Today is Lunar New Year's Eve, and every household is busy preparing their New Year's Eve dinner. The kitchens are bustling with activity, while the streets are deserted and hardly anyone is around.
Min Yueqing took the two children for a casual stroll around the small county town. Before long, the three of them turned around and headed home.
On this special day, busyness and family reunions are the dominant themes, and those strolling aimlessly on the streets like them are simply outliers. The deserted streets won't become more lively because of the three of them; they'll only make the desertedness of the streets seem even more pronounced.
Without needing to look further, one could tell they were travelers wandering far from home.
If they continued walking around, not only Pei Ji and Shi Tou, but even Min Yueqing herself would be unable to hold back her tears.
Although her nerves were forced to grow strong and tough in a very short time due to the apocalypse, who could really hold back when they thought of their family?
The three of them slunk back to the inn, some reading books and others practicing martial arts, never mentioning going out to play again.
Min Yueqing held a book in her hand, but her mind was elsewhere, and she couldn't concentrate on reading it.
Pei Ji, whether because he hadn't fully recovered and lacked strength, or because he was sensitive enough to sense her low spirits, ran in after practicing for only a short while.
Min Yueqing was in a daze when she suddenly felt a weight on her leg. Looking down, she saw that the little one was clinging to her leg and trying to climb up. A smile unconsciously appeared on her face as she put her hands on the little one's waist and lifted him onto her lap.
The little one sat on her lap, nestled his little body into her arms, and said in a serious tone, "Mommy, let's read a book together."
Min Yueqing felt as if a large heater had been placed on her chest, soft and warm, the kind with intelligent temperature control.
Oh, and it also supports touch.
From the moment the little one sat down, Min Yueqing's hands were freed. After reading a page, she only needed to rub her chin against the top of the little one's head, and the little one would turn to the next page.
The little one reads at a speed just as fast as her, so there's no situation where one has to wait for the other to finish reading.
Unbeknownst to her, Min Yueqing's previously lost and confused thoughts gradually settled down. This change was subtle yet hard to ignore.
Min Yueqing silently hugged the little one even tighter, as if drawing energy from him, or as if giving him something to lean on.
The two snuggled together and finished reading a book. It wasn't until Amei came to ask what they wanted for lunch that Min Yueqing realized it was already noon.
Min Yueqing asked, "Are the others still at the inn, or have they gone out?"
Amei replied with a smile, "The guys went out to play early this morning, saying they'd eat out for lunch, and sure enough, they haven't come back yet!"
Min Yueqing thought it was good that the guys were so carefree. "Then let's just have a simple lunch at the inn, and then find a restaurant together for New Year's Eve dinner."
Ah Zhu clapped her hands and laughed, "That's good! I see there's a pot in the kitchen downstairs. Maybe we can have a hot pot for lunch. It's the perfect food on such a cold day!"
Min Yueqing nodded, and Amei and the other person went out to make the arrangements.
Shi Tou had been practicing his kung fu all morning and was starving. As soon as he heard that A Mei was going to prepare food, he immediately went to help her. "Sister A Mei, wait for me, I'll go with you!"
Pei Ji pressed her little face against Min Yueqing and asked, "Mother, is it one of those hot pots like the ones in the manor?"
The hot pot that Pei Ji mentioned was a stew that was sometimes made in the Earl's mansion, which might contain various slices of meat and some vegetables. However, considering the geographical location and climate here, Min Yueqing felt that the pot in the downstairs kitchen that Azhu mentioned was very likely the kind of hot pot that was made in the Sichuan and Chongqing region in later generations.
It's better not to mention it, but just thinking about hot pot makes Min Yueqing a little hungry; it's been such a long time since she's had it.
I wonder if they have spicy beef tallow hot pot base here, as well as tripe, honeycomb tripe, tender beef, duck blood, and various bean products. If they do, then I can really eat my fill!
Pei Ji was completely bewildered when he saw that his mother not only didn't answer but also seemed lost in thought. He shook Min Yueqing's arm and asked, "Mother, why aren't you saying anything?"
Min Yueqing finally snapped out of her reverie, which was filled with images of hot pot ingredients, and after thinking about her little one's question, she replied, "It might be a little different. This place is far from the capital, so they probably have their own unique way of eating it. We'll find out when we get there."
Upon hearing about the "unique way of eating," Pei Ji immediately became interested and looked forward to the lunch.
Amei was quick; she came to invite him to dinner in no time.
“Miss, the hot pot here is really interesting, it’s different from the hot pots we’ve eaten before! The meat and vegetables they eat are already cut up and placed on plates, and then cooked in the pot after it boils. And they love spicy food, the whole pot is bright red.” A-Zhu couldn’t wait to share her observations with Min Yueqing.
Min Yueqing was overjoyed, guessing that her hotpot was likely going to be successful, and immediately stood up. Pei Ji's gaze suddenly rose, and he quickly wrapped his arms around his mother's neck.
Upon reaching the dining room downstairs, Min Yueqing immediately noticed the bubbling red soup in the pot, and her pace quickened instantly. After sitting down at the table, Min Yueqing glanced at the dishes on the table and sighed, "I have to say, the variety of ingredients in this Great Qian Dynasty is still rather limited."
There was only meat and a basket of vegetables on the table, and the vegetables were of only one variety, and the meat was of only one type, obviously pork. Tender beef was destined to remain just a pipe dream.
Just as Min Yueqing was feeling utterly dejected, Shi Tou walked over carrying a large tray, on which were laid out pig's blood, liver, kidneys, and intestines. All three types of offal had been thoroughly cleaned, some sliced, some diced, and Min Yueqing finally felt a sense of comfort.
The fun of eating hot pot lies in the variety of ingredients. It's about trying different things; eating only one or two things is no fun at all.
When Shi Tou placed the first few plates on the table, a large plate of white, fish-sliced food was revealed behind them. Min Yueqing was satisfied; it was quite an achievement to have found so many different ingredients on such a whim.
Min Yueqing first picked up a slice of fish and put it into the pot to cook. The fish slice was cut very thinly and cooked very quickly. As soon as the fish slice changed color, Min Yueqing quickly picked it out, blew on it a couple of times, and threw it into her mouth.
How to describe the taste?
It certainly can't compare to later generations. Although this soup is reddish, its flavor is far less intense than the broth of later generations. However, the ingredients are fresh, so it's enough to satisfy a craving.
And there are advantages to not having spicy food; at least the little one can eat to their heart's content.
Amei and the other woman cooked a batch of meat and vegetables for Min Yueqing and Pei Ji. When they wanted to continue, Min Yueqing waved her hand and said, "Hot pot is more fun when you do it yourself. You two eat quickly and don't need to look after us."
Ah Mei and the other woman were already quite used to their mistress's whims, so when they heard her say that, they actually sat down and started eating.
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