Before long, the waiter brought over a huge copper hotpot, its milky-white broth bubbling away.
The rich aroma of mutton instantly filled the air.
Then came two pots of warmed aged wine, along with seven or eight plates piled high with fresh mutton slices, cut evenly and marbled red and white.
Wiping his hands, the waiter asked with a smile, "Sir, do you think this is enough mutton?"
Fang Yuan glanced over it and shook his head. "Not enough. Bring another two jin."
"Right away!" the waiter answered and hurried off.
Chen Wei looked at the meat covering the table, then at Fang Yuan, who had already begun picking up slices to swish through the pot and had poured himself a full cup of aged wine.
At last, he could not help speaking again. "Brother Fang... are you truly not planning to take the Imperial Examination again?"
He paused, a trace of hope in his voice. "If you are willing to turn back, Teacher... will surely run about on your behalf, clear your name, and restore your innocence!"
Fang Yuan dipped a perfectly cooked slice of mutton into the sauce and put it into his mouth. Only after chewing and swallowing did he speak unhurriedly.
"Brother Chen, with such delicious food before us, would it not be a pity not to eat?"
He gestured toward the bubbling pot.
Following his lead, Chen Wei picked up two chopstickfuls and tried them. The flavor was indeed fresh, fragrant, and full-bodied—far better than he had expected.
As for his drinking, he merely took a shallow sip from a small cup, utterly unlike Fang Yuan, who drained full cups with clean, decisive movements.
Before long, Little Bean Sprout's little belly was round and full.
The sturdy driver had also finished eating. Sensibly, he moved