Fenggu Town bustled as usual, and even the Li family remained "lively." After seeing off the doctor who had come to check his pulse, Lu Wen lay down with the help of a maid. His face was pale, and he clenched the quilt, his thoughts uneasy.
A few days ago, he had provoked Luo Hongchou with a few words, pretending to weep and act aggrieved. He had planned to complain to Li Mingshan upon his return, ensuring the man would side with him. Since both of them were pregnant, the old madam often invited him to meals and operas, so he had seen Luo Hongchou frequently. The woman disliked him, and he resented her in turn; after all, he and Li Mingshan had met first. Their rivalry had grown increasingly overt.
Crying and anger were bad for the fetus. If he wept, Li Mingshan would surely comfort him. As for Luo Hongchou, with her fiery temper, she might even struggle to keep her child. But Luo Hongchou, infuriated by his delicate, tearful act, had shoved him in a rage.
When he saw blood, Lu Wen nearly fainted in panic. If he lost the child, how would he establish himself in the Li family? Fortunately, the situation stabilized, and there were no signs of miscarriage.
He was shrewd. Knowing that bleeding was no small matter, he intended to use it against Luo Hongchou. After his fall, he heard the family erupt into chaos - some shouting for a doctor, others calling for the young master.
But while his pregnancy was stable, he then learned that Li Mingshan had fallen ill - afflicted with a filthy disease in his lower regions. Not only was the area ulcerated, but after days of carousing in the brothel without leaving the prostitute’s room, he had also contracted other acute ailments. It was utterly disgraceful. After becoming pregnant, Lu Wen had known Li Mingshan had resumed his brothel visits, but he couldn’t control it and had turned a blind eye. Who could have predicted this outcome?
With Li Mingshan’s crisis, Lu Wen had wanted to seek the old madam’s support but had no choice but to abandon the idea. The Li family’s focus was entirely on treating Li Mingshan’s illness, no one blamed Luo Hongchou for pushing him.
Lu Gu knew nothing of others’ affairs. His world revolved around his family and their livelihood. Without work, how could they earn their keep? There was sewing to do and rabbits to feed. Guaizi was always jealous, so he had to watch to ensure he didn’t bully the other dogs. He was very busy.
Early the next morning, Shen Xuanqing caught two fat rabbits and took them to the old house to slaughter. By mid-morning, Luo Biao arrived as expected.
Lu Gu had just propped his washed shoes against the wall to dry in a couple of days when he heard a call of "Sister-in-law." He turned and hurriedly invited Luo Biao inside, pouring water while calling for Shen Xuanqing, who was building the pigpen in the backyard.
"Sister-in-law, this is osmanthus cake made by the chefs at my workplace, a bit different from what’s sold outside. I brought some for you to try." Luo Biao pointed at the package on the table.
Lu Gu rarely initiated conversation with men, and being unfamiliar, he only nodded with a timid, awkward smile. "You’re too kind."
Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing soon came from the backyard. Seeing Luo Biao had brought wine again, Shen Yaoqing laughed. "Perfect timing. Erqing slaughtered the rabbits this morning. Let’s go to the old house and relax, we’ll have wine and meat for lunch."
After washing their hands, they didn’t delay, locking the courtyard gate before heading to the old house together.
While slicing the rabbit meat, Shen Xuanqing entered the kitchen. He had once heard of the elegant dish called "Bo Xia Gong (拨霞供)." The method was simple, just cut the rabbit meat into thin slices, dip them in boiling water to cook, and eat with a savory or spicy dipping sauce tailored to individual taste.
Lu Gu had never heard of it. After entering, he picked up a knife and began slicing the meat thinly.
"So that’s how it’s done." After watching for a moment, Lu Gu understood and took another knife to slice the second rabbit. Working together, they finished quickly.
The wok and clay stove were convenient. Today was cloudy, the sun occasionally blocked, so it wasn’t as warm as yesterday. To prevent wind from blowing dust into the pot, they moved the stove into the main room.
It was Lu Gu’s first time eating rabbit meat this way, and he found it novel. Sitting beside Shen Xuanqing, he followed his earlier instructions, using chopsticks to swish a thin slice of meat in the boiling water. The thin slice cooked quickly.
"It’s quite like that hot pot dish, sliced raw meat cooked in the broth," Wei Lanxiang remarked. She had heard Shen Shunfu mention hot pot before and had never forgotten it. Though they weren’t having hot pot today, this "Bo Xia Gong" was similarly novel, with its refined name. She smiled broadly, equally intrigued.
With three young men present, and Shen Xuanqing and Shen Yaoqing accustomed to hard labor, their appetites were substantial. After finishing two fat rabbits, Lu Gu went to the kitchen to slice half a head of Chinese cabbage and two radishes. The clear broth, now flavored by the rabbit meat, made a fragrant base for cooking the vegetables.
The meal was both fresh and hearty, leaving them warm and satisfied. Even while washing dishes in the kitchen, Lu Gu smiled slightly. Eating meat in winter was the greatest joy.
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