Chapter 21 Leading the Barbecue Team

"Your name is Zhong Shi. You used to be our family’s bodyguard, and after my father passed away, you became my personal attendant because you were anxious. Understand?" Qiao Qingyun carefully explained their backgrounds, and the two nodded in understanding.

"Yes, thank you, miss."

"You may go now. Qingluo, take them around so they can get familiar with the place, and see how skilled they are. Let them spar with Commander Wang as well."

"Yes, miss." Qingluo had only been here a day, but as Qiao Qingyun’s personal maid, she was quick-witted and lively. She hadn’t been here long, yet it seemed the whole estate already knew her.

Qiao Qingyun dined in peace, then made her way alone to the rear garden.

In the garden, a man and a woman danced with swords, each move deadly precise—indeed, their martial arts were impressive.

"Miss!" Qingluo, still in a daze, caught sight of Qiao Qingyun standing nearby and immediately perked up, calling out, which drew the attention of Hong Ying and Zhong Shi.

"Miss," they greeted her with respectful bows.

"Very good, your skills are excellent. From today onward, you will follow me. But I have something to do now..." Qiao Qingyun said solemnly.

The scene shifted...

Black smoke billowed from the garden. "Cough, cough—really? Is the coal here so hard to light?" Qiao Qingyun, her face smudged like a little cat, watched as Qingluo and the others threaded skewers, poking at the charcoal with a stick.

"Miss! Oh, miss, you frightened me! I thought the rear garden was on fire—what are you doing?" The three others saw Old Li running over and hurriedly stood up, but Qiao Qingyun remained focused on the charcoal.

"Uncle Li! These coals are bullying me!" she cried, plopping herself on the ground and throwing a childish tantrum. "They won’t let me eat! It’s all the coal’s fault! Look, look at what it’s done to my face. Boo-hoo, it’s all its fault."

As she spoke, Qiao Qingyun wiped away tears, making Old Li’s heart ache. He quickly patted her back and soothed her, "Alright, miss, don’t cry, don’t cry. It’s nothing. I’ll find a way for you, alright?"

"Really?" Qiao Qingyun, her face smudged and streaked with tears, looked even more comical.

"Really. I’ll fetch some better charcoal for you. You must’ve grabbed the wrong kind. Wait here patiently, miss."

"Alright!" The woman obediently climbed up and sat on a chair to wait.

The three bystanders were stunned. Wasn’t she the young lady? Why was she rolling about and making a fuss on the ground?

Qiao Qingyun glanced back and saw their astonished expressions, then burst out laughing. "Is it really that surprising? It’s just a smudged face. Qingluo, fetch a towel."

"Yes, miss." Qingluo suppressed her laughter and went off, while the siblings calmly continued their work.

"Miss, what are these chilies, cumin, and salt for?" Hong Ying asked.

Qiao Qingyun grinned mischievously. "Go fetch some sesame seeds later and heat some oil. Pour it over the skewers—it’s for eating."

"Ah?" Clearly, Hong Ying had never tried this before, but Qiao Qingyun’s expression made her eager to try. After all, Qiao Qingyun’s family outranked theirs by far, so whatever she ate must be safe.

Once Old Li had prepared everything, Qiao Qingyun wanted him to stay, but he politely declined, claiming he couldn’t handle spicy food, and hurried off.

The truth was he could eat it, but feared his old bones might end up stuck in the privy all night!

"Come, see how my grilling turned out?" Qiao Qingyun invited everyone over. The aroma wafted through the whole courtyard.

Before long, Old Li and a crowd of servants returned, watching from the sidelines.

"Miss, what are you making?" Commander Wang asked, eyeing the sizzling meat.

Qiao Qingyun smiled, coating the half-cooked meat with the hot oil and seasonings, then placed it back on the coals.

"You’ll know soon enough."

After about forty skewers were grilled, Qingluo handed them out one by one. Not just Hong Ying and Zhong Shi, even the servants had never tasted anything like this.

"How is it? Tasty?" Qiao Qingyun asked with a smile, receiving unanimous praise.

"Did you see how it’s done? Quick, take turns grilling! I’m exhausted!" she groaned, and Zhong Shi immediately took over the remaining skewers, grilling them enthusiastically. The heat was high, but the result was a fragrant, charred flavor.

"Excellent! Zhong Shi, you’re quite skilled," Qiao Qingyun praised. Zhong Shi blushed, glancing shyly at Qiao Qingyun, whose cheeks were flushed from eating.

She was almost full but kept stuffing more into her mouth—adorable in every way.

After a round of grilling, Qiao Qingyun watched the moon rise, and on a whim, began to sing:

"By the moonlight, I gaze at you, whether in solitude or splendor, I keep vigil for you. Let this moonlight guide your way home; there’s so much I wish to tell you."

Her melodious voice left everyone momentarily stunned.

Qingluo giggled at the group, who clearly hadn’t seen much of the world. "You haven’t witnessed it—when Miss was taken to the Crown Prince’s residence, I had just started serving her."

"Qingluo, you’re about to embarrass me again!" Qiao Qingyun said, a little bashful.

Qingluo smiled. "Hehe, it’s not a bad thing. Miss wanted to drink, so I secretly asked the guards for some wine."

"I’ve been drinking since childhood, but I’d never matched Miss. Later, I heard from the night watch that Miss danced in the courtyard, performing ‘The Drunken Concubine.’ She enchanted the Crown Prince so much that he personally carried her back to her room and cared for her for hours."

The servants looked at Qiao Qingyun in disbelief, and even Old Li was surprised. "Miss, when did you learn to drink?"

Qiao Qingyun paused, her mind racing. "After my father passed, I learned. I ran away, and happened to meet the Crown Prince—he was wounded, so I saved him, and we drank together. Then I planned to return."

"But the Crown Prince insisted it was too dangerous, so he brought me to Bamboo Pavilion first, which delayed me for a while."