Chapter 57: Being warned
After being washed by the mountain torrent, the official road was in a mess. It was muddy wherever you stepped on it. In a short while, many people's feet were covered with a lot of yellow mud.
Fortunately, this section of the road is in the mountains and there is no shortage of stones. The official road uses a lot of gravel. The carriage is a little bumpy when driving on it, but there is no need to worry about getting stuck in the mud.
There were a lot of gravel and branches on the road that needed to be cleared, so they moved very slowly. Lu Yao simply walked at the back with Lu Mingxiu. She wanted to take a look at what was worth picking in the mountains.
Lin Hongyang had witnessed her abilities over the past two days, and after learning about her idea, he was very supportive and even arranged for Meng Hu and another soldier to accompany her and help.
The road ahead was slowly being cleared. Lu Yao stopped from time to time to pick useful herbs and wild vegetables. She walked and stopped, but she was not left behind.
After walking for about an hour, they came to a junction where three mountains were connected. When they saw that one of the mountains had almost collapsed in half, with only rocks and soil exposed, they couldn't help but feel a little scared.
This should be the place where the first loud noise was heard that day.
Even standing at the foot of the opposite mountain, one could feel the dangerous oppression. It was at this moment that everyone truly understood what they might have to face that day, and they were even more grateful to Lu Yao and his wife for being the first to discover the problem.
Fortunately, the collapsed area was on the opposite mountain, and the mountain torrent had passed, so it did not have much impact on their road.
Fearing that the bare mountain would suddenly collapse again, the group did not dare to stay here and were eager to leave as soon as possible.
After passing this section, the rest of the road will be much easier to walk and you won’t have to stop and go.
At this time, more than two hours had passed since they set out. Lu Yao had already found a lot of useful things. Seeing the sun getting further and further west, they quickened their pace.
Lu Yao had to prepare dinner for the soldiers, so she walked to the front, and Meng Hu and another soldier Liu Da went to the post station first.
Looking at the two carriages gradually moving away, everyone was extremely envious, but they had no choice but to continue on their journey due to their limited abilities and poor cooking skills.
Compared to everyone else's envy, the Shen family members are more jealous and... regretful.
Shen Shiren never thought that the little bastard could turn things around and ride in a carriage and have a full meal in such a situation. If he had not impulsively written the severance letter, as his biological father, would he have gained a lot of benefits?
At least he could lie in the carriage, which was better than this bumpy and uncomfortable wooden cart exposed to the sun and rain.
These past few days in the cave, watching the family he had never taken seriously enjoying the best food and drinks, he kept thinking about one question: should he resolve the misunderstanding with them and reconcile?
Wang Yalan is also very depressed now. She regrets breaking up the relationship too early and now she can't get any advantage. She also hates the other party for stealing her son's limelight.
If only Yaoming had gotten all this, then they wouldn't have to work so hard.
Old Lady Wang made no secret of her hatred for Lu Yao's family. These were clearly the glory that belonged to their Shen family, but they were snatched away by these two bastards, and her smart and capable grandson was forced to push the cart.
I have to sigh that they are indeed a touching aunt and niece, even their brain circuits are so magically similar.
Shen Yaoming, pushing the cart, was sweating profusely. He no longer had the energy to feel jealous or resentful. He just hoped to reach the post station quickly, have a full meal, and have a good sleep.
"Son, you should go and have a rest first." Wang Yalan felt distressed.
Shen Yaoming shook his head: “I’m taking a rest, my mother will be very tired.”
Shen Shifu was so tired that he didn't even bother to roll his eyes. "Let's save some energy. Who isn't tired? Hurry up, everyone is falling behind."
He was now really afraid of those officers and soldiers, and was really afraid that the whip would hit him.
Shen Shifu's words were immediately approved by his two sons.
Exactly, who wouldn't be tired? This wasn't their own father, and they were helping push him around, weren't they? Instead, this guy, who was usually so doted on, was the one putting on airs and doing nothing but superficial work.
Humph, if it weren’t for the excessive actions of my aunt, would Brother Yu and the others have given up their jobs?
He heard that not only did he ask Brother Yu to abandon his sister-in-law, but he also wanted to steal their food. He didn't want anyone to live.
The vast majority of people are selfish. They turn a blind eye to things that do not concern them, and may even take advantage of others' misfortunes to gain benefits. However, when their own interests are involved, they will adopt a different attitude and say a different thing.
Shen Yaoming laughed secretly. These two people had been talking nonsense to those people before. Is it too late for them to pretend to be good people now?
Old Mrs. Wang was reluctant to let her precious grandson suffer any injustice, so she patted Chen Hui who was carrying her on his back and said, "Put me down first and help them push the cart."
Chen Hui was indeed very tired. After hearing her say that, he did not refuse. He put her aside and was about to push the cart when he heard her say, "Push it for a distance and then come back to pick me up."
After saying this, seeing that Chen Hui didn’t react at all, Old Lady Wang frowned: “Did you hear that?”
“But, I’m worried about you being here alone…” Chen Hui said hesitantly.
"What are you worried about?" Old Lady Wang said with a bad look in her eyes, "Or do you want to be lazy?"
Chen Hui ignored her and walked straight to the cart to help push it.
With his joining, everyone instantly saved a lot of energy and the cart moved much faster.
Old Mrs. Wang stood there waiting, but since there was no one around, she felt uneasy and quickly called Wang Yalan to stay with her.
Wang Yalan didn't want to embarrass herself here with her. Didn't she see that the soldiers behind were staring at them?
"Mom, let's go first." She advised in a low voice.
Old Mrs. Wang was naturally unwilling to do so. There was mud everywhere, and her shoes would be covered in mud as soon as she stepped on them.
She had spent money to get Chen Hui's shackles, so why should she walk?
Wang Yalan wanted to say something when she saw a soldier riding a horse towards them not far away, so she hurriedly lowered her head and walked forward.
"Why are you leaving?" Old Mrs. Wang didn't expect that her daughter-in-law was unwilling to wait with her. She was a little dissatisfied, but when she thought that her second son and others could help push the wheel, she didn't say anything else.
Just as she was about to sit on a relatively clean stone nearby and wait for Chen Hui to come back to pick her up, with a "crack", a whip hit the stone she had chosen directly, and it cracked instantly. Small gravel flew out, leaving a shallow blood mark on her face.
Old Lady Wang took a step back and gave the visitor a flattering smile: "Sir, what are you doing..."
Her face hurt, and she wanted to teach this bully a lesson, but she could only get angry in her heart and didn't even dare to say a word of complaint.
Old Lady Wang knew that the whips of these soldiers really didn't recognize people, so she took two quick steps and then slowed down again.
Seeing that she was still hesitating, the soldier scolded her, "Hurry up and leave!"
"I, I'll wait for my grandson to carry me." The old lady said courageously.
The soldier scoffed, "Even in this state, you're still acting like an old lady. Only our general is good. If someone else led the team, you guys would have no idea how much trouble you'd have to endure!"
After saying that, he cracked his whip and shouted angrily, "Go!"
Old Mrs. Wang shuddered, and without caring about the mud on the ground, she quickened her pace.
Her crutches were placed on the cart, and without them, her speed was not affected at all.
Seeing this, the soldier was even more contemptuous and mocked, "The old man is so energetic." He tortures his descendants all day long. No one else can do this.
but,
Those who need to be warned should also be warned.
He shouted loudly: "Listen carefully, anyone who deliberately falls behind will be treated as a fugitive!"
After saying this, he did not forget to glance at Old Lady Wang. It was obvious who he was talking to.
The old lady shuddered and quickened her pace.
Seeing this, the soldiers behind all laughed silently.
Humph, you little brat, do you really think no one can cure you?
At such an old age, he still thinks about scheming against others every day. Doesn’t he know that Madam Rong and her family are protected by their general?
Chen Hui was pushing the cart, but his attention was always on Old Lady Wang. Although he couldn't hear their conversation clearly, he could guess something from their actions.
When he heard the last shouted words, he lowered his head and raised the corners of his mouth where no one could see.
Lu Yao and Rong Yanhui had no idea what was happening behind them. After they passed the difficult section of the mountain, they quickened their pace and headed straight for the post station.
They had to hurry and prepare the food by the time the main force arrived.
Finally, they walked out of the mountains.
The road ahead was much easier to travel, and the carriage moved much faster.
After walking a little further for about half an hour, they arrived at the post station.
A postman came out to greet him.
Meng Hu explained the situation, and the postman breathed a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, you are all okay."
I heard that this heavy rain affected many places and many poultry and people were washed away by the flood. If you encounter it on the road, wouldn’t it be even more dangerous?
However, they didn't mention it, and it was impossible for me to ask.
Meng Hu led Rong Yanhui and a few others and followed the postman into the yard.
As usual, Lu Mingxiu booked a room for himself and Mo Zhu. Since Lu Yao and Rong Yanhui were going to live with the exiles, they were not in a hurry to find a room. They first put their luggage in the room booked by Lu Mingxiu, and then went directly to the kitchen of the inn.
Meng Hu had already explained everything to the postmaster, and there was a chef waiting in the kitchen. When they heard that someone was coming to cook dinner for the soldiers, they were all surprised. They looked at Lu Yao and the others with distrust in their eyes.
Although their cooking skills were not as good as those of the chefs in the big restaurants in Beijing, they were not bad in the local area. They felt a little uncomfortable because they were rejected before they even showed their skills.
But on second thought, it's a good thing that they can take the opportunity to take a break. Anyway, whether the result is good or not has nothing to do with me.
Lu Yao ignored the thoughts of everyone in the kitchen. She looked around at the existing ingredients and finally decided to make a braised fish fillet, a classic Sichuan-style twice-cooked pork, two stir-fried vegetables, and a cabbage and tofu soup. That was it.
At first, the chefs just watched from the sidelines, but when they saw their quick and efficient movements, they really started to take it seriously. It seemed like there was something to it.
Although he was curious, he also knew the rules. Although he was curious about how they were doing, he had no intention of stealing their skills. He arranged for someone to steam the rice and buns, and then he did not stay in the kitchen any longer.
The whole family worked together and the process was quite fast. When they heard that everyone had arrived, the last dish was just being cooked.
He kept a little for himself and divided the rest into three parts. With the help of the postman, he served the meal on the table.
As soon as everyone entered the yard, they smelled the unfamiliar yet familiar fragrance. Lin Hongyang exchanged a few words with the postmaster and then went to the hall with Captain Wu.
According to Captain Wu, his brothers were all busy, but he could check the dinner first.
Well, if it’s not done well or is not enough, you have to make it again... With this color and this aroma, you can tell it’s delicious without even tasting it.
Captain Wu felt that the pregnancy in his belly had been aroused.
What to do? He wants to eat.
Lin Hongyang looked at his subordinates who were showing off with amusement, "Eat first if you're hungry."
Captain Wu shook his head, "Let's wait for the brothers to come together."
We are all like brothers who have been through thick and thin together. We share the hardships and naturally the happiness as well.
Soon, everyone arranged everything, leaving a few people on duty, and the rest of the soldiers went into the hall to wait for dinner.
As soon as they entered, they saw several tables filled with dishes and food, and their eyes lit up.
Lu Yao was watching the situation in the hall from the back door. Besides the sounds of dishes and chopsticks colliding, people chewing, and the occasional compliments, she smiled contentedly.
All I can say is that no one, at any time, can escape the temptation of having nothing to do.
Since they can eat here, she doesn't have to wait here.
The master chef in the kitchen is no exception.
Looking at the dishes on the table, he walked past them several times but didn't dare to speak. Finally, Rong Yanhui took the initiative to speak: "Master, have you had dinner? Do you want to join us?"
The chef was a little embarrassed: "How can I be so embarrassed?"
Lu Yao happened to come in from outside. Upon hearing his words, she smiled and said, "They are just some home-cooked dishes. Master Chef, please don't be disgusted."
The master chef shook his head repeatedly: "I don't mind, I don't mind."
After saying that, as if he was afraid that they would go back on their word, he hurried to get the dishes and chopsticks.
Lu Yao smiled. This chef's personality was nothing like the chefs she had met before. However, compared to those reserved and proud chefs, she preferred interacting with a chef like him.
The chef was knowledgeable and experienced. He tasted the dishes on the table one by one and was instantly conquered. He couldn't help but give them a thumbs up, but he resisted asking them how they made such delicious food.
Lu Yao is a person who is willing to share. These dishes are not her own creations. She would rather let more people learn about the cuisine of the Flower Growers. She even imagines that one day in the future, no matter where she goes, she will be able to taste the familiar flavors.
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