Chapter 394: Chapter 395: Freeloading a Meal
Ancient Wen Heng immediately shook his head in refusal. "Even if your cousinās acne has improved after using the soap, thatās only a temporary fix. You should take her to see a physician, not pin all your hopes on a bar of soap."
"But my cousin is stubborn. She absolutely insists that her acne only cleared up because she used that limited-edition sulfur soap from before.
Your shop isnāt carrying that soap anymore, and sheās been pacing around her estate, wringing her hands all day.
She found out about our connection and has started making a scene in my own courtyard.
Sheās pestered me to no end, which is why I asked you out today. I was hoping to ask if your wife could spare a few bars."
Ancient Wen Heng didnāt really know much about the different kinds of soap Jin Qianqian had concocted, so he couldnāt give him an immediate answer.
"Iāll have to go home and ask. You know I spend all day at the Hanlin Academy, so Iām not really up to date on these things at home."
Shan Keāan replied, "Perfect. Itās been a long time since Iāve paid a visit to your estate, and Iāve been craving your householdās cooking. Since we havenāt ordered yet, why donāt we head over there now?"
"..." Ancient Wen Heng was speechless. "You were supposed to be treating me to a meal, yet somehow Iām the one who has to provide it."
"Well, whose fault is it that the food at your estate is always so extraordinary and unique? Every visit is a pleasant surprise. Itās been a while since Iāve come to sponge a meal off you, so Iāll probably get to satisfy my cravings this time." The more he spoke, the more brilliant Shan Keāan thought his own suggestion was.
He didnāt even wait for Ancient Wen Heng to lead the way. Waving the waiter away, he took the initiative and headed for the door.
Ancient Wen Heng shook his head helplessly and followed him back home.
The weather was growing colder by the day. Jin Qianqian had instructed the staff to prepare hot pot, and she was currently enjoying mutton hot pot with the old madam and the others.
As it happened, the steward had gone out to do the marketing today and came across a merchant selling sheep, so he bought a good ten of them on the spot.
Jin Qianqian had been craving something with a bit of a kick, so she had the steward dig out the specially prepared divided hot pot. Then, she personally supervised the kitchen staff as they stir-fried the soup base, allowing the entire household to ward off the winter chill.
"Seventh Sister-in-law, you really know your way around food," Gu Yuanshui said, using the serving chopsticks to scoop a large helping of beef into his bowl. He was already sweating profusely as he ate it with dipping sauce.
Li Cuicui, meanwhile, chose easily digestible items, scooping them from the mild broth. She turned to Gu Yuanshui once more and said, "Youāve been cooped up in this estate all day, and in such a short time, youāve nearly eaten yourself into a sphere. You need to show some restraint, or your own children wonāt recognize you when you go home."
Gu Yuanshui swallowed the meat in his mouth. "Mother, youāre exaggerating. Itās just cold, so I added an extra padded jacket. Itās not as dramatic as you make it sound.
Besides, you know my wifeās cooking is... nothing to brag about. Once I go back home to hole up for the winter, all this weight will just melt right off again. Take pity on your poor son and let me seize the opportunity to pack on a few pounds."
Both Jin Qianqian and Li Cuicui were amused by his dramatic expression. Jin Qianqian said, "Your wife ought to hear you say that. But you shouldnāt have the same problem this year as in years past. Didnāt you hire a woman to cook for you?"
But Gu Yuanshui waved his hand dismissively. "The cook at my home is no match for the ones here at Sister-in-lawās. If it werenāt for the distance, Iād send my cook over to learn a thing or two."
Jin Qianqian smiled and said, "Fourth Brother, if you like the food, I can have someone write down the recipes for you later. That way, you can satisfy your cravings back home."
Gu Yuanshuiās eyes were already fixed on the fish balls in the pot. As he scooped them out, he didnāt forget to reply, "Ah, letās forget it. At home, only your young nephew can read a few characters. And that boy, when heās not at school, heād rather be running wild outside. Heād never have the patience to sit and watch over the cook, making sure she follows the recipe word by word to recreate the dish."
Jin Qianqian noticed the silent Gu Lehuan off to one side. Seeing that he had put down his chopsticks and was just staring into the pot, she asked, "Le Huan, is this not to your liking?"
Gu Lehuan immediately snapped out of it. "No, itās very good."
With that, he casually scooped up a piece of food and began eating with his head lowered.
Li Cuicui shot him a look of sheer disappointment, then instantly switched to a smile as she added some fish balls and tofu from the non-spicy broth to Luo Luoās bowl.
The moment Ancient Wen Heng entered the estate, he led his guest straight to the dining hall, only to find his entire family gathered there.
Smelling the fragrant, spicy aroma drifting through the air, Shan Keāan forgot his composure and audibly swallowed before finally bowing to Li Cuicui.
"You two havenāt eaten yet, have you?" Li Cuicui asked. āDidnāt my son say he was meeting someone out? Why is he home at this hour?ā she wondered, confused.
Nevertheless, she extended her usual hospitality. "If you donāt mind, please join us for..."
"Not at all, not at all!" Before Li Cuicui could even react, the man was already standing at the table.
Jin Qianqian smiled, asking the steward to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks. She then instructed the kitchen to prepare a few more dishes before turning to their guest. "Mr. Shan, if this isnāt to your taste, I can have the kitchen prepare something else for you."
"Sister-in-law, are you teasing me? Iām not a picky eater in the slightest. And this is wonderfulāthereās fish and meat. Please donāt trouble the kitchen any further."
āWas she kidding? He had seen how much they were enjoying this fragrant meal the moment he walked in. How could he possibly go for those tired old dishes when he hadnāt even had a proper taste of something so new and exciting?ā
Jin Qianqian was only asking out of courtesy. She knew he had an easygoing nature and was never a picky eater.
Ancient Wen Heng thought, ā...ā āNot picky? Heās so picky that he picks our estate every time.ā
True to her hospitable nature, Li Cuicui urged Shan Keāan to start eating the moment his bowl and chopsticks were set.
Ever since putting on some weight, Shan Keāan had become pleasantly plump, and with a constant smile playing on his lips, he was a natural favorite among the elderly.
As if aware of this advantage, he grinned at Li Cuicui. "Old Madam, please donāt worry about me. Wenheng and I go way back. My only hope is that you wonāt mind if I eat too much."
Li Cuicui replied, "A healthy appetite is a blessing! You must eat your fill. If you donāt, wouldnāt that mean we were poor hosts?"
"...In that case, I wonāt stand on ceremony," Shan Keāan said. He could barely contain himself any longer. If he didnāt start eating soon, he felt his hands might start moving on their own.
Ancient Wen Heng sat down next to Jin Qianqian. He made sure to scoop some of her favorite mutton into her bowl before picking up his own chopsticks.
Shan Keāan was conquered by the hot pot from the very first bite. His cousin, the soapāall of it was utterly forgotten.
His chopsticks flew, a blur of motion as he ate with immense satisfaction. Even the pensive Gu Lehuan was swept up in the atmosphere, instantly joining the scramble for food.
By the time everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, they were all clutching their bellies, stuffed to the brim.
"The cooks at your estate really are something else. That flavor was absolutely sensational." Shan Keāanās eyes darted about before he turned to Jin Qianqian with a particularly fawning expression.
Jin Qianqian knew exactly what he was after. She turned directly to Qing Mei, who was waiting nearby, and instructed, "Have the kitchen pack up a portion of the soup base we made today. And while youāre at it, explain the recipe to Mr. Shanās Attendant Student."