Chapter 204 3/3

The large wooden box ensured that even if the boat suddenly rocked, it wouldn’t tip over, and the stove inside would remain upright, at most causing the cooking pot to spill into the box itself.

Any spills would be contained within the box, preventing any messes outside. The wooden box also provided safety from burns while using the stove for heating, making it quite convenient.

This cleverly designed, painted wooden box stove was meant for wealthy travelers. Ordinary people used simpler cooking setups on boats.

Jin Xiaoye had arranged a cabin specifically for dining and resting. The room had a dining table, chairs, and a couch, where the wooden box was placed.

Li Damao and Li Ermao sat by the box, looking listless.

Previously, in open boats, the constant wind prevented seasickness, but it was different on this large boat.

Li Qingzhi used his “golden finger” to alleviate their seasickness. Then, Jin Xiaoye announced, “The ginger tea is ready. Everyone, have some.”

Li Damao and Li Ermao chorused, “I don’t want any!”

Jin Xiaoye insisted on the ginger tea to ward off the cold, but Li Qingzhi stopped her, “Xiaoye, let them be if they don’t like it.” After all, with him around, they wouldn’t fall ill.

Zhao Xiaodou, puzzled by their dislike, didn’t understand why they refused the ginger tea, especially since it had sugar in it, making it taste better.

“Xiaodou, take this pot of ginger tea and drink it with your uncle,” Jin Xiaoye said, handing him a pot.

Zhao Xiaodou took the ginger tea to Li Laogen.

“Should we give some to the crew?” Li Qingzhi asked.

Jin Xiaoye replied, “I already gave them brown sugar and old ginger earlier. They can make their own, though it won’t be as sweet as mine.”

She handed a bowl to Madam Qian and poured herself one, then gave the rest, including the pot, to Li Qingzhi.

Li Qingzhi drank the ginger tea and ate the ginger slices with chopsticks.

Li Damao and Li Ermao watched in admiration, while Madam Qian was surprised. Most people avoided eating ginger slices directly!

As Li Qingzhi ate, he described the situation outside. Jin Xiaoye, not wanting to waste the stove’s heat, placed a small pot on it, added water, and some tofu to cook.

She also took out a sauce prepared by Chang Zhan and added some to her bowl, ready to dip the tofu once it was cooked.

This madehift hotpot, albeit with only tofu, seemed delicious to Li Qingzhi.

“I’ll get some more food from the kitchen,” he said.

This time, Chang Zhan wasn’t with them, but two of his disciples and Zhang Zao were in the makeshift kitchen, preparing ginger tea for the crew.

Upon hearing Li Qingzhi wanted food, they quickly found some for him.

He brought back some meat, wood ear mushrooms, and bean sprouts to share with Jin Xiaoye and the others.

Madam Qian, visibly pregnant, had her condition checked by Li Qingzhi using his “golden finger,” confirming she was expecting a girl.

Qian Fugui, longing for a child, would be delighted even with a girl, but raising a girl in this era posed challenges.

However, being born into Qian Fugui’s family was fortunate. Li Qingzhi had discussed plans with Qian Fugui, who intended to raise his daughter like a son, teaching her business skills and eventually marrying her to a man who would join their household.

With her managing the business and the support of Qian Changsheng and Li Qingzhi, she wouldn’t face hardships.

Qian Fugui’s open-mindedness likely came from his extensive travels and experiences.

In these times, some people with only daughters would rather pass their inheritance to other families’ sons than their own daughters.

In the original owner’s memory, his hometown never accepted adopted sons-in-law, unlike Chongcheng County, where this practice was common, possibly due to regional differences.

Due to her pregnancy, Madam Qian had a hearty appetite. As she ate, she marveled, “I didn’t announce my pregnancy, and people couldn’t tell…”

Her belly had grown, but people in Chongcheng County assumed she had just gained weight.

Li Qingzhi smiled.

At six months pregnant, with the weather getting colder and clothes becoming bulkier, it was natural for others not to notice.

But if Madam Qian stayed longer, people would eventually realize.

Li Qingzhi, concerned about her delivering a large baby, always advised her on diet, favoring foods that didn’t cause excessive weight gain. Hence, only her belly had grown, not her overall body.

The baby’s growth would soon make it impossible to hide the pregnancy.

Traveling to the capital with them wasn’t ideal for Madam Qian due to societal norms, but Li Qingzhi had planned ahead—Jin Xiaoye acknowledged Madam Qian as her godmother.

Madam Qian also brought servants along, minimizing the impropriety of traveling together.

The makeshift hotpot was delicious and warming, with Li Damao and Li Ermao eating heartily.

Li Qingzhi ate the most, finding Chang Zhan’s sauce irresistible.

Speaking of which, Du Yongning had given him many things. When they docked, he planned to share some of the sauce with Du Yongning.

As they sailed north, the meals on board weren’t as good as those on land, so having flavorful sauces was a treat.