14. Making herself happy

Looking at dozen girls that looked quiet, Xiaoqing finally smiled.

"These are good. Head Steward is wise. The two girls there I like very much and they are the same age as Lan. They will be my close servants with her. The four girls there will be second rank and the older girls will be third rank. The ranks might be changeable as the time passes. After some time I will see which one of you will stay or go."

She directly spoke with them while having friendly smile on her face.

Lee Zhenzhen came in and pointed at them.

"Are these your servants? They are all cute!"

From bunch of servants she took out only the cute ones as her servants. Lee Zhenzhen saying those words is more desperate.

"You need people to help you."

"Yes?"

"But your servants..."

"Don't tell me there is some written law that servants can't be cute?"

"There isn't."

"Then where is the problem?"

"They... Never mind. You probably know more than I assume."

You have no idea....

After the servants went away only the two girls that she choose as first attendants were left.

"The two of you have names?"

They both politely bowed.

"My name is Xiaomi."

"My name is Sora."

They introduced themselves shyly. Xiaoqing nodded.

"Good. Talk to Lan about your duties. Land, go out with them, I will talk to Da jie now."

Land politely bowed and went out while the two girls followed her.

Lee Zhenzhen shook her head.

"You need Mama to teach them many things."

"I might need one. But if she starts ordering them and me as well I might snap. I choose the children as they need to stay by my side for a long time. So, I need someone only to teach them."

"Don't worry. I will ask mother to send you someone to check on them from time to time."

"Thank you big sister."

Lee Xiaoqing hugged her and made cute faces. The two girls looked at each other and started laughing and giggling.

Days passed and Lee Zhenzhen started really eating light food. Not only that, she loved eating it.

While everyone at fatty meat and spicy fish, she enjoyed eating tofu stews and vegetables. The food made her so happy that she would eat half bowl of rice more.

Seeing her complexion getting better her grandmother sighed in relief. At least she seems to like it.

Strangely, the rest of children would eat as well more vegetables with her and their complexions became brighter as well.

But unfortunately in olden times they knew only few recipes. So Lee Xiaoqing chose to add some more.

One day she appeared in kitchen. The cook Xu was an old man that knew how to do many things but hated intruders in his world.

"Who are you and what are you doing in kitchen?"

"My name is Lee Xiaoqing. I came to ask for a favour."

Xu looked closely and saw cute girl in expensive clothes. It seems she is one of the children. As he is all the time in kitchen, he don't have much contact with his employers.

"This is dirty place. What can such old cook do for you?"

Lee Xiaoqing smiled cutely.

"Your kitchen is amazingly clean." True, it literally was shiny clean. "And second, you cook amazing."

He puffed his chest as he heard the words.

"I am now cook over fourth years. Its given I know some cooking."

"But, you don't invent new things. Sorry, I can eat only light foods and you know only the few recipes. Have you never tried other things to cook?"

Her words made him stock and feel bad. He heard that there was one if Lee children that had weak health.

"I tried, but I am good cook, hut bad inventor. I can invent hundred dishes with meat, but with vegetables... I failed." He pointed at counter that had bunch of vegetables that he precut.

"Hmmm, I know I'm just small child, but if I give you idea will you at least try to cook it?"

He was curious so he accepted. But her servants had to stay outside to wait.

Trough the open door they saw the strangest situation. Lee Xiaoqing would tell him to take this and that and add to this and that while standing on small stool far away from heat and fire.

He was scared she would dirty her clothes or she would burn herself so he asked her to stay far away. If course she accepted. If she gets hurt he will be punished. She is not that mean.

"Now add some garlic. Yes, fry it until they have light orange color and then add the vegetables..."

That evening the table was filled with all kind of light dishes. Even on elder tables.

"What is this?"

Lee Xiaoqing stood up and bowed politely.

"I had few cooking ideas and told cook Xu about it. Please try and see if they are good enough to be added to our everyday food."

"Wait, these are your recipes?"

Lee Xiaoqing did not know what was wrong as everyone stated at her with bulging eyes. Or better say she knew but she played ignorant.

"Did I do something wrong? Is the food not good?"

In her big eyes suddenly tears gathered and were about to fall when Lee Zhenzhen hugged her. "Don't worry, elders are just stunned. Don't cry, don't cry..." But tears started dropping pitcher eyes no matter how much Zhenzhen tried to calm her down.

She really looked like she was hurt so everyone tried the food and were amazed.

"Look, Qingqing, they live the food you made. Its delicious." Actually, Lee Zhenzhen was really loving it.

Seeing that they enjoyed the food Xiaoqing calmed down and saw they really liked it as the plates quickly became empty. With help of her servant she wished her eyes and started eating as well.

Of course the food was delicious. She liked vegetables even in past. She was not vegetarian or vegan, but lived vegetables with light meat or fish.

As they finished the Elders called her to the main hall. Actually, she was afraid that they will know something was wrong, but when she was in kitchen all the recipes just came out note and more and she lost herself as she wanted to enjoy those meals. She just wanted to feel happy.

Who would have expected that they made over dozen new dishes...