Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 685: Ouyang Hu

Qi Kangping, after three years of experience, has become quite skilled at entertaining guests. Upon hearing the praise, he clasped his hands and said, "Boss Hu, you flatter me. Our little inn in town is no match for your restaurant in the prefecture."

Boss Hu waved his hand and laughed, "Shopkeeper Qi is too modest. Hu Family’s ability to open a restaurant in the prefecture is all thanks to your Yanfu Building."

Boss Hu was open-minded and didn’t mind mentioning that Futai Building had prospered by adopting Yanfu Building’s culinary style. Because of his magnanimity, he won over the affection of many scholars and Madmen.

Boss Hu also knew how to conduct himself well, dedicating a courtyard in Futai Building within the prefecture specifically for scholars and Madmen, allowing them to enjoy the scenery and engage in literary activities while savoring delicious food.

Gu Jin’an knew of Boss Hu’s arrival, and beside Boss Hu stood a genial, slightly fat old man in loose robes. Gu Jin’an squinted his eyes, stepped forward immediately, giving a bow and said, "Gu Jin’an greets Master Ouyang."

Ouyang Hu was startled and looked at Gu Jin’an. After some thought, he asked, "Are you the young man of the Gu Family, who composed the Linjiang Ode at Zheng Family’s painted boat in Jinling Prefecture recently?"

In Jinling, noble families have their own painted boats, where they host cultural events annually. It was heard that this Gu Jin’an had attended for three consecutive years, being unnoticed in the first two without any poetical works. However, at this year’s autumn event, he crafted a stunning Linjiang Ode which catapulted him to literary fame.

At that time, Ouyang Hu was traveling through Jiangnan and was invited by the Zheng Family to participate in the event, where he heard Gu Jin’an’s Linjiang Ode, thus recognizing the young talent. He did not expect to meet him here.

Gu Jin’an nodded, "Indeed, it is me."

Gu Jin’an knew that Mr. Ouyang Hu was a food connoisseur, but he had not expected him to travel all the way from Jinling.

Ouyang Hu chuckled, "We really are fated to meet each other, even in this rural place. Is this restaurant owned by your family?"

Gu Jin’an replied, "To answer Master’s question, no, it’s not. It is jointly opened by my younger sister, my cousin, and Brother Cheng. I am merely here to help."

Ouyang Hu was born into the Ouyang Family. The very Ouyang elder who was scolded by Old Master Zhan San for being pedantic was Ouyang Hu’s own elder brother. However, unlike his brother, Ouyang Hu was not pedantic, instead, he gained a reputation for his love of food while traveling throughout Great Chu.

Hearing that Yanfu Building was opened by a group of youngsters, two of whom were ladies, he did not criticize them for neglecting the proprieties, but instead praised with a smile, "Heroines indeed."

He also said, "I heard that Yanfu Building is serving a delicacy named ’fire ham’ today. I have come eager to taste it. When will it be available for purchase?"

Gu Jin’an smiled, "Master Ouyang, please come inside. I will have a plate served for you to try right away."

Ouyang Hu hurriedly said, "There’s no need for that. Although I am a guest, it was clearly written on the invitation--the fire ham will be auctioned. I cannot break the rules and taste the ham before everyone else."

Gu Jin’an explained, "Master Ouyang, please don’t worry. Although my younger sister has set the rule to auction the ham, before the auction begins, participating guests will be allowed to try the ham for free. After all, guests should have a taste before bidding, lest we deceive our patrons."

Ouyang Hu said, "I see, in that case, please lead us to our seats."

He then patted his slightly round belly and added, "I can’t wait to taste the fire ham."

Gu Jin’an smiled and nodded, while waiving to Brother Cheng who was behind him. The little fellow immediately ran over and said proudly, "Grandpa, please follow Brother Cheng, I will take you to secure a good spot."

He then asked, "Does Grandpa Ouyang prefer to sit in the upstairs private room or in the front row of the main hall? The upstairs private room is more comfortable, but it’s a bit far from the auction stage, so you might not see the fire ham clearly. Sitting in the front row of the main hall allows a closer view of the ham but it’s louder with more people around."

Ouyang Hu laughed heartily, "I don’t mind; a bit of noise suggests vitality. I’ll sit in the front row of the main hall."

This little fellow was quite astute, illustrating the pros and cons of both the main hall and the private room.

Brother Cheng nodded after listening, "Mm-hmm, Brother Cheng understands, let’s sit in the front row."

Then he waved to a waiter in the hall, "Brother Lu Guang, go move a screen over here."

"Alright, I’m on it." After hearing that, Lu Guang hurriedly ran to the storeroom to move a screen.

Brother Cheng said to Ouyang Hu, "Grandpa Ouyang, in a moment, I will set up a screen for you to shield you from other people’s gaze, and you can also enjoy the scenery painted on it."

Ouyang Hu, hearing this, couldn’t stop smiling, finding the young lad who resembled a jade doll to be truly capable and tidy in making arrangements.

Soon after, Brother Cheng led Ouyang Hu to the first table on the far left, "Grandpa Ouyang, please take a seat. I’ll go fetch the sliced ham for you; I know where it is."

Saying this, he dashed off towards the back house.

He ran so fast that Ouyang Hu couldn’t call him back in time.

Gu Jin’an was quite pleased with Brother Cheng’s performance. After the incident with Master Xia, he had lost confidence in the Lu Family and did not want Brother Cheng to continue studying under the tutors of the Lu Family. He was worried about finding a suitable tutor for Brother Cheng when he unexpectedly encountered Ouyang Hu, which truly seemed like fate.

If Mr. Ouyang Hu took a liking to Brother Cheng and taught him for a few years, it would indeed be Brother Cheng’s good fortune.

Gu Jin’an then greeted the others, "Scholar Fang, Boss Hu, Elder Lin, Third Old Master Wang, please take your seats."

Since Mr. Ouyang Hu was brought by Boss Hu, they should naturally sit at the same table.

Boss Hu also mentioned how he came to know Mr. Ouyang Hu, "Master Ouyang is particularly fond of the chicken in a belly dish. He finds it to be remarkably fresh and delicious and has eaten it several times at Futai Building in the prefecture. I was doing my accounts in the prefecture and met Master Ouyang. Seeing his love for good food, I told him about the ham, and he was very pleased, so he followed me here."

Elder Lin and Third Old Master Wang are regular customers of Futai Building and were very curious about the ham, so Boss Hu brought them along.

As for Scholar Fang, he was an old classmate of Boss Hu. Since he is a scholar, Boss Hu brought him along to give Yanfu Building some prestige.

After a while, Brother Cheng came bustling back with a platter of ham. "Grandpa Ouyang, please try this. This is the ham. You don’t need chopsticks; it tastes better when you eat it by hand."

Second Sister had said this.

Lu Peng then brought up a pot of wine, "Distinguished guests, the ham pairs wonderfully with wine."

Ouyang Hu, a gourmet who couldn’t resist delicious food, saw the ham and wine served and said, "I’ll start then; no need for you all to be polite."

He was the eldest among those present and also came from the noble Ouyang Family, so it was natural for him to start eating first.

Ouyang Hu picked up a slice of ham, gave it a sniff, his eyebrows raised at a fragrance he had never encountered before, satisfactorily nodded, and placed the thin slice of ham into his mouth...

Instantly, a rich tantalizing aroma burst forth in his mouth, full-bodied and delicious—an endless delight.

After taking a sip of wine, Ouyang Hu was stunned, "What wine is this? Having tasted all of Great Chu’s fine wines, I’ve never had such a delicious wine before... It’s a bit like Jinling Wine, similar to Songhua Wine, and there’s also a fragrance of flowers and fruits. What exactly is this wine?"

Ouyang Hu was completely baffled and looked at Gu Jin’an to ask.

Brother Cheng raised his hand and said, "I know, let me tell you."