Chapter 68.2 - Ji Liu Xia's Engagement (2)
Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard
T/N: The long awaited food porn chapter; Iâm so happy and hungry at same time.
âSilver has followed me for many years. At the time, in Du village, behind the village was a range of mountains. He
often went into the mountains to play. In the past, when we were very poor, Silver even brought back quite a few
wild animals for us. Heâs very smart. Before coming to the capital, I once thought about releasing him back into the
mountains, but he wasnât willing to go no matter what. Thus, I brought him and Gold over together.â As soon as Du
Xiao Li began talking about Silver, she felt she had endless things to say.
However, what she didnât say was that since coming to this world, Silver was the one that spent the most time with
her. The feelings between them already werenât as simple as owner and pet.
âHearing you talk makes me really want to meet Silver and Gold!â Meng Jiang Zhuo placed her hand before her
chest, carrying an expectant look.
âRight now, Silver and them should be inside the fenced area. Once theyâve played enough, theyâll come back.â Du
Xiao Li said, âLetâs go see how the preparations for the dishes for this afternoon are doing, because I didnât bring
any servant girls today, weâll have to take care of it ourselves.â
âAh? Want us to do it?â Ji Liu Xia heard Du Xiao Liâs words and called out, âI donât know how to do anything! Iâll
definitely burn down your kitchen.
âPfftââ Everyone all were amused by Ji Liu Xiaâs reaction.
âAlthough we all know your abilities to burn down the kitchen, you still donât need to say it out loud.â A voice
carrying laughter came through. Everyone all turned around and saw Han Ming Yi and Han Ming Xiang having
already entered the courtyard. Next to them, aside from Ji Liu Feng, there was also a man around the same age as
Han Ming Yi. Other than that, it was just the seven Leng brothers.
As for the words just now, they were spoken by Han Ming Xiang, who was very close with Ji Liu Xia.
âGreetings Ding Wang, Xian Wang, Princess Changle.â Meng Jiang Zhuo and them quickly went up and bowed.
âYouâre excused.â Xian Wang, Han Ming Yuan, slightly lifted the fan in hand. Afterwards, he looked to Du Xiao Li
and said, âSo this is my future sister-in-law?â
Du Xiao Li didnât know how to respond to this, so she just smiled and diverted the topic, âIâll go see how the
preparation in the kitchen is going. You all donât need me around, right?â
âLittle sister-in-law, I heard Leng Er and them say your cooking is comparable to the imperial chefs, thus I
thickened my skin and came over to freeload a meal. You wonât mind, right?â Han Ming Yuan swiftly flipped his fan
open and said with a smile.
Du Xiao Li looked to his fan, unable to tell the material. Should be his everyday weapon, similar use to Ji Liu
Fengâs fan. And his fully white clothes, although were somewhat similar to Han Ming Yiâs, it instead carried a hint
of the pugilistic world, appearing rather carefree.
Han Ming Yuan originally was out traveling the world, but Han Ming Ze sent him a message, requesting him to
return this mid-autumn, because this yearâs mid-autumn banquet will also be the celebratory banquet for Han Ming
Yi and them. Having no choice, he could only return. However, perhaps because heâd gotten used to flipping over
walls outside, when he went to Ding Wang Manor, he also entered by flipping over the wall. As soon as he entered,
he just heard Leng Er and them mention todayâs gathering, and also how delicious Du Xiao Liâs cooking was and
such, letting him instantly become interested in todayâs gathering, and roared at Han Ming Yi to bring him along.
(T/N: Xian Wang just appeared and I like him already)
âXian Wang is joking, for Xian Wang to be able to come, it is Xiao Liâs honor.â Du Xiao Li also very much admired
Han Ming Yuanâs personality of not loving power, instead loving freedom. This wasnât something many people
could achieve.
âXiao Li, weâll go together with you then.â Meng Jiang Zhuo said.
âAh? We really have to cook? Can I not go?â Ji Liu Xia miserably called out
âIâm just having you all go see if thereâs anything you can do, such as pick the vegetables and whatnot. You burning
down the General Manorâs kitchen, Iâve also heard of, how could I dare let you prepare the meals.â Du Xiao Li said
with a laugh.
âAh, as long as youâre not letting me cook, itâs all good.â Ji Liu Xia said.
âYou should also properly learn from the servant girls. So that when you marry, you can also use this to keep a hold
on your husbandâs stomach! Else, with you not knowing this and that, what will you do when you get kicked back
by your husbandâs family!â Ji Liu Feng completely didnât leave any face for his younger sister.
âHmph, then Iâll burn down their familyâs kitchen first!â Ji Liu Xia stormed off, however towards Ji Liu Fengâs
words, she was rather unconcerned.
Du Xiao Li let someone go have Du Xiu Heng called over, letting him take care of Han Ming Yi and them.
Afterwards, she lead Meng Jiang Zhuo and the others to the kitchen.
âIâll also go help.â Han Ming Xiang said and followed after them. She also wanted to witness Du Xiao Liâs culinary
skills.
âDing Wang, Xian Wang, General Ji, letâs go inside.â Du Xiu Heng waved his hand towards Hang Ming Yi and
them.
âYou all go help too.â Han Ming Yi ordered Leng Er and them.
âYes.â Leng Er and Leng San received the order and went after Du Xiao Li and them, leaving behind the others to
protect Han Ming Yi. However, as soon as Leng Er and them went, they got kicked out by Du Xiao Li, saying she
didnât need their help.
âXiao Li, what are we eating today?â Meng Jiang Zhuo has never entered the kitchen to cook before, so seeing the
spacious kitchen filled with vegetables and meats, she completely didnât know what she can do to help.
(T/N: Tbh I laughed a little at MC inviting them for dinner but make them help out, all just to set up her show off
her cooking skills. MCâs skill of catching unsuspecting free laborers have upped.)
âActually, I just wanted to let you all feel the joy of cooking yourself. You all can just wash these vegetables and
sort them.â Du Xiao Li said, âThose meat just let Xia Yuan and them prepare.â
âIf itâs just washing vegetables, weâre still able to manage.â Fu Ya Lan said. In the past, when she lived in the
nunnery, she also had helped out the chefs in the nunnery.
âAlright, letâs begin then.â Du Xiao Li said, and then had those ingredients divided into categories for them to wash,
while she herself began processing.
Today, sheâd planned on making Sichuan cuisine. The main dishes were spicy pork fillet, twice cook pork,
sauerkraut fish, yuxiang pork strips, kung pao diced chicken, steamed beef in rice flour, taro roast duck, mapo tofu,
coupleâs beef slice, and so on. Because these dishes were all rather spicy, she also prepared some light flavored
dishes.
(T/N: Pictures in order as listed; Sichuan cuisine is famously known for being spicy, your translator Jen nearly died
in Sichuan once from the spiciness, legit ended up in the hospital from indigestion.)
âIâm already drooling from just hearing the names.â Ji Liu Xia said.
âIndeed, it really makes oneâs appetite greatly open up.â Han Ming Xiang nodded.
âThen later you all better eat lots.â Du Xiao Li said with a smile.
âMiss, the blacksmith shop has already sent over the oven and such just now.â Qiao Zhuâs grandpa, that old beggar,
now called old Qi(beg), came to the kitchen and reported to Du Xiao Li.
âI understand. You go and help out in the front then.â Du Xiao Li said with a nod.
âOven? Whatâs that for?â Ji Liu Xia asked.
âUse for making good food.â Du Xiao Li also didnât explain, deliberately suspending her appetite.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âAiyaa, Xiao Li, just tell me.â Ji Liu Xia came to Du Xiao Liâs side and said.
âJust wait, when the food comes out, youâll know.â Du Xiao Li used her elbow to push Ji Liu Xia, pushing her away
from her side.
âWeâll eat it in the afternoon?â Meng Jiang Zhuo asked.
âNo, thatâs for tonight.â Du Xiao Li said. Tonight, she was planning on letting everyone barbecue meat themselves.
Right now, if she were to just tell them, then by nighttime, it wonât be a surprise.
âReally know how to keep people in suspense.â Ji Liu Xia stuck her tongue out at Du Xiao Li, and then went back
to continue washing the vegetables.
âLiu Xia, this wonât do. When the time comes and you marry into the Qu family, donât know if gentleman Qu will be
able to accept this childish nature of yours.â Meng Jiang Zhuo said.