In the capital city, in the deep courtyards of Shen Rui's mansion, amidst the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds, the newlywed Shen Rui had shed some of his youthful naiveté, appearing even more gentle and refined. It was currently a day of rest for the court officials.
On the breakfast table, a table full of exquisite Jiangnan-style snacks was laid out. Pei Qingyun picked up a crystal shrimp dumpling that was translucent and was about to put it in her mouth when Shen Rui gently stopped her.
"Qingyun, wait a moment." Shen Rui said gently, picking up a small dish with a prepared ginger and vinegar sauce. "Your stomach is weak, and these shrimp dumplings are cooling. Dip them in the ginger and vinegar sauce to warm your stomach." He naturally picked up a shrimp dumpling with his chopsticks, dipped it lightly in the ginger and vinegar sauce, and then brought it to Pei Qingyun's lips.
Pei Qingyun's cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes were filled with a sweet smile. She gently bit his hand and said, "Mmm, Brother Rui is so thoughtful." She picked up a silk handkerchief and gently wiped away a bit of vinegar that Shen Rui had accidentally gotten on his fingertips, her movements natural and intimate.
The maids nearby smirked and quietly moved away.
“It’s a day off today, and the weather is nice,” Shen Rui said, looking at his wife’s satisfied smile. “The chrysanthemums in the village west of the city are in full bloom. I recently got a gentle pony. How about I take you horseback riding to admire the flowers? I remember when you were little, you always begged me to take you horseback riding.”
Pei Qingyun's eyes lit up: "Really? Great! But..." she smiled slyly, "Brother Rui, you can't complain about my clumsiness like you did when we were little!"
Shen Rui chuckled and affectionately flicked her nose: "My lady's riding skills are now superb, and I am completely outmatched. Today, I only ask that my lady do me the honor of letting me lead the horse and put it in the stirrups so that I can protect you."
The two smiled at each other, and the air was filled with the sweet atmosphere of newlyweds.
The General's Mansion in Dingyuan City lacks the prosperity of the capital, but it possesses the grandeur and freedom of the frontier.
"Mother! Mother! A new Hu-style roasted lamb restaurant has opened in the east of the city! I heard that the lambs are raised on sand onions, and they don't have any gamey smell at all when roasted. They smell so good that you'll want to swallow your tongue!" Shen Zhao rushed into the study like a gust of wind, grabbed Xiao Mingyu (the second princess)'s arm, who was looking at the account books, and shook it vigorously. Her eyes were bright and full of longing.
Xiao Mingyu was dizzy from being shaken by her daughter, and helplessly put down the account book: "You little glutton! All you ever do is eat! Your father is eating dry rations in the camp, while you're searching the whole city for delicious food!"
“Food is the most important thing for the people!” Shen Zhao said confidently. “Father is protecting the country, and I am… well, observing the people’s conditions and learning about the special delicacies of Dingyuan! Right, Father?” She just happened to see Shen Wensong, dressed in military uniform, walk in.
Shen Wensong laughed heartily, picked up his daughter and weighed her in his arms: "That's right! Our Zhao'er is right! If you want to eat, go ahead! Dad's treating! Come on, call your mother, let's go eat roast whole lamb as a family!"
"Yay! Daddy's the best!" Shen Zhao cheered excitedly.
In the night, a bonfire blazed brightly in Dingyuan City. On the huge grill, a whole lamb was roasted to a golden brown and crispy perfection, the fat sizzling and the aroma filling the air. Ignoring the heat, Shen Zhao used a small knife to cut off a piece of succulent lamb, its skin crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and popped it into his mouth. He gasped for breath from the heat, but his eyes squinted with satisfaction: "Mmm! So delicious! Mother, you have to try some!"
Watching her daughter devour the food without any regard for appearances, and then seeing her husband's doting smile, Xiao Mingyu smiled and accepted the carefully sliced mutton he offered. The family sat around the campfire, enjoying the fragrant roasted mutton, drinking mellow mare's milk wine, and listening to the exotic tunes played by the foreign merchant. Their laughter echoed under the starry sky of the frontier.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Shen Zhao was still eager for more: "Father, Mother, take me horseback riding outside the city tomorrow! I heard the autumn grass has turned yellow, and riding it looks like a golden ocean!"
“Okay!” Shen Wensong readily agreed, “Your father will take you there himself tomorrow.”
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