Chapter 11

The aromas of various dishes gradually gathered in the courtyard, overcoming every obstacle before finally drifting into the guest rooms.

Chen Chuangu took a deep breath, his appetite instantly stirred, and was about to leave the room to investigate.

"Do not disturb Young Master Rong while he is cooking," First Young Master Chen said coolly.

Had one ignored his bobbing Adam's apple, his words might have been more convincing.

Second Young Master Chen was more honest. Smiling with restraint, he said, "Young Master Rong's skills are exceptional. It is a pity we must leave tomorrow."

"How about I stay behind?" Chen Chuangu asked mournfully.

First Young Master Chen looked at him indifferently. "You may."

"Never mind." Chen Chuangu understood his expression and hurriedly changed his tune. "If your leg injury flares up on the road, it will be my fault."

First Young Master Chen turned his gaze back to the pages before him, yet he did not turn a page for a long while.

Chen Chuangu secretly rolled his eyes.

At last, as the hour of Shen approached, the two sturdy servants had prepared the dining table. The three members of the Chen Clan sat behind it. Aside from First Young Master Chen, whose leg injury prevented him from kneeling properly, the other two looked noble by nature.

Yet once the delicacies were set upon the table, they entirely forgot about maintaining their composure.

It could be said that they had never seen the dishes on the table before, but there was no denying that their color, fragrance, and flavor were utterly perfect.

Second Young Master Chen lifted his chopsticks. As the shredded meat entered his mouth, he found it exceptionally savory and fragrant. Unlike soft, glutinous braised meat, this meat was crisp and refreshing, making each bite a delight.

Only after he began eating did First Young Master Chen and Chen Chuangu quickly taste the food as well.

All three were filled with boundless emotion. How could food this delicious exist? They truly did not want to leave Linxi Town!

Chen Chuangu nearly wept.

As for the two sturdy servants, their master kindly permitted them to eat with the Liu Clan's grandfather and grandson in the kitchen. They ate with tears streaming down their faces.

For a time, the only sounds in the Rong Residence were bowls and chopsticks clinking together.

After the meal, everyone except Rong Xi was so bloated that they could hardly bear it, so they could only go out into the courtyard to aid digestion.

Seeing Rong Xi shoveling dirt into bags in the courtyard, Chen Chuangu could not help stepping forward to ask.

"This plump Xi plans to walk around carrying the bags and train his body," Rong Xi said with a gentle smile, teasing himself.

At that moment, rosy clouds filled the sky. The youth stood with the light at his back, his features soft and agreeable, his smile sincere. Chen Chuangu suddenly felt reluctant to part with him and full of pity, and he abruptly seized both his wrists.

"Young Master, you must take care of yourself. We part tomorrow, and who knows when we will meet again? Once the dust settles, I will definitely come find you!"

Rong Xi smiled freely. "Xi will wait quietly here for Brother Chen."

First Young Master Chen suddenly stepped forward and blocked Chen Chuangu. He took a circular jade pendant from his sleeve and held it out before Rong Xi.

"I value Zishi's talent. However, we leave tomorrow, and there will be no one to teach him. Take this ring pendant to the Feng Clan carpentry shop in Mengshan County."

Rong Xi raised his head to look back, only then realizing that First Young Master Chen was rather tall and imposing compared to ordinary people.

If this jade had been a gift for himself, Rong Xi certainly would have refused it. However, it concerned Zishi's future. If he did not accept it, Zishi's talent for martial arts would be wasted.

After considering it for a moment, he summoned Liu Zishi and had him bow in thanks before accepting the pendant.

First Young Master Chen then turned neatly and returned to his room, the faint smile on his lips vanishing in an instant.

Chapter 11

At the proper hour of Mao the next day, Rong Xi rose and tied the bags around himself to jog in the courtyard.

Liu Zishi, meanwhile, practiced martial arts in a horse stance in the courtyard.

By the beginning of the hour of Chen, there was still no movement from the Chen Clan's master and servants. Rong Xi had Liu He go inquire after them.

A short while later, Liu He returned and sighed. "The guests have already left."

Rong Xi was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a faint smile and asked, "Has the hot water been prepared?"

He always needed to bathe after exercising. Liu He had long known this and had already prepared the hot water. "Young Master may go inside to bathe. This servant will head to the kitchen."

Having spent so much time at Rong Xi's side, Liu Zishi had been influenced by him. No matter what he did, he followed Rong Xi's example. Rong Xi treated him with tolerance and kindness, and close attendants had to be neat and proper, so the young Liu boy also bathed daily and changed his clothes diligently.

Liu He was delighted to see this.

After breakfast, Rong Xi taught Liu Zishi to write for an hour, then sent him to invite Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin.

The youth had nowhere to spend his energy and was as excited as a caged bird as he ran out the residence gates.

Linxi Town was not far from the county seat. The youth was quick on his feet, and Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin happened to be home, so they came together in an ox cart as soon as they received the invitation.

"On the way here, I heard Zishi mention that the new wok was used yesterday. He said stir-fried dishes could only be found in heaven—what stir-fried shredded meat and cucumber with eggs, things I had never even heard of. Today, I must come taste this immortal fare."

Hu Yulin's voice arrived before he did.

Rong Xi rose to greet them. Once they were seated, he smiled and said, "I am overjoyed that you two brothers have honored me with your presence."

After half a cup of tea, Rong Xi suddenly asked, "Some utensils in my home have been damaged, and I wish to have new ones made by a carpenter. You two brothers are knowledgeable and well-traveled. Do you know of any craftsmen with exceptional skills?"

Hu Yulin knew Mengshan County well. Hearing this, he said, "There are several carpentry shops in the city. For reputation, the Cui Clan is the best; for novelty, it should be the Feng Clan. The rest are nothing remarkable."

After he finished speaking, Jiang Weiping nodded in agreement. "Young Master has quite a few clever ideas. You may be more compatible with the Feng Clan."

Rong Xi replied with a smile, "Thank you for your guidance, brothers. Then it shall be the Feng Clan."

"When will Young Master go? I will send someone to pick you up." Seeing that Rong Xi had no ox cart, Hu Yulin offered his assistance.

Rong Xi did not refuse. "Thank you, Brother Xuan Shi. I had planned to go the day after tomorrow."

"Good." Hu Yulin's smile deepened, his narrow eyes curving. "Young Master, do you know how the honeycomb coal briquettes are doing now?"

Without waiting for Rong Xi's reply, he continued with a smile, "Though their price is not low, many wealthy households in the city have bought them. They have already become popular throughout the city. Given time, they will surely sweep across Qingzhou."

Beyond Qingzhou lay an even broader world.

Hu Yulin had always harbored grand ambitions. Now that the new coal briquettes and new coal stoves had appeared and were eagerly sought after, the Hu Clan's name was being passed from mouth to mouth and would surely become known to more common people.

All of this was thanks to Young Master Rong.

To expand their business, the Hu Clan and Jiang Clan had joined forces. Numerous blacksmiths had gathered together, forging stoves and hammering iron day and night. Everything was flourishing.

"That is excellent." Rong Xi stood. "You two brothers have worked tirelessly day and night. Xi has no special skills, so I can only repay you with a meal."

Jiang Weiping and Hu Yulin were curious about stir-frying, so they went to the kitchen with him.

The ingredients had long been prepared. Rong Xi rolled up his sleeves, and his knife rose and fell. The sound of the blade striking the chopping board carried a powerful rhythm. The two men stared in amazement, inwardly praising Young Master Rong's divine skill.