Chapter 6: Treating Guests to a Meal

Looking at the golden-brown pork ribs in the pot, Lin Nuo sprinkled some sesame seeds over them before taking them out. Glancing at the two little kids by the stove, their eyes sparkling and drool faintly visible at the corners of their mouths, she couldn’t help but laugh at their kitten-like eagerness for fish. Turning around, she grabbed a small bowl, placed a few ribs inside, and handed it to them.

“Eat outside. Just taste it for now, or else you won’t be able to eat much when we have the proper meal,” she said.

The two little ones were overjoyed and rushed off with the bowl, responding as they ran, “Big Sis, we got it! Just a little taste, we promise!”

Lin Nuo turned back and picked up a rib with chopsticks, offering it to Shen Shi.
“Sister-in-law, try my cooking,” she said warmly.

Shen Shi hesitated, waving her hands in polite refusal.
“No need, no need. Miss Lin, I’ll eat when we all sit down together.” After all, as a guest, it felt inappropriate to eat beforehand, even though she hadn’t had meat in a long time.

“Oh, don’t be so formal! Please, Sister-in-law, have a taste,” Lin Nuo said, her face full of anticipation.

Seeing Lin Nuo’s hopeful expression, Shen Shi accepted the chopsticks and took a bite of the pork rib.

The ribs looked incredibly tempting. Coated with a caramelized glaze from the added sugar, their surface was shiny and golden brown, practically inviting a bite.

As she ate, the initial sweetness with a hint of caramel burst forth, followed by the crispy yet tender meat. Her mouth was filled with the rich, savory flavor of the ribs, and Shen Shi’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never imagined that adding sugar to meat could make it taste this good.

She couldn’t stop herself from nodding.
“Miss Lin, your cooking is amazing! I’ve never had meat like this before.”

Lin Nuo smiled gently.
“I’m glad you like it, Sister-in-law. Could you help me watch the fire? I’ll turn off the flame under the rice and start preparing some steamed egg custard for the kids.”

Shen Shi, quick with her hands, tended to the fire while Lin Nuo busied herself with the egg custard. After finishing that, she began preparing pickled fish.

Lin Nuo had already taken out the pickled vegetables and seasonings from her storage space earlier.

She thoroughly washed the pickled vegetables and cut them into sections, slicing ginger and garlic for later use. Since chili peppers didn’t seem to exist in this era, she sneakily added a few pickled peppers to the mix.

Heating oil in the pot, she sautéed the ginger and garlic until fragrant, added the fish bones, and stir-fried them until lightly golden. Then she tossed in the pickled vegetables and continued frying before pouring in an appropriate amount of water. Once it came to a boil, she reduced the heat to let it simmer for fifteen minutes. Soon, the entire courtyard was filled with a mouthwatering aroma.

Stepping outside, Lin Nuo called out to the two little kids.
“Big Sis has a mission for you two. Can you handle it?”

The little ones were thrilled and eagerly nodded, promising without a moment’s hesitation.

“Can you two go invite Grandpa Lizheng and Uncle Village Chief to come over for a meal?” Lin Nuo asked the two little ones. Although it was a bit of a walk, she wanted to encourage their independence.

Hand in hand, the two kids hopped and skipped their way out the door, eager to complete their task.

Lin Nuo returned to the kitchen and turned to Shen Shi.
“Sister-in-law, could you also go and call Big Brother over to join us for the meal?”

Shen Shi hesitated initially. Lin Nuo was a single woman living with a child, and she worried that her husband’s presence might cause gossip. However, since the Lizheng and Village Chief would also be present, she felt reassured. Nodding, she left to fetch her husband.

Once everyone was gone, Lin Nuo carefully placed the marinated fish slices into the pot, gently stirring them apart with chopsticks as they cooked. When the fish turned white and tender, she scooped them out and laid them atop the pickled vegetables. She then poured the flavorful broth into the serving dish, sprinkled it with chopped scallions and Sichuan peppercorns. Finally, she heated oil in a pan until it sizzled and poured it over the fish slices, producing a satisfying “sizzle” that enhanced the aroma of the dish.

She followed this up with a stir-fried plate of wild greens.

Taking advantage of the empty kitchen, Lin Nuo retrieved two jars of wine from her storage space, along with some braised meat and a box of peach crisps from her refrigerator.

By the time the Lizheng and Village Chief arrived, the table was already set. There were sweet-and-sour pork ribs, steamed pork with rice flour, stir-fried wild greens, braised meat, pickled fish, and, most notably, wine.

The Village Chief, knowing Lin Nuo was under the care of the county magistrate, assumed she might be one of Lord Zhou’s mistresses and thought her wealth slightly curious.

However, the Lizheng was genuinely surprised by the spread. Even during the New Year celebrations, meals in the village weren’t this extravagant.

Once everyone was seated, Lin Nuo stood and offered a few polite words.
“I’m new to Peach Blossom Village, just a young woman with my little brother. I’m deeply grateful to Grandpa Lizheng, Uncle Village Chief, and Sister-in-law Shen’s family for taking care of us. I have little to offer in return, but I’ve prepared some simple food and wine to express my thanks.”

She raised her cup and took a small sip.

The others quickly joined in, offering warm replies. The meal was lively and filled with conversation, leaving both host and guests thoroughly pleased.

By the end, the three men were all slightly drunk and had to be escorted home by their respective families.