Chapter 7, Cooking Fish.

Several bailiffs standing in the hall hid to the side and snickered. Zhang Dayou's expression darkened, and he suddenly struck the wooden bench, saying, "This is a court of law; you are not permitted to make noise. Leave the court!"

By the time Lin Hu came to his senses and rushed into the kitchen, Lin Mufeng had already skillfully gutted and cleaned four fish.

The river water is clear, and the river surface is not wide, measuring only about a dozen meters across. On both banks of the river, there are rows of drooping willows, their dense branches swaying with the gentle breeze, resembling waves of willow. The soft glow of the setting sun in the twilight gently casts its light on the river surface, creating a shimmering effect that is truly beautiful

As a swimming champion in university, having grown up by the Yangtze River, he has even swum across the Yangtze, let alone this mere small river

Watching Lin Mufeng skillfully fillet the fish, Lin Hu could hardly believe his eyes. This young master, who had been pampered and spoiled since childhood, always having his meals served and his clothes brought to him, when did he become so adept in the culinary arts? ... He, he seems like a completely different person today ...! ... Everything is so strange, so bizarre!

As the door opened, Lin Mufeng emerged, holding a plate with a beautifully prepared braised fish, exuding an enticing aroma and vibrant colors. He walked out contentedly and, upon seeing Lin Hu and Qingyun, smiled and said, "Alright, Lin Hu, I have finished cooking. There are three more; you can help yourselves. Oh, by the way, send one in for the young mistress to try as well"

Xiaofu River is a small river that originates from deep within the mountains to the east of Yanshen Town, formed by the convergence of numerous bubbling springs. According to legend, during the late Southern Song Dynasty, there was an extremely filial daughter-in-law in the area. Her husband had passed away, and although she suffered abuse from her mother-in-law, she willingly endured it. One year, during a severe drought, her mother-in-law needed water, so the daughter-in-law dug with her hands on the mountain, working tirelessly for 5 days and 5 nights without closing her eyes, until she unearthed a clear and sweet spring. Therefore, it is called Xiaofu River.

"Make fish to eat." Lin Mufeng said this and strode towards the kitchen. His favorite dish was braised live fish; in his previous life, he would eat live fish almost every few days. Dining out was cumbersome and not very hygienic, so he began to learn how to cook fish on his own. The more he practiced, the better he became, mastering the color, flavor, and cooking time to perfection.

As soon as Lin Hu entered the house, he was greeted by He Tushu. Upon seeing the four fish in his hands, he was momentarily taken aback and asked, "Young Master, where did these fish come from?"

"Young master knows nothing about porcelain processing; he must be off causing trouble again. Alas, let him be. Old steward, I will trouble you with the household matters." A sigh escaped from the person in the courtyard, and there was no further sound.

Lin Mufeng was taken aback, slowly turning around and saying with a wry smile, "Brother Zhang Feng, do you recognize me?"

"Young Master, how can you do this?" Lin Hu exclaimed in shock, "This menial task can be handled by the cook hired by the family. If absolutely necessary, I can do it myself. You are the Young Master; how can you engage in such laborious work?"

Underwater, holding his breath, Lin Mufeng skillfully spread his hands apart to pull the fishing net. When a fish swam by, he suddenly flipped his hands, ensnaring the fish in the net, then surfaced and flung the fish onto the shore one by one

"Caught by the river," Lin Mufeng said with a faint smile. "Lin Hu, where is the kitchen in the house?"

Hmph, that day, I caught two carp by the Xiaofu River, intending to keep them in a basin for fun. As a result, you, the dandy, passed by and deceitfully took my fish for drinking, claiming you would return four fish to me. But where are the fish?" Zhang Feng stomped his foot, his slightly immature face turning bright red.

Lin Mufeng was taken aback for a moment, "Alright, alright, Brother Zhang Feng, you take me there, and I will go catch a few live fish to return to you."

Having spoken, disregarding the astonished expressions of Lin Hu and Qing Yun, Lin Mu Feng hummed a little tune and returned to his room

... ...

Lin Mufeng shook his head, thinking to himself, this is probably another trouble caused by that Lin person. He pondered for a moment, "Brother Zhang Feng, I have recently been afflicted by a strange illness and can no longer remember past events. Why don't you tell me how I deceived you?"

No, I want live fish, I want the live carp from the Xiaofu River

Zhang Feng carried a basin of fish, while Lin Mufeng held four fish strung on a willow branch in his hand. They made their way back to the town under the gentle glow of the setting sun.

Lin Mufeng glanced at the water, which flowed gently and was not deep. In the clear river, fish the size of a palm swam back and forth. He smiled, slightly moved his body, clumsily removed his long robe, shoes, and socks, and donned only his shorts. He picked up a small fishing net from Feng and leaped from the shore, his body gracefully arcing as he entered the water, splashing up a light spray of water

"You flashy rich kid, what are you pretending for? Do you not recognize me? Don't forget, last month you tricked me into giving you two big carp, saying you would return them to me soon. But a month has passed, where are my fish?" Zhang Feng said angrily

"Let's go, words without action are worse than those of pigs and dogs!" Upon hearing about fishing, Zhang Feng's eyes lit up, and he immediately became excited

Lin Hu's expression changed, and he opened his mouth, unsure of how to begin speaking

Zhang Dayou smiled awkwardly and said, "Hehe, Lin Shengyuan is quite convenient"

Lin Mufeng smiled at Zhang Dayou, saying, "My lord, I will be back shortly with your younger brother."

Is that enough, Brother Zhang Feng? Lin Mufeng stepped on the water, lightly treading on the surface as he floated.

Hehe, I've done everything from eating and drinking to gambling and visiting brothels. What do these count for? There's still time outside, wait for me to finish the braised fish, and I'll let you all have a taste, go!" Lin Mufeng said while scoring the fish.

"Over there." Han Hushun pointed casually and then asked in confusion, "Young Master, why are you asking about the kitchen?"

Old Lin let out a long sigh, silently leaving without a word

"Madam, the young master's case has been settled. He has used the land deeds of the family as collateral for Wu Kui, and then... then he took the younger brother of Inspector Zhang to the riverbank of Xiaohe, where... it is likely that they are going to catch fish in the river." Old Lin respectfully replied, "Indeed, Madam, I heard from Old Meng that the young master has been helping them at the kiln these past two days to make a three-foot painted vase, and his skill is truly astonishing..."

Lin Mufeng nodded slightly, plunged into the water, and caught a few larger fish. Afterward, he waded back to shore. Once he had put on his clothes, he broke off a slender willow branch and skillfully threaded it through the gill openings of the fish, tying a knot.

Zhang Feng looked enviously at Lin Mufeng, who moved effortlessly in the river, and said happily: "Alright, alright, young master Huahua, that's enough. If you catch any more, there won't be room left in this pot."

Old Lin stood in front of the archway of the Lin residence, and a soft, plaintive voice emerged, "Old steward, has the young master returned from the inspection office?"

... ...

"Hello, Huahua, when will you return the two carp you owe me?" Zhang Feng suddenly shouted

Oh, I see. Brother Zhang Feng, it's just two fish. How about I have my family buy four and send them to the inspection office later?

Outside the kitchen door, Qingyun approached and asked, "Lin Hu, why are you standing outside the kitchen in a daze?"