Marriage to the Emperor's Daughter Part II

                                    

                                          
A delectable scent wafted through the dining hall. This evening's dinner was called edible bird's nest. It was created by edible-nest swiftlets, also known as white-nest swiftlets, which was a small bird of the swift family. The bird nests were prized in the Shang Kingdom for their high nutritional value and rich Qi, but they also had a very robust flavor and were bursting with umami.
"I had no idea your chefs knew how to prepare edible bird's nests," Emperor Hou Jun said as he ladeled some of the soup on his spoon and took a sip. He sighed contently and slowly set the spoon back in his bowl. "Delicious."
"I remember the first time you had me try it and fell in love with the taste. Once I became the head of the Wu Clan, I ordered my chefs to begin work on replicating that dish," Father said. He was smiling. A genuine, full-faced smile.
How rare.
"They did a good job. The flavor is slightly different from what I'm used to in the palace, however."
"Mmm. We were unable to procure some of the ingredients and had to substitute them with a suitable equivalent."
"I see. Yes, that makes sense. The tast is different, but it is still delectable."
The emperor and Father were sitting side by side at the head table near the very back of the room. Mother and Aunt Taohua were also with them, as were Wu Meiying, Hou Jingshu, and Wu Jian himself. He had no idea why they were letting him sit at the head of the table, but the elders who normally sat there did not look happy. Only Elder Wu Jinsu seemed content sitting at one of the other tables arrayed around the room.
Wu Jian looked at the soup in his porcelain bowl. It appeared somewhat milky and translucent. The off-white color had several spices and herbs mixed in. He had never seen anything quite like it, though he knew what it was.
"Quite the extravagant meal we're having," Wu Meiying said as she slowly sipped the soup. A smile appeared on her face as she scooped up some more.
"I'm not sure I can eat this. Isn't edible bird's nest made from bird spit?" asked Wu Jian.
"Yes, but you shouldn't let that bother you." The one who answered him was not Wu Meiying, but Hou Jingshu, who sat on his other side. "Not only is it delicious, but edible bird's nest is said to slow aging, prevent lung disease, and improve your complexion. It is also rich in chi and can help you achieve a breakthrough in your cultivation. Children who consume it regularly before they come of age are said to have an easier time breaking through to the Hunger Realm."
"It also boosts a person's sex drive," Wu Meiying added.
Hou Jingshu, who had just placed her spoon in her mouth, coughed several times as the soup went down the wrong pipe. Wu Jian gently patted her back and gave her some water. The girl gratefully grabbed the glass and took a long swig, sighing upon finishing. She glared at Wu Meiying after setting the cup down.
"Did you do that on purpose?"
"Do what on purpose?"
"Say that just as I was putting food into my mouth?"
"Of course not. You're just imagining things."
Because he was between them, Wu Jian was stuck listening to the pair banter, though he didn't mind. They seemed to get along for the most part. Well, he hoped that was the case.
He looked back down at his soup. He still hadn't taken a bite. Was this stuff really as delicious as Hou Jingshu said? He didn't see how it could be, but everyone else seemed to be enjoying the meal, so he scrunched up his courage and ladeled his spoon with some soup and herbs, then brought it to his mouth.