Chapter 28 Roast Venison
When Chen Tang returned to Wutong Garden, it was already late, the sunset was fading, and Qi Huaijing had not returned yet.
The maids came over to report that the kitchen said the venison was ready and asked how the master would like to eat it.
Ever since a maid was driven out this morning, all the servants in the yard have been very obedient.
Seeing the moon as bright as day and a gentle breeze, Chen Tang ordered people to put a charcoal stove in the yard so that they could grill the food while eating.
Soon, the maids prepared the iron stove, iron fork, and iron wire curtain.
Seeing that Qi Huaijing had not returned for a long time, Chen Tang called Bai Lu over to watch the maids light the silver charcoal and asked about the affairs of the West Courtyard.
Although she came to the Qi family many times in her early years, she mainly dealt with Madam Yue, Qin Jiangyun and others.
The beauties in the west courtyard rarely come out to meet guests, so they are not often seen. The cold and beautiful lady I met in the garden today was the first time I had seen her.
Bai Lu had already guessed what her master was going to ask, so she lowered her voice and told him everything.
Aunt Chun was Qin Jiangyun's maid who came with her as a dowry. Ever since Qin became pregnant, she was given a wedding banquet and became an concubine in a legitimate way.
The other concubine, Xue, was a country girl from the village. She was very much loved, but she had a bad temper and didn't go out often...
No wonder he is so arrogant.
"However, although there are many people in the West Courtyard, the Second Master still has only one daughter, the Second Mistress. As for the reason... it's hard to say."
Bai Lu's words were both obscure and straightforward, and Chen Tang understood them, probably the work of Qin Jiangyun.
Before Qi Huaijing grew up, her husband managed the family business alone and was very smart and capable.
But he happened to be a bastard's son, which made him suffer a disadvantage in terms of status. Qin would have to wait until she gave birth to the eldest legitimate son before allowing other concubines to have children.
After Bai Lu finished talking about the things in the West Courtyard, she moved closer and lowered her voice beside Shen Tang.
"Although the Third Master got married late, he is a legitimate child. Now he has married a good wife like you. If he has a son in the future, he will be the eldest legitimate grandson of the Qi family..."
Chen Tang's face turned red, but his heart was slightly moved.
No wonder Qi Huaijing drove away all the old maids but kept Bai Lu.
This girl is truly a loyal servant. She always cares about the Third Master, and even I benefit from her and receive a lot of care from her.
Even...she cares so much about the young master whom she can't even see.
Chen Tang looked at her differently from then on.
Seeing that the maids had warmed up the osmanthus wine and roasted a plate of venison, Chen Tang tasted two pieces and found them to be tender and fragrant.
She ordered someone to pour a glass of wine and asked Bai Lu to sit down and drink with her.
Bai Lu waved her hands and said she didn't dare. She gave in for half a day and only drank half a glass of wine. Hua Ping, on the other hand, was fed by Chen Tang and ate two mouthfuls of venison and drank another glass of sweet wine.
The master and his servant were chatting and laughing when Qi Huaijing came back from outside.
As he was walking towards the room, he saw Chen Tang sitting in the yard, stopped, and walked towards him with a smile.
Chen Tang stood up to greet him, but he had already forced her to sit down, so she picked up a piece of venison with chopsticks and fed it into his mouth.
"Try it. Is it delicious?"
"Mm, it's delicious. This way of eating is rare. Was it you who ordered it?"
Seeing Chen Tang nodding with a smile, Qi Huaijing just started praising him.
"Well, it really tastes better than before, fresher and more interesting. Look, I'm not saying anything, she's worthy of being my wife, she's more sexy than others."
Chen Tang had already been so flattered by his praise that she smiled like a flower, and pooh-poohed him with a smile.
"It's so new, you just know how to tease people!"
Although this way of eating was somewhat novel, it was not unprecedented. Moreover, there was a ready-made stove at home, so he must have eaten it and seen it before. He had to find different ways to praise it, but it was just to make her laugh.
There was red-hot silver charcoal burning in the stove, which was placed next to the wisteria stand in the courtyard, on which was a glazed tile lamp.
Qi Huaijing sat next to Shen Tang, ate a few bites of venison with her hand, drank a glass of osmanthus wine, then thought the wine was too sweet, so he ordered someone to bring a pot of Jinhua wine and drank it by himself.
He took a sip first and found it sweet and delicious with a long lasting flavor.
"Mm, this is really sweet Jinhua wine. Come and have a taste."
Shen Tang was fed half a cup by him, but he felt it was very spicy and choked and coughed several times.
"Ahem, this is such a spicy wine, and you still lied to me and said it was sweet."
Qi Huaijing smiled and rubbed her back.
"Never mind, never mind. You can't handle this strong liquor. Just drink this sweet water."
After saying this, he asked the maids to leave, leaving only the couple, and then he took her in his arms, handing her bite of meat and cups of wine.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the moonlight in the courtyard is like water, and the shadows of branches and flowers under the lights flicker, swaying back and forth in the gentle golden breeze.
Chen Tang was not used to drinking and soon became overwhelmed. He was drunk and his face was flushed, his eyes were slightly tipsy, and his eyebrows were full of spring colors.
Seeing the drunk, delicate and beautiful woman in his arms, Qi Huaijing was moved and deliberately moved closer to her collar.
"It smells so good, where does it come from?"
Chen Tang was drunk and barely conscious.
"Hmm...it's osmanthus..."
She raised her hand to point at the wine glass, but Qi Huaijing grabbed her hand and held it behind her waist.
"It doesn't smell like osmanthus..."
He hugged her tighter and bent down to bite her collar.
"…It's the scent of my sister."
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