Gu Xingzhi rubbed his hands together, about to reach for a piece of chicken to put in his mouth, when Qiaoniang glared at him and said, "Wash your hands!"
Hearing them return, Gu Yaoniang put the tied-up hairy crabs into the steamer and placed a slice of ginger on the belly of each crab.
She led the people from the kitchen to the dining room carrying bowls, plates, and dishes. Gu Xingzhi and Qiaoniang also washed their hands and came over. They naturally took the plates and dishes from Yaoniang's hands and went to the dining room together.
"Today, it doesn't matter whether you are masters or servants. You can all go and eat by yourselves. There's no need to keep anyone to serve you."
Seeing that there were only a few servants left standing in the hall and they seemed a little restrained, Gu Xingzhi told them to leave.
Bitao and the other two observed Yaoniang's expression and, seeing Yaoniang nod, then withdrew.
As for Yu Erniang, Yao Niang saved her and treated her with the courtesy due to a guest, but she insisted on being with the servants.
Yao Niang worried that if she insisted on keeping Yu Er Niang, Yu Er Niang would feel uncomfortable, so she did not insist.
Only Yao Niang, Gu Xingzhi, and Qiao Niang remained in the dining room.
The dining room of the Gu family is next to a flower path, where you can see the moonlight.
Gu Xingzhi picked up the wine pot and poured a cup of osmanthus wine for Yao Niang and Qiao Niang respectively, and said with a smile, "This is the first time our Yao Niang has spent the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital."
Qiaoniang smiled and said, "Now that Yaoniang is here, it finally feels like we're celebrating at home. In previous years, my second master and I would each eat a mooncake, and that was considered a festival."
Gu Yaoniang looked at Gu Xingzhi, and although she didn't speak, her eyes were very clear—Second Uncle, how could you do this!
Gu Xingzhi understood what he meant, and feeling guilty, he touched his stomach and said, "Let's eat, I'm hungry."
Seeing that Yao Niang was about to reach for the osmanthus wine he had just poured, Gu Xingzhi quickly stopped her: "You can't drink it! Drinking osmanthus wine during the Mid-Autumn Festival is a good omen, just for good luck. Don't actually drink it!"
Qiao Niang was clearly also thinking of how Gu Yao Niang got drunk after just one cup of wine, and she covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed.
Gu Yaoniang looked embarrassed, but still stubbornly insisted, "I'll just smell it!"
Bishuang brought over the steamed hairy crabs and then left.
The golden crabs were placed on a white jade plate, some of the crab roe having already been steamed out and dripped onto the plate. They looked exceptionally tempting.
Gu Xingzhi dismantled the crab very quickly.
Yao Niang watched as he quickly prepared a crab and placed it on the plate in front of Qiao Niang, and stared at him longingly without saying a word.
Seeing this, Gu Xingzhi had no choice but to take the rather pitiful crab from Yao Niang's hand and start dismantling it for her.
Yao Niang chuckled and looked at Qiao Niang. Qiao Niang's face turned slightly red, but she tried to remain calm and continued to pick at the crab meat with a small skewer, eating slowly and deliberately.
Gu Xingzhi and Qiao Niang both praised Yao Niang's cooking skills. Yao Niang looked pleased with herself. She ate leisurely, but urged the two of them to eat more.
Gu Xingzhi, supporting his slightly protruding belly, sighed, "Daughters are still the best!"
Qiao Niang also used many things, but unlike Gu Xingzhi, she didn't disregard her image and remained dignified.
Gu Xingzhi then turned to Yao Niang and asked, "Have you received any letters from home recently?"
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