C142 Eat Hot Pot in Winter
C142 Eat Hot Pot in Winter
"Why are you in such a hurry?" Shen Jingli hugged Xun Er, and looked at Mu Chen with a face filled with pain, cursing in his heart that the emperor had no conscience, Mu Chen rushed back travel worn out, he did not allow people to rest well, and even allowed people to enter the palace to report back without rest, truly not treating people as human beings.
"I'll be back soon." He embraced Shen Jingli's waist, kissed him on the lips, and then brought all the evidence and books to the Emperor.
"This subject pays his respect to Your Majesty."
King Jing was also in the royal study, upon seeing Mu Chen enter, his face revealed a gentle smile, and nodded to Mu Chen.
Emperor Dragon Heart was overjoyed to see Mu Chen, dressed in military attire and covered in dust, putting down the wolf hair in his hands. He happily stood up from the dragon table, walked forward to welcome him and said: "Zi An, you have done well this time, we will properly reward you. Tell me, what do you want."
The spies in Great Yan Nation had been annihilated in one fell swoop. As the emperor, how could he not be happy?
Furthermore, he discovered it too early and did not cause too much harm. The official in charge also confessed, so he did not plan to investigate unrestrainedly, but King Jing insisted, and he let him handle the matter, he did not expect that the enemy nation's spies would be dug out.
Luckily he realised it early, otherwise it would be troublesome. The emperor's gaze towards Yan Chenglee softened a lot, as his son's eyes were set in stone.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. This is the Eastern calculation for the extermination of the Great Lee, the loot from his study as well as the account book for the seizure of his property. The letters he exchanged with Empress Jia Lan of the Great Lee and the list of officials who colluded with him, please have a look." Mu Chen indicated to the eunuch behind him, and passed all the evidence to the emperor.
"Among the prisoners I brought back this time, one of them is a Princess from Great Lee." Shen Mudan had a very high status. In the battle between the two countries, he might be able to become a hostage.
The emperor only took a glance before nodding. He was extremely happy and asked Mu Chen what reward he wanted once again.
"This subject wishes to rest for a few months and accompany his wife and children." Mu Chen did not even try to stand on ceremony with him.
The emperor was stunned at first when he heard this, then laughed loudly: "Zi An is indeed a righteous person. Fine, I'll grant your request."
The emperor was very happy in his heart, he only let them go after asking Mu Chen some details on how to solve this case.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Shen Jingli, who had been waiting for him for a long time.
Xun Er was hugged tightly by his chest, upon seeing Mu Chen, he struggled to get down to the ground, with his short legs running forward, he grabbed onto Mu Chen's leg, raised his head and looked at Mu Chen with his bright eyes, and said with his childish voice: "Father, father."
Mu Chen bent down and carried him, and discovered that he had become a lot taller and thinner, more and more like a pretty boy. The little guy happily waved his hands and hugged onto Mu Chen's neck, rubbing against his.
Shen Jingli smiled as he walked over and pulled up the clothes on his body. "He was muttering to himself all day today, and even said that he would leave his favorite snack for you to eat."
Xun Er shyly laughed, his small head rubbing against Mu Chen's chest, he then carefully took out a paper wrapped dessert and said: "Father, I'll give you this chestnut cake, I'll warm it up, it's not cold."
Mu Chen took the Chestnut Pancake, which was still warm from the heat, as if it could burn his palm. He looked at his son gently, and felt a fire ignite in his heart, dispersing the cold winter air.
"Dad, eat." Xun Er tore the paper and picked up the piece of chestnut cake, stuffing it into Mu Chen's mouth, "It was made by Uncle Lee Qi, it's very tasty …"
Under his anticipating gaze, Mu Chen opened his mouth and took a bite. Xun Er happily squinted his eyes and continuously smiled.
"It's cold outside, hurry and go in." Shen Jingli reached out and grabbed Mu Chen's arm, "I've got someone to prepare a pot and dishes, let's eat hotpot tonight."
"Alright." Mu Chen's eyes were filled with deep emotions. He extended his hand and wrapped his arm around Shen Jingli's waist, his body rippling with a fresh Qi, making him extremely fond of him.
— —
Inside the County Prince's Mansion's warm room, there was a steaming hot air. On the table were a few copper hotpots, and under the pots were white charcoal without any fumes at all. Within the pots were churning milky white bubbles.
Various dishes were placed on several tables around them. They were mainly lamb and beef, as well as various vegetables that were not common during the winter. There were even some ingredients that were quite sumptuous.
Shen Jingli entered with Mu Chen. Nanny Jin, who was preparing, quickly led a group of servants to salute them.
"Master, Madam, everything is ready." Nanny Jin walked up to them with a smile on her face, and ordered the people to prepare dishes in the copper pot on Shen Jingli's table.
Mu Chen looked at the copper hotpots around him, and said: "There are guests coming tonight?"
"No, I'll let everyone in the mansion eat it together. It will be more lively with more people."
After getting used to Shen Jingli's unique style of doing things, Mu Chen did not question anything. He hugged Xun Er and sat down, and said to the crowd: "You guys sit down as well. There's no need to be formal, eat happily."
Everyone happily expressed their thanks and quickly found a place to sit down. Then, they began to eat their own food.
Shen Jingli picked up a piece of stewed fat cow from the pot and dipped it into the white jade bowl to cool it down. Then, he fed it to Xun Er.
Shen Jingli then gave Mu Chen a piece of mutton meat, and also spiced up some of his own concoction, "This meat is so thin, don't wash it for too long, you have to eat it while it's still fresh."
Mu Chen enjoyed Shen Jingli's services happily. Fresh lamb that was fat and thin was sliced very beautifully and was very tender.
Seeing that Shen Jingli was only concerned with Mu Chen, Xun Er waved his hands in dissatisfaction and shouted loudly: "M, Mama, Meat, Meat …."
When Xun Er was two years old, he was already relieved to let him eat some meat, but he didn't dare let him eat too much. He picked up a small piece of lentinus edodes, cooled it down a bit and fed it to Xun Er.
Moreover, he did not want to eat it himself. He was busy making Mu Chen give it to him as well.
"Father, give it to Mama to eat …"
Mu Chen happily served food to Shen Jingli as if nothing happened and watched him eat happily.
"You should eat hotpot in the winter to make it taste good." Shen Jingli laughed and said, then picked up a piece of the good fat cow from the plate and started washing up, "Everyone let go of the need to eat, let's eat happily."
Nanny Jin who was serving at the side raised a cup of warm wine and said: "Master, Madam, have some wine."
"Alright." Shen Jingli raised his wine cup and took a sip. His capacity for alcohol was poor, so he did not dare to drink too much.
"Don't drink too much, it's bad for the body." Seeing Mu Chen happily drinking, Shen Jingli reminded repeatedly.
Mu Chen nodded and did not continue drinking.
After finishing the hotpot, Shen Jingli and Mu Chen went out to eat their food together. Xun Er laid in Mu Chen's embrace, feeling a little drowsy.
Shen Jingli took a cloak and covered his body. Looking at his son's fat and tender face, he curled his lips, "This little guy is the most adorable when he's sleeping."
Mu Chen lowered his head to look at his son.
The two of them brought Xun Er back to the children's room, put him on the bed and covered him with a blanket. After confirming that he was sleeping soundly, they instructed him to look after himself during his prime before returning to his room.
"Jin Yu, get someone to bring the hot water in." Once she entered the room, Shen Jingli instructed Jin Yu.
Jin Yu replied and left. Shen Jingli turned around and helped Mu Chen to take off his clothes, "I had someone prepare hot water for you, soak in a hot bath and relieve your fatigue."
After the bath barrel was filled up, Shen Jingli tested the temperature of the water and then allowed Mu Chen to sit.
He held the bath towel and wiped's body. Seeing Mu Chen leaning on the bathtub with his eyes closed, he suddenly recalled the first time he bathed Mu Chen. Unknowingly, three years had passed.
He thought about when he first met Mu Chen, he was sickly, all his body only had bones, and now, although he did not have eight abs, his body was extremely weak.
The corner of his mouth curved up as he laughed, the hand that was wiping off Mu Chen's body was suddenly grabbed. He raised his head, only to see Mu Chen smiling at him with a ridiculing smile.
"What's wrong?" He looked down and saw that his hand was resting on an awkward spot.
Heavens, let him smash his head into a wall. Mu Shisi wouldn't misunderstand him right?
He raised his head and glanced at Mu Chen, and realized that his opponent's smile was a little demonic. He came closer and rubbed his ear a little, but said: "I think that the hotpot today, can be promoted in the Purple Bamboo Hall, it should be welcomed."
Hot pot?
Shen Jingli was startled, he thought Mu Chen would laugh at him, but he did not expect his to suddenly start talking about the hotpot, which was good though, it saved him a lot of trouble.
"I've also considered this matter. Recently, the weather has been cold, so it's good to eat hotpot. I feel that we can also try to push the hotpot out of the restaurant."
The guests were all the madams and mistresses of wealthy families, suffering from the small presence of the masses, and the hotpot could not be fully popularized. If it was in the Delicacies Pavilion, regardless of whether it was the officials or the commoners, they would all be able to enjoy it.
"I'll tell Zhongping about this." Mu Chen said, "During this time, let the Purple Bamboo Association rest for a few days, we will take Xun Er to soak in the hot spring together."
How could his family's business just be enjoyed by others? It was something he coveted.
A hot spring?
Shen Jingli's eyes lit up. Speaking of which, ever since the construction of the Purple Bamboo Association, he had not bathed in the hot spring with Mu Chen.
To soak in a hot spring with Mu Shisi, just thinking about it made him happy. Shen Jingli smiled and nodded.
After soaking in the bath, Mu Chen sat on the bed and watched Shen Jingli make up the bed. He thought for a bit before walking over and hugging him from behind.
"Fourteen …" Shen Jingli turned his head, and only saw Mu Chen's face.
"I miss you."
The corners of Shen Jingli's mouth raised, his pleased expression clear as he turned around, and raised his head to kiss Mu Chen's lips. He reached out to tug at his clothes, "I missed you too."
Mu Chen replied as he pushed him onto the bed.
In their intimacy after parting, the two of them were like fish that had left the water, absorbing a little bit of water from each other's bodies.