"Master, wake up. It's snowing outside. You've been looking forward to it."
When Yinzuo was pulled out of his specially customized large recliner by Dexi, he was still a little confused, but he still heard what Dexi said.
"Then what are you still standing there for? Why don't you go get my cloak and let's go outside and take a look. If the snow is heavy enough, you can set up the tent I asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make earlier, and then get a small stove. I also want to experience the fun of green ant new wine and red clay stove."
Although Dexi really didn't understand what fun was there in staying outside in the freezing cold of winter, it didn't affect his determination to carry out Yinzuo's orders without compromise. Although the snow had just fallen not long ago, looking at the thin layer of white on the ground, he knew it was snowing quite heavily. Dexi asked people to clean up the snow on the ground and set up the tent. Afraid that Yinzuo would be cold inside, he laid two layers of waterproof oilcloth on the ground and then put a thick carpet on the oilcloth before placing the table, recliner, and small stove that Yinzuo wanted in there one by one. He lit a fire and waited until the tent was a little warmer before going into the house to invite Yinzuo out.
"Not bad, Dexi is really thoughtful. The carpet on the floor not only looks clean, but also effectively blocks the cold air from the ground. It really kills two birds with one stone. But I need to pay attention to the stove..."
Yinzuo spent most of the day staying in the tent, watching the falling snow outside without moving. Dexi was afraid that the wind from outside would freeze Yinzuo, so he wanted to lower the door curtain, but people wouldn't let him. So Dexi had no choice but to have someone add two stoves in the tent, and then prepare ginger slices and brown sugar. He boiled ginger soup on the small stove in front of Yinzuo and fed Yinzuo cup after cup.
"I say, Dexi, let's stop now. It's only been a short while, and if I remember correctly, this is the third cup of ginger tea you've given me. I want to experience the pleasure of warming wine, not come here to drink ginger tea."
Although Yinzuo couldn't tolerate the taste of ginger at all, he didn't like it either. He frowned at the strong-smelling ginger soup from Dexi. When Dexi handed him another cup of ginger tea, he finally couldn't help it!
"Master, if you insist on sitting here, then I will give you this ginger tea. Although it is said that snow is not as cold as thawed snow, you have been sitting here for a long time. If you catch a cold, you will be the only one to suffer. Just listen to my advice and let's go inside and sit by the window. It will be the same. That way, you won't have to drink this ginger tea."
Seeing that Dexi was completely unmoved, Yinzuo's last persistence finally succumbed to the unpalatable ginger tea. Fortunately, he had stayed in this tent for so long and had experienced something new, so he was not so reluctant when Dexi pulled him back.
"Dexi, have someone run to the imperial kitchen later and have them cut a few more portions of mutton for the hot pot and send them over. Also, prepare some seasonal vegetables and fruits, and bring two pots of wine. When Fourth Brother and the others return from the government office, go next door and call Fourth Brother and Yin'er over. Eating hot pot is always more lively when there are more people."
Dexi has always been reliable in his work. After a short while, he passed on the tasks instructed by Yinzuo and sent someone to pass on the message to the next door early. So in the evening, with the arrival of Yinzhen and others, Yinzuo's courtyard gradually became lively.
"Sixth brother, your pot looks fresh and is quite ingenious. With the partition in the middle, you can put two kinds of soup base in one pot, which saves a lot of trouble."
"Right? Fifth Brother is so discerning. He saw the difference of this pot right away. It's called a 'Double-Spice Pot'. Its characteristic is that it can hold two kinds of soup bases at the same time, so everyone can choose according to their own taste."
Seeing that Yinqi seemed very interested in the pot, Yinzuo immediately became excited. After all, he had had this pot customized according to the current double-flavored pot. Isn't Yinqi praising the pot's ingenuity the same as praising him? It must be said that Yinzuo's shameless enthusiasm is indeed unmatched by ordinary people.
As the brothers were talking, things were delivered from the imperial kitchen. In addition to the mutton, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and wine that Yinzuo had ordered, they also brought a tomato soup base made according to the recipe provided by Yinzuo. It was the first time for everyone to see such a soup base, and they couldn't help but feel curious.
"Sixth Brother, this is the hot pot soup base made with wolfberries that you mentioned before, right? It smells good, but I wonder how it tastes?"
Seeing that everyone seemed to be very interested in the tomato soup base, Yinzuo hurriedly asked everyone to sit at the table, and then asked someone to pour the soup base into the pot.
"You'll only know how it tastes if you try it yourself. There's no one here with us, just the brothers. Don't be shy, grab your chopsticks and wait for the pot to boil. Anyone can help themselves to whatever they like. If you don't like the tomato base, there's the bone broth base right next to it. Come on, let's eat."
Just like Yinzuo said, there were no outsiders here today, and they were so familiar with each other that there was no need to be reserved. As soon as the pot was opened, everyone started to pick up their favorite dishes and put them into the pot.
"This wolf peach soup base tastes good, a little sour. Eating too much mutton will make you feel greasy, and this soup base can really help cut through the greasiness of the mutton."
Everyone was quite receptive to the tomato hotpot base. Yin'er and Yinzhen liked it especially well. Snow was floating outside and hotpot was simmering in the house. There was probably no more pleasant day in the world than this. Everyone enjoyed the meal very much. Yinzuo saw that it was still early, so he asked someone to come in and clear the leftovers on the table. He also served tea to everyone and some snacks that Thirteen and Fourteen liked to eat for them to chew. The brothers chatted until late at night before leaving.
The quarrel lasted so late yesterday, and as expected, Yinzuo slept until noon the next day. Looking at the snowflakes still floating outside through the window not far away, Yinzuo couldn't help but thank himself again for daring to fight with Kangxi. Otherwise, how could he live so comfortably now? He would probably have to get up before dawn and go to the Ganqing Palace to wait for court like his fourth, fifth and seventh brothers.
"Sure enough, I'm so foresighted. Snowy days like this are perfect for sleeping. I have nothing to do anyway, and I'm not hungry, so I might as well take another nap. This day is so blissful."
When Dexi heard Yinzuo wake up in the room, she thought he would ask her to come in and help him wash up. Unexpectedly, he had no intention of getting up at all and actually lay down to take a nap.
"That's true. Nowadays, no one of the masters in the palace can live as comfortably as you do. Even the Emperor has to get up before dawn to attend court."
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