Chapter 144: Captured
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Su Jidong chimed in, “That’s right. No matter how busy you are, you still have to eat. Just have a meal before leaving.”
Jiao Yuying also said, “Eat before leaving. How can we let you go home hungry?”
In the end, under the enthusiastic persuasion of Su Jidong and his wife, Zeng Qing agreed to stay for dinner.
There were many children outside the courtyard door. All of them stuck their heads in to look.
Su Li took out two packets of pastries and stuffed them into He Qingyao and He Qingmu’s hands. “There are many children outside. Take the pastries and give them a share.”
Zeng Qing’s butler had brought a lot of pastries that they could not finish. Why not do them a favor and find playmates for the two little guys?
“Okay.” The two little guys nodded happily.
They took the pastries and ran out of the door. They took out the pastries and started to distribute them.
“Here you go.” He Qingyao and He Qingmu generously handed over the pastries.
The children did not expect He Qingyao and the others to share the pastries with them. They could not help but gulp when they saw the pastries in their hands. As they were not familiar with them, they did not dare to take them directly and asked uncertainly.
“Is this for us?”
He Qingyao and He Qingmu nodded vigorously. “Yes.”
Only then did the children dare to take the pastries in their hands. Because they had something to eat, the kids in the village became bolder and began to enter the courtyard to play with He Qingyao and her brother.
Su Li nodded in satisfaction. These two children were much bolder than before. At least they were no longer afraid of coming into contact with people.
Su Li walked into the kitchen. She had to start preparing the food she would eat later.
Today, she planned to make a few spicy dishes. Chili chicken, boiled meat, and duck’s blood. These dishes could only be made with chili. She believed that as long as they ate these few dishes, they would definitely be captured by them.
Su Jidong brought in the chicken that he had killed. He even considerately chopped the chicken into small pieces. Jiao Yuying helped Su Li prepare the dishes that would be stir-fried and the side dishes that would be used later. Su Li called Su Ze to the kitchen and instructed, “Pack up all our chili and weigh how many catties there are.”
She had brought these chili peppers from the He Family Village. She had eaten some recently and should still have about five catties left. Although she still had some in her interspace, she did not dare to take them out rashly.
Su Ze was a little puzzled. “Sister, what are you doing?”
Why was she asking him to weigh chili for no reason? Was his sister trying to cause trouble?
Su Li reached out and tapped his forehead. “You’re a child, don’t ask so many questions. Just do as I say.”
Su Ze pouted unhappily. “I’m not young anymore!”
Although he was a little unhappy, he still did as Su Li instructed.
Soon, the fragrance in the kitchen attracted Zeng Qing. He smelled it and walked over.
Su Ze kept him out of the door. “The smell of grease and smoke is stronger in the kitchen. You’d better go and sit in the central room!”
His sister had just instructed him to guard the kitchen door and not let Zeng Qing and the others in.
Zeng Qing stood on his tiptoes and looked in. “What delicious food did Madam
Su make? Why is it so fragrant? I’m already hungry from the smell.”
Su Ze smiled. “I’m not too sure either, but we’ll know in a while.”
Zeng Qing tiptoed and looked again. Other than the fragrance that assaulted his nose and the sound of cooking, he saw nothing.
Zeng Qing looked at the door for a while before reluctantly returning to the central room.
When Su Li heard the conversation outside, the corners of her lips curled up. She wanted to whet his appetite first. He would only know how delicious these dishes were later.
The old butler and guards sitting in the central room were ravenous. They could only keep drinking water and swallowing.
The old butler said to Zeng Qing, “Master, that Madam Su looks capable.”
Zeng Qing nodded in agreement. “If she didn’t have some skills, we wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
If Su Li hadn’t saved him and taken away his most important things, they wouldn’t have taken the initiative to come to her door and let her rip them off.
Soon, the food was served. Zeng Qing and his people made up a total of five, and Su Li’s family also had six people. Hence, they did not split into two tables to eat and directly gathered at one table.
Zeng Qing’s guards and butler did not dare to sit at the table. After all, there was a difference between master and servant. How could they sit at the same table and eat?
Zeng Qing didn’t mind and said, “Wash your hands and eat. You don’t have to be so particular outside.”
Only then did the butler and guards dare to sit down.
Su Li pursed her lips. Rich families had many rules.
Zeng Qing looked at the dishes on the table and asked, “What kind of dishes are these? Why haven’t I seen them before?”
Su Li smiled and introduced them to him one by one.
Zeng Qing felt that these names were novel. He had lived for dozens of years, but this was the first time he had heard such a name.
“Let me try it first!” Zeng Qing picked up a piece of spicy chicken with his chopsticks.
A numbing and spicy feeling spread to his taste buds, and his eyes couldn’t help but light up.
Su Li smiled and asked, “How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
The butler and the guard kept eating until their lips turned red.
The old butler couldn’t help but say, “It’s delicious, but my mouth and tongue can’t take it anymore.”
Su Li smiled. Other than making two light dishes for the child today, the other dishes were mainly spicy dishes. If it weren’t for the fact that she often ate chili, she wouldn’t be able to stand it too.
However, it didn’t matter. As long as she achieved her goal, it was fine. After all, they weren’t the ones who couldn’t stand it.
Su Li instructed Su Ze, who was engrossed in his food, “Su Ze, the herbal tea in the kitchen should be ready. Go and bring it up for them to try!”
“Okay.” Su Ze put down his chopsticks and walked towards the kitchen.
Zeng Qing craned his neck and looked outside. He could not help but look forward to it.
Soon, Su Ze returned with herbal tea. He scooped a bowl for each of them.
At the side, Su Li explained, “I specially brewed this herbal tea. Drinking this herbal tea after eating chili won’t cause heat to your body.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Zeng Qing picked up the bowl and drank it.
“It’s delicious!” Zeng Qing said.
The spicy feeling in his mouth disappeared, and his throat was not as uncomfortable as before.
After dinner, Zeng Qing and the others prepared to leave.
Before leaving, he made a request to Su Li. “Madam Su, can you sell me some of your chili?”
When Su Li heard his words, the corners of her lips curled up. He finally asked. She was waiting for Zeng Qing to bring it up.
“Alright, I happen to have a lot of chili at home. Buy some back and try it. If you think it’s really delicious, you can come over and buy more.”
“Okay.”
Su Li took out the chili that she had wrapped in advance. “70 copper coins per catty. There’s a total of five catties and a tael here. Just give me 350 copper coins.”
Su Ze was dumbfounded. It turned out that his sister was really smart. She had long predicted that someone would buy chili.
Su Jidong and Jiao Yuying opened their mouths in surprise. This chili could be sold for 70 copper coins per catty?
That little bit could sell for 350 copper coins?
Oh my god! This was even more surprising than a pie falling from the sky..
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺