Chapter 277 Not in Control of One's Own Fate
As the sun gradually set in the west, it painted the sky a warm orange-red, and the mountain breeze carried a hint of coolness.
The group of people returning from their spring outing were covered in the fresh scent of grass and trees and a light sheen of sweat.
Back at the general store, Jiang Ling packed up the goods that Ji Wensheng had ordered and watched him load them onto the carriage.
Ji Wensheng was very satisfied and bowed deeply to Jiang Ling: "Thank you very much, Boss Jiang, for your hospitality today. You have allowed me to experience the true joy of rural life and the beauty of nature. This trip has been worthwhile!"
Jiang Ling glanced at the sky and extended an invitation to Ji Wensheng: "Young Master Ji, you've had a long day. If you're not in a hurry to return to the capital, please stay for dinner before you go. It's just simple food, please don't find it offensive."
Ji Wensheng initially wanted to decline, but looking at Jiang Ling's open and sincere smile, and recalling everything he had seen and heard that day, he felt a pang of reluctance and thus cupped his hands in a smile and said:
"Mr. Jiang's hospitality is too kind of me to refuse. But I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again."
"It's just an extra set of chopsticks and a bowl, Young Master Ji, there's no need to be so polite," Jiang Ling said, then turned and went into the kitchen.
Seeing this, Xiao Qiu quickly followed to help, but Jiang Ling gently stopped her at the kitchen door.
"You must be tired today, go and rest. I'll prepare dinner."
Xiao Qiu opened her mouth, but seeing Jiang Ling's insistent expression, she had no choice but to retreat to the side and help tidy up the tables and chairs in the yard.
Xiao Yi surrounded Ji Wensheng, chattering about the interesting things that happened in the village. Ji Wensheng also liked children, so he listened with a smile, occasionally teasing him, and laughter could be heard from time to time.
In the kitchen, Jiang Ling closed the door and took out the cooked food she had bought at the market yesterday from the refrigerator: a braised duck, a braised pig's trotter, a braised ribbonfish, and two side dishes.
The stove fire was lit. All the food was already prepared; it just needed to be heated up.
In just over fifteen minutes, dinner was ready.
When Jiang Ling and Xiao Ran brought the food to the stone table in the courtyard, Ji Wensheng could hardly hide his curiosity and surprise.
The braised ribbonfish, in particular, attracted all his attention.
The fish was fried or roasted until it had a uniform golden-red color, and the surface was covered with a thick, glossy sauce. The pieces were neatly arranged.
He knew it was a fish, but he had never seen a fish that looked like this before.
"Boss Jiang, what kind of fish is this?"
Ji Wensheng couldn't help but point to the plate of ribbonfish and ask, his tone full of surprise.
"How can its shape be so peculiar? I have traveled all over the country and have seen a lot of aquatic products, but I have never seen such...such neat fish before."
The fish pieces were almost all the same size, and the flesh looked firm and layered, which was quite different from what he knew fish to be like.
Jiang Ling smiled slightly and explained, "This fish is called ribbonfish. It lives in the deep sea, so its shape is different from river fish. It is named for its flat and long body, which is like a ribbon. The head, tail and internal organs have been removed before cooking, so it looks neater."
Xiao Yi also enthusiastically recommended it from the side: "Brother Ji, this ribbonfish is delicious! It has no small bones at all, and it's not fishy at all!"
Not content with that, he leaned close to Ji Wensheng's ear and said, "My sister is a great cook, but she doesn't cook often. She only cooked today because Brother Ji is here. Brother Ji, you must enjoy it."
Ji Wensheng was amused by him and lowered his voice to cooperate, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, I will definitely taste it carefully."
After saying that, he made a face at me.
After the bowls and chopsticks were neatly set out, Jiang Ling gestured for everyone to take their seats.
"Young Master Ji, please try it and see if the taste suits your palate?"
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Ji Wensheng picked up a piece of ribbonfish as instructed. He carefully took a bite. The outer layer was slightly charred and crispy, while the fish meat inside was unusually white, firm, and elastic, quite different from the soft texture of the freshwater fish he usually ate.
One bite and it's all fish meat. Just as Xiaoyi said, this fish has no bones at all. It's very convenient to eat.
"It's delicious!" Ji Wensheng's eyes lit up.
"This fish has firm and springy flesh, a rich and mellow flavor, no muddy taste whatsoever, and few bones with plenty of meat. It is truly a delicacy I have never seen before! Miss Jiang's culinary skills are superb, I am amazed!"
Jiang Ling felt a little embarrassed by what she said, since she had only done the heating step.
"I'm glad you like it, Young Master Ji."
Jiang Ling invited everyone to eat together.
Four people sat at one table. Ji Wensheng's guards patrolled the door, while Xiao Qiu served everyone their meal.
Xiao Yi couldn't wait to pick up a piece of braised duck and put it in Ji Wensheng's bowl.
"Brother Ji, try this braised duck, it's delicious!"
Ji Wensheng looked at the extra meat in his bowl.
The meat was a deep, enticing reddish-brown, glossy and shiny, looking dry, fragrant, and firm. If Xiao Yi hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have been able to tell it was duck meat.
"So this is a duck..."
Meat was still a scarce commodity in those days, and people usually ate it directly after buying it, rarely making it into cured meat.
Chickens and ducks raised on farms are kept to lay eggs even if they are not eaten; they are rarely made into cured meat and hung on the door to air out.
He picked up a piece of duck meat and put it in his mouth. He found that the meat was dry and fragrant but not tough, with distinct textures. A rich soy sauce aroma and just the right amount of spiciness exploded on his tongue. It was chewy and became more and more fragrant the more he chewed.
"Fragrant and flavorful, dry and chewy, there must be more than a dozen spices involved! What a unique way to make it!" Ji Wensheng exclaimed again.
Spices were still a rarity in this era, and few people were willing to spend so much on food.
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "It seems that Young Master Ji is quite knowledgeable about food. This braised duck is indeed made with special ingredients and takes a long time to prepare. I found it by chance when I was sourcing goods in the south. If Young Master Ji likes it, you can take two back with you later and heat them up to eat."
Upon hearing this, Ji Wensheng beamed with joy: "In that case, I, Ji, will not refuse!"
Just as Ji Wensheng finished his polite greetings, he saw Xiao Yi finish a bowl of rice with braised pig's trotters.
He couldn't help but tease, "Why didn't you put any of this dish on my plate?"
Xiao Yi's cheeks were bulging: "This pig's trotter is too fatty. I thought Brother Ji might not like it, so I'm sharing it with you."
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
Braised pig's trotters are Xiaoyi's favorite dish.
Perhaps because he was afraid of being hungry when he was a child, he now has a particular fondness for oily and juicy foods.
"You little rascal." Ji Wensheng chuckled and tapped his head, a genuine smile on his face.
The atmosphere around him suddenly became warm and cozy. This little courtyard seemed to have a unique charm, which swept away all the troubles he had accumulated in the capital recently.
Here, you don't need to be careful with your words or actions, and you don't need to be overly cautious.
No wonder Fang Shijie wanted to build a house here and live here. After spending a day with him, he also had the idea of settling down here.
Unfortunately, affairs in the capital were complicated, and as the eldest son in his family, he carried the family's mission and simply didn't have that much freedom.
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