6. Culinary Skills

I was stunned, and in a daze, I reached out to pinch his face

Cough! Feng Yi finally regained his composure, "Thank you, madam, for the hangover soup."

Now the splashes of water are splattering all over the head and face, and the bathwater in the bucket is overflowing, soaking several mats

As Wang Mang wept bitterly with his civil and military officials at the southern suburbs, hoping to move heaven and earth, Yu Kuang and Deng Ye opened the gates of Wu Pass, welcoming the Han army led by General Shentu Jian and Chancellor Li Song into the city. After the two armies joined forces, they launched an attack on the capital granary. Deng Ye appointed Wang Xian, a clerk from Hongnong Commandery, as a captain, leading hundreds of men across the Wei River to capture cities and territories, rallying the various regions under the Han army's banner. Li Song dispatched General Han Chen, leading thousands of Han soldiers westward from Xinfeng, achieving a great victory over the Xin Dynasty's General of the Wave Water, pursuing him to the Changong Gate. Deng Ye appointed Wang Xian, a clerk from Hongnong Commandery, as a captain, leading hundreds of men across the Wei River to capture cities and territories, rallying the various regions under the Han army's banner. Li Song dispatched General Han Chen, leading thousands of Han soldiers westward from Xinfeng, achieving a great victory over the Xin Dynasty's General of the Wave Water, pursuing him to the Changong Gate.

Amber went to the kitchen to help, and I don't mind fetching water for you. He paused for a moment, turned back and smiled at me, saying, I happen to be free right now

I am sorry

Liu Xiu released me from my shackles, I waved to Feng Yi, my gaze lingering ambiguously between the two of them.

Looking at Liu Xiu again, he made no movements, merely directing his gaze towards me, shaking his head with a mix of reproach and indulgence, his face full of helplessness. He took the wine vessel, sniffed it carefully at the mouth of the vessel, and asked, "What is this?" Perhaps due to having just swallowed that mouthful of jealousy, his voice was noticeably hoarse.

Last year, there were only the constellations of Jiao, Kui, and Gui, but now there are many more

I am a lustful woman! My thoughts are impure! Deep down, I scold myself for being unaccomplished. If it weren't for him having his lower body submerged in water, obscuring my view, I might have ended up nosebleeding on the spot

"Hangover soup..." I replied very softly

Hmm. After a moment of silence, that gentle voice finally laughed cheerfully, "I know..."

I covered my lips and chuckled lightly, my laughter as raucous as that of an owl at night, indifferent to whether his words were sincere or sarcastic, I received them all as compliments: "Gongsun's culinary skills are truly exceptional, how could I ever compare to you in any way?"

I cannot guess what his expression is at this moment; I only feel a slight throbbing in my temples, as if I am suffering from heatstroke, and my whole body feels weak

Liu Xiu smiled faintly and gestured to pour the wine, while Feng Yi boldly said: "Madam, please fill it to the brim."

He was not angry, and with a smile, he bowed to me, saying: "Thank you, Madam, for your generous gift"

I quickly took three steps back while they raised their glasses.

The footsteps on the steps suddenly came to a halt, I took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in my heart, stepped aside, pressed my back against the doorpost, and while trying to adjust my breathing, I found that my heartbeat was uncontrollably quickening.

Liu Xiu sat upright in the hall, holding a bamboo scroll in his hands and intently reading it. I lightened my footsteps and stealthily approached him, intending to startle him. However, unexpectedly, he suddenly raised his head and looked at me with a smile, asking, "How is Gongsun's craftsmanship?"

Liu Xiu raised his cup to toast, and after Feng Yi expressed his gratitude, he drank it all. The two of them exchanged cups and chatted about trivial matters, deliberately avoiding any mention of court affairs. They consumed a considerable amount of food and drink, and before long, they had downed seven or eight jin of wine. I watched as the wine vessel became empty, Feng Yi's face turned red, and Liu Xiu's originally fair complexion lost all color. He hurriedly made an excuse to refill the wine, picked up the empty vessel, and rushed into the kitchen

He grasped my hand, preventing me from scratching with my nails, and simply smiled, saying: "Since it is a woven pattern, how can it be easily erased?"

In a state of absent-mindedness, Feng Yi suddenly thrust a plate of cooked dishes into my hands, gesturing with his left hand for me to take it outside.

Liu Xiu prepared the wooden tub for my bath and adjusted the water temperature, with a level of detail that was even better than what Amber could manage. I smiled and said, 'Xiu'er really knows how to serve people; I will reward you handsomely tomorrow'

I immediately scooped a ladle of water from the earthen jar and randomly grabbed a handful of wheat. The grains of wheat rubbed against each other between my fingers, producing a rustling sound. As I rinsed the rice, I found myself lost in thought when suddenly someone gently patted my shoulder. I jumped in surprise and turned around, nearly dropping the ladle in my hand.

I heard that Yin Cibo is strongly opposed to this marriage? She even went so far as to fall out with her elder brother for your sake

Your back ... ...

Can you cook? He lowered his head to wash the wheat grains and poured them into the pot

I suddenly jumped up and hugged him tightly, sobbing: "I told you not to play anymore! Why do you still want to scare me?!"

Here it is! Feng Yi poured a ladle of meat oil into the copper pot, and the acrid smoke rose up, filling every corner. I covered my nose with my sleeve and retreated to the doorway, not because I did not want to help, but because I truly did not know how to assist in this matter

"Uncle Wen, do not let her down!" With a gentle sigh, Feng Yi said softly, "No matter what intentions Yin Cibo has, I believe she truly cares for you."

Since the tale of Emperor Ai of Han and Dong Xian's "cut sleeve" became known, the affection between men in this era is no longer a shocking secret. In fact, I find that the male-male romantic relationships here are more enlightened than in modern times. Moreover, the men here are often handsome and possess a gentle demeanor, with many of the finest examples readily available, making it difficult not to think in that direction.

Today, I have truly been overshadowed by Feng Yi. I wonder if he has gotten married; his wife must be such a fortunate woman! Just look at him, handsome in appearance, with a good character, capable of gracing the hall and managing the kitchen. Such an exceptional man, not only in ancient times but even in modern times, would undoubtedly be a sought-after catch.

I stood still, staring blankly at Liu Xiu, and in an instant, my eyes became moist. I dropped the long sword in my hand and rushed over like the wind, embracing his waist tightly.

He gently patted my back and said with a hint of guilt: "I’m sorry... At first, I was just joking with you, but I didn’t expect you to take it seriously. Seeing you so tense, I suddenly didn’t know how to wrap things up."

Which additional ones are there

Is this Liu Xiu? Is this the Liu Xiu I know? ... Unexpectedly ...

The water has cooled down!" Behind me, there was a splash of water, and when I turned my head to look, I saw him climbing out of the bucket, all wet, heading towards the door. "I am going to heat some water!" His clothes were completely soaked, and he left a trail of footprints on the mat as he walked out.

Am I doing well? He remained expressionless, his gaze glancing at the chives, and remarked, "Indeed, excellent craftsmanship"

I do not know how to make a hangover soup, but I have heard that vinegar can help with intoxication, so I directly took the vinegar jar and poured the vinegar into the wine vessel. The pungent smell immediately made my eyes water from the sourness. If I were to serve it like this, even if the two gentlemen in the hall were already dead drunk, they would hardly be willing to drink something that smells so unpleasant

I was taken aback and incredulously asked, "How can you be so sure that this dish was not made by me?"

I am going out! I grasped the edge of the barrel with both hands, my face flushed with embarrassment.

The rhythmic sound of wood striking echoed through the hall, as if someone were gently tapping a wooden chopstick on the table to keep time. Each sound, faint yet distinct, seemed to resonate against my heart, causing a shiver.

The Marquis Wu's residence had very few servants to begin with. In order to facilitate the conversation between Liu Xiu and Feng Yi, I deliberately ordered the servants not to approach the front hall. Therefore, by the time I returned, the two of them were already slumped over their desks, yet no one was attending to them.

I suddenly stopped laughing, astonished: "What are you doing?"

Go out—go out—if you don't go out soon ... ...

A large hand suddenly reached out to me, covering my incessantly chattering mouth so tightly that no sound could escape. Liu Xiu had a slight sheen of sweat on his forehead, and I secretly stifled my laughter to the point of pain in my stomach, wishing I could roll around on the floor.

Heaven has no kin, only virtue serves as support

Although he did not provide much explanation verbally, he seemed to sense my worries and tightened his embrace around me: "I am back..." After a pause, he smiled and said, "I haven't had lunch yet, and Gongsun is also hungry. Is there anything to eat at home?"

My heart was almost in my throat, and sweat trickled down from my forehead along my temples and neck into my collar.

I bit my lip and answered in a hesitant whisper, "Not really..."

For a moment, the ear cup was set down. Liu Xiu and Feng Yi exchanged glances, their expressions revealing something unusual. After a brief look at each other, Feng Yi lowered his eyelids and took a handkerchief from his sleeve, leaning forward to spit out all the vinegar he had in his mouth onto the handkerchief.

... ... Do not blame me ... ...

When Liu Xiu entered the room, I was practicing to the point of sweating profusely, not only was my inner garment soaked with sweat, but even the plain gauze robe I wore on the outside was completely drenched, clinging tightly to my sweat-soaked skin. At first, I was completely unaware, until I noticed Liu Xiu's unusual gaze and suddenly realized that my curves were fully exposed.

Well

There is no need to ... ... let Amber handle this matter.

Go away! Go away!

A light knock on the door, and I responded immediately, but the person who finally pushed the door open was not Liu Xiu, but rather Amber. She was holding a bucket of hot water and quietly asked, "The lord has ordered me to bring hot water, does the lady require me to stay and assist with the bath?"

Perhaps Liu Xiu's light-hearted joy infected Feng Yi, who also laughed and said: "Capturing Chang'an is just around the corner. Your Majesty has asked you to compile the ceremonial regulations. What do you think?"

Oh... I calmed down a bit and saw that he looked as usual, which made me feel that I was overreacting. So I loosened the blanket and took a breath. "Are we supposed to prepare dinner now?"

He and I were both soaking in the bathtub, dressed lightly for the summer, our wet clothes clinging to our bodies, nearly transparent, if not completely so, almost leaving us half-naked. I was unsure of Liu Xiu's reaction, but when I accidentally caught a glimpse of his chest just now, my heart actually raced, and my limbs felt weak.

You ... ...

His head was tilted back, eyes tightly closed, and I was patting his face with my hand: "Xiu'er! Xiu'er... I was wrong! Can we stop playing, please?" My fingers trembled slightly as I pinched his philtrum; if this didn't work, I would have no choice but to drag him onto the mat to perform CPR.

I shook my head and continued to feign ignorance: "The man is twenty years old and has come of age, you are already twenty-eight this year, and this is only your first marriage with me, isn't it that in the past..."

"What happened?" The impact was too strong, and Liu Xiu was knocked back a step by me, using both hands to support me to prevent my fall

The room suddenly fell silent, and I knelt on the bed, resting my head on my knees, recalling the scene from earlier, my cheeks involuntarily beginning to flush.

It is, in my view, not a shameful thing for a woman to stay away from the kitchen. However, today, when I saw Feng Yi, a man of both literary and martial prowess, who could swiftly draw a bow and skillfully blow a flute, standing in the kitchen, demonstrating his exquisite culinary skills with his long, fair fingers moving deftly and quickly, I felt a sense of shame for the first time in my life

I haven't tried it yet, but I am already singing its praises. Then... I slightly turned my eyes and suddenly came up with a rather impure thought. I propped my chin on my hand and smiled, saying, "Since you admire Gongsun so much, why not marry him?"

Liu Xiu's face was pale as snow, while Feng Yi's complexion was flushed red. At first glance, both appeared to be slightly inebriated, but upon closer observation, it was not difficult to discern that their gazes were both clear and lucid

I pinched the acupoint on his body until my fingers hurt, yet he still showed no reaction. I reached out to feel his pulse, but perhaps my hands were shaking too much; my fingers brushed against the artery several times without making contact. My eyes turned red instantly, and I choked out, "Get up, damn it, I'm not playing with you anymore! I..." Tears splashed onto the water's surface, creating ripples, and I finally broke down in loud sobs, "Don't die—"

Liu Xiu indeed had little interest in women, and he probably never expected that I would be even more "lecherous" than he was. After my shameless teasing, he became thoroughly embarrassed. I laughed even more wildly, completely disregarding the fact that some jokes should have their limits. If things went too far, we would truly be in a predicament together.

As the two were laughing and joking, I seized the opportunity, deliberately stepped heavily on the stairs, and cheerfully entered: "I have brought the last jar of wine from the kitchen, do you two still have the capacity to drink?"

I wiped my tears on his lapel, choked with emotion: "No! It's nothing..."

Lord! Feng Yi appeared gracefully, followed by a maidservant who brought along the cooked dishes.

Although Liu Xiu was granted the title of Marquis of Wuxin, it was merely a nominal position. Aside from attending court every day, he spent the rest of his time at home. To outsiders, this couple appeared to be deeply in love, and it seemed that Liu Xiu had abandoned everything for me. The once formidable General Liu, who had displayed his might in the Battle of Kunyang, was now a thing of the past. In the eyes of others, Liu Xiu was merely a small man who doted on his wife and achieved nothing—this aligned perfectly with his previous image of diligently farming and selling grain in Caiyang. Therefore, everyone believed that after Liu Yan's death, Liu Xiu, lacking someone to support him, no longer posed any threat.

Liu Xiu's smile revealed a hint of awkwardness, and Feng Yi cast a puzzled glance at me. I hurriedly took a wooden spoon to serve wine for the two of them.

What? Suddenly, an image from the movie "Red Cherry" flashed in my mind, where the female protagonist was tattooed on her back by the German Nazis. I shivered and let out a scream, "Why is that thing still there?" I reached back to touch my back, "You have to help me wash it off!"

Liu Xiu's hand trembled slightly, nearly causing him to drop the scroll, and that timeless mask of tenderness finally changed its expression in fear.

Oh? Then marrying a wife must also not be allowed to be like Yin Lihua

Li Hua

I laughed heartily, almost losing my breath from laughter

Just as I was lost in thought, the chef hurriedly rushed in. Feng Yi instructed him to stoke the fire, and the flames in the stove immediately blazed vigorously, causing the already stuffy kitchen to heat up rapidly.

Liu Xiu chuckled lightly and said, "Madam, how else may I serve you?" Despite saying this, his hands quickly moved away from her waist as he turned around, pretending to walk towards the door

I suddenly looked up, and Liu Xiu had opened his eyes at some point, gazing at me with a face full of remorse

But at that moment, how could I have thought of such reasoning? By the time I understood, Liu Xiu had already dragged me out from under the quilt. He lifted my waist with both hands, and due to the suddenness of the situation and the exposure to the spring light, I was so frightened that I could only stretch my arms to cover my chest. In that brief moment of hesitation, Liu Xiu had already thrown me into the wooden barrel

A low, deep laugh slowly escaped: "It's not that exaggerated... What is often heard cannot be taken as certain..."

It took me half a minute to discern the ambiguous flirtation in his words, my eyes widened in disbelief, hardly able to believe my ears

I fell silent, and as I saw him leave, I finally let out a long sigh

The plate was hot to the touch, and I nearly couldn't hold it. The enticing aroma of the dishes made my mouth water. In my hand was a plate of vibrant green leeks, which are indeed seasonal vegetables. However, in most kitchens, they are typically boiled in water. Aside from some meat dishes, it is quite rare to find vegetarian dishes that are stir-fried in oil here. This is because, in this era, there is no vegetable oil, let alone salad oil. The fats used here are generally refined animal fats, so it was truly my first time seeing vegetables stir-fried with meat fat.

Frequent reports of victory have been received in Wancheng, causing great joy among the people, their happiness evident on their faces

Hmm. I do not know whether Liu Xiu has had too much to drink, as he did not say much.

After giving it some thought, I hurriedly scooped two ladles of water and added them into the vessel, shook it to mix the diluted vinegar evenly, and then rushed back in a hurry

It took me three seconds to react, and I exclaimed in response, "What did you say?"

Xiu is personally preparing to assist the lady with her bath, hoping to receive more rewards from her

However, the stir-fried chives are a vibrant green, glistening with oil, and are strikingly eye-catching, which is incomparable to the color of boiled vegetables. I felt a stir in my heart and, unable to restrain myself, pinched two chives with my fingers, disregarding the heat, and quickly brought them to my mouth

The latitude map on your back

Feng Yi looked at me calmly. After a few seconds, he naturally took the melon scoop from my hand and placed it on the stove

"What celestial map or not, I don't want that thing..." After a pause, I suddenly recalled the prophecy of Cai Shaogong, and in a moment of excitement, I suddenly calmed down and turned my head to ask him, "Is it the chart of the Twenty-Eight Mansions?"

Achoo! I shivered and quickly averted my gaze. Taking advantage of the moment when he opened the door to leave, I hurriedly climbed out of the bucket, swiftly stripped off my wet clothes, and changed into a clean set.

However, just as I was about to set my mind at ease, early that morning, a messenger from the palace suddenly arrived with an urgent summons for Liu Xiu. Without saying more than three sentences, he took him away. I was at home, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, my mind in a state of confusion. As noon approached and Liu Xiu still had not returned, I could no longer wait. I hurriedly changed into short sleeves and long pants, grabbed my sword, and rushed outside. Just as I stepped out of the main gate, I saw Liu Xiu, accompanied by Feng Yi, both of them chatting and laughing as they crossed the courtyard.

The prominent families and powerful clans of the various counties in Chang'an, upon hearing the news, hurriedly led their clansmen and retainers to gather. Wherever the Han army arrived, their momentum was like a broken bamboo, and the counties vied to submit.

It was only then that I realized Feng Yi was still watching from the side, and I immediately felt embarrassed, my face turning bright red as I awkwardly wriggled out of Liu Xiu's embrace, saying, "I will go take a look in the kitchen."

He took two steps closer, then two more, until his chest was merely half a foot away from me

It is impossible to see what expression Liu Xiu had when he said these words, but surprisingly, Feng Yi burst into hearty laughter after listening: "Indeed, to speak of these court ceremonies to those rustic and uncultured folks is nothing but playing the lute to a cow!"

In addition to the previously mentioned Jiao, Kui, and Gui constellations, there are now also the Mi, Dou, Niu, Jing, and Bi constellations

I cheerfully filled their cups to the brim. Although the two of them were not drunk, they were certainly not as sharp as usual, and they raised their cups and drank them down without a moment's hesitation, not even pausing for a second.

I am so furious that my teeth itch, wishing I could bite him. I laughed and cried, saying: "You, Liu Wenshu! How could you deceive me so thoroughly? I am truly foolish for forgetting that you are a great liar. I can never trust you again..."

The delicious flavor rolls on my tongue, and I reply without a moment's hesitation: "It's delicious!"

I raised my chin, smiled slyly, and fearlessly engaged in playful banter. With my right hand, I pinched his jaw, squinted my eyes, and put on a flirtatious expression: "Xiu'er... truly a feast for the eyes!"

Feng Yi's voice carries a unique magnetism; even though it is somewhat hoarse, it still exudes a sense of calm: "You married her..."

Liu Xiu was momentarily taken aback, but soon returned to his usual self and said nonchalantly: "Gongsun has left, I came to see you."

I let out a sharp laugh and lunged forward, wrapping my arm around his neck: "Daring to plot against me, don't you even know who I am?" With a sudden force, I caught Liu Xiu off guard and dragged him headfirst into the water bucket.

You are truly a blockhead. If you do not go out soon, do not blame me for my impolite actions. If I end up doing something that would frighten the ancient sages, it will certainly not be my fault

"No." Amber is my maid of honor. Although she is not as intimate with me as Rouge, she understands my temperament. Therefore, she respectfully responded and bowed before exiting.

He recited one, and I silently noted one in my heart. After counting, there were a total of eight, and my heart was suddenly filled with mixed feelings—if Cai Shaogong's ramblings hold any truth, then the twenty-eight constellations should represent the twenty-eight individuals I am looking for. If I were to expand on this thought, at least eight people have already appeared— but who exactly are those eight people

I hurriedly jumped onto the bed, shook out the thin blanket, and wrapped it around myself, not caring about its stuffiness, and awkwardly asked, "What are you doing here?"

Feng Yi smiled and praised, "Madam is truly a rare and virtuous person"

Suddenly, I felt a tight grip on my arm, and Liu Xiu forcefully turned my face towards him. He said to me with a serious expression: "The latitude map on your back has changed!"

I let out a slight sigh, just as I was about to enter, when I suddenly heard Feng Yi ask in a muted voice: "What are your plans for the future?"

With a splash, water splattered everywhere, and the water in the wooden barrel rose to my waist, leaving me standing in the water like a wooden chicken.

These matters, such as the new moon, the beginning of spring, court meetings, sacrifices to the gods, and ancestral worship, were they not things I have often done with Lord Ju in the past?

After lunch, Liu Xiu and Feng Yi were chatting casually in the side room, while I was alone, hiding in my room, practicing Taekwondo fiercely for more than an hour.

Feng Yi turned back and smiled at me, and only then did I realize that he had caught me in the act of sneaking a bite. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed, so I lowered my head and slipped out of the kitchen.

Achoo! My nose tingles, and I instinctively cover my mouth with my hand, "Achoo!"

I did not stop halfway; with my right hand still gripping his neck and my left hand splayed out, I held onto the top of his head, forcefully pushing him down into the water. He struggled at first, but after seven or eight seconds underwater, he gradually became still. I stifled my reckless laughter, released my grip, and gently called out, "Xiu'er?"

In the 21st century, the task of cooking has been entirely entrusted to rice cookers. Even for stir-frying and soup-making, simpler dishes can generally be handled by a microwave. If there are more complex dishes that I cannot prepare myself but have a strong desire to eat, I can simply step outside and find a restaurant. I have never considered my lack of culinary skills to be a significant flaw; this was the case in the past and remains so today, because in the Yin family, Yin Shi has never allowed me into the kitchen

I was stunned, slowly feeling a wave of inexplicable panic, and hurriedly pulled him out of the water

Hmm

I spent the entire morning worrying for him, having no mind to eat anything. Although the title of the Wu Xin Marquis's residence sounds impressive, there are actually very few servants in the household. When I went to the kitchen, I found the stoves cold and the pots empty, and it was so desolate that there wasn't even a single person present.

No response at all

He smiled without speaking, and I felt even more embarrassed under his confident gaze. I placed the plate in front of him, knelt down to sit opposite him, and pouted: "Are you very proud? Your wife does not manage the household diligently, cannot thread a needle, cannot cut clothes, and even cooking..." The more I spoke, the more I felt that I was indeed full of shortcomings. I could not continue my complaints, snorted a couple of times through my nose, and said, "In any case, we rise and fall together; if I am embarrassed, you are embarrassed too. What is there for you to be proud of?"

Out of nowhere, a hint of disappointment arose in my heart, and I gently shook my head: "No need, I will wash it myself"

Liu Xiu cupped my face in his hands, his gaze gentle as water. He slowly lowered his head, but my lingering anger had not yet dissipated, and I was unwilling to yield to his tender affections. I pushed him away with one hand and turned my back to him.

How does it taste

A large hand silently reached out in front of me, catching a drop of my tear: "I am sorry"

Liu Xiu caught sight of me in a moment of laughter, slightly taken aback. Following that, Feng Yi also noticed me and was similarly surprised by my appearance

Get out! I tried hard to put on a fierce tone.

Liu Xiu did not respond, and the room fell silent for quite a while

I have already instructed the kitchen to prepare it. He took out a clean robe from the cupboard and asked casually, "Shall I fetch water for your bath?"