Free Web NovelChapter 632: Chapter 346: Midnight Meal, Harmonious Companionship, Subtle Arts of Gods and Ghosts, Astonishing Effects of Fierce Garb (Part 2)
For large and prominent families, the rules are strict. Those with profound family knowledge have created a set of principles specifically for [consumption], called ’The Art of Eating,’ implying that the family has rules and eating has principles. Wen Caishang, while eating, must chew thirty-seven times. She does it slowly, with dignity and elegance. Following the eating principles allows one to converse gracefully, with fragrant breath, taking in grains without leaving impurities. At family gatherings and banquets, there’s an invisible assessment of the younger generation’s etiquette, where all forms of decorum are put to use. Every move carries deep meaning.
"Madam, is it delicious?" Li Xian asked. Wen Caishang replied, "This is Flying Dragon City’s hot pot soup. I read about it in a book. When I first arrived in Flying Dragon City, I tasted it with Xiaotuan. That girl ate happily, but I was not interested. Such foods are often rich in flavor and salt, which ordinary people love to eat. I didn’t like it, but just now I tasted it, and it was refreshingly fragrant and mellow, surprisingly to my liking."
Li Xian laughed, "Of course, the soup base was my own concoction. It contains more than ten kinds of herbs and many seasonings, indeed a medicinal meal. I thought it would match your taste. Madam loves to drink tea, craving the lingering aftertaste that remains on the lips. I remember these clearly." Wen Caishang was very pleased upon hearing this, slightly comforted that he had the conscience to remember her preferences. Just as she was about to praise him, she recalled her own distress and changed her tone, saying, "Flattery and fawning are so annoying to watch and hear." freewebnovёl.ƈom
Li Xian said, "Hmm?" Wen Caishang saw Li Xian gaining momentum, flaunting his power. At this time, he even sulked, biting her silver teeth, unwilling to submit. But thinking of his wrath, with nowhere to escape, she had to say, "Cai Shang admits her mistake, good gentleman, do not be angry." After speaking, she kept asking herself, "Wen Caishang, oh Wen Caishang, when did you speak such soft words, is this still you? When someone insults you, even if you lose your life, you won’t utter a soft word. But... there’s no choice."
Li Xian laughed, "Madam, please try this donkey meat again." freёwebnovel.com
He picked up a piece of donkey meat, boiled it in the soup until cooked, the many herbs in the pot combined with the donkey meat, exuding a unique fragrance. Wen Caishang tasted it with surprise, saying, "The color and flavor are quite good; is this really your own creation?"
Li Xian said, "Yes!" Feeling very excited. Originally, he met Wen Caishang in Flying Dragon City and used her financial resources to taste many gourmet foods. By that time, his [consumption] skills had reached perfection, understanding the [appraisal] trait, being able to appraise the origins of anything tasting. Combined with his [cooking skill], his accumulation grew richer. Now, preparing the soup, the ingredients were simple, but the color and flavor were exceptional.
He named it ’Re-scented Soup,’ the first piece of deer meat was sweet and lingering, with extraordinary color and flavor. The second piece of donkey meat was even more exquisite. It didn’t overwhelm with intense flavor, stunning at first but tiresome by the second, with no need for a third bite, but rather unfolded slowly, growing more fragrant with each taste. Eating it was refreshing and delightful.
Wen Caishang exclaimed, "Your cooking skills are quite profound; this recipe could generate income." Li Xian asked, "Madam, please advise." Their relationship was complicated; while dueling verbally on the lake they were harsh, now they were unexpectedly harmonious and warm. Wen Caishang discontentedly glared at Li Xian; he only behaved courteously when he needed her. She said, "The simplest way is to sell the recipe for a reward, but it wouldn’t be much, perhaps at most a hundred silver. If you open a restaurant, establish your brand, you can run a big hit, earning a fortune daily."
"But opening a restaurant requires effort in management. You need strength to maintain your position, or you risk envy, sabotage, and making a mess for yourself."
Li Xian took advantage of the question, "If my strength is strong enough, can I open a restaurant?" Wen Caishang retorted, "Calling you stupid, you’ve outsmarted me profoundly. Calling you smart, such obvious matters you still need to ask me. If your strength is strong enough, not just a restaurant, any of the three hundred sixty trades can bring wealth. But the strength referred to here isn’t just ’martial power,’ it also includes methods, strategies, interpersonal skills... all of these. If you open an inn, your martial power is strong, anyone provoking at the gate can be repelled. You can ensure the inn’s safety, but if trouble arises daily, how can you conduct business?"
"Also, it involves numerous Jianghu intricacies, open and covert struggles with various trades. Moreover, you’re not the only one allowed to be strong, are others not allowed their own strength? The way to handle situations, methods of deterrence, reward and punishment principles, measurement and discretion, all of these are strength. Therefore, us Martial Artists, although we pride ourselves on ’martial’ we are not reckless brutes. We need to master all aspects, handle situations flexibly, with methods, as well as martial power, to accomplish success."
These words were heartfelt, the experiences and insights valuable. Wen Caishang’s manipulative words caused He Wentian to tear down his own wall, opening his heart, though led to Jieyou Tower’s collapse. Her martial arts are profound, her strength terrifying, without He Wentian’s help, she definitely wouldn’t have succeeded. Li Xian felt greatly taught, thinking, "Such experiential words, if not for Madam’s guidance, waiting for me to realize on my own, I would likely have suffered many hardships. Who else in the world but Madam could tell me these?" He said sincerely, "Madam speaks truly! Li Xian is taught."
Wen Caishang nodded, lamenting, "Won’t you show it a bit, loosen my ropes, make me a little more comfortable?"
Li Xian laughed, "I’m afraid not. Otherwise, it’ll be me in trouble." Wen Caishang said, "You do know. Never mind, I know your temperament, asking you to relax is never possible. I see you’ve brought back many foods, let me taste them."
Li Xian said, "Alright."
This meal was accompanied by a gentle breeze, but beyond the wilderness, the pot was steaming, and the two ate and drank together, discussing various things. You take a bite and I take a bite, surprisingly harmonious. The pot boiled, snowflakes drifted outside, inside they leaned on each other by the charcoal fire, truly peaceful and serene, wishing for it to be like this every day.
