novelAbuy Chapter 13 Lunch
Chapter 13 Lunch
It was almost noon, and the main hall was already properly decorated.
A round mahogany table was placed in the center of the hall, covered with a dark gold tablecloth, on which two sets of bowls and chopsticks were neatly arranged.
The main seat facing north naturally belonged to Yin'e, while the east side, being the place of honor, was reserved for his wife.
This is an old Manchu custom: the four couples sit facing each other, rather than side by side, which is both solemn and avoids being too intimate.
Several maids were busy going in and out of the hall, some carrying dishes, some setting plates, keeping their feet on the ground.
Two Mongolian dishes that Yin'e had specially ordered the kitchen to prepare were already on the table: a roasted lamb leg that was golden brown and juicy, with tender meat, sliced into thin pieces and arranged on a white porcelain plate, accompanied by a dish of chive blossom sauce.
A pot of steaming hot milk tea, made with genuine brick tea imported from outside the Great Wall, mixed with milk and salt, is brewed until it is rich and fragrant.
Yin'e arrived at the main hall early, but instead of taking the seat of honor, he stood by the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the scenery in the courtyard.
He was wearing a dark blue robe made of Hangzhou silk, which was soft and close-fitting, with a dark cloud-patterned trim around the cuffs.
A white jade belt hook was tied around her waist; it was simple and elegant, understated yet dignified.
"Master, the Princess Consort has arrived," Fuquan announced as he jogged in.
Yin'e turned around, straightened his cuffs, and walked towards the door.
When Borjigit Ulan stepped into the main hall, Yin'e's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual.
He had seen a vague image of this princess in his memory before, but this was the first time he had seen her in person.
Ulan was half a head taller than the average Manchu woman, with a straight back and a powerful stride.
Her facial features were deep and distinct.
High cheekbones, thick eyebrows, a straight nose, full lips, and large, bright eyes with slightly upturned corners, giving him a natural sharpness.
Yet, on that angular face, two deep dimples somehow softened the fierce air and gave her a touch of girlish sweetness.
Ulan wore a bright red Mongolian robe today, with golden intertwined floral patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs.
He was like a moving flame.
She glanced at the dishes on the table, then at Yin'e standing at the door to greet her, and a slight smile appeared on her lips.
"Tenth Master is in a good mood today."
Yin'e nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Your wife has arrived, please sit down."
He didn't call her by her name, nor did he use the overly casual form of address "you," but instead addressed her formally as "Fujin."
Neither impolite nor overly enthusiastic.
Ulan raised an eyebrow, did not refuse, strode to the seat on the east side, lifted the hem of her robe, and sat down.
Yin'e returned to his seat and sat down.
The two sat facing each other, with a roasted lamb leg between them, its aroma wafting through the air.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Fuquan stood aside, barely daring to breathe, carefully poured tea for the two of them, and then quickly retreated to a corner.
Ulan picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then looked directly at Yin'e with her bright eyes.
"Tenth Master, let's speak frankly."
"You've put on this show today, with all this Mongolian food and milk tea, are you trying to move me to tears so I'll obediently hand over my dowry to pay off your 200,000 taels of silver debt?"
"Stop dreaming."
These words were blunt and could even be described as a blatant provocation.
The Fujin stared at Yin'e, ready to have a big argument and then part on bad terms at any moment.
But Yin'e's reaction was beyond everyone's expectations.
He didn't slam his fist on the table, or even frown.
He just smiled.
"The Princess Consort's mouth hasn't changed at all."
Ulan was somewhat surprised, not expecting him to react this way.
Yin'e didn't pick up on the topic of "selling dowry," but instead pointed to the lamb leg on the table: "Try this lamb leg, it's roasted in the Mongolian style by the kitchen."
I don't know if it's authentic or not, you can check it out for me.
Ulan glanced down at the plate of lamb legs, then looked up at Yin'e.
She didn't touch her chopsticks, but instead picked up her milk tea and took a sip.
Her expression changed slightly after she took that drink.
The milk tea tasted...surprisingly authentic.
It's not the cloyingly sweet stuff with added sugar found in those Manchu teahouses in Beijing, but genuine grassland milk tea.
It's salty, with the unique bitterness and milky aroma of brick tea, and has a long-lasting aftertaste.
"Who cooked this?" The tone was slightly softer than before.
"I had Chef Li from the kitchen make it according to the recipe. If you think it's okay, you can have them make it often in the future."
Ulan didn't answer, and took another sip.
Yin'e glanced at "Overheard" without showing any emotion, and the favorability rating of the Tenth Prince Consort fluctuated slightly.
[Current favorability: 15.6 → 15.8]
"My lady, how is your father's health lately? I heard it's cold on the grasslands in winter. Is the old man still able to walk properly?"
These words were meant well.
But he noticed that Wulan paused slightly in the hand holding the milk tea, and a barely perceptible wariness immediately appeared on her face.
"Why did you suddenly ask about this, Tenth Master?"
[Current favorability: 15.8 → 15.5]
Yin'e's heart skipped a beat; he immediately realized that this topic had touched a nerve.
The matter of her wife's family is precisely her most pressing concern and the one she least wants to be concerned about.
If we press them any further, not only will the relationship not improve, but the meal might even end badly.
"It's nothing, just a casual question." He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and quickly changed the subject.
"My lady, I remember you grew up on the grasslands, didn't you? How are the grasslands over at Abagai? Is there plenty of water?"
Ulan glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he would ask that question.
Why are you asking this?
"Just curious." Yin'e shrugged.
"In all my life, the farthest I've ever been is Chengde, and I've never seen a real grassland."
I've heard that the sky there is lower than in Beijing, the clouds are whiter, and the grass is taller than a person. I wonder if it's true.
These words were spoken sincerely, without a trace of pretense.
Ulan was silent for a moment, then looked out the window at the sky, as if she was recalling something.
"The sky is indeed lower than here." Her voice suddenly softened. "In the summer, standing on the hillside, it feels like you can reach out and touch the clouds."
The grasslands of Abagai are not the best, but they are not bad either.
When I was little, I went with my father to herd horses. We would ride them across the pastures for half a day, and you wouldn't see a single person in sight.
Her eyes lit up, and her two dimples appeared faintly.
Yin'e did not interrupt her, but listened quietly, nodding occasionally.
[Current favorability: 15.5 → 16.3]
"And then what happened?" Yin'e asked. "When did you come to the capital?"
Ulan's smile faded slightly: "I came when I was sixteen, after the Emperor issued an edict to arrange my marriage."
Do you miss home?
This question is direct, even somewhat presumptuous.
"What difference does it make whether you want to or not? A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup; she can never return to the grasslands."
"When you have some free time, I'll go horseback riding with you in the outskirts of Beijing. There's a pasture in western Beijing; it's not as good as the grasslands, but you can still ride horses there."
Ulan looked up at him with some surprise.
"What's wrong with you today? You wouldn't have said something like this before."
Yin'e smiled but did not answer directly. Instead, he picked up a piece of fish and placed it on the plate in front of her.
"The person I was before is the person I am now; people always change."
"Come, try this fish; it'll get fishy when it's cold."