Before the house was raided, the maidservant of the Prime Minister's residence absconded with t

Tao'er pretended to be nonchalant and started eating noodles. After finishing the noodles, she wanted to wash the dishes, but Dongkui insisted on washing them instead.

Tao'er let her go, since it was all a small matter.

If Dongkui doesn't do anything, she'll probably feel uncomfortable.

He then walked to the side, avoiding everyone's gaze, and opened the note Ah Qi had given him.

The note read: "Beware of Fat Chef Wang Dabing, he's the second-in-command."

Tao'er crumpled up the paper strip, walked to the stove, and threw the crumpled paper strip in.

Stirring it a few times with a fire poker, the sparks inside quickly ignited the scraps of paper, turning them into ashes in no time.

Because the flame was so small, it was invisible to people outside, and only she could see it.

On the other side, Ah Qi finished eating his noodles and got up to chop firewood in the open space, as if nothing had happened.

He transformed back into the honest, timid, and mute Ah Qi.

After breakfast, the kitchen became a little quieter.

The portly cook, Wang Dabing, came over with a smile on his face: "Little Tao's cooking is really good. The boss is satisfied with the meal, and we are proud of him too."

I don't know who you learned cooking from, could you please give me some pointers?

Tao'er smiled modestly and said, "Chef Wang, I just happened to be lucky that the dishes I made suited the boss's taste. There are some dishes that I don't know how to make, so I will have to learn more from Chef Wang in the future."

This person seems to be deliberately trying to get close to me; wanting to learn cooking skills is probably just a pretense.

Ah Qi's note just now reminded me that he probably sensed something.

I don't know what Chef Wang is up to, so it's best not to offend him for now.

A few words will suffice.

The chubby cook rubbed his hands together. "Little Peach is just being modest. Let's learn from each other in the future."

Oh, by the way, what are you planning to do for lunch?

"Just tell me what ingredients you need, and I'll go get them from the warehouse."

"I haven't decided yet. Let's wait for the boss's instructions."

"I'll have someone ask the head of the household what he wants for lunch later."

Tao'er gave a few perfunctory replies.

Actually, the head of the household had complete control over what they ate, and there were no specific rules about what dishes to eat!

This chubby chef Wang deliberately inquired about what dishes she was making. I wonder what his intentions were. Perhaps he was instructed by the second-in-command?

The chubby cook chatted for a few more minutes before leaving sheepishly.

As soon as he left, Tao'er looked in the direction of A Qi, who was chopping wood with an axe!

Who exactly is this mute person?

Or perhaps he isn't mute after all; we'll find an opportunity to test him later.

Over the next few hours, Tao'er prepared the ingredients for lunch while observing the people in the kitchen.

The fat cook was indeed acting strangely; he kept looking outside, as if he was waiting for someone.

Before noon, a skinny bandit slipped into the kitchen and whispered a few words to the fat cook. Both of them looked a little nervous.

Tao'er pretended not to see and focused on processing the vegetables in her hands, but in reality, her eyes were always on Chef Wang.

Sure enough, Chef Wang hurriedly left the kitchen, and Tao'er thought for a moment and then secretly followed him.

Sure enough, Chef Wang arrived at the residence of Hu Biao, the second-in-command.

Tao looked around and, thankfully no one was there. She quickly slipped inside and just then saw Chef Wang enter the room of the second-in-command, Hu Biao.

She quickly followed, peering through the crack in the window.

Hu Biao lay on the bed, and a maid knelt down to massage his back.

Hmph, you really know how to enjoy yourself!

Chef Wang stood there respectfully to report back.

"Second Master, I tried talking to that girl Xiao Tao earlier, but she wasn't interested and refused to teach me cooking. She just gave me a few perfunctory words."

"Then I inquired about what dishes she cooked for the head of the household at noon today."

She said she didn't know and had to wait for the head of the gang to tell her what to do.

I think that girl just wouldn't tell me.

Hu Biao chuckled coldly, his voice muffled by his prone position, yet carrying a chilling undertone: "A wretched old woman, yet she's quite wary."

If she won't tell you, can't you just look and smell for yourself?

The kitchen is so small, how could she possibly hide what ingredients she prepared from your eyes?

If you learn her cooking skills, will the boss still value her in the future?

"Won't you be in charge of the kitchen then?"

Wang Dabing bowed repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, the second-in-command is right."

The younger one noticed that she had prepared some fresh river shrimp, winter bamboo shoots, and a piece of high-quality pork belly that morning; it looked like she was going to make braised shrimp in oil and braised pork belly.

"What's the use of just knowing these things? You need to see how she cooks and what ingredients she adds."

We need to figure all of this out for her.

That woman's cooking is really delicious; the bowl of plain noodles I had this morning was even more authentic than what you get at noodle shops.

Hu Biao waved his hand, signaling the maid who was massaging his back to stop.

"The second-in-command is right, but with her man guarding her, it's difficult for me to get close."

And she wouldn't let us get close to her when she was cooking.

His subordinates really didn't have a better solution.

Chef Wang looked troubled and frowned.

Hu Biao slowly turned half his face to the side, a cryptic smile spreading across his fleshy cheeks, and cursed, "What a piece of trash. Can't you even think of a way to get closer to them?"

Forget it, you probably won't learn anything even if you watch it.

The boss has been in a good appetite and good mood these past few days, so he's been more willing to talk about expanding our camp.

When he was in a good mood, those fence-sitters below leaned even more towards him.

He paused, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "If... he suddenly gets an upset stomach, or finds the food doesn't taste right, will he blame that bitch?"

Wang Dabing's heart skipped a beat, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead: "What does the second-in-command mean...?"

Hu Biao snorted. "What do you mean?"

It doesn't mean anything special.

You're a veteran in the kitchen; you should know the ins and outs of this place better than I do.

Occasionally, I might make a mistake, adding too much or too little flavor, or using ingredients that don't seem to clash but still make the food unpleasant...

As long as the boss thinks that the woman's cooking skills are nothing special.

"Perhaps the leader, in a fit of anger, will get rid of her."

"Second Master, do you mean I should put something in the food that little girl sends to the First Master?"

If this gets found out, the boss probably won't let me off the hook...

Chef Wang felt a chill run down his spine. The second-in-command was ruthless, and the first-in-command was no pushover either; he couldn't afford to offend either of them.

He stared at Wang Dabing and lowered his voice: "That girl was brought back by the eldest brother. She's currently in a good position. Do you think you can stay in the village any longer?"

Just think about what happened to the chefs who came before you!

It would be unwise for us to confront them head-on now.

But if she herself is not reliable, or if the food she is in charge of goes wrong, even if the boss doesn't immediately get tired of her, he will be wary of her.

Besides, Chef Wang, if you're clever enough to keep quiet, no one will find out about you. It's not like you're in charge of the head chef's meals anyway.

Wang Dabing understood everything he heard.

The second-in-command is trying to use someone else to do his dirty work!

He wiped his sweat and said, "I understand, I will find an opportunity."

"But that girl is keeping a close eye on things, and she also has her husband and that mute man helping her..."

Hu Biao frowned. "A mute?"

That Ah Qi?

He's a quiet, taciturn guy, a workaholic idiot. What's there to care about?

The scholar found a way to get away with it.

Find the right opportunity, and be careful with your hands and feet.

If all else fails...

Let's do it in a few days...

Upon hearing that he could have a few days' grace, Chef Wang immediately and respectfully agreed, "I'll do as the second-in-command says."

He waved his hand, "Go ahead, but be careful, don't let anyone see you coming here so often."

"Yes, sir. I'll take my leave."

Wang Dabing bowed and withdrew.

Tao'er under the window was unusually calm. She held her breath and pressed herself tightly against the shadows of the wall until Wang Dabing's footsteps faded away. Only then did she dare to peek out slightly to make sure there was no other movement in Hu Biao's room. Then, she crouched down and quickly slipped back to the vicinity of the kitchen, following the path she had come from.

A green figure quickly turned around and left behind Tao'er, arriving at the Second Madam's room.

Tao'er calmed down for a while and thought about what the second-in-command had said.

Suddenly she realized that this second-in-command didn't just want the leader to deal with him; he wanted their lives.

She realized that Hu Biao was trying to use someone else to do his dirty work. It might not be as simple as just adding some seasonings; he might be giving Chef Wang a packet of poison.

We need to get rid of this second-in-command as soon as possible. Poisoning the food won't work, because she's in charge of the food, and they'll immediately think of her.