Powder-Scented Beauties Carve Bloody Meat and Devour Gamey Flesh

September 29th, as the lanterns were first lit.

The snow all around had yet to melt, but a roaring bonfire burned in the Small Pavilion behind Dingxiang Restaurant.

A tender, plump elk slowly turned on the spit. Its fragrant aroma, set against the cold snowy scene outside, only whetted everyone's appetites.

Seeing someone nearby pick up a dagger, Zhao Nan and Ba Ke, who were tending the spit, hurriedly leveled the rack. With broad smiles, they pointed out, "Sir, cut into the lower belly first. The meat there is the tenderest, and it must be fully cooked by now."

Yet the man refused to listen. He sliced off a large chunk from the base of the thigh, speared it on his knife, coated it thoroughly in sauce on his plate, and shoved it boldly into his mouth to chew.

As he worked it down, he kept hissing and blowing out hot breaths. By the time he finally swallowed, his fair, jade-like face looked as though it had been dusted with rouge.

Without even bothering to wipe the grease from his lips, he raised a thumb and repeatedly praised, "That's got some kick! The peppers Second Brother brought really are stronger than dogwood!"

The one blessed with the face of a beautiful maiden yet possessed of such bold manners could be none other than Liu Xianglian.

Even as he spoke, he kept sticking out his tongue. Clearly, it was his first time trying chili powder, and he was finding it hard to bear.

"I told you this stuff was extremely spicy, but you insisted on showing off."

Sun Shaozong swept his gaze around helplessly. Seeing that the table held nothing but warmed spirits, not even a cup of tea, he ordered Zhao Nan to slice a few more pieces of venison