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Chen Feng hastily put down what she was holding and, together with Mrs. Wang, called Auntie Mu and Mrs. Zeng to the kitchen. With the rooster hour half an hour away, they couldn’t prepare anything too complicated or time-consuming. They could only stir-fry some home-style dishes, mix a few cold dishes, and prepare some braised meats.
They would start by cooking and stir-frying, preparing the golden silk cake while they ate.
After some thought, Chen Feng settled on a menu: braised rabbit, braised pork liver, braised spare ribs, braised tofu, cold mixed three vegetable strands, cold mixed wood ear fungus, garlic seaweed shreds, candied peanuts, garlic chives stir-fried with pork, golden shrimp balls, scallion lamb parcels, braised beef with radish, stir-fried mushrooms, and bear paw tofu, along with a clear stewed chicken. In total, four braised dishes, four cold dishes, six hot dishes, and one soup.
With the menu set, they all began to busy themselves.
Mrs. Zeng hid a smile as she lowered her head. In the past, she might have thought that, apart from the golden shrimp balls, these dishes were all common and that the Tangyuan chef could make them better. She couldn’t understand why the masters had to come to Luyuan for a meal instead of staying at Tangyuan.
However, after the hotpot meal, she realized that the young lady’s culinary skills were exceptional. Even though the dishes she had cooked these past few days were ordinary, they tasted great. Yesterday, when Auntie Mu was busy, she had cooked a few dishes herself, and surprisingly, her cooking had improved rapidly. The food was much tastier than before…
Mrs. Wei also came into the kitchen to help with the cooking. As she worked, she told Chen Feng about the legendary life of Chu Guangkai, Third Master Chu. According to her, Third Master Chu left for the border at the age of fifteen and returned this year at the age of thirty-five, having served for a full twenty years and achieved numerous military achievements. Eight years ago, at the young age of twenty-seven, he was appointed as the Western Advance Earl and also became the youngest General in Yucheng. He was the favorite son of the old Marquis, the favorite uncle of Master Chu, and the pride of the Chu family.
Although the border had been very stable in recent years, the emperor still hoped that Third Master Chu would continue to guard the border at Yucheng. However, the old Marquis had made several petitions, citing his old age and deep longing for his son, even crying, before finally convincing Third Master Chu to return.
Mrs. Wei’s expression revealed her deep admiration for Third Master Chu.
“Our Yongning Marquis’s family has produced three of the youngest individuals in the Dachu Dynasty. The first was the late Marquis, who was appointed at the age of twenty-two, the youngest Marquis. Then, there’s our Third Master Chu, who became a General at twenty-seven, the youngest General. And finally, our Lord, who became a Deputy General at the age of twenty-two, the youngest official of the third rank.” Mrs. Wei spoke proudly.
“Isn’t the old Marquis worried that recalling Third Master Chu might hinder his future?” Chen Feng casually inquired.
“Well, the old Marquis had no choice. He called Third Master Chu back not just because he missed him, but also to have him and Third Madam come back to help manage the Marquis’s residence…” Mrs. Wei seemed to feel she had said too much and quickly fell silent.
Mrs. Zeng was puzzled and asked, “Will Third Master and Third Madam stay at the Western Advance Earl’s residence?”
Mrs. Wei shook her head and said, “No, the old Marquis asked them to move into the Marquis’s residence. He said that Third Master had spent very little time with him since he was young. He insisted that third master and his family must live in the Marquis’s residence for a few years to show more respect and filial piety.”
Mrs. Zeng smiled and whispered, “It would be good if Third Madam stays in the Marquis’s residence. If the Marquis’s residence is managed by her…” Mrs. Zeng made a two-finger gesture and continued, “if it’s managed by her, it might end up being an empty show when it’s handed over to Master Chu.”
Mrs. Wei chuckled, “That’s why the old Marquis called them back. Third Madam is formidable, has family backing, and is on good terms with our… with my master. With her in charge, Second Madam won’t be able to act so freely. In the future, the internal affairs will be managed by Third Madam, while third master will oversee the external affairs and the affairs outside the Marquis’s residence. The old Marquis will also have more free time to stay at Tangyuan.”
Chen Feng was finding it hard to follow the conversation but didn’t inquire further. It’s not that she wasn’t curious, in fact, she was curious about many things. She just felt that the matters of the Marquis’s residence didn’t concern her, and she had no interest in distant terms like internal affairs, back courtyards, and palace struggles, apart from her interest in the heroic Third Master Chu. Everything else didn’t pique her interest.
The dishes were almost ready. Chen Feng went to the main room and had the Eight Immortals table placed in the middle, along with the delicate porcelain tableware that had arrived as a New Year’s gift from Tangyuan, which was perfect for the occasion. She also brought out a jar of blue-and-white wine. Thinking that military men were strong drinkers, she decided to bring out another jar of the same wine.
Meanwhile, Chen Ming nervously paced around the room, his facial muscles twitching. He was even more anxious when he saw the table set.
He said to Chen Feng, “A’Feng, I’m afraid. Dad was so scared when he saw Master Chu last time that he couldn’t eat. Now, with the old Marquis coming, I’m even more scared. I’ve heard that those nobles can be violent if they get upset. Dad worries that he might say something wrong and cause trouble for you.”
Chen Feng reassured him, “The old Marquis isn’t a lunatic. He wouldn’t just start hitting people. Based on Master Chu’s character, his grandfather and uncle shouldn’t be so domineering.”
She thought to herself, if he knew that Third Master Chu was an uncle, a general, and a fearsome military leader, he would be even more afraid.
Dabao added, “Grandpa, don’t be afraid. Grandpa Chu is very kind and won’t lose his temper easily.”
Chen Ming added, “I won’t join them at the table this time, they can eat on their own, right?”
Chen Feng responded, “Let them eat on their own. After all, they are not our invited guests, they came on their own.”
As the rooster hour approached, with trembling legs, Chen Ming led Lu and Dabao to the entrance to receive the guests. He repeatedly reminded them to keep their words to a minimum.
Meanwhile, Chen Feng, accompanied by Zeng Xiaoqing, began arranging the braised meats and cold dishes on the table.
Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. Then, Chen Ming’s trembling voice was heard saying, “This humble one pays respects to the old Marquis and the two esteemed guests.” sounding visibly shaken.
Dabao and Lu were also heard saying, “This youngster pays respects to the old Marquis and the two esteemed guests.”
Dabao’s voice was quite loud, showing no signs of being intimidated.
An elder’s voice came through, “Please, please rise. We took the liberty of coming to dine at your home, there’s no need for excessive formality.”
Then, Chu Lingxuan’s voice followed, “Uncle Chen, please don’t be so formal. We’re all acquaintances and should interact regularly, excessive formality isn’t necessary.”
It seemed to be said with a smile, lacking the previous coldness. However, the term “Uncle Chen” not only startled Chen Ming but also unnerved the people in the kitchen. Mrs. Wei’s gaze turned to Chen Feng once again.
Then, a friendly, unfamiliar male voice chimed in, “Haha, I heard from Lingxuan that the food at your home is delicious. Before I return to the capital, I couldn’t resist coming to taste it myself.”