(Today's chapter is a fat one. It's over four thousand words!)

When the chief maidservant beside her brought out the delicacies one by one, He Changqi's friends no longer had time to look at Zou shi.

The sweet and sour pork ribs were neatly stacked on an exquisite blue and white porcelain plate. The lid was removed from the duck pot, which was rich and fragrant. The fish meat was as tender as tofu in a large plate of boiled fish with a layer of red chili peppers floating on it. There was also the fresh and tender tofu soup that emitted hot steam … Every time a dish was brought out, the eyes of the noble young masters sitting around the table widened.

Finally, the chief maidservant brought a small stove to the center of the table and carefully lit a fire under the pot. The noble young masters were stunned.

Heir Zheng had never seen a meal like this. He had never eaten a single one of the seven or eight dishes that were brought to the table that emitted a rich fragrance!

Heir Zheng impatiently pointed at the small pot that was lit in the center. "Sister-in-law, what is this called?

Even in the imperial palace, this younger brother has never seen this way of eating. "

He Changqi, who was sitting in the host's seat, was clearly very satisfied with the dishes that Chu Lian had specially prepared today. Other than the boiled fish that he had eaten the other day, he had never seen the others.

Zou shi had come to deliver the dishes in Chu Lian's place, so Chu Lian had naturally told her the special characteristics and names of the dishes.

At this time, the gluttonous men all looked up at her, waiting for her to answer their questions. This kind of focused gaze made Zou shi feel the attention and comfort that she hadn't felt in a long time.

This kind of comfort made the idea in her heart magnify in an instant.

Zou shi smiled elegantly. Her expression and behavior could be said to be the model of a woman from a noble family.

He Changqi's friends heard her use a pleasant female voice to say, "Young masters, the dish in the center is called dried pot. It's easy to make. First, you need to prepare the ingredients in the pot in advance. When you eat, you just need to light the fire under the pot. It's very convenient."

Heir Zheng, who liked new things, even came closer to take a closer look. After looking, he clapped his hands and loudly praised, "Wonderful, wonderful, truly wonderful. This way, no matter when you want to eat, you can eat a freshly made dish. Isn't it wonderful?"

The others also fit the bill.

When Madam Zou heard Heir Zheng's praise, she became even happier. The corners of her mouth lifted as she suppressed the excitement in her heart. "That's right. I came up with this recipe by accident. I didn't expect Heir Zheng to like it so much."

Among them, He Changqi was the most embarrassed. He wanted to pull on his wife's sleeve to remind her, but he heard Zou shi continue to excitedly say, "This is Sichuan poached fish. The bright red thing floating on the surface is a new type of vegetable that Dalang bought from a foreigner. I saw that this thing was strange and wanted to use it to make some food. I didn't expect that when this thing is used to cook fish fillets, it would be so delicious. In a while, you all must try it.

The one at the side is … "

Zou shi continued to introduce the dishes on the table, but she didn't notice that everyone's expressions had become strange. Xiao Bojian's long and narrow eyes were filled with disdain. He looked at Zou shi with disdain. This woman had taken all of Lian 'er's credit just like that. Was she not embarrassed at all that she lied in front of them?

He Changqi's face turned red, but when he saw his wife like this, he couldn't harden his heart to expose her.

When Zou shi finally finished introducing all the dishes, she found that the surroundings had suddenly become quiet. It wasn't as lively as when the dishes had been served. Zou shi looked around in a daze, her heart suddenly in her throat. She quietly asked, "What's wrong?

Do the young masters not like Sister-in-law's cooking? "

The young Weiyuan Marquis and Ge daren of the Chamberlain of Dependencies looked at each other. After a tacit understanding, they smiled and bowed to Zou shi. "Sister-in-law thinks too much. It is our good fortune to be able to eat Sister-in-law's cooking."

Hearing Weiyuan Marquis say this, Zou shi's heart finally relaxed. She still wanted to say more, but this time, He Changqi quickly interrupted her. "Alright, I still have to meet with a few good friends. You can go back first."

Zou shi could only shut her mouth. Thinking that it was rare for her husband to bring friends to the fu, and they were all men, it was not very appropriate for her, a woman of the inner compound, to be by his side. She immediately bid farewell and left the hall with the servant girls and housemaids by her side.

Not long after Zou shi's figure disappeared, He Changqi stood and walked to the lower seats. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply to his friends. "My wife was not sincere. This He asks for everyone's forgiveness. Please do not blame her."

Madam Zou didn't know that He Changqi had already told his friends the truth, but Madam Zou had suddenly gone to He Changqi and falsely claimed Chu Lian's credit. This wasn't showing how virtuous she was, but slapping He Changqi's face in front of his friends.

Ge daren hurriedly helped He Changqi up. "Brother He, do not blame yourself. Everyone has greed for wealth, riches, wealth, vanity, and glory. Sister-in-law just didn't want to lose face in front of us brothers. How can we blame her?"

Weiyuan Marquis also smiled in agreement. "It isn't easy for us to have the time to gather together. Today's delicacies are in front of us. Do not let them down. Come, come, let's eat and drink!"

Zou's lie was finally exposed. Although they didn't embarrass He Changqi on the spot, it wasn't that simple for them to think about it.

However, there was one thing that was similar. Zou shi's image could be said to be terrible. Even Successor Zheng and Weiyuan Marquis began to sympathize with He Changqi.

Zou shi could not give birth to a male heir for He Changqi, but her character was also very despicable. Zou shi's bad character directly affected the way they looked at the young ladies of the Ding Yuan Marquis Palace.

This was originally a small gathering to gain face, but with Zou shi's interference, He Changqi almost could not raise his head in front of his friends.

However, this awkward atmosphere did not last for long. When the few of them placed the delicacies on the table into their mouths, all thoughts of the Zou Group, deception, and unbearable behavior were completely forgotten. The only thing left in front of them was the delicacies. In this world, only delicacies could not be let down!

Usually, the gathering of these noble young masters was very elegant. They would meet up with two or three friends, boil a pot of tea, warm up a pot of wine, and roast one or two pieces of venison. If they were in a good mood, they would even write one or two poems, write one or two poems, paint, and drink wine … … In short, it was as elegant as possible.

Wolfing down the food, eating from the bowl and looking at the pot, that was something only uncultured people would do. The noble young masters that claimed to be born in a noble family would definitely not do this.

But now … … ha, ha.

What noble young master, what bearing, what elegance, could these things be eaten as delicacies?

Could they satisfy one's desire for good food?

The answer was no!

Weiyuan Hou and Lord Ge were childhood friends. The two of them grew up together. Kai Meng studied in the Ge Family's school, and their mothers were best friends. The two of them were so close that they wore the same open-crotch pants. But now!

Little Marquis Weiyuan quickly finished off a piece of sweet and sour spare ribs that had left a lingering aftertaste. His eyes were still staring at the plate. At this time, Crown Prince Zheng reached out with his long chopsticks and took a piece. There was only one piece left on the white porcelain plate. Marquis Weiyuan made a prompt decision and quickly stabbed at the last piece of spare ribs on the plate. In a flash, another pair of silver chopsticks collided with him.

Weiyuan Marquis looked in the direction of the chopsticks and saw that the normally dignified daren Ge had puffed up cheeks.

The corner of his eye twitched and he reminded, "Ge Da, I took it first. Take the chopsticks away."

"Li Si, I'm one year older than you. When we were young, I always let you have all the good things. This time, you have to let big brother have it."

"Ge Da, your mouth hasn't finished eating yet!"

… …

Weiyuan Marquis and daren Ge, who had a good relationship since they were young and were no different from twins, were now arguing over a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs.

He Changqi's face was full of black lines, but his hands were not idle at all. He kept reaching out with his chopsticks to pick up the bowl of boiled fish.

Quarreling, quarreling. If they quarreled, no one would fight with him for this plate. That time, although third sister-in-law had sent a bowl over, she had not eaten enough. Adding on the fact that he had a large appetite, he had not eaten to his heart's content last time. Because he was entertaining guests this time, Chu Lian had specially made a lot.

The white and tender fish meat had a slightly choking and spicy smell. It melted in the mouth and was so delicious that it made people want to swallow their own tongues.

Just as he sent a thin piece of fresh and tender fish into his mouth, he saw Xiao Bojian, who was sitting across from him, reach a spoon into the large clay bowl without batting an eyelid. Then, the chopsticks and spoon stirred together in the clay bowl. When the spoon came out of the bright red chili, there was a spoonful of white and tender fish meat lying in the spoon …

Then, He Changqi's eyes widened as he saw Xiao Bojian pour the fish meat into the sweet white porcelain bowl in front of him …

Then, the empty spoon reached towards the large clay bowl that contained the boiled fish …

Holy shit … What kind of f * cking group of rich young masters were these? They were clearly reincarnated hungry ghosts!

A meal that should have been filled with laughter and wine actually ended in less than the time it took for two incense sticks to burn …

He Changqi's forehead couldn't help but twitch when he saw his good friends holding their stomachs and burping in satisfaction.

Fortunately, he saw that the situation wasn't right and sent all the servants away. Otherwise, if the servants saw the war-like situation just now, they would probably think that this group of rich young masters had been swapped. Moreover, the people they were pretending to be were all beggars who had starved for ten days to half a month.

He Changqi looked at the empty plates and bowls on the table that didn't even have any soup left. He Changqi couldn't be bothered to say anything more.

After the few scoundrels had eaten and drunk their fill, Crown Prince Zheng slammed the table unhappily. "Big Brother He, you're really not kind. It's a waste that we brothers call you every time we have a drink. The food at home is so delicious, but you actually waited until today to invite us to your residence for a small gathering!"

Lord Ge glanced at the black-faced He Changqi beside him and thought of Zou shi's words and actions just now. He felt a little strange. Thinking back to how He Changqi had also been wolfing down the food, it was likely that this was the first time he had eaten such good food today.

Lord Ge didn't blame He Changqi for hiding it. Instead, he leaned back in his chair without a care for his image. He took a sip of the old duck soup and smacked his lips. He said sourly, "He Sanlang is so lucky. It serves him right to go to the bitter cold of the north. I originally thought that it was a pity for him, but now, I don't pity him at all. If He Sanlang was in front of me right now, I would give him two words: 'He Sanlang deserves it'!"

Little Marquis Wei and Lord Ge didn't have the sweet and sour pork ribs in front of them anymore and became a pair of good brothers with their arms around each other's shoulders. "Poor Yu Sanlang of the He family!"

Even after eating his fill, Xiao Bojian was still very low-key. His eyes were slightly lowered and his long black eyelashes covered his deep eyes. His right thumb and index finger were pinching the bones of his left index finger. His thin lips were now a little red because of the spicy food. No one could see the resentment and resentment on his face. He was as quiet as a statue.

If Heir Zheng didn't already know that he was like this, he would have asked him what was going on long ago.

Xiao Bojian's gaze swept over He Changqi who was sitting on the main seat, and a dark light flashed in his eyes.

All of this should have been his!

Lian 'er washed his hands and made his soup. His friends praised Lian' er's cooking in front of him. Lian 'er took care of the household for him. The couple spent every day together, whispering sweet nothings to each other, helping each other in times of need …

Just as they had an unforgettable meal, a young attendant walked into the hall with a wine pot in his hand.

Chang Sui stared in shock at the empty dishes on the table and blinked in disbelief. Finally, he seemed to come to his senses and quickly walked to He Changqi's side. He whispered in He Changqi's ear, "Eldest Young Master, do … do we still drink this wine?"

It turned out that Chang Sui had gone to get the wine. The ten-year-old Jade Cave Spring had been specially brought over by little Marquis Wei.

No one had expected that the dishes would be gone before the wine had even been served …

Crown Prince Zheng glanced at them and said, "Pour the wine!"

Little Marquis Wei and Lord Ge also nodded. They were full and drinking was not harmful to the body. Moreover, they had just eaten to their heart's content and now they were in the mood to drink.

He Changqi nodded and ordered Chang Sui to call two servant girls in to take away the empty plates. He also had a few plates of dishes from the main kitchen and placed wine pots on the table. He filled the cups of wine for his friends.

After eating the dishes on the table and then looking at the dishes they usually ate, they instantly felt tasteless in their mouths and began to feel sad.

They seemed to foresee that their days in the future would not be easy … it was easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. After tasting the delicacies of the land and sea, it was likely that not many would be able to swallow the rough food made from tree bark.

With that in mind, they inevitably drank a little more. The ten-year-old Jade Cave Spring Wine could be considered as the strongest liquor in Shengjing City. It had a strong aftertaste, and the dishes in the main kitchen were no longer in their mouths, so the alcohol in their stomachs became even more intense.

An hour later, not to mention little Marquis Wei, even He Changqi, who had a pretty good alcohol tolerance, was already dizzy and could not tell what time it was.

Chang Sui saw that his masters were already in this state and could only helplessly arrange a wing for them to rest for the time being.

After the originally unconscious Xiao Bojian was helped into the wing by the ordinary-looking Chang Sui, his misty peach blossom eyes suddenly opened. His eyes were clear and there was not a trace of drunkenness in them.

Wei Jia, who was disguised as an ordinary Chang Sui, bowed to Xiao Bojian. "Master, you're not drunk?"

Xiao Bojian softly answered and pinched the space between his brows. "Come with me to the rear courtyard of Count Jing 'an's estate. Have Wei Nineteen stand guard here."