Volume 1 Chapter 45: On Cooking Fresh Food
Seeing that she was friendly to Lin Jianlan but cold to him, Bai Zongping was also upset and said, "It's not my intention to steal that thing. After all, it's just a toy for women. What benefit will it bring to me? I'm just getting into trouble for nothing!"
Lu Man smiled softly, walked slowly to Bai Zongping and said softly: "Second Senior Brother, you are so angry! I saw that thing was rare, and you came with me without saying a word. We have been brothers and sisters since childhood. If you don't treat me well, who will treat me well?" She pouted softly and said: "I always talk like this, are you still angry with me?"
She whispered softly, and her expression was a little shy under the moonlight, which was very touching. Bai Zongping could not bear the pleading of this junior sister whom he admired very much. He could only sigh and said, "Junior sister, I will never be angry with you no matter what."
Lu Manxi said happily: "That's right. To tell you the truth, the treasure is still safely placed in the wooden box in your arms!"
Bai Zongping was surprised and said, "But I just saw you throw a golden clam over there..."
Lu Man said: "My younger brother put this in my hands. As for where he got it from, you have to let him tell you himself."
Seeing that the two of them were reconciled at this time, Lin Jianlan came up and said with a smile: "I saw that the hairpins on the dressing table in the room just now were all fashionable styles. I guess the owner of the house must be a wealthy person who loves beauty. In the past few months, I have often seen the wives of officials and relatives use gold powder to paint plum blossoms, diamonds and other shapes to decorate their foreheads. I thought that maybe there was some in the rouge and powder on the dressing table, so I hurriedly searched for it, and sure enough, I found a small bottle." After saying that, he smiled again and said, "It's lucky to say that when we were crossing the river just now, Sister Man took me to swim over. She held my other hand, but I was very panicked and grabbed everywhere. When we reached the shore, I grabbed a hand full of mud, and there was a small river clam in it. That's how the 'Golden Crown Pleated Clam' came about!"
Lu Man laughed and said, "My brother is really a smart kid. He thought those two old thieves took it seriously. If he finds out he's been fooled, he'll be so angry!"
Although Bai Zongping had always had a grudge against Lin Jianlan, he smiled when he heard Lu Man talking about Ding Lei and Ding Shui's angry looks, and then said seriously: "But we still have to leave quickly. This is not a place to stay for long."
After walking for about an incense stick of time and just stepping out of the dense forest, dozens of people suddenly rushed to the roadside, all holding lanterns. It was obvious that they had been waiting here for a long time. Seeing this scene, the three of them couldn't help but secretly say in their hearts that something was wrong.
After a moment, these people suddenly dispersed to both sides, making way. An old man with white hair and beard holding a sword slowly approached. He looked quite majestic and looked at Lin Jianlan. Lin Jianlan was surprised when he saw the old man's face showing joy and said, "It is indeed Mr. Lin."
Lin Jianlan didn't recognize him. The three of them looked at each other, and then heard the old man's tone become very respectful: "Young Master, I am Wan Jianhong, the head of the Jinzhou branch. I heard about what happened here not long ago and rushed here. Fortunately, you are not in danger, otherwise I would not be able to bear this heavy responsibility!"
Lu Man said with an "ah" sound: "Is the old senior the old senior Wan who is known as 'Endless Long Rainbow'?"
Wan Jianhong did not answer, but only said to Lin Jianlan: "Are these two your friends?"
Lin Jianlan thought that he would definitely fall into the hands of Yukousi this time, but unexpectedly, he met the head of Jinzhou Hall. He bowed in a daze and said, "Junior greets Master Wan, but I don't know how you recognize me?"
Wan Jianhong laughed and said, "Young Master, there is no need to be polite. I saw you in your courtyard that year. It has been a long time since then and you have grown up a lot. If you didn't still have some of your past shadow, I really wouldn't recognize you. Let's go back to the branch hall first and make plans."
Lu Man really couldn't imagine that the young man she met in a rural inn seemed to be even more famous than Wan Jianhong, but she didn't dare to act rashly and just stood aside silently. Seeing the awkward situation of the two of them, Lin Jianlan hurriedly said, "Uncle Wan, since I parted with Uncle Qing, I don't know the rules of the martial arts world and have caused trouble, and even dragged my two friends into it..."
But Wan Jianhong waved his hand and said, "Sir, there is no need to say more. My subordinates have already found out the whole story. You are a man who values friendship. Since you are his friend, you are also a distinguished guest of the Jinzhou branch. You should be invited over for a treat. Please follow me!" After that, he held Lin Jianlan's hand and left. Lu Man hurriedly pulled Bai Zongping to follow. In an instant, all the subordinates of the Kuang Yi Gang on the road withdrew completely, and silence returned.
The three of them came to the branch hall and washed and dressed themselves before being invited to the flower hall. However, no one was there. Lu Man quietly walked behind Lin Jianlan and said, "Thank you for your patience just now, brother."
Lin Jianlan said, "The three of us have come all the way here through thick and thin, so it's no different who bears the responsibilities. I just didn't expect to alert the branch hall. I just hope we don't cause them any trouble."
But a hearty laugh was heard outside: "The Kuangyi Gang is from the Yukousi." Wan Jianhong stepped in and said: "Don't worry, sir. Once they are here, they will be safe. If we fight with the Yukousi, we may not be at a disadvantage. If they don't want to fight, I have a way to cover it up."
Lu Man was shocked and said, "I didn't expect that this young man is the young master of the Kuangyi Gang. Oh, I am not confused. The leader of the Kuangyi Gang is Lin Longqing, but his name is Lin Jianlan." Just as she was thinking about it, she heard Wan Jianhong say, "The two young heroes are really brave and fearless. This time, they made the people of the Yukou Division fall. I have to give them a thumbs up!"
Lu Man blushed, and suddenly remembered that she had not yet reported to her master, so she stood up and bowed, "Old senior, thank you for your praise. I am Lu Man from the South Sea, my mother is Li Meijiang, and this is my second senior brother. I was willful at the time and offended someone from the Yukou Division, and ended up implicating your gang's young master. I am truly sorry."
Wan Jianhong nodded and said, "You are also young heroes. The young master should have gotten to know you more." But suddenly he clapped his hands and said, "I am careless by nature. I forgot you have been running for a night. You must be starving. Just now, my wife heard from my subordinates that we might have found the whereabouts of Master Lin, so she insisted on coming over to cook. She hasn't cooked for many years, and even I am relying on Master Lin's help. Come with me, the three of you!" After that, he led the way.
Lin Jianlan looked bewildered, not knowing what was so special about Madam Wan cooking. Lu Man said softly as they walked by, "I heard that Senior Wan's wife is the daughter of the 'number one chef' Zhao family, and she has a pair of skilled hands. Unfortunately, the Zhao family's rules don't allow women to be the head chef. Otherwise, with Madam Wan's cooking skills and swift and decisive methods, she would be several times better than the current head chef. My second brother and I also benefited from my younger brother."
Wan Jianhong was very pleased to hear what Lu Man said, and said with a smug look on her face, "I didn't expect that you, a girl, are her confidant, but there are some things that cannot be said. Now my wife's brother is managing the Zhao family with great prudence and prudentness, and has the demeanor of a great family."
Several people walked into the backyard, chatting and laughing, and saw a white-faced man coming up to them, saying, "I am Ma Xiuren from the Jinzhou branch hall, meeting Master Lin! Master Wan, the banquet is ready." Then he led the four people into the hall. Lin Jianlan looked up and saw an old wooden round table in the middle of the hall, with a dazzling array of dishes on it, all of which were brightly colored and fragrant. The bowls and chopsticks on the table were all silver, adding to the luxury.
Wan Jianhong laughed and said, "Come, Master Lin, please take a seat. This table of food is specially prepared for Master Lin!" After that, he pushed Lin Jianlan to the seat of honor. Lin Jianlan blushed and said, "Uncle Wan is here, how can a junior sit in the seat of honor? Won't outsiders think that I, Lin Jianlan, have no respect for my elders and don't know etiquette?"
Wan Jianhong said: "If that's the case, I won't force you! If I force you to sit up, you won't be able to eat happily. You can sit anywhere you want!"
It was not yet dawn, and several lamps were lit in the hall. Lin Jianlan sat down and saw the flickering candlelight reflecting the tableware, which seemed to shine like silver water. He sighed, "Uncle Wan's tableware is so exquisite. I have really broadened my horizons!"
Wan Jianhong said: "These utensils are dowry from my wife's family. No distinguished guests would be willing to use them, and even we ourselves usually just use the chopsticks in them! The conspiracy in the martial arts world is hard to guard against. These silver utensils will change color when they come into contact with poison, and they can be used for testing. Although we are within the gang, we can't help it!" After saying that, he raised his wine glass with a smile, but his face suddenly changed color. When they looked, they found that the inner wall of the wine glass had turned black!
Ma Xiuren, who was standing nearby, said in surprise, "Poison? I just bought this wine myself! Master Wan..."
Wan Jianhong smiled and said, "I don't suspect you. You go down and don't make any noise. Secretly track down the wine seller and the minions in the hall." Turning back, he said, "We can only use tea instead of wine! There should be no problem with my wife's food!"
Lu Man said: "Although there is no wine, it is not a pity to be able to taste the skills of the number one chef!"
Several people picked up the dishes one by one with silver chopsticks, and sure enough, they were relieved and ate heartily. Lin Jianlan saw that the dishes on the table were quite exquisite, and pointed at one of them casually and said, "I wonder what this dish is called?" Wan Jianhong smiled and said, "My wife named it Jade White Jade. I am a rough man, so I don't know what this is. It's actually cabbage and tofu!"
Lin Jianlan said: "Aunt Wan is really a skilled cook. The tofu is warm and the cabbage is cool. The combination of warm and cool is just right. What's more, the flavors are so good. The tofu seems to have the flavor of vegetables, and the cabbage has the fragrance of beans. It is worthy of the name of Emerald White Jade!"
As soon as he finished speaking, someone outside the door clapped his hands and said, "It's worth my effort to get the praise from Master Lin!" Lin Jianlan looked back and saw a middle-aged woman walking in slowly. She stood up and said, "Junior greets Aunt Wan. I'm sorry to bother you today and trouble Uncle Wan's mother to cook for you."
The woman smiled and said, "You are welcome, young master." Then she walked to the table and said, "I have been influenced by my family since I was a child. I like to study cooking skills. Who says it is not as good as the mountains and rivers? But I also hope that someone will appreciate it. This dish looks simple, but in fact, the work before putting it in the pot is very laborious. The tofu must be wrapped with fresh vegetables and steamed slowly over fire. The vegetables are cooked but the tofu is not cooked. This is why the tofu can retain the freshness of the vegetables. The cabbage inside is cooked in the same way."
Lin Jianlan nodded, but smiled and said, "No wonder Uncle Wan hasn't been able to taste the delicacies cooked by Uncle Wan's mother for many years!"
Madam Wan also smiled and said, "He always eats it up in no time, and then just says 'delicious', nothing else. It makes me feel bored to death, so I simply don't cook for him!"
But Lu Man pointed at a dish and said, "The taste of this dish is really hard to describe. What is its name?"
Madam Wan smiled and said, "This dish is called 'Unbeatable Cold'."
Lin Jianlan asked curiously: "Oh? I don't know how to explain it?"
Madam Wan said, "You will know after you taste it yourself."
Lin Jianlan took a bite and found it sticky and soft in the mouth, with a sweet taste. It seemed that if it was a little more, it would be too greasy, while if it was a little less, it would be light. There seemed to be countless strange flavors hidden in the middle, and there seemed to be a faint sour and bitter taste looming, which made people want to take a second bite, but they didn't dare to take a second bite, and they couldn't help but sigh.
Madam Wan asked, "Why is the young master sighing?"
Lin Jianlan said, "My first sigh is that Madam's name is so unique. My second sigh is that Madam's cooking skills can no longer be improved. It's like when one reaches a high level of martial arts, there is no rival and no breakthrough. Hence the saying 'it's lonely at the top'. Please don't blame me for making such a random comment."
Madam Wan was shocked and said, "Young Master, your insight is indeed profound. To be honest, I have been creating this dish for five years and have not been able to surpass its taste, so I named it 'Bu Sheng Han'."
As they were talking, a man outside the door said, "Madam, the last dish is ready. Shall we serve it now?"
Madam Wan said, "Bring it up!"
Xiao Huan then opened the door, placed the dishes on the table, and quietly left. Everyone looked closely and saw a square piece of meat on the silver plate. The color was red and very tempting. A closer look revealed that it had been cut into sixteen small pieces and stacked together. Several people took a piece and put it in their mouths. They felt that the meat melted in their mouths, was extremely tender, and had a medicinal and sweet aroma. It was extremely delicious. In a flash, they ate up the whole plate of rabbit meat.
Madam Wan said, "The name of this dish is Jade Rabbit Pounding Medicine."
Lin Jianlan nodded and said, "From what I heard, it must be made with rabbit meat as the main ingredient, carefully stewed with herbs and osmanthus flowers, which shows my aunt's ingenuity!"
Madam Wan nodded and said, "Mr. Lin is really smart, it's a pity."
Lin Jianlan didn't understand and said, "What a pity?" But he felt his vision was very blurry. He turned around and saw that Wan Jianhong, Lu Man and Bai Zongping were already lying on the table. Suddenly, he felt his body limp and fell on the chair. He looked up and vaguely saw Madam Wan with a look of regret on her face, as if she was saying something. Suddenly, his vision went dark and he could no longer hear anything.
It was unknown how much time had passed before Lin Jianlan woke up. When he opened his eyes, it was pitch black and he could not see anything. He was immediately anxious and shouted, "Sister Man! Brother Bai?"
