An Dashan was not angry when Gao exposed his secrets. He said, "Hehe, it's because Ningning's cooking is so delicious. The servants have been cooking for me recently. I haven't eaten Ningning's cooking for a long time. I didn't pay attention and ate more."
Gao rolled her eyes at An Dashan and said, "Other people's daughters are pampered, but you treat your own daughter as a cook."
An Dashan immediately cried out in injustice, "It's unfair. When did I treat Ningning as a cook? It's just that Ningning hasn't cooked for a long time and I'm greedy!"
An Ning smiled and said, "I know Dad is worried that the food I worked so hard to prepare will be wasted, so he ate it all."
An Dashan nodded and said, "My daughter still understands me."
After they finished their dinner, they chatted and laughed. An Yong said, "Dad, Mom, my colleagues want to come to our house as guests. When do you have time?"
Gao smiled and said, "We don't have much to do right now. When you are free, just invite all your colleagues to our home."
An Yong nodded and said, "Okay, we'll discuss it tomorrow and tell you then."
They chatted for a while and then went back to rest.
The next day, An Yong arrived at the military camp and discussed with the generals to see which day would be suitable. After discussion, it was decided that three days later would be the rest time, most of the generals would be free, and only a few would need to be on duty, so they decided to invite guests on that day.
The generals looked at the crowd with envy, and one of them said sourly: "You guys eat and drink well, don't worry about us, just let us sit here and starve!"
An Yong looked at everyone with amusement and said, "Don't worry, you guys are indispensable. I will definitely invite you guys individually next time."
After hearing this, several people became happy. The man who had just spoken said, "Well, you are still a good brother."
Three days later, the An family did not hold a grand banquet, but only prepared two tables of good wine and food. The wine was the top-quality Bamboo Leaf Green, and the dishes were carefully prepared by An Ning and the two cooks. There were a total of sixteen dishes, including specialties from the border and An Ning's specialty, which was considered a very sumptuous meal.
Because there were only male guests, An Ning and Gao Shi did not show up. Only An Yong and An Dashan were receiving the guests in the front yard.
After An Ning prepared the meal, she went to Gao's room. The mother and daughter ate the freshly prepared meal, and they felt quite comfortable.
At the beginning of the banquet, An Yong and the other generals were surprised when the Duke of England showed up uninvited. The Duke of England smiled and said, "Why? General An doesn't welcome me?"
An Yong said quickly: "I dare not, but I didn't expect the commander to come. I am sorry for not welcoming you. Please forgive me."
Duke Ying laughed and said, "I am a bit abrupt, but I came here to discuss something with Uncle An. Just eat your food and don't worry about me."
When An Dashan heard that they were here to see him, he said, "Qingxuan, since you are here, why don't you have lunch first and then talk about other things?"
The Duke of England smiled and said, "No, they won't be able to drink to their heart's content with me here. Let's find a quiet place to talk."
Seeing that Duke Ying was determined to do so, An Dashan stopped trying to persuade him and took Duke Ying to the study room in the backyard of his and Gao's courtyard. Duke Ying smelled the aroma of food coming from the flower hall and said, "Uncle An, I came out in a hurry and haven't had lunch yet. I wonder if it's convenient for you?"
The Duke of England didn't finish his words, but An Dashan understood Huali's meaning. However, the Duke of England didn't want to eat with the other generals, so he could only say, "My wife and daughter just finished their meal. If Qingxuan doesn't mind, let's eat together!"
The Duke of England quickly said, "Uncle An, you are joking. How could you dislike it?"
The two men entered the flower hall. Gao and An Ning had just finished their meal. When they saw them coming, they quickly stood up and saluted.
The Duke of England said, "You two don't have to be so polite. I am the one who came here to eat for free. I hope you won't find me being abrupt."
Gao said, "Mr. Yinggong is too serious. It's just a meal." Then she told Chuntao to bring the bowls and chopsticks.
Duke Ying sat down with a smile and said, "Aunt An, why don't you call me Qingxuan like Uncle An did?"
Gao knew that Duke Ying was trying to show goodwill, so she didn't hesitate and said, "Qingxuan, these dishes are carefully prepared by Ningning and the cook at home. You must eat more."
Duke of England Gu Qingxuan was not polite either. After he sat down, he said, "Don't worry, Aunt An, Qingxuan will definitely not be polite." He took the lead in picking up a piece of tempting sweet and sour spareribs, took a bite, and said, "This sparerib has a good color, aroma and taste. It is sour and sweet and very appetizing. I have never eaten it anywhere else. I think it must be made by Aning herself."
An Ning's hands trembled, and the fried meatballs in her hand almost fell. She quickly put the meatballs in the bowl, thinking that she was not familiar with this British duke, why was he so rude to call her by her maiden name. But he was a guest, and it was not good to offend him in public, so she said: "This dish is called sweet and sour pork ribs, and it is indeed my own creation. I wonder if it suits your taste?"
Gu Qingxuan nodded and said, "Well, it's delicious." After saying this, he began to taste other dishes.
The people in the backyard were eating quietly, but the people in the front yard were different. They were all rough soldiers and bold men. After three rounds of drinking, the people led by General Li said, "Although this Zhuyeqing is good, it is not strong enough. General An, why don't you replace this Zhuyeqing with the Shaodaozi we have at the border."
An Yong nodded and said, "Okay." Then he ordered his servants to replace all the Bamboo Leaf Green with Shao Dao Zi.
General Li took a sip of the Shaodaozi, grimaced at the spiciness, and said, "It's delicious! This is the kind of wine a man should drink." A group of people were toasting each other and the atmosphere was very lively.
In the backyard, An Dashan and his friends finished lunch and took Duke Ying to the study. Although it was a study, there were not many books in it. After An Dashan asked Duke Ying to sit down, he said, "I wonder what Qingxuan wants to talk to me about?"
The Duke of England actually wanted to come here to find an opportunity to spend more time with An Ning. After all, he was old, and it was not easy for him to meet a girl he was attracted to, so he had to hold on to her tightly. So the Duke of England found an excuse and said, "Can you ask An Ning to come to the study? I have something important to discuss with her."
An Dashan didn't understand why, but he still asked someone to call An Ning over. An Ning didn't think much about it and followed the servant to the study.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
