Zheng Lis stomach grumbled as he took in another deep breath. He couldn't identify what he was smelling but knew that he couldn't wait to sink his teeth into it and eat a lot of it.

Zheng Li had always gotten a little jealous when he saw the happy look that Han Bing got after eating any of Mai's cooking. He was also slightly depressed that he never got invited to dinner before.

__

Han Bing has been reading reports from the few of his loyal followers that had remand in the city. He knew that remaining here living in sweet ignorance would be nice but would also cost them the freedom that that all had worked so hard for. The smell swirled its way around him until he was completely surrounded by it.

Han Bing sighed before he smiled appreciative that once again Mai hadn't listened to a word he said and returned to him. The servants had learned about some of the basics of her cooking methods, but nothing would ever come close to when Mai was the one in charge of the kitchen.

Also the dishes that she made would varied greatly from one to another. Han Bing wondered what he would have the pleasure of eating today, and if they got there way every day in the future.

Han bing gave up on looking over the reports, he couldn't focus on anything besides the smell that was all encompa.s.sing. He s.h.i.+fted around before making his way towards the sitting area; unable to resist the pulling sensation for the food.

Han Bing saw Zheng Li pacing around outside the kitchen with an impatient look on his face. Deep down Han Bing knew that he had acted the same way the first time that he had gotten the opportunity to eat Mai's food. However, he couldn't help but laugh at Zheng Li's antics. Which only got him a glare in response.

"Why does it always smell so good? I will never get any work done" Zheng Li lightly complained while swallowing hard.

"Because it's Mais cooking!" Han Bing exclaimed "she even had the Emperor gulping at it."

"Boys, the food is ready" Zhi Rou said. She had been watching them squabble back and forth before telling them the the food that they were waiting for was already done and waiting to be eaten.

"Wonderful!" Both Zheng Li and Han Bing called out.

Before Zhi Rou arrival they had both been restless with impatience. However, now that they knew what they desired was close to being served they both say down with huge grins on their faces.

Zhi Yan brought out a bowl for everyone that had shown up for lunch. They had invited Zheng Lin but due to the late notice she had already eaten lunch and didn't wish to eat another. Mai insisted on the servants eating with all of them at the same time. She knew without a doubt that if they waited there would be no chicken left.

Han Bing and Zheng Li were smart men and didn't bat a eye or question why the servants also had rice bowls and were sitting with them. They had both guessed the answer and did not wish to bug there cooking G.o.ddess before the meal even started.

Zheng Li's eyes popped open when he saw a bowl piled high of light crispy chicken that was covered in a light glaze followed by crisp looking vegetables. He licked his lips a little before grabbing a couple of pieces for himself.

Everyone else followed suit picking up 5-6 pieces of chicken and a large spoonful of vegetables.

Zheng Li bit into his first pieces of chicken and was purely amazed. First there was the sweet yet slightly spicy sauce followed by a crunchy layer of the chicken coating. While the inside held just as much wonder as the outside. The chicken practically fell apart when you bit into it.

The table was completely silent besides the one or two groans that escaped someone's mouth when they bit into a new piece of chicken.

Han Bing had already finished all of his food, he even went so far as to lick some of the remaining sauce off of the bowl. He gave the chicken bowl that originally seemed piled high a sad look as it was now completely empty.

"That was delicious Mai" Han bing said rubbing his stomach with his hand.

"I am glad you liked it" Mai replied with a large smile "are you still hungry?'"

Han Bing looked over at Mai for the first time in the meal. She still had a couple of pieces of chicken in her bowl and he had desperately wanted to help her finish them. Han bIng was incredibly hopeful that he would be getting more chicken and with a excited look nodded his head.

All Mai could do was laugh at the 2 men in front of her. After she had asked Han bing if he was still hungry he had zeroed in on her chicken without pause. What was even more funny though was that Zheng Li was trying not to do the same thing but failing miserably.

Mai gave a silent nod to Zhi Yan who walked back into the kitchen. She walked out after a few minutes with a bowl that was just as piled as the one earlier had been. Mai was now happy that she decided to save half of it before the beast had a chance to devour it all.

"Good thing that there is more isn't there" Mai called out with a chuckle. "Seriously?" Mai asked herself "you would think that they were starving themselves or something."

Han Bing and Zheng Li stared the bowl of chicken down as if it was a enemy. As soon as the bowl had hit the table they were already digging in grabbing twice as many pieces as they had done before.