The usages of the clause "so that"

This novel is set in a Chinese village before World War One.
The protagonist Wang Lung lives with his father.
Today is Wang Lung's wedding day.
He invited some people to his house.

Wang Lung said over and over in reply, "It is poor stuff-it is badly prepared."
But in his heart he was proud of the dishes, for with what meats she had combined sugar and vinegar and a little win and soy sauce and she had skillfully brought forth all the force of the meat itself, so that Wang Lung himself had never tasted such dishes upon the tables of his friends.
[The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck]
I don't think "so that" means the result because the "so that" clause's tense precedes that of the main clause.
So I was wondering what "so that" means here.
Thank you in advance for your help.