novelraw Chapter 366: Reunion
Chapter 366: Reunion
That day, Pei Shu’er personally cooked, preparing braised pork, stir-fried pork, and boiled pork, using most of the remaining wild boar meat.
She focused on strong flavors to best mask the gamey taste of the wild boar meat.
As for the pork offal, after others had handled it once, Pei Shu’er processed it again to remove the stench.
This dish had been made in the military camp before, and the soldiers who returned with Tang Zan couldn’t help but lick their lips, their eyes fixed on the pork offal.
The people from the third household had never tasted Pei Shu’er’s spicy blood soup and pork offal.
Seeing others like this, they just felt that the Gulan soldiers were really pitiful, probably starved mad, salivating over such disgusting pig intestines.
This time Pei Shu’er didn’t only make spicy blood soup; she also prepared braised intestines, braised pig trotters, stir-fried pork liver, and stir-fried pork lungs.
When each dish was brought out, everyone couldn’t help but swallow their saliva, increasingly admiring Pei Shu’er.
The variety of dishes was so extensive, without any repetition.
Pei Shu’er sent someone to invite the second and fourth households to join in the meal.
When everyone was about to eat, the people from the second household entered the courtyard with gifts, a bustling crowd, making the scene quite lively.
In their hearts, they knew that although it seemed like just a meal, it was actually Pei Shu’er celebrating their reunion.
Old Mrs. Tang also came into the courtyard, supported by Tang Peiyi.
Behind Tang Peiyi were Tang Tuo carrying gifts and Ma with a big pregnant belly.
When everyone saw Pei Shu’er, their eyes were slightly red, and they exchanged pleasantries, before speaking.
"As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. You don’t know how your second aunt was always talking about you, saying what a good girl you are, such a pity."
Mrs. Zhang wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice a little choked.
"Exactly, such a good girl like Shu’er, if you hadn’t returned, Zan’er would probably never come to terms with it in his life."
Tang Peixiao pretended to surrender: "You see, here comes the same talk again. I was already feeling bad, and now I’m even more upset with her talking like this."
Tang Peiyi said, "Your fourth aunt always talked about you too, but being pregnant, she didn’t dare to cry; she just had red eyes and held back her tears."
Ma said, "It’s good that you’re back. You and Zan’er should live well, and next year have a chubby baby boy."
Pei Shu’er’s cheeks flushed; she understood now that before marriage people urge you to get married, and after marriage, they urge you to have children.
Tang Zan hooked his pinky finger into Pei Shu’er’s palm.
Seeing Pei Shu’er ignore him, he teasingly and slowly traced his pinky across her palm, moving up to her wrist, and then under the cover of wide sleeves, slipped into her clothes.
Pei Shu’er turned back and glared at Tang Zan, who had a mischievous smile on his lips, raising his eyebrows with a rather smug expression.
Pei Shu’er coughed lightly: "Quickly take your seats, it’s cold, and the food will cool quickly."
Everyone started with dishes like braised pork; they were prepared for a gamey taste in the wild boar but didn’t encounter any.
The pork, after simmering for a long time, was not tough at all, instead quite tender.
The more everyone ate, the more indulgent they became, and the braised pork was requested over and over again.
As for the spicy blood soup, people ate plenty before they knew its ingredients.
Later, upon hearing about the dish’s origin, they hesitated but honestly picked it up again and put it in their bowls.
And then honestly ate it.
Such deliciousness indicated how well it had been prepared, so of course, it was worth eating.
As for the braised intestines, powder intestines, and pig trotters, everyone hadn’t tried them before, but the aroma was irresistible, and they couldn’t help eating.
As soon as they took a bite, a rich and intense flavor blossomed in their mouths, not spicy but very fragrant.
Pei Shu’er even made braised tofu, and while the dried tofu was already delicious, the braised tofu was on another level.
Fragrant, tender, smooth, extremely appetizing.
After finishing this round, everyone wanted more.
Tang Peizhong stood at the entrance to the courtyard, unsure whether to go in or stay out.
He realized that his children were here, his wife was here, his mother and brothers were all here; his roots were here, and he didn’t want to leave.
For the first time, he regretted the situation with Jing Ci. But this thought was quickly dismissed; given the love over the years, and their sincere feelings for each other, how could he regret it?
Besides, this flavor was tantalizing, how did it just dominate and invade people’s nostrils?
He thought of Pei Shu’er’s culinary skills and couldn’t help but lick his lips again.
He felt a bit guilty toward her.
After all, his daughter-in-law truly was a paragon of versatility; if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be where he was now.
Thinking of this, Tang Peizhong sighed, feeling even more embarrassed to enter the courtyard.
Just then, a horse arrived at Deserted Mountain, and he realized it was Yan Huan Yu.
Yan Huan Yu’s horse strode directly into the courtyard and walked up to Pei Shu’er.
He quietly gazed at Pei Shu’er, opened his mouth, his eyes reddened, and called out.
"Sister."
Pei Shu’er had been coaxing Liu Xu, who was smiling brightly under her care.
Upon hearing this, she immediately turned around and, seeing Yan Huan Yu, her eyes crinkled with a smile.
"Fengqing is here? Come sit at this table."
Her eyes were pure and clear, without any guilt; looking at him, her gaze still showed fondness for the younger generation.
Yan Huan Yu quickly walked over and sat next to Pei Shu’er; he really missed her.
Then he saw Tang Zan embrace Pei Shu’er’s shoulder, pulling her closer.
That gaze even coolly swept over him.
Yan Huan Yu lowered his eyes and didn’t say anything.
Now they were the couple.
Besides, Tang Zan was quite good to Pei Shu’er, and he didn’t have any standing to interfere between them.
He came merely wanting to see her, and seeing her safe brought him satisfaction.
Only when tasting the food, he felt that having a bite of his sister’s cooking was satisfying enough.
The taste really was incredible.
Later, he deliberately immersed himself in the food, feeling not as melancholy, just an indescribable nostalgia.
He had just sat down soon when the Third Prince and Fifteenth Prince arrived on their carriages, surrounded by numerous soldiers.
The people in the courtyard had never seen such a display, quickly getting up and kneeling to greet them.
The two told everyone to rise.
Yan Hengyin’s gaze subtly swept over Tang Zan’s face, his expression uneasy.
If it hadn’t been for Tang Zan staying in the room with Pei Shu’er, he wouldn’t have had to wait until now to see her.
He went over several times, hearing the sounds inside, feeling both angry and resentful.
Thinking of this, Yan Hengyin loathed Tang Zan even more.
Yan Hengyin’s gaze fell on Pei Shu’er, noticing her well-being, her complexion rosier than before, he couldn’t help but feel relieved, yet also a bit annoyed.
"This is to check on you," he said.