Manbao sat across from Bai Shan with grace, and Bai Shan asked, "Is the food in your inner court delicious?"
Manbao replied, "It's not bad, what about you?"
"It's alright," Bai Shan said, "but someone was always looking to speak with us, so we couldn't really enjoy our meal."
Ms. Zheng then suggested, "Why don't we have the kitchen make you a bowl of noodles when we get back, would that be alright?"
"You're the best, mom." Bai Shan looked at Manbao and asked with a raised eyebrow, "Do you want some?"
Manbao touched her little stomach and said with feigned hardship, "I could have a late-night snack."
Old Madam Liu then laughed and said, "Make extra, give Dalang and Erlang a bowl too, all four kids are growing, they need to eat more."
Ms. Zheng agreed.
