The chef readily agreed, "Of course, please follow me."
Following the chef, they arrived at the kitchen where a small partition dedicated to preparing medicinal meals was located. On the stove sat a small basin containing the medicinal residue.
Chu Qingzhi picked up the basin and used a pair of chopsticks to inspect and smell the residue, detecting no scent of cottonseed.
She turned to ask the chef, "Why didn't you dispose of the medicinal residue?"
"One of my apprentices, whose mother is ill at home, wanted to take the residue back and boil it again for her to drink. I felt sorry for him, so I agreed."
"How many apprentices do you have?"
"Three apprentices. They learn from me while I prepare the medicinal meals. Except for them, no one else is present during the process."
