CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 29 HUNDRED BIRDS PAYING HOMAGE TO THE PHOENIX

Du Xixi was angry at Bai Zhan for Mo Ying’s sake, but she sensed the slightly melancholic mood of the man beside her, which calmed her down a bit. She gently hugged Ke Lian’s shoulder.

"Ke Lian, I know there’s a bond between you brothers..." Du Xixi said softly, "So I won’t interfere too much in this matter."

After venting her anger, Du Xixi’s temper subsided somewhat, and her mind gradually cleared. No matter what Bai Zhan was thinking, it didn’t affect Du Xixi much, but for Ke Lian, it was considered a heavy blow.

Years of brotherhood and mutual understanding made him believe that he knew Bai Zhan through and through. Who would have thought Bai Zhan would lose his composure so suddenly when Mo Ying found a partner? How could Ke Lian not feel hurt?

Ke Lian sensed Du Xixi’s consolation, and he hugged her back, letting out a faint chuckle: "Thank you for your comfort. I’m okay."

Ke Lian was inherently a reserved person, even though he was much more expressive in front of Du Xixi, he didn’t want her to see this vulnerable side of him.

He gently pressed Du Xixi’s head against his chest, preventing her from seeing the sudden tear that fell from the corner of his eye. He whispered softly, "Xixi, before he left, he asked me to convey his apology to you."

"...I got it." Du Xixi acknowledged, without forgiveness, nor rejection. She didn’t want to think about Bai Zhan anymore.

*

Du Xixi has a peculiar habit: whenever she’s in a bad mood, she likes to bury herself in the kitchen and cook. Not only does good food heal the soul, but the process of cooking is also incredibly therapeutic.

Ke Lian was also, exceptionally, allowed into the kitchen by Du Xixi.

Since Ke Lian had almost destroyed the kitchen multiple times during his culinary explorations, Du Xixi rarely let him in.

After all, no matter how much money you have, repeatedly repairing the kitchen is costly.

But this time, Ke Lian was in a bad mood, wanting to stick closely to Du Xixi. Du Xixi, unable to resist Ke Lian’s pleading expression, agreed without hesitation.

A triumphant Ke Lian leaned gently against the sink, watching Du Xixi as she wielded her knife, swiftly chopping off the heads of several hens which had been cleaned and prepared by 2569, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, "Aren’t you eating the chicken heads?"

In the Insect Clan, chickens are called Beak Beasts, but Du Xixi always called them chickens, so Ke Lian followed her lead.

Without lifting her head, Du Xixi continued cutting up the chicken while replying, "Today I’m going to make a grand dish—Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix."

"Hundred Birds Paying... Homage to the Phoenix? What’s a Phoenix?" Ke Lian frowned. He knew what a bird was but had never heard of a "Phoenix." Chickens were considered birds, but what did they have to do with a "Phoenix"?

Du Xixi soaked the chicken heads in warm water, exuding a serious aura with a hint of charm: "The Phoenix is actually a mythical bird from Blue Star’s legends, with the male called Feng and the female, Huang, considered the king of birds. It’s said that whenever a Phoenix appears, all birds bow their heads towards it, which is the origin of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix."

"Most people on Blue Star regard chickens as ’close relatives’ of the Phoenix, so when making Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, chicken heads are used to represent the Phoenix’s head." After explaining, Du Xixi ignored Ke Lian and focused all her energy on making the dish.

The dish, also known as Virtuous Bird with a Crown or Dumpling Young Chicken, was crafted specifically to celebrate an Empress Dowager’s birthday and is part of the famous Blue Star’s "Imperial Chinese Banquet," alongside Dragon Flying Phoenix Dancing, Five Peaks Facing the Sky, and Longevity from the Four Seas.

Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix is mainly a stew, using tender hens cooked gently over low heat. The meat is tender and succulent, with rich, flavorful broth. Dumplings shaped like birds are placed around the chicken, vividly resembling birds paying homage to a phoenix, with thin skin and fresh filling, deliciously delectable.

How could the heir of the Imperial Chef Family not know how to make this courtly delicacy? Du Xixi put great effort into learning it, even refining the recipe with the elders’ help.

They created a simple version of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix, a luxurious version, and a medicinal version.

In Du Xixi’s opinion, the medicinal version is absolutely superb. The natural deliciousness of Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix complemented by various medicinal herbs makes for a delightful and nourishing meal. Du Xixi often makes a pot for herself whenever she has the time.