Chapter 135: Grilling to Earn 5,000 Liang

Shan’er had set up the barbecue rack earlier and ignited the special charcoal for grilling.

At this moment, the fire was roaring, just right for roasting meat.

Ye Chutang was grilling the meat while Shan’er and Le’er took the opportunity to cut the meat strips.

Jun’er looked at the skewered vegetables and mushrooms, eager to try.

“Sister, how do we grill these vegetables?”

It was the first time he realized that vegetables could also be grilled.

Ye Chutang couldn’t find anything to support or rest the grill, so she could only wait for the meat to finish grilling and for the charcoal to cool down a bit before grilling the vegetables.

“Jun’er, don’t rush, let’s cook the meat first.”

The ancient barbecue racks were designed for grilling meat. One could hang meat on iron hooks or thread it onto iron rods to roast it flat.

Due to limited space, Ye Chutang grilled the venison steaks flat while hanging the bear meat and wild boar meat.

She brushed oil and seasoning on the meat as she grilled.

After about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, the delicious aroma of the meat filled the entire Ningchu Courtyard.

Seeing Jun’er licking his lips, Ye Chutang cut him some of the crispy outer layer of the meat.

The outer layer was crispy and tender, and with the sauce, it was incredibly appetizing.

Jun’er gave the first bite to Ye Chutang before he began to eat heartily.

“Jun’er, your health isn’t good. Eat slowly and don’t overeat.”

“I understand, Sister.”

Before long, the meat was ready.

Ye Chutang called Shan’er and Le’er to come out and eat the grilled meat and venison steaks.

She and Jun’er continued grilling the vegetables.

Shan’er said, “Miss, let me do it. You eat a little first.”

“No need. I had plenty of grilled meat at lunch and am not very hungry now. I’ll just eat some grilled vegetables later.”

The aroma of the barbecue drifted out of Ningchu Courtyard, and it was the first to reach Ye Anling’s courtyard.

In order to maintain her figure and look good in her wedding dress, Ye Anling had been eating very little recently.

When she smelled the scent, she couldn’t help but swallow.

She told her maid, “Go see where that smell is coming from, and bring me something to eat.”

“Yes, Miss.”

The maid quickly went and returned soon after.

“Miss, it’s the Ningchu Courtyard grilling. The eldest miss said that if you want to eat, you can pay a thousand liang to buy it.”

Ye Anling stared in shock, her eyes wide. “Has she gone mad for money?”

“The eldest miss also said, if the young miss can’t afford it, you don’t have to eat.”

Ye Anling knew this was a provocation.

She knew very well that if she paid, she would not only be seen as a fool but would also be laughed at by Ye Chutang.

However, the tempting smell of the barbecue was irresistible. If she couldn’t eat it, she would be uneasy.

Reluctantly, she took out a thousand liang in silver notes and handed it to the maid.

“Go quickly and buy it.”

When the maid took the silver notes to Ningchu Courtyard, she found that people from the Old Master and Old Madam’s courtyard were also buying barbecue.

Ye Chutang had already earned three thousand liang, selling three trays of barbecue with a mix of meat and vegetables, and even gave out sauces.

“If they want more, as long as they pay, they can eat as much as they want!”

Thus, she earned a total of 5,000 liang that evening.

Ye Anling and Ye Jingchuan ate two trays, and the Old Madam ate one.

The remaining food was packed into a food box by Ye Chutang.

Before heading to the Dali Temple, she replaced the medicine on Jun’er’s neck and gave him acupuncture treatment.

“Jun’er, rest more to recover quickly.”

After giving her instructions, she went to the kitchen and saw Shan’er still cutting meat strips.

“I’ll be back a little late. Don’t wait for me. Once the meat strips are cut, just keep them in the ice basin to preserve them.”

Shan’er nodded and packed the wild chickens and rabbits into the burlap sack from the ice basin, handing it to Ye Chutang.

“Please be careful, Miss.”

Ye Chutang took the food box and slung the sack over her shoulder as she headed out.

After walking for a short distance, she found an empty corner and threw the sack into her space.

By the time she reached the Dali Temple, it was not yet the appointed time.

The officer guarding the door recognized Ye Chutang and immediately gestured for her to enter.

“Miss Ye, please come in. The Shaoqing is already waiting for you in the jail.”

Ye Chutang knew there wouldn’t be too many guards on night duty, so she handed over the food box.

“A small token of my appreciation. Everyone can share it.”

The guard dared not accept Ye Chutang’s gift.

“Miss Ye, you should give it directly to the Shaoqing. I’ll take you to the jail.”

“Thank you.”

The Dali Temple’s jail was located in the northern part, and there were two gates: an outer gate for family visits, and an inner gate for officers.

As long as the prisoners weren’t under heavy surveillance, their family could pay to visit them through the outer gate.

The inner gate was for the officers to pass through.

When the outer door of the jail opened, the smell of blood immediately assaulted them.

The officer glanced at Ye Chutang and, seeing that she remained calm, continued walking.

They passed down a long staircase and reached the area where officers rested while guarding the prisoners.

Further in were the torture rooms.

The walls were lined with various torture devices, filthy and sinister.

At this point, the smell of blood had grown so strong that it made one want to vomit. The dark floor was soaked in dried blood and grime from who knows how many years.

Normally, Ye Chutang would be able to endure this. After all, she had witnessed the horrors of a blood-soaked world, and this scene seemed trivial to her.

But now that she was pregnant, the nausea became uncontrollable.

“Ugh!”

As she gagged, Qi Yanzhou hurried over.

“Miss Ye, are you okay? If the environment of the jail is too much, you don’t have to force yourself.”

He then went to the resting area and poured a cup of cool tea, handing it to Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang not only did not take the cup but also shoved the food box into Qi Yanzhou’s hands.

She took out silver needles to block her sense of smell, and the feeling of nausea immediately faded away.

“Your Highness, I’m fine. The food box contains barbecue, and there’s quite a lot. Let everyone have a taste.”

She then took the cup and rinsed her mouth with the tea.

Qi Yanzhou had already caught the tantalizing aroma wafting from the food box.

He handed the food box to the subordinates who had escorted Ye Chutang down.

“Since it’s Miss Ye’s thoughtful gesture, let them have it.”

Although he also wanted to try, he didn’t feel comfortable asking in front of Ye Chutang.

After the subordinates left with the food box, he turned to Ye Chutang, whose face still didn’t look good, and asked, “Miss Ye, are you really alright?”

“I’m fine. Your Highness, please bring the people to the torture room. I want to get this over with quickly.”