Small Mountain Village.
Night had fallen, and Gongya had finished making dinner.
Dugu Yuqing's return had made Li Fan quite happy, but the Small Courtyard still felt a little lonely.
Only he, Dugu Yuqing, and Gongya were eating together. It was nothing like the large family they'd once had.
Still, it was a good beginning, and Li Fan found much comfort in that.
They were eating together when Dugu Yuqing suddenly picked up a piece of meat and took a bite. His tongue immediately went numb, and he hurriedly put it down.
"Master... Th-this is so numbing!"
Hearing this, Li Fan picked up a piece of meat too and tried it. The tip of his tongue went slightly numb, and he couldn't help asking:
"Gongya, did you grind the Sichuan peppercorns into powder as soon as you'd dried them?..."
Gongya nodded, looking bewildered.
"Yes..."
Li Fan understood at once. The Sichuan peppercorns he'd grown were exceptionally potent. Even after being dried, they needed to go through several special steps. If they were ground straight into powder... the numbing flavor would be too strong to eat.
Li Fan smiled.
"There's something wrong with this Sichuan pepper powder. I'll teach you how to make it properly tomorrow."
Gongya looked apologetic.
"I'm sorry, Master... I'll go cook another dish."
"It's fine," Li Fan said. "No need. Just give this dish to the dog..."
The big black dog was eating by the table. At those words, its eyes filled with grievance, but it didn't dare whine.
Then Li Fan smiled.
"Bring out the wine. Today's worth having a drink."
Gongya immediately brought out the fine wine Li Fan had been keeping.
"Master... This disciple would like to offer you a toast!"
Dugu Yuqing said:
"If it weren't for you... this disciple might never have