Xiao Qing and Liu Rumei exchanged a glance, put down their work, and turned into the kitchen.
While cooking, the two exchanged wry smiles. Xiao Qing couldn't help but sigh, "Miss, when will our situation here end."
Liu Rumei glared, "Don't talk nonsense. Focus on your work first. We will leave when the right opportunity arises."
Liu Rumei rarely cooked herself, so she could only follow along with the cooking. Xiao Qing was skilled at stir-frying, and in a short time, several hot dishes were ready. Then, they heard Harry shouting again, "Xiao Qing, hurry up and serve the dishes."
Xiao Qing quickly agreed, took the food box, packed the dishes, and followed Harry to the main hall.
In the hall, several middle-aged men were drinking tea and chatting.
Sitting in the main seat was the head of the household, named Ha Fa.
He smiled and said to a man with a full beard beside him, "General Hei Niu, it's rare for you to be back. We must drink until we're satisfied this time."
"Yes, I've been guarding Xiao Qinghe for so many days, and I'm almost frozen to death. Fortunately, His Majesty was merciful and allowed us to return for rest," the bearded man said with a smile.
Ha Fa continued, "If Xiao Qinghe is now undefended, what if bandits escape?"
Hei Niu sighed, "Alas, whether it's defended or not is meaningless. It is said that the soldiers of Da Cang have already fled."
Listening to their conversation, Xiao Qing was overjoyed, and her hands trembled. The soup from the dishes spilled.
Seeing this, Harry's face darkened, "Clumsy! You can't even do your work properly. Hurry up and withdraw."
Xiao Qing quickly bowed and retreated. General Hei Niu, however, looked at Xiao Qing thoughtfully.
"Why does that woman look like she's from Da Chang?"
"Oh, General Hei Niu, this Xiao Qing escaped here from a famine. It was freezing, and I took pity on her and let her stay!"
Hei Niu rubbed the back of his head and then Ha Fa said with a laugh, "Alright, let's start drinking."
At this moment, Xiao Qing hurried back to the kitchen. As soon as she entered, she excitedly called out, "Miss, Miss, good news!"
As soon as she spoke, she saw Liu Rumei's stern gaze and quickly stopped, lowering her voice and leaning closer to Liu Rumei, "A General Hei Niu came. He said everyone at Xiao Qinghe has withdrawn, and there's no one there now!"
Hearing this, Liu Rumei's eyes also showed joy.
"Is that true?"
"It's true, it was that General Hei Niu who said it. By the way, they are drinking there. I'll bring more dishes later and listen again."
Liu Rumei nodded and quickly helped Xiao Qing prepare a few more dishes. At this moment, Harry walked in.
Harry pointed at Liu Rumei, "You'll serve the dishes later!"
Then he turned to Xiao Qing, "You're clumsy, so you won't go to the front."
After he left, Liu Rumei quietly asked, "What's going on?"
"I was so focused on listening to them talk that my work slowed down. I accidentally spilled some soup, which displeased the master," Xiao Qing sighed.
Liu Rumei nodded. This kind of thing was common. For servants like them, not being able to please their masters was a frequent occurrence. She guessed that Xiao Qing would inevitably be scolded after the guests left.
"It's okay, Miss. It's just a scolding. The more he scolds me, the angrier he looks, the happier I feel inside," Xiao Qing said, comforting Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei nodded, put the two finished dishes into the food box, and carried it to the front yard.
Ha Fa was happily drinking with his guests. Seeing Liu Rumei arrive, he didn't think much of it. However, when General Hei Niu looked up and saw Liu Rumei, he was a little stunned. "Brother Ha Fa, I never expected you to have such a beautiful maid in your house. How about letting her have a drink with me?"
Hearing this, Ha Fa readily agreed, "No problem, it's just drinking. Sit down and have a drink with General Hei Niu."
Liu Rumei smiled, sat down next to Hei Niu, and raised her wine glass, "General, please drink this cup."
Hei Niu laughed heartily, took the wine glass, and drank it down in one gulp, "Hmm, good wine, good wine! You have a drink too."
Saying this, he took the wine pot, poured a cup of wine, and handed it to Liu Rumei.
Liu Rumei saw some food scraps still clinging to the wine glass and suddenly felt a little disgusted.
Suppressing her anger, she forced a smile and said, "General, please forgive me, this servant does not know how to drink."
Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter. Hei Niu became even more smug, reached out, and placed his hand on Liu Rumei's shoulder, "Even if you don't know how, you have to learn."
At this point, Liu Rumei couldn't stand it any longer. Her body suddenly flickered, and everyone only saw a blur. Liu Rumei escaped from Hei Niu's grasp and retreated a good two or three feet.
This sudden turn of events almost made Hei Niu stumble. He looked at Liu Rumei, his smile freezing on his face.
Hei Niu rubbed the back of his head, "Why do you look so familiar to me?"
Hearing this, Liu Rumei secretly cursed. She had fought many battles with Da Tu Kingdom with her father and had been fighting fiercely there just a few days ago. It was normal for her to be recognized. However, if she were recognized here, the trouble would be immense.
With this thought, Liu Rumei quickly put on a look of panic, bowed, and said, "General, you jest. This servant has never met the General before. Perhaps all people from Da Cang look alike."
After saying this, she turned and left in a hurry.
Back in the kitchen, Liu Rumei breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing her slightly panicked expression, Xiao Qing couldn't help but ask, "Miss, what's wrong? You look so flustered."
"The general drinking in front said I looked familiar. I was worried he might have seen me on the battlefield, so I quickly found an excuse to come back."
Liu Rumei was right. She had returned, but General Hei Niu was lost in thought.
Although Ha Fa kept urging him to drink, he lowered his head and pondered, determined to recall where he had seen Liu Rumei.
Just then, Harry came to the kitchen again, still asking Liu Rumei to serve the dishes.
Liu Rumei had no choice but to pick up the dishes and follow Harry back into the room.
This time, she learned her lesson. She kept a safe distance from General Hei Niu, placed the dishes on the table, and turned to leave.
Just as she was about to exit the room, Hei Niu suddenly slapped the table, "No, I remember now! In Da Cang, there was a Liu Xiangnan who fought countless battles with our Da Tu Kingdom. He had a daughter named Liu Rumei. Yes, you are Liu Xiangnan's daughter, Liu Rumei!"
Liu Rumei secretly despaired, but at this moment, she knew she couldn't admit it, no matter what.
Fortunately, at this moment, Ha Fa beside them spoke first, "Ah, General Hei, you can't say that. I also know Liu Xiangnan. She is the daughter of a Marquis of Da Cang. How could she be here doing laundry and cooking? General must have drunk too much."