Chapter 121: The Eating Household

Huo Sanniang hesitated for a moment, then said, "All right, I'll listen to you."

The crab is indeed delicious.

After eating it that time, she couldn't help but miss it whenever she thought of it.

Before that, she also found the crab somewhat scary.

"Don't worry, wife, there won't be any problem at all," Chen Wuji said confidently.

People always have some prejudices about things they haven't encountered and are reluctant to try them lightly.

That's understandable.

But the deliciousness of the crayfish will surely turn doubt into praise.

This thing is inherently fresh; as long as the seasoning is good, there's no reason it wouldn't be tasty.

Chen Wuji assigned the task of cleaning the crayfish and crabs to Huo Sanniang and her two companions.

After explaining how to wash them, Chen Wuji began preparing the ingredients.

The kitchen was stuffy, so he moved the pot outside.

After that day when he simply used the stove to entertain the clan members with drinks, Chen Wuji did not dismantle it, and later he improved it a bit. With the summer heat so intense, cooking in the yard can be a little cooler.

Yuan Jinshi walked into the yard carrying a bundle of firewood, starting to do his old job of stoking the fire.

When the pot felt hot to the touch, Chen Wuji began adding oil.

Hot pot, cold oil; when the oil reached a certain temperature, he added the scallions, ginger, and other aromatics to fry until fragrant.

Although this is only the first step, the aroma has already come out.

Xiao Yuji poked her head in for a look and clicked her tongue, sighing, "Do you always cook like this at your house? Using so many spices—isn't that too extravagant?"

Spices are considered luxury items in the Dayu Dynasty.

In ordinary households, aside from Sichuan pepper, scallions, and salt, other spices are hardly ever seen.

"Elder sister, do you want to hear what you're saying? We're just a hunter's family—how could we possibly manage such extravagance every meal and still get by? We're doing this only to entertain you." Chen Wuji said, "Is this attitude of mine still satisfactory?"

Xiao Yuji froze for a moment, then gave a faint smile and nodded, "Hmm... all right."

"Since it's all right, stop holding onto the loss of fifteen taels. I've hinted at it already, yet you remain unmoved; frankly, this really isn't my fault," Chen Wuji said.

"All right, no need to say more—I don't blame you." Xiao Yuji raised her hand to interrupt Chen Wuji's words.

If they kept talking, she would surely blush.

This matter...

Upon careful thought, it really seems to be her fault.

Chen Wuji quickly lifted the spatula, and after adding half a jar of wine and reducing the sauce over high heat, the first dish, stir-fried crayfish, came out of the pot smoothly.

Chen Wuji stir-fried a whole big pot full, cooking up today's entire catch.

Just then, Chen Bushi came carrying beef, together with Chen Luozi and Xiong Paozi.

"The meat's here, but some people are unhappy that we two are eating and drinking for free, and they also want to come here for free food and drink. If you're not willing, you go chase them off—anyway, I can't drive them away." Chen Bushi slammed the beef leg onto the wooden stake, turned his head, and signaled to Chen Wuji about Chen Luozi and Xiong Paozi.

"Shut up, Wuji still has to cook—you're the one who's eating and drinking for free!" Chen Luozi said angrily.

Chen Wuji laughed and cut off their bickering, "Quickly find a seat—my first dish is just out of the pot, a proper side for drinks; you two keep these honored guests company with a drink."

The three of them immediately broke into smiles, grabbed small stools, and sat opposite Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji.

But as soon as they saw the dish on the table, the three of them froze.

"Wuji, is what you stir-fried a poisonous bug from the mountains?" Chen Luozi asked in alarm.

"Don't worry, eat up—it won't kill you!" Chen Wuji said.

The few people at the table exchanged glances, all staring wide-eyed at each other.

In the eyes of the people of Yunan, the crayfish is essentially a poisonous bug.

Looking at its leggy, all-over appearance makes one even less willing to put it in the mouth.

Although the aroma is very tempting, Chen Bushi and the others stared at it and none of them dared to take a bite.

Both sides kept politely deferring, one side saying "Please go ahead," the other immediately replying, "No, you please."

After going back and forth like this for several rounds, Xiong Paozi couldn't stand it any longer and picked up his chopsticks first, saying, "It looks like you're still not hungry; since Wuji made it, this thing is definitely edible—what's there to be afraid of? I'll have a try!"

He cautiously ate one, chewing slowly and savoring it.

His already furrowed brow gradually tightened into a hard knot.

Everyone at the table stared at him in unison, watching his every move and every microexpression.

Under everyone's gaze, Xiong Paozi finally swallowed the crayfish.

He smacked his lips, then sucked the oil off his fingers, fell silent for a moment, shook his head and said, "It's not tasty; this thing has a weird flavor—I... will try another one."

"Hiss... how to put it, I'll try another one."

Thus, he ate another three or four.

Xiong Paozi's brow furrowed even deeper, "Strange, this flavor is too strange—you guys don't rush to dig in; let me try a few more. If it's poisonous, let it kill just me."

He lifted his wine cup and took a very comfortable sip, then rolled up his sleeves and continued eating.

Then another seven or eight...

"I've tasted it—it's not good, it's truly not good." Xiong Paozi said, shaking his head and swaying, then he grabbed another one, tossed it into his mouth, and bit down with a crunching sound.

Chen Bushi's face darkened, "You beast, why are you eating it with such gusto if it's not tasty?"

He quickly picked up his chopsticks.

He merely took a light taste of one, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

This flavor is different from Dongpo pork, but just as exquisite.

"No wonder Wuji said this is a proper side for drinks—it's indeed not tasty on its own; you need some alcohol to wash it down, otherwise you can't swallow it." Chen Bushi said, shaking his head and swaying.

Xiong Paozi timely raised his wine cup and clinked it with Chen Bushi's, exchanging a smile.

Everything is left unsaid.

Chen Luozi looked left and right, also picked up his chopsticks, "I really believe you guys' nonsense, I'll give it a try, worst case we all die from poison."

After eating one, he took a long breath and let out a heavy sigh, "This thing, how to say, it's really not something good, it needs to be taken with water!"

Chen Bushi and Xiong Paozi immediately brought over the wine cups, "Come come come, take it with water, take it with water!"

Han Chunshen and Xiao Yuji looked doubtful, slowly picking up their chopsticks.

"Dear niece, I feel these three are trying to fool us, have a taste!" Han Chunshen said.

Xiao Yuji's saliva had already been hard to hold back, she kept swallowing secretly.

Originally it was noon and she was a bit hungry; the fragrance of the stir-fried river snails kept drilling into her nose, making this young lady who usually maintained her composure when out and about really unable to bear it, her composure almost lost.

They each picked one, took a light taste, and afterwards both of their faces showed something interesting.

They are both proper wealthy people; as for the delicacies of Nan Jun, not saying they've eaten them all, but at least they've had a good share.

But just this first bite of the initial taste let them reach a conclusion in their hearts. Any delicacy from Nan Jun, placed before this thing, is somewhat inferior.

So delicious that you'd bite your tongue, so delicious that you wouldn't let go even if someone slapped you repeatedly.

"Several of you, you're really too unkind!" Han Chunshen said with anguish.

Because of his and Xiao Yuji's suspicion, a plate full of river snails now only has a small half left.

"This is because we're afraid it's poisonous!" Chen Luozi laughed, raising his wine cup, "Come, two honored guests, take it with water, this thing should be taken with water."

Xiao Yuji hurriedly picked up one, then picked up her wine cup.

She really, has never eaten something this delicious before.

This flavor is unlike any local flavor of Nan Jun, unique and irresistible.

She firmly believes that once this thing is taken to Yunan City to sell, it will surely attract crowds.