Chapter 47: Is Xiao Fu Bao Disliked? The Whole City Loves Me With Their Lives
Chapter 47: Pepper and Lamb Go Well Together
After everyone settled at the table, the young server quickly approached, greeting them with a smile: “Hello, guests! Our shop’s specialty is lamb He Le Mian. The meat is cooked in the broth, with lamb fat poured over it, garnished with scallions and goji berries, and topped with two pieces of tender lamb. The noodles are chewy and the lamb is fragrant…”
The young server’s introduction was smooth and full of enthusiasm.
Hearing this, along with the tantalizing aroma drifting from the entrance, Suisui felt even hungrier. Her mouth watered uncontrollably.
Originally, Suisui intended to swallow discreetly, not wanting to be noticed as a greedy little cat. But Feng Xuanrui, sitting next to her, swallowed loudly.
Encouraged by her brother’s action, Suisui thought she should be brave like him.
She mustered her courage and swallowed loudly as well.
After swallowing, she cautiously observed everyone around her, from her brother to Physician Liu and Prince Qing.
None of them seemed to notice her. They didn’t think that swallowing saliva meant she was starving and constantly thinking about food.
It was a natural human response, especially for a child, who naturally struggles to control such instincts.
So, swallowing saliva wasn’t something unusual.
This wasn’t like being at her uncle’s home anymore.
No one would scold or hit her with a stick or broom just for being hungry or salivating.
This realization brought Suisui a sense of relief.
Suisui sat quietly beside Feng Xuanrui, unsure of how to order or tell the staff what she wanted. She decided to just eat whatever her brother chose.
She trusted her brother!
Pepper hadn’t reached Daxia yet, but Wenzhou had.
In recent years, with frequent trade, the price of pepper had gradually decreased and was no longer as precious as before.
Even so, it wasn’t something that every corner shop could afford to use.
However, it was evident that this shop used pepper.
The young server emphasized this to make sure customers understood that the high price of the noodles was justified.
Not only was there fresh and delicious lamb, but also pepper!
Suisui didn’t know what pepper was.
The system patiently explained to her.
【Pepper has the effects of warming the stomach, relieving pain, reducing phlegm, and stimulating appetite.】
【It is currently used as a spice, and its medicinal value will be developed later.】
【It pairs well with lamb!~】
The explanation was helpful, but…
Suisui still didn’t fully understand.
What she did understand was that this bowl of noodles was expensive!
Expensive indeed!
Realizing this, Suisui fidgeted nervously in her seat.
Feng Xuanrui was still listening to the server’s introduction. When he heard about the pepper in the lamb stew, his anticipation grew.
The rich spices and, reportedly, several Chinese herbs were added.
It sounded like it should be delicious, right?
Noticing his sister’s anxious fidgeting, Feng Xuanrui turned to her and curiously asked, “Sister, what’s wrong? Are you hungry? Don’t worry, they’re already cooking the noodles.”
Suisui wasn’t anxious about eating but worried about the price.
She was aware of money but didn’t have a concrete understanding of it.
But she knew that if something was too expensive, she might get into trouble!
Her uncle sometimes got scolded by her aunt for spending too much money on drinks, and when he was upset, he would take it out on Suisui.
Hearing her brother’s question, Suisui nervously squirmed and then asked softly, “...Brother, will it be too expensive?”
Expensive?
Feng Xuanrui didn’t have such a concept.
Since meeting Suisui, he had developed a somewhat grounded perspective.
Normally, Feng Xuanrui would dismiss it as just a bowl of noodles costing a few coins.
However, facing his sister, Feng Xuanrui was unusually gentle and explained, “Don’t worry about the cost, it’s just a bowl of noodles. I can afford it.”
Fearing she wouldn’t believe him, Feng Xuanrui added, “When we return to the manor, you’ll see that even the tea we use to rinse our mouths in the morning is more expensive than this.”
Suisui didn’t understand why they needed to rinse their mouths in the morning. Brushing teeth was something she learned from Physician Liu after following her brother.
But since her brother said it wasn’t expensive, Suisui felt a bit reassured.
When the noodles were served, Suisui’s mind was focused only on the deliciousness.
The noodles, boiled in fragrant meat broth, were briefly rinsed in cold water to remove some of the greasiness.
Then, garnished with scallions, goji berries, and topped with two pieces of tender lamb, and finally drizzled with hot lamb fat.
The contrast between cold and hot intensified the aroma.
The rising steam carried the enticing fragrance of the freshly combined flavors.
Suisui, not knowing how to eat, turned to observe her brother and imitate his actions.
Feng Xuanrui picked up his chopsticks and deftly mixed the hot oil with the chewy noodles, blending them together.
He also mixed in the spices like cinnamon and star anise that were activated by the hot oil.
After the noodles absorbed the oil and spices, Feng Xuanrui removed the star anise and cinnamon.
These spices added flavor but weren’t necessary to eat!
Suisui watched for a while, understood the process, and began mixing her own noodles.
The shop was generous with their portions, and the bowl was even larger than Suisui’s head!
The little girl, struggling to mix the large bowl of noodles, looked quite amusing.
Physician Liu smiled and leaned over, quietly advising Suisui on how to mix the noodles more efficiently.
He didn’t take over but guided her to develop her own habits.
Suisui found it intriguing, not difficult.
The bowl was so large she couldn’t finish it.
Once she had mixed the noodles with the oil, she followed her brother’s example, removed the spices, and leaned toward him, softly saying, “Brother, I can’t finish this. Do you want some?”
The system had advised that if she couldn’t finish her food and didn’t want to waste it, she should ask others.
Offering leftover food to others was considered impolite.
(End of Chapter)
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