cooking for now?"
"Whoever Madam Zheng asks me to cook for, that's who I cook for." Xiao Man answered shrewdly, not mentioning he was cooking for Yue Ran, but rather that he was following orders.
"Today I visited my seventh brother, and he praised your cooking immensely. Would you like to cook only for my seventh brother?" Yue Zhong gestured for Xiao Man to sit down.
"Young Master, I can stand."
"Sit when I tell you to sit." The man beside Yue Zhong pushed Xiao Man into a chair.
"From today onwards, you will only cook for one person, and that is the Young Master Yue Ran. Do you understand?" Yue Zhong leaned forward, closer to Xiao Man. "You must grasp his preferences and ensure he only eats your cooking. Can you do that?"
"Yes, Young Master."
"Very good." Yue Zhong smiled at Xiao Man's reply. "Work hard, and I will not mistreat you."
"I will certainly serve the Young Master well."
Yue Zhong sneered and placed a small porcelain bottle on the table. "Take this with you."
"Young Master, is this a reward for me?" Xiao Man asked naively.
Yue Zhong glanced at Xiao Man and chuckled strangely. "If you want it, I'll give you a bottle. But this is something you cannot consume. If you wish to eat it, I won't stop you, but you will bear the consequences."
Xiao Man's outstretched hand recoiled. "Young Master, what is this thing?"
"No need to worry. It's just a tonic, but for you, it might be different." Yue Zhong lowered his voice. "However, you can try it."
"No, no, thank you." Xiao Man waved his hands repeatedly.
Yue Zhong smiled.
"Add one drop of this to the food you cook each day."
"Young Master… this…" Xiao Man's face paled with alarm. "Are you asking me to poison him…"
"Don't talk nonsense. This is just a medicine to help us control our anger." Yue Zhong said earnestly. "My seventh brother always loses control of his temper, which is why he's been confined by Father. As long as he can control his anger, he can come out."
Xiao Man remained silent, and Yue Zhong did not press him.
"I love my seventh brother dearly and hope he can be released soon. Will you help me?"
When Xiao Man left Yue Zhong's courtyard, he was given two spirit stones.
Xiao Man played with the spirit stones in his hand, a mocking smile on his lips. So, the life of the Young Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect was only worth two spirit stones. This Young Master Yue is truly incompetent and stingy!
As Xiao Man approached the small kitchen, he saw Liu Han dragging Wang Wu out in a hurry.
"Senior Brother Liu, Senior Brother Wang, where are you going?"
"Xiao Qin, you're back. If you hadn't returned, we would have gone to find someone to rescue you." Liu Han rushed forward, examining Xiao Man all over. "Did the Young Master trouble you?"
"No, he even gave me two spirit stones." Xiao Man gave the two spirit stones to Liu Han and Wang Wu.
"Why did you give them to us?"
"They are of no use to me, so please accept them." Xiao Man explained with a smile. "Besides, the Young Master said he would give me more in the future."
"Xiao Qin, you cannot trust the Young Master."
Xiao Man smiled with apparent innocence. "It's alright, I think the Young Master is quite kind."
"Kind…" Wang Wu blinked, wanting to remind Xiao Man, but he hesitated, unable to speak. After all, the Young Master appeared very kind in front of others, but he had witnessed the Young Master's sinister and ruthless side.
"Xiao Qin, Liu Han, what are you two doing? It's almost lunchtime. Hurry up and cook!" Madam Zheng, holding a spatula in one hand and her hands on her hips, roared. "If you delay the Young Master's meal, I'll stew you both for soup!"
"Right, right! The Young Master said this morning that he wants steamed perch, braised goose paws, and braised pork knuckle for lunch."
"All meat. Aren't they afraid of getting sick of it?" Xiao Man shook his head. "Today, just one dish: braised goose paws."
"Xiao Qin, if you don't make the dishes the Young Master ordered, he will be angry." Wang Wu said anxiously. "You should just comply with the Young Master and cook what he wants!"
"Don't even think about it." Xiao Man sneered. "Besides, there are no braised goose paws anymore."
Wang Wu covered his mouth, afraid of provoking Xiao Man.
Xiao Man entered the kitchen and began to work. At this time, someone from the Young Master's side arrived. It wasn't Yang Wei, but another person, who stood guard while Xiao Man cooked.
Xiao Man glanced at him but ignored him, continuing his work. Madam Zheng immediately stepped forward, blocking the way. "Xu Fei, have you come to collect the Young Master's meal? You're here unusually early today."
"Madam Zheng, thank you for your hard work. I'm just craving something. I came to see if there's anything to eat. I heard the new brother's cooking is very delicious. I wonder if I could have a taste."
"Craving something? Go over there, there are some pastries." Madam Zheng pushed him to the side. "Don't get any ideas about her. She only cooks for the Young Master and Madam."
"She cooks for Madam too?"
"She is skilled at preparing light meals, and Madam always eats lightly, so she's asked her to prepare Madam's meals as well." Madam Zheng handed Xu Fei a plate of pastries. "Eat up."
"Thank you, Madam Zheng." Xu Fei's gaze remained on Xiao Man. He hadn't come to the kitchen because he was hungry, but to supervise Xiao Man, to get Xiao Man to put something into Yue Ran's food. After all, Madam Zheng maintained strict control. In this small kitchen, except for the newcomers Xiao Man and Liu Han, everyone else was Madam Zheng's subordinate and difficult to bribe.
"What are you staring at Xiao Qin for?" Madam Zheng poked Xu Fei's head. "Let me tell you, if you dare to have any ideas about her and upset Madam, be careful, or the Sect Master will rip off your head and use it as a ball to kick."
Xu Fei flinched. "Madam Zheng, don't scare me. I'm timid. I'm just curious about the newcomer. Someone who can cook specifically for Madam and the Young Master must have first-class skills. It seems I have no luck tasting her food."
"Stop your nonsense. If you delay her time, neither you nor I will be able to bear the consequences."
"Madam Zheng, didn't you used to be in charge of the Young Master's and Madam's meals?" Xu Fei asked curiously, leaning closer to Madam Zheng. "This newcomer has taken over your job all of a sudden. What will happen in the future?"
Madam Zheng glanced at him, snatched the pastries from his hand, and said, "Are you trying to scheme against your elder? Get out!"
Before Xu Fei could react, Madam Zheng grabbed him and threw him out of the small kitchen, where he landed heavily on the ground.