Lu Zheng had not been prepared.
So he dragged the thoroughly unwilling Tu Yuxin into an all-night heart-to-heart by candlelight, leaving Tu Yuxin's wife, Qing Ying, alone in an empty bedchamber.
Simply perfect! The displeased Tu Yuxin crazily plied Lu Zheng with wine the next day, only for Lu Zheng to drag him into another candlelit all-night talk that very evening.
On the third day, Tu Yuxin finally caved. In broad daylight, Qing Ying dragged him back into the room, giving everyone a good laugh.
Then, that afternoon, the three Tu sisters packed up and prepared to travel to Tonglin County with Lu Zheng as guests. Tu Yuchen and Tu Yuxing, two fellows fond of poetry and songs, were going with them as well.
"We set out a little late. We probably won't reach Tonglin County today," Tu Yujiao said. "Let's stay the night in Huo Mountain Province.
"The roasted meats at Liu's Old Shop in Jiezhou prefecture are a local marvel. They say they use eggplant peppers, a specialty of Jieshou Mountain in the Huo Mountain branch range. Lu Zheng, go take a look and pick up some eggplant peppers while you're at it. Maybe you can invent some new dishes—eggplant pepper chicken, perhaps?"
Lu Zheng shot Tu Yujiao a sidelong look. "And make it for you to eat?"
Tu Yujiao thrust out her chest again. "What, considering the favor of my warning you at Tu Mountain, shouldn't you treat me to chicken?"
"Fine, fine, fine!" Lu Zheng said fiercely. "I'll stuff your mouth full!"
Tu Yujiao giggled and opened her cherry lips. Then her mouth abruptly grew enormous, revealing a snowy fox maw. Two canine teeth gleamed with cold light—enough to swallow an entire roasted chicken whole.
"Unless you roast the ancestor of that Five-Colored Golden Pheasant,