Even if Chang Wanji and his men were very fast, it would still take time to invite the village heads from the surrounding villages to come over.
Yu Tingzhang took Ling Jiheng aside and talked a lot, about how they lived in Qingshan Village and how to deal with natural disasters.
Ling Jiheng spoke eloquently, yet with some reserve. On the one hand, he expressed his attitude, but on the other, he avoided over-exposing himself.
Yu Tingzhang discovered that Ling Jiheng was a promising candidate for an official position. It was a pity that his identity was flawed; otherwise, he would have wanted to bring him in and train him as his confidant.
Near noon, Ling Jiheng stood up to say goodbye, but Yu Tingzhang invited him to have dinner.
"Since you've come all this way, I should show my hospitality. Besides, the Ling family also warmly entertained Chang Wan and his group."
Ling Jiheng thought, how can this be the same? You are officials, we are civilians, there is a natural gap.
So I made an excuse, saying that I thought this visit was just a routine inquiry and I didn't prepare any gifts.
Unexpectedly, Yu Tingzhang didn't care at all. He pointed at the flower trough and said with a smile: "Who said there were no gifts? This is it. By the way, what kind of mushroom is this? I haven't even seen it before!"
Ling Jiheng had never seen it before. At first he thought it was a mushroom, but it grew bigger and thicker, completely beyond his understanding.
Looking at Chi Xingyue, Yu Tingzhang was surprised to realize that besides the servants, there was also a guest in the room. He asked hurriedly: "Who is this..."
"This is my wife. It's inconvenient to go out, so she dressed as a man!"
Chi Xingyue had hesitated before coming. Unlike modern times, feudal dynasties did not allow women to be present in many occasions.
Ling Jiheng wanted to wait at the inn, but he was worried. After asking Chang Wan, he learned that Master Yu didn't care about such things, so he followed behind, pretending to be a servant.
In addition, the place where they were talking was not the government office, but a small hall in the backyard, which made Chi Xingyue feel more at ease.
Now that he was pointed out, he didn't panic. He took two steps forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Master Yu!"
Yu Tingzhang looked at Chi Xingyue in surprise, not recognizing her as a woman for a long time. He laughed and shook his head, "I didn't expect that after not seeing you for over a month, your wife has changed so much!"
In fact, I don't remember what Chi Xingyue looks like at all. I said this just to avoid embarrassment.
Ling Jiheng also nodded, his eyes full of doting: "Yes, she has grown taller and fatter. She is a big girl now."
Yu Tingzhang glanced at her, thinking he was showing off, so he asked softly, "Young lady, do you know what kind of mushroom this is?"
Chi Xingyue smiled and said, "This is King Oyster Mushroom. It tastes very delicious."
"In that case, let the cook make it, and we can also taste the deliciousness of the king oyster mushrooms."
Chi Xingyue nodded, borrowed a knife from Yu Tingzhang, cut off the largest ones along the matrix, and told the cook waiting on the side the method.
He also said to Yu Tingzhang: "If you put this flower trough in a house where no one lives, and light a stove next to it, I think it will grow a few more crops."
Yu Tingzhang had always thought that the yield of king oyster mushrooms was large, and now when he heard this, he was even more delighted.
He hurriedly asked the cook to go down and make it. If it tasted good, he would have to do it. Who knows, it might become a dominant industry in Youzhou City in the future.
After the cook left, Yu Tingzhang expressed his concern for Chi Xingyue in his words and deeds. In fact, he wanted to see what other outstanding qualities this young lady had.
Chi Xingyue knew when to advance and when to retreat, showing a little cleverness without being too wise, which made Yu Tingzhang laugh out loud, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Not long after, a servant came over and asked Yu Tingzhang to move over: "Master, the meal is ready. Madam and Master are waiting for you in the main hall."
Yu Tingzhang nodded and took the two of them to the place where they were going to eat. They arrived not long after walking.
Chi Xingyue looked up and saw a young woman in gorgeous clothes with a faint smile, and two tall and graceful young men standing beside her.
The young woman stepped forward and took Yu Tingzhang's arm, pouting, "These two must be the guests the master was talking about. They are indeed very handsome. Yanru and Yanqiong wanted to come out to join in the fun, but I didn't let them!"
After saying that, he looked Ling Jiheng up and down with satisfaction in his eyes.
Ling Jiheng bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam Yu. I am Ling Jiheng, and this is my wife, Chi Xingyue."
Lin Jiayi was stunned for a few seconds, feeling a little embarrassed. Chi Xingyue immediately stepped forward and said, "Hello, Madam Yu!"
The clear female voice made her look like a beauty. But I didn't understand why she was dressed as a man.
Lin Jiayi was a little disappointed, but still entertained the two with a smile.
When I learned that the king oyster mushrooms cooked in the kitchen today were grown by the two of them, my eyes widened in surprise. At the same time, the feeling of loss in my heart also disappeared.
He pointed at the plate of stir-fried king oyster mushrooms and pork in the middle and said, "I didn't expect you two, at such young ages, to be so successful. The cook said this dish could be a signature dish in a restaurant!"
Master, Master Ling, please try it!"
Yu Tingzhang picked up a piece of king oyster mushroom and was amazed when he put it in his mouth.
It is smooth, tender and chewy. When stir-fried with pork belly, it is not greasy and has a unique aroma.
"Yes, it tastes better than the wild mushrooms I eat! Most importantly, they are fresh. In the middle of winter, it's rare to eat something fresh and tender. Ji Heng, Xiao Chi, don't just stand there, just treat yourself as if you're at home."
After a morning of discussions, the two groups had clearly become much closer. However, Ling Jiheng and Chi Xingyue remained true to their duties, waiting until the Yu family members had started eating before they took up the dish closest to them.
During the period, Yu Tingzhang also introduced his legitimate son to Ling Jiheng and said that they would have tea together when they were free.
After the group happily finished their meal, Lord Yu asked the servant to take the two to the guest room to rest.
Seeing that no outsiders were around, Lin Jiayi glared at Yu Tingzhang and said, "I thought you had found husbands for Yanru and Yanqiong!"
Yu Tingzhang touched his nose: "I never told you that, you misunderstood!"
"Yes, yes, I misunderstood. I misunderstood because you kept talking about the Ling family kid all night. He's actually a mushroom grower!"
Yu Tingzhang: “…”
This is a real misunderstanding!
But he didn't explain, for fear that his wife would get even angrier.
As to whether he intends to introduce a girl to Ling Jiheng, well, if the other party is not married, then yes!
But the man already has a wife, and they seem to be in a good relationship, so he has no such plans.
He put his hand on Lin Jiayi's shoulder and comforted her, "Our Ru'er and Qiong'er are so beautiful, how can they worry about getting married? Believe it or not, as long as the news spreads, those young people will knock on our door overnight!
I just thought, they are still young. If I wait a little longer, I will definitely find the right one! "
Given Yu Tingzhang's status, his daughter certainly had no trouble finding a husband. However, the Yong Dynasty was in turmoil, so he didn't dare to easily marry his daughter off.
Ideally, he could find someone who could protect his precious daughter. For example, General Zhou's grandson.
But after several contacts, the young master of the Zhou family showed no intention in this regard, and Yu Tingzhang was a little distressed.
However, the marriage of children can be put on hold for the time being. The most important thing right now is how to survive the extreme cold.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
