"Pig's trotters?" Qi Yong frowned. "Even the meat in the beard is considered lowly, let alone the trotters!"
How could my master eat such a thing?
This family is far too inconsiderate.
“Uncle,” Huang Chuan explained with a smile, “there are other dishes on the table, including mutton, fish, chicken, and duck. If you don’t eat pork, you can eat other dishes.”
"That's still not allowed..."
"Qi Yong, shut up," Ji Xuan said with a smile. "Thank you for your help."
“Brother Wang, Uncle Qi,” Han Yi explained, “the fact that we’ve placed the mustache meat on the table is not meant to be disrespectful to our distinguished guests. Mustache meat is a rare delicacy in the countryside; ordinary people only eat it once every month or two.”
This was the first time Ji Xuan had heard such words, and she was extremely puzzled. "People actually eat such disgusting meat as beard meat?"
“Young Master Wang,” Huang Chuan explained, “In the countryside, any kind of meat can fill you up, which is better than just drinking wild vegetable soup to fill your stomach. Besides, pork isn’t as bad as you think; it’s much more delicious than mutton.”
“That’s right,” Han Yun nodded seriously. “Young Master Wang, Auntie’s Dongpo pork is especially delicious. It’s tender and fragrant, and suitable for all ages.”
"Is that so? Then I must try it."
"master!"
"It's okay, I'm just trying it. It's fine. If others can eat it, I can too."
Upon hearing this, Huang Chuan's impression of Ji Xuan improved considerably.
Although he was a pampered young master who knew nothing of hardship, he was approachable and had no airs.
"Let's not talk about this anymore, let's go home first, otherwise the food will get cold."
As soon as Ji Xuan stepped into the courtyard, she smelled a faint, cool fragrance. Looking around, she saw the red plum blossoms blooming wildly and luxuriantly in the corner of the wall, and she was immediately surprised.
"How can there still be plum blossoms at this time of year? And rare red plum blossoms at that."
Few of the plum trees in his garden can compare to the one in front of him.
It made him want to dig it back.
"My aunt dug it up from the mountain and took good care of it," Han Yi said casually, noticing the covetous look in Ji Xuan's eyes. "This plum tree is the Huang family's prized possession. My father begged my aunt for a long time, but she wouldn't budge. She only said that she would give my father a branch next year."
“I see,” Ji Xuan said with some regret. “That’s right, a gentleman does not take what others cherish.”
Knowing that Han Yi had brought people, Jiang Nuan had two tables set up in the hall, one for women and children and the other for the men.
The room was spacious, and even with two tables placed in it, there was still room to spare.
When Ji Xuan arrived, the Huang family was already seated, waiting for everyone to arrive before they started eating.
At first glance, seeing a room full of men, women, and children, he wondered if he had come to the wrong place. "Brother Wang."
“Five empty seats,” Han Yi said with a smile, “just enough for us, one for each of us, don’t be shy.”
After Han Yi finished speaking, he pulled Ji Xuan to sit down next to Jiang Nuan.
“That’s true,” Jiang Nuan said with a smile. “Our family is different from other places; we don’t have as many rules.”
"I can see that," Ji Xuan forced a smile, which looked very unnatural. "I've caused Auntie trouble."
After ascending the throne, it seemed to be the first time he sat in the guest seat, and on such a simple bench at that.
This feeling is indescribably complex.
"It's alright!" Jiang Nuan nodded and began to greet Han Yun, "Xiao Yun, sit down quickly, there are several dishes you like to eat today."
"Auntie, let's forget about it."
Han Yun wanted to cry. He wanted to sit down, but the person next to him wouldn't allow it.
Three times, a full three times, they grabbed my arm and wouldn't let me move.
"What are you saying? Sit down and eat," Jiang Nuan said, shifting her gaze to Qi Yong beside her. She didn't know how to address him. "Brother, please sit down and have a meal with us."
Jiang Nuan glanced at Qi Yong casually, her eyes filled with doubt.
With a fair complexion and no beard, yet exuding an air of authority, he somehow resembles a eunuch.
But how is that possible?
Huangjiakou is so remote that even acquaintances can't find the way, so how could there be eunuchs there?
This is simply unbelievable!
"Madam Jiang, you don't need to worry about me. I'll just serve my master his meals."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Nuan revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."
His voice was deep and husky, so he definitely wasn't a eunuch.
I knew I was overthinking things.
“Uncle, why don’t you sit down with me?” Han Yun explained in a low voice. “Even your one-year-old daughter can eat by herself, let alone your young master.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yong was speechless. He subconsciously looked at the table next to him and immediately saw a chubby little baby sitting in a strange chair, staring at him without blinking.
In front of her was a wooden bowl and a wooden spoon.
"No, this is simply..."
Before he could utter the words "outrageous and disrespectful," Qi Yong heard Ji Xuan's voice, "Sit down and eat with us. Don't dawdle. I have hands and feet; I don't need to be waited on."
His words carried a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.
He felt he was not even as good as a baby.
"Uncle Qi, please sit down," Han Yi quickly smoothed things over. "There aren't that many rules here, so don't feel pressured."
Back then, Han Yun was just as nervous, but he adapted faster than anyone else. Now, when it comes to eat here, he runs faster than this young master.
"Please forgive this old servant for overstepping his bounds."
Although Qi Yong obediently sat down, he didn't touch his chopsticks, and his bottom barely touched the chair.
Jiang Nuan's gaze swept casually over the master and servant, and she coughed lightly before speaking, "Our distinguished guests are seated, let's begin our meal."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone immediately picked up their chopsticks.
"Brother Wang, try the stewed mutton. It's braised with spices, and you can't find it anywhere else."
After Han Yi finished speaking, he picked up a meatball, put it in his bowl, and began to eat it elegantly.
"Braised fish is also delicious," Han Yun added, "but be careful of fish bones, don't swallow them."
After saying that, he picked up a piece of Dongpo pork with his chopsticks and ate it with gusto. His movements weren't rude, but he chewed very quickly.
Seeing this, Qi Yong wished he could grab Han Yun and beat him up. Sitting and eating with the current emperor was a blessing he had accumulated over several lifetimes, yet Han Yun only cared about eating by himself. It was simply outrageous!
“Is that so?” Ji Xuan nodded. “I’ll try it.”
After saying that, he took a bite of mutton and immediately covered his mouth in amazement. There was no gamey smell at all, just a numbing and spicy flavor that was incredibly delicious.
"They actually put dogwood in it?" Qi Yong was very unhappy. "Master can't eat spicy food."
"I'm sorry, I didn't think this through," Han Yi said, bowing his head. "How about some soup or some vegetables? They're delicious too."
"It's nothing, Qi Yong is making a fuss over nothing. I think it's delicious." She then gave Qi Yong a warning look, "Eat your food and leave me alone."
"Have some soup," Jiang Nuan said, noticing Ji Xuan's slightly red lips. "Han Yi, the young master of the Wang family doesn't know where the bowl is. Could you help him get some?"
Jiang Nuan was worried that the guests wouldn't be able to handle spicy food, so she only added a tiny bit of chili powder to enhance the flavor and remove any fishy smell; it was only mildly spicy.
I never expected that someone couldn't even handle this much spice.
"No, really no, I don't like soup."
He had long since had his fill of all kinds of soups and broths, especially those that were nourishing.
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