Upon seeing Min Yueqing, Lai Fu immediately reported, "Madam, do you think these tree branches are alright? We've also brought back the firewood; we've piled it up in that corner over there."
Seeing that the branches they were holding still had some moisture left, clearly indicating that they had been washed, Min Yueqing smiled and said, "That's good. Now that everything is clean, let's start stringing them."
"Yes, Madam!" Lai Fu replied and led his men toward the meat-cutting team.
Seeing that everyone was doing their jobs well and there were no omissions, Min Yueqing took Pei Ji and Xiao Wei back to their room first.
When Pei Han returned, the courtyard was bustling with activity. The waiters and servants were busy walking around, and there were many wooden basins on the ground, filled with neatly arranged meat skewers. The kitchen was also filled with the enticing aroma of food.
When people saw him, they all bowed their heads and greeted him.
Pei Han walked into the main room, completely bewildered, and asked Min Yueqing, "Madam, why does the whole courtyard smell of meat? Did they send in so much meat today?"
Min Yueqing gestured to Xiao Wei, who was lying next to her, and said, "It wasn't brought in from outside. Our little tiger showed its power and caught a blue sheep this morning."
Pei Han couldn't hide his surprise. "Little Wei is so young and already knows how to catch prey?"
Min Yueqing patted Xiao Wei's big head and answered naturally, "I don't know about other little tigers, but ours is exceptionally powerful."
Pei Ji had long considered Xiao Wei his little friend, and immediately chimed in, "Xiao Wei has been smart and agile since he was little, he's definitely stronger than the other little tigers!"
As he spoke, Pei Ji leaned down closer to Xiao Wei, looking at him with a mixture of pride and admiration.
Perhaps sensing the little boy's protectiveness, Wei, unusually, didn't ignore him but turned to look at him.
Pei Ji caught this glance precisely, and his heart was filled with joy; his hands began to stir with desire.
But this time Pei Ji learned her lesson and stopped making futile attempts. Instead, she snuggled into Min Yueqing's arms, placed her little hand in Min Yueqing's hand, and pleaded, "Mother, I want to touch Xiao Wei!"
Min Yueqing looked at her little one, stretched out her index finger and tapped her right cheek, the meaning of which was very clear.
Without hesitation, Pei Ji got up and gave Min Yueqing a quick kiss on the cheek, then followed up with another kiss on her left cheek.
Min Yueqing's face was full of smiles, and her peach blossom eyes sparkled with laughter. She happily took Pei Ji's hand and placed it on Xiao Wei's body, then covered Pei Ji's little hand with her own and gently stroked him back and forth on the tiger's back a few times.
Pei Ji stroked Xiao Wei's glossy fur with satisfaction, his dimples showing as he smiled.
Xiao Wei wanted to dodge, but couldn't bear to, because Min Yueqing's hand was also covering its body.
Left with no other choice, it could only deceive itself by closing its eyes and lying in the same spot.
Pei Ji was even happier at this tacit approval and quickly took the opportunity to stroke the tiger's back a couple more times.
Pei Han stood alone to the side, watching his wife and children playing happily with the tiger cub. He decisively chose to abandon his original stance and join his wife and children's group.
Pei Han sat down next to Min Yueqing and praised her sincerely, "Madam is truly a master of education. Not only has she raised Lele to be well-behaved and sensible, but she has also raised Xiao Wei to be so agile and quick-witted. No wonder it won its first battle."
Min Yueqing chuckled inwardly, but on the surface she showed a humble expression of "You flatter me." "It's mainly because they did their best. I just played a supporting role."
Pei Han naturally affirmed her efforts in every way and showered her with compliments, making Min Yueqing feel completely comfortable and in a very pleasant mood.
Seeing that the time was right, Pei Han calmly placed his large hand over hers.
Of course, it just so happened to be the hand she had placed on Serena's back.
Min Yueqing glanced at Pei Han with a half-smile, realizing that his true intentions were not what they seemed, but rather Xiao Wei.
Pei Ji was engrossed in studying Xiao Wei's beautiful black and white fur when he suddenly felt his hand become heavier. He looked up and saw his own father.
Pei Han paid no attention to his son's gaze and even took the opportunity to gently stroke the back of Xiao Wei's head twice.
Just as the family was enjoying a happy time together, Ah Zhu came in and invited them to dinner.
"Madam, dinner is ready."
Min Yueqing said, "Okay, let's go."
As the family stepped out of the house, they saw several bonfires already lit in the courtyard. The servants and young men were all gathered around the bonfires, and they all stood up to greet Min Yueqing and the others when they came out.
Min Yueqing turned to Azhu and said, "Take some people to bring a few jars of wine and distribute them to everyone. Tell them that the kitchen has prepared the food and they can just go and get it without waiting."
Ah Zhu smiled and agreed to pass on the message.
Upon hearing that there would be roast meat, fine wine, and prepared meals, everyone in the courtyard was overjoyed and expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
As soon as Pei Han entered the dining room, he noticed that the food was exceptionally plentiful. There was a large iron stove on the floor next to the table, with a fire already lit inside and covered with a wire mesh. Lamb skewers were neatly arranged around the stove.
Min Yueqing whispered to Amei, "Go and get the cake."
Ah Mei understood and quietly went out.
Pei Han personally poured two glasses of wine, handed one to Min Yueqing, picked up the other glass, and gently touched it to Min Yueqing's glass, saying, "I'm sorry to trouble you again, Madam. Let me toast you first."
Min Yueqing laughed and drank it, then teased, "You want to drink your fill before you've even started eating?"
Pei Han chuckled and shook his head. He then personally served Min Yueqing a bowl of milky white and fragrant mutton bone soup, presenting it with both hands. "It was my fault. Please have some soup first, and I will serve you the other dishes."
Pei Ji chuckled as he listened, while Shi Tou tried to cover his mouth, but his laughter poured out unreservedly from his narrowed eyes.
Min Yueqing couldn't help but laugh twice, then reached out and took the soup bowl, watching Pei Han seriously serve her food.
Pei Ji leaned closer to Min Yueqing and whispered in her ear, "Mother, is the wine good?"
Min Yueqing had wine brought tonight, with a very low alcohol content. It tasted like slightly fermented fruit juice, just for the occasion.
However, because the brewing technology of the Kanagawa period was relatively low, the wine at that time did not have a high alcohol content.
Min Yueqing could tell that the little one was just curious and probably wanted to try something new, so she deliberately frowned and replied, "It's not very good."
Pei Ji found it strange and asked in confusion, "Then why do Lai Fu and the others like to drink it?"
He remembered it clearly: on the way from the capital, Min Yueqing had also ordered wine for the waiters, and they were all very happy, as if they were drinking some kind of nectar.
Min Yueqing was about to answer when Pei Han spoke up, "What are you two whispering about? Can't I listen?"
Pei Ji was startled and subconsciously replied, "Mother said the wine doesn't taste very good."
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