Xiao Youran would take out a packet of Maoxuewang seasoning one day and a few potatoes and green peppers the next, and instruct her older sister Yun Manwan to cook a big pot of Dapanji (a type of chicken dish). Not only did she cook the prey hunted by the guards in a way that was very appetizing, but she also made sure to balance the nutrition by combining meat and vegetables.
Zhou had long known about Xiao Youran's amazing abilities. To prevent more people from discovering Xiao Youran's secret, she gathered her family and several old women together and specially prepared these strange and delicious foods for Xiao Youran, keeping the techniques and ingredients to herself.
When someone asks about the strange green peppers or seasonings, they say they are spices picked from the mountains.
Anyway, she's only five years old, so it's normal that she doesn't know what it is.
As for potatoes? They've been grown in Yunjia Village before, so surely they can be dug up on this mountain?
Moreover, the people of Yunjia Village had a mysterious confidence in her, and never thought that she would pick up something poisonous and throw it into the pot.
On a whim, she had someone make fishhooks and squatted by the cliff cave to fish.
Song San and Song Si followed her example and sat at the entrance of the cave to fish together.
To my surprise, I actually caught several big, fat fish.
Xiao Youran immediately directed Zhou Shi and Yun Manwan to slice the fish into pieces. Then, she took a wooden basin and ran to the woods. She pulled out a large packet of Sichuan peppercorn fish seasoning from her sleeve, unpacked it, poured it into the basin, and finally huffed and puffed as she carried the basin back to the fire pit.
Song Da didn't ask any questions. He just said he found it. He took the big wooden basin and ran to the pot in a few steps.
The Li family members were already used to this, but they were all very excited, knowing that there would be delicious food again tonight!
Sure enough, when the big pot of fresh and delicious Sichuan pepper fish was cooked, the entire mountain was filled with an enticing aroma.
The people of Yunjia Village had already gathered around the big pot, their mouths watering, and many people from Zhaojia Village also came over with bowls, ready to get a sip of soup.
Even Old Zhao couldn't resist coming over.
Under his pleading gaze, Yun Laoqi coughed and said, "This fish won't fill you up, it'll just be a taste. Two slices per person, just to change things up!"
So Zhou started to portion out the food for everyone, giving each person two slices of fish and a spoonful of soup.
Old Zhao had been eating roasted rabbit meat without even salt for the past few days, and his lips were already covered in blisters. Now, after taking a sip of soup, he felt like he was about to swallow his tongue.
He regretted it.
I deeply regret it.
So all that delicious aroma wafting from the pot these past few days wasn't fake!
Tsk tsk tsk... If I had known that this little lucky baby would find such a delicacy, I would have been willing to send over all the wild game that Atian and the others had hunted to cook!
Even just this soup, mixed with porridge, is a delicacy!
He sincerely apologized to Yun Laoqi, "Brother Yun, I was wrong! They didn't come here to freeload; they brought us warmth and delicious food!"
Yun Laoqi laughed heartily, putting aside past grievances. "Brother Zhao, you are my wife's cousin, so we're family. Whatever misunderstandings we had, let's put them behind us. Right now, we should work together to overcome this difficult time!"
"Yes, yes! Brother Yun, we people from Zhao Family Village also want to go hunting with you, Xiao Youran! We're just wondering how you always manage to catch so many fat prey, while we only manage to catch a few skinny little rabbits?"
Yun Laoqi chuckled and said, "You don't understand, do you? Who is our Xiao Youran? She's a little lucky charm! What are prey compared to that?! Even if gold fell from the sky, only she could pick it up!"
"Hahaha—" The people around also laughed.
As night fell, two figures quietly crept to the edge of the cave on the cliff and lowered a long fishing line down.
As they waited, one of them yawned. "Hey, why isn't anything happening? Is this how they fish?"
Another person leaned out to look, but in the darkness, they lost their balance and fell flat on their face. "Ah! Help!"
The shouts and the splashing sound of water waking up the people sleeping around the corner near the cave entrance.
It's windy here at night, so we all stayed at the corners to avoid the wind.
Someone came out to check, and the one who had been there earlier exclaimed in a panic, "Oh no! Erniu has fallen!"
"Help! Someone's in danger!"
"How do we rescue them? Where are the ropes?"
"Go and fetch the long rope for drawing water!"
"It's pitch black, the moon is hidden. I can't see it! Where is it?!"
Someone blew on a tinderbox, lit a torch, and then ran outside the cave, finding several large bundles of rope.
"Quickly! Put it down!"
One of the guards tied the rope to himself and threw the other end to his companions, saying, "You guys hold on tight!"
Song Dalang immediately took the rope from the side, wrapped it around his body a few times, and pulled hard on it.
Song Er, Song San, and Song Si stood behind Song Da and held him firmly, like a rock.
After some effort, they pulled the two up, but Erniu was already unconscious.
The guard said, "I searched for ages in the water before I finally found him. Quickly, try CPR!"
Another guard immediately came forward to help, and sure enough, Erniu woke up in less than two minutes!
The short, squatting guy who had come fishing with Erniu earlier rushed over, "Erniu! Thank goodness you're alright! Waaah..."
Several guards whispered, "Alright, stop howling if there's nothing wrong. Go to sleep now, or you'll wake up our young princess!"
A rustling sound came from outside as the group was about to return to their beds. Suddenly, three short cries, like those of a night owl, rang out.
The guards' expressions tightened, and they exchanged a glance. "This is bad!"
After listening outside the cave for a while, they immediately dispersed and woke everyone up, shouting, "Wake up! Wake up! The Western barbarians are coming up the mountain!"
Little Youran was half asleep when Yun Manwan picked her up and put her on Song Erlang's back, and they didn't know where they were going.
She was jostled so hard she almost threw up before she finally woke up completely.
"Where are we going?!" She rubbed her eyes and looked at the dark mountain road.
Song Er, carrying her on his back, said, "Master, the Western barbarians have come up the mountain. Let's hide in the forest!"
"What?!" Xiao Youran woke up in fright. "What? The Westerners have discovered us?"
Song Si, who was following beside him, stamped his foot and said, "Just now, someone tried to fish like us and fell into the pond. Someone took a torch outside to look for a rope. I guess the light from the torch attracted the attention of the Westerners!"
"Where's my mother? Where's my great-aunt?!" Xiao Youran cried out anxiously, looking around.
Then a shadowy figure could be seen walking stealthily, his steps uneven, followed by Yun Laoqi's angry curses, "What time is it and you're still thinking about that grain! With Xiao Fubao here, do you think you'll starve to death?!"
Xiao You Ran: ……
She called out twice, "Mother! Great-aunt!"
Su's voice came from the side, "Little Ranbao, we're here with you! We're all here."
As he spoke, he took two steps closer and patted her on the shoulder.
On the other end was Yun Manwan's voice, "Don't worry, Xiao Youran, we got up as soon as we heard the sound. Grandma has Song Da carrying her; he's strong and walks fast, so he's in front."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com