Chapter 39 Zhao Jingxing comes to say goodbye
A cool breeze blew in the evening, and rosy clouds appeared on the horizon.
The sun is about to set.
Jiang Ling had a relatively quiet day today. Apart from the group of ladies who came in the morning, no other clients came afterward.
Looking at this pile of fresh fruits and vegetables, Jiang Ling couldn't bear to waste them.
I took out my phone and found a few cooking videos.
Her kitchen was fully equipped with pots, pans, and utensils, as well as a full range of appliances.
Sadly, Jiang Ling only knew how to cook instant noodles since she was a child...
Following the video online, I finally managed to settle down for dinner.
All that's left is the food.
The first dish is meatball and loofah soup.
It's simple. Just boil water, add meatballs and loofah, cook until done, and season.
We don't have any fresh pork at home, but we do have cured pork and some meat rolls we bought last time.
The cured pork was delicious, and the meat rolls were delicious too...
So Jiang Ling turned around and opened the food delivery app.
That's enough for today's tasting of loofah; we'll try the rest next time.
The food is ready, and the takeout has arrived.
As soon as the iron gate closed, Jiang Ling opened the wooden door.
Sitting at the table behind the counter.
Rice, meatball soup, sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork, and steamed sea bass.
Just as I was about to pick up my chopsticks, I heard the sound of a horse being reined in at the door.
"Drive!"
Jiang Ling put down her chopsticks and looked up, "Young Master Zhao!"
Zhao Jingxing bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Miss Jiang!"
"No need for formalities, Young Master Zhao. Have you eaten yet? I was just about to eat. If not, let's eat together."
Zhao Jingxing then realized that the timing of his arrival was not right. Upon closer inspection, he could smell the aroma of food filling the air.
He was originally going to the upstream village to explain some things, but he happened to pass by Jishui Village, so he took a detour to take a look.
"It is Jingxing who has been presumptuous in disturbing you!"
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Ling figured he probably hadn't eaten, so she went into the kitchen and grabbed another set of bowls and chopsticks.
"There's no need to disturb. We just happened to order a bit too much today. I was thinking that I couldn't finish it all by myself, so I asked Young Master Zhao to help me eat some."
Therefore, Zhao Jingxing could not refuse any longer. "Then Jingxing will respectfully accept your offer. Thank you, Miss Jiang."
Upon closer inspection, Zhao Jingxing was slightly surprised by the food on the table.
I never expected that Miss Jiang would be so particular about eating alone.
However, considering that Miss Jiang could casually give away medicine for thousands of people, it's clear that she's not an ordinary villager.
Living in this small Jishui Village is just a way to escape to a quiet place.
"It's just a simple meal; I don't know if you'll find it palatable."
Jiang Ling had never tasted the food of this dynasty before and didn't know what their taste was like.
"Miss Jiang, you are overthinking it. Such delicious food is so appetizing that just smelling it makes one's mouth water."
Zhao Jingxing was not lying. Even though he was a young master from a prominent family, he could not eat such food every day.
After being ravaged by the army's food for several days, his stomach was already rumbling with hunger.
“We’re about the same age, so don’t call me Miss Jiang anymore, just call me Jiang Ling. Can I call you Zhao Jingxing? We’ve already eaten at the same table, it’s too formal to keep calling me ‘young master’ or ‘young lady’.”
Zhao Jingxing blushed almost imperceptibly. "Okay, Jiang Ling."
Jiang Ling picked up a mouthful of rice with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, saying as she ate, "By the way, how's the situation with the wounded in the military camp lately? Also, why hasn't Cheng Fang come?"
“Cheng Fang and His Highness the Crown Prince returned to the capital three days ago, while I stayed behind to handle the aftermath. Today, the last patient in the military camp has also been cleared of the risk of infection, and this epidemic can be considered completely over. The subsequent resettlement of the disaster victims will be handled by the magistrate of Ping'an County.”
"That's good."
The two chatted and finished their dinner.
This was the first time Zhao Jingxing had eaten face-to-face with a girl like this. At home, they always ate separately and adhered to the principle of not speaking while eating or sleeping.
No one spoke during the meal; even the sound of chewing had to be kept extremely low so as not to be detected.
With the presence of Cheng Fang, a spoiled young master, in the military camp, the dining atmosphere improved considerably, although the camp was also filled with men.
I've never had a meal and a conversation with a woman like this before, face to face.
He was initially reserved, but the food was so delicious that he ended up eating three large bowls of food before he knew it.
Jiang Ling could only eat one bowl of rice before she couldn't eat anymore; she was still regretting that she had cooked too much rice.
Fortunately, Zhao Jingxing was there. He ate three bowls of rice in one go and cleaned up all the leftover food on the table.
Jiang Ling was very envious of his appetite. If she had a meal buddy like him, she would never have to worry about leftovers again!
Seeing her looking at him, Zhao Jingxing smiled shyly and said:
"Please excuse my poor cooking. It's because Jiang, Jiang Ling, your cooking is so delicious that I accidentally ate too much!"
"Don't be shy, being able to eat is a blessing. Besides, I know there's not much good food in the military camp, so you've really had a hard time."
Jiang Ling felt embarrassed, since she had made the rice and meatball and loofah soup on the table.
They chatted for a while longer. Jiang Ling learned that Zhao Jingxing's father was a fourth-rank official, Guanglu Dafu, making him a second-generation official.
Unfortunately, Zhao Jingxing was not born to the legal wife, but was the eldest son of a concubine.
Therefore, his position in the family is somewhat delicate.
After Zhao Jingxing's mother gave birth to him, she was no longer favored.
His legal wife, fearing his status as the eldest son born out of wedlock, suppressed him at every turn.
He didn't have a good life at home growing up. His father arranged for him to be sent to the army for training at a young age.
Because he has grown up in the past few years and has made some contributions, his father is finally willing to give him more respect.
But precisely because he was the eldest son of a concubine, the more outstanding he was, the more jealousy he aroused from the legal wife and the legitimate son.
Therefore, sometimes he would rather stay in the military camp than go home.
“Even if the time is delayed again and again, I still have to return to the capital tomorrow to report on my work.” Zhao Jingxing sighed softly.
He was not yet married and could not live separately, so he could only return to that suffocating home.
Jiang Ling didn't know how to comfort her, so she simply said, "Then I wish you a safe journey."
Zhao Jingxing looked at Jiang Ling's calm face and nodded. "Thank you."
In the distance, the faint chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the wind blowing through the leaves in front of the door.
The bowls and plates on the table were empty, but the lingering aroma of the food still filled the air.
"Let me help you clean up." Zhao Jingxing stood up and quickly began stacking the bowls and chopsticks.
Having been used to doing these things in the military camp, he was even more efficient than Jiang Ling.
"No need, no need, I can do it myself." Jiang Ling wasn't pretending to be virtuous; she was just afraid he would see the strange appliances in the kitchen and wouldn't be able to explain it to him.
"This meal is for the two of us, so we should do something about it. Don't argue."
Jiang Ling couldn't refuse him, so she let him help carry the dishes into the kitchen.
"Just put it in that sink, I'll wash it in a bit."
Zhao Jingxing looked around and said, "Why is there no water tank? Is there no water? I'll go fetch some water."
"No need, the water's right here." Jiang Ling walked over and turned on the tap.
Watching the clear water slowly flow from the metal pipe, Zhao Jingxing was stunned for a moment. "Miss Jiang's shop is indeed extraordinary."
After everything was tidied up, night had fallen.
Zhao Jingxing knew it was time to take his leave.
"Consider these as gifts for your family, some local specialty snacks."
Jiang Ling packed him a big bag of snacks and pastries, not knowing what he needed. She didn't dare pack anything else, afraid he wouldn't know how to use it.
Remembering what the villager had said earlier, I picked up a men's raincoat from the shelf for him.
"I heard it will rain tomorrow. This coat is waterproof, but I don't know if it will be suitable for you. Just take it and wear it if it rains heavily."
He mounted his horse and took one last look at Jiang Ling. "Thank you, Jiang Ling."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com