"This was also won from Eighteen! When I took this, that guy's face turned green!"
As Han Zhongyu spoke, a smile curved his lips, revealing a rare hint of smugness.
Xie Yushu laughed.
"Could this glass lamp also be one of the eighteen?"
How did you know?!
"It's quite obvious, these three are almost all the same style!"
Not only precious, but also incredibly beautiful!
"Indeed, that guy likes this kind of style, it's so flamboyant!"
Han Zhongyu shook his head helplessly.
Xie Yushu smiled. This person who could make Han Zhongyu both love and hate must be quite extraordinary!
"This plum blossom painting is quite charming, simple and innocent, and perfectly natural. If it were colored, it would probably exude fragrance!"
"Master Han, your drawing skills are truly remarkable!"
"Oh, not at all, just some random doodle. Besides, I came in a hurry and didn't bring any paint, so I just painted a picture to make it look presentable."
Han Zhongyu's words were somewhat modest. He was a renowned scholar, proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. In the capital, his calligraphy and paintings were priceless, and even the Emperor's study had one of his works hanging there!
Even though this is just a random doodle, it's still snapped up by everyone!
However, Xie Yushu was unaware of these things and did not say anything more.
Han Zhongyu thought of the poem she had casually recited last time, and a sense of anticipation welled up within him. He couldn't help but ask...
"Have you come up with any good poems to accompany this painting? Back in Kyoto, every poetry gathering was bound to feature poems about plum blossoms. I've run out of words!"
I wrote a few poems to match this painting, but I always felt they were lacking something!
"Hmm~ I do know a poem that matches this painting perfectly!"
"Oh? Tell me about it!"
"The tree by my inkstone-washing pond, its blossoms faintly trace the ink. It doesn't need praise for its beautiful colors, it only leaves its pure fragrance to fill the universe."
Doesn't it suit your style perfectly?
"Not seeking praise for its beauty, but leaving behind a pure and noble spirit to fill the universe—hmm, not bad, not bad at all, it has character!"
Han Zhongyu praised it while quickly jotting down notes, and exclaimed...
"Truly, a great number of talented people have emerged! I was indeed short-sighted!"
"Was this written by someone I never had the chance to meet?"
"Yes, we can't meet, but as the saying goes, 'A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.' You share the same aspirations, and even if you can't meet, aren't you both doing the same things and being the same kind of people? Why be so fixated on meeting?"
Xie Yushu said dismissively.
"Hmm? That makes sense!" Han Zhongyu hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"By the way, have you made any progress with the porcelain craftsman and blacksmith I asked you to find?"
"Found them! They should be able to get here before the New Year!"
Do you have any reliable construction contractors you can recommend?
I'm also expanding my resort next year, so I don't want to bother two people. Could you just help me find someone directly?
"That's easy. I have a good relationship with the youngest son of the Vice Minister of Works, and he is very talented in architecture. I'll send him a letter and ask him to come over after the New Year!"
"Thank you very much!"
"Then I'll treat you to another meal!"
"No problem!"
The two chatted and laughed for a while, and when it was almost time, Xie Yushu went to the kitchen.
Han Zhongyu actually wanted to go too, and even had the audacity to say that he would lead the way for Xie Yushu!
Since free labor is free, Xie Yushu readily agreed.
With Han Zhongyu as her master, Xie Yushu's treatment rose to a new level. Along the way, she benefited from Han Zhongyu's influence and received many gifts, which made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Han Zhongyu didn't like being surrounded by a group of people, so he had the dishes arranged and then sent them away!
Xie Yushu looked at the washed ingredients: potatoes, cabbage, green beans, cilantro, cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, white fungus, bamboo shoots, shrimp, chicken, duck, goose, a large carp, and half a pig. She then made a plan in her mind.
Seeing her confident demeanor, Han Zhongyu asked leisurely.
"Do you need my help?"
"Yes! Let's start a fire, Lord Han!"
Seeing that Xie Yushu was ordering him around without any politeness, Han Zhongyu readily rolled up his sleeves, took some firewood, and started a fire.
Hmm, that was pretty efficient!
"I never knew Lord Han possessed such skill!"
"When I was studying abroad, I often had to spend the night in the wild, and I would sometimes cook for myself!"
"Then you'd better control the heat properly. My cooking skills are definitely top-notch. If the food doesn't taste good, it's definitely because you didn't heat it properly!"
"Well! Looks like if the food isn't good, it's all my fault!"
Han Zhongyu smiled helplessly.
Xie Yushu nodded seriously, then quickly chopped the vegetables and put them into the pot one by one.
One dish of stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers; one dish of braised carp; one dish of shredded chicken and bamboo shoots; one dish of cucumber and white fungus; one dish of stir-fried pig's ear; and one dish of crystal shrimp.
The six side dishes were prepared in less than an hour, and they were all delicious and visually appealing.
"How is it, Lord Han?"
Han Zhongyu, his face covered in ash, stood up, took a bite of the mixed pig's ear, chewed it a few times, and nodded.
"Great! Savory, fresh, and crispy—delicious!"
Xie Yushu originally wanted to make two more, but Han Zhongyu said it was enough, so they fetched water, washed up briefly, and had the food brought to the dining room.
Although the dishes were few in number, they were truly delicious and visually appealing, and Han Zhongyu ate with great relish! While eating, he glanced at Xie Yushu and tentatively asked...
"I never imagined that Northern cuisine would taste so good. It would be wonderful if I could eat it for the rest of my life!"
Unfortunately, Lord Han's words were too subtle, and Xie Yushu didn't grasp the hidden meaning, replying directly...
"That's easy, just hire a chef from the north to come to your house!"
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com