Chapter 229: The Tribe Tastes Cooked Rice for the First Time

Hearing that, Rongdi almost choked on his wine; his face immediately turned a bit ugly, and he frowned, asking, "What are you asking her to do?"

How could this dog tribe know Nan Qinghuan? Seeing Rongdi so nervous, the dog tribe was a bit puzzled; its tribe was far from here, not clear about affairs between their tribes, so naturally it didn't know anything about Rongdi and Nan Qinghuan.

Moreover, they didn't know Nan Qinghuan.

He smiled smugly, "Ying's wife, I heard Ana say her foot‑massaging skill is superb; if the chance arises, the dog tribe would like to try it."

"Ana?"

Ana hadn't expected to be betrayed so quickly; she hung her head, not daring to look at Rongdi. Rongdi gave Ana a deep glance, then burst into a laugh, "Nan Qinghuan can massage feet—how could I not have known?"

"Since she's Ying's wife, I'd like to meet her. After killing Ying, I'll capture Nan Qinghuan and make her kneel at my feet to massage me."

Although Rongdi couldn't get Nan Qinghuan, he didn't want the dog tribe to have designs on her.

He kept a straight face, squeezed his fist, and sneered, "Then you must be able to kill Ying first."

"Don't worry, I know he's formidable; the dog tribe isn't easy to deal with either."

Hearing that, Rongdi was naturally very interested; he slightly furrowed his brows and asked, "What have you prepared?"

The sun rose in the east and set again.

Here they were discussing how to deal with Ying, to kill him and seize his tribe; over there, within the Ying Tribe, a harvest of joy prevailed.

As the sunset fell, the fragrance of rice drifted from the Ying Tribe.

In the Remote Antiquity Era, the sun was massive; the harvested rice grains dried quickly, but removing the husks became a problem. Axi watched Nan Qinghuan take out a club, then prepared a stone vat filled with water, pouring the dried grains in and beating them with a wooden mallet to strip the husks.

Seeing the beating, she was puzzled, "Qinghuan, will this work?"

Axi saw her continuously pounding the rice grains; Nan Qinghuan nodded, "Of course it works—this is called pounding rice. Everyone try it; by evening we'll have cooked rice to eat."

Wanting to taste what cooked rice would be like, Na Yao stayed in the tribe, waiting to leave tomorrow. He saw Nan Qinghuan working hard and wanted to help, but suddenly Ying rushed over, snatched the wooden mallet from his hand, and said, "Let me try. Qinghuan, tell me how to do it?"

"Ying, you're back?"

Ying had been out all day; no one knew what he was doing. Na Yao was a bit worried but didn't press, waiting for Ying to explain.

"Qinghuan, step aside, let me take over."

Ying learned quickly, and under Nan Qinghuan's guidance the tribe pounded out white rice grains. Seeing the white grains, Axi was startled and secretly ate a few.

He found the sweet taste quite good.

"Qinghuan, it really is edible—it's sweet."

A Mu, hearing it was sweet, felt her regret turn her gut green; she tasted it herself and found it truly sweet, "Ah, had we known it was edible, why would we have ever thrown it away?"

Back then they had simply rubbed the husks off by hand, using the straw to make rope.

"Indeed, we never imagined this could be eaten."

The tribe had seen rice before, but no one knew it could be eaten, so they naturally stripped the grains, leaving only the straw to tie things.

"It still needs to be cooked; raw rice can't be eaten. Watch mine."

She lit the stove, tended the fire, rinsed the rice, cooked it, and when it was nearly done she scooped it out, then steamed it in a bamboo bucket that she had long ago had prepared; by the time this whole process finished, night had fallen.

Night fell, and the aroma of rice steamed out; the wooden bucket emitted waves of rice fragrance mixed with bamboo scent, making mouths water.

Everyone gathered around the pot, awaiting a miracle; this was the first pot of rice in the Remote Antiquity Era.

When Nan Qinghuan lifted the lid, instantly the steaming white rice stunned everyone. "So fragrant, so soft—how I want to taste it!"

"Wait, the first bite must be offered in a Ritual to the Heavenly God, to bless us with rice every year."

A Mu ladled a bowl of rice for the Ritual, and Nan Qinghuan went with her; the tribe must maintain faith.

After the Ritual to the Heavenly God, the second bowl of rice, according to Tribe Rules, should be given to Ying, the Clan Leader, who may enjoy the best treatment.

Naturally, he could eat it first.

A Mu carried a bowl of rice to Ying, "Ying, this second bowl is for the Clan Leader—would you like a taste?"

Everyone stared at him with hungry bellies; only if Ying ate could they eat—it was an unbreakable rule.

Ying took the bowl, and upon seeing the fragrant, soft white rice, he, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, actually scooped a small handful with his bare hands and handed it to Nan Qinghuan.

He gave a faint smile, his eyes full of indulgent affection, "Qinghuan, you try first."

Nan Qinghuan was startled, "Me?"

She hadn't expected him to let her taste the first spoonful of the freshly cooked white rice. Nan Qinghuan, being a modern person, was already familiar with rice and didn't find it strange, but the tribal people were different—they were extremely eager.

"Yes, Qinghuan, hurry and try!"

The crowd began to salivate.

Under the gaze of the crowd and Ying, she opened her mouth and took a bite of white rice; as everyone saw her eat, they watched her, and Axi stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and asked eagerly, "Qinghuan, what does it taste like, is it good?" The rice fragrance filled the nose; Nan Qinghuan swore it was the best rice she had ever eaten in her life—soft and glutinous, lingering on the teeth, the variety having been improved by her spatial modifications, making the flavor even better.

Moreover, most importantly, these rice grains were hard‑won treasures, cultivated through countless early‑morning and late‑night sweats.

Things grown by one's own hands are, of course, even more fragrant, sweet, and tasty.

"Delicious, everyone try it."

"I want a bowl…"

"Me too."

That night, the tribe tasted cooked rice for the first time; after Dong Laotou tasted it, he couldn't stop cheering and leapt up.

"Ah, such fragrant rice! Even this old man without teeth can eat it. Omu, you truly are the goddess sent by Heaven to help us. Omu, old man will kowtow to you, will kowtow to you."

The elderly man, overjoyed, waved his arms and legs and knelt before her. Nan Qinghuan hurriedly helped him up, "Hey, old man, get up quickly; you mustn't kneel to me—that would cut your lifespan! Everyone, listen: starting tomorrow, this rice will be divided equally among every household; after a while we'll plant another season, and each family will farm their own land, so we won't have to distribute rice again."

"Alright, alright, I'll plant in a few days, plant more, it's delicious."

The tribe on this side cheered with joy; Na Yao also tasted rice for the first time. The Spirit Woman hadn't deceived him—the rice was truly delicious.

He liked it very much.

Ashu naturally devoured a bowl heartily; after eating, Na Yao whispered a few words into Ashu's ear, and the smile at Ashu's mouth faded.

He nodded, a hint of mystery, "Alright."

The two walked over to Ying's side, looking at the couple; Na Yao hurriedly looked at Ying, "Ying, step out with me for a moment; we have something to tell you."