Chapter 185: Mutual Probing

As soon as they sat down at the table, Li Fu knew for certain that his trip had been the right decision.

Seeming specially prepared to host them, the dishes spread across the table were extraordinarily lavish. Aside from the mandatory roast duck, there was a complete array of chicken, duck, fish, and pork. Even potatoes were served in two separate dishes. If the peanuts and corn in the fields hadn't been unharvested yet, Wen Yao would have rustled up a harvest-themed spread just to broaden their horizons.

One dish of boiled pork slices was something Li Fu had tasted at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, yet Wen Yao’s version seemed entirely different from the restaurant's.

He took a bite. The flavor was unquestionably superior to anything he had eaten at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Moreover, the spiciness did not resemble dogwood berries; instead, it reminded him of the pungent yet mouth-watering aroma he had smelled earlier.

"This boiled pork slice seems somewhat different from the one at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion," Li Fu asked after tasting it. "It seems dogwood berries weren't used in this?"

Wen Yao raised an eyebrow. An expert! She could even tell from just a taste?

She stood up and offered a graceful bow. "Sir's observation is correct. These boiled pork slices use my exclusive seasoning. Just like dogwood berries, it is used to enhance the flavor, but compared to dogwood berries, the taste is worlds apart. To be honest with you, the recipe for the Drunken Immortal Pavilion's boiled pork slices is also mine, but because the chili peppers haven't been fully cultivated yet, they've had to use dogwood berries as a substitute."

Li Fu nodded. So that was how it was.

Since it had already been established that the Cloud and Mist Roast Duck also came from this young girl's hands, Li Fu didn't find it strange at all to hear that the boiled pork slices were her creation as well.

"Then the two new dishes launched by the Drunken Immortal Pavilion every month—could it be...?" Li Fu asked, raising an eyebrow.

Wen Yao smiled shyly. Oh my, how could she accept such praise to her face? Should she be modest?

Manager Qiu laughed helplessly and took over Li Fu's question. "Then Brother Li has guessed correctly. Now, what does Brother Li think of our Yao's culinary skills? Do you still take her for just a little girl?"

"Hahaha!" Li Fu let out a hearty laugh. "I... I actually didn't doubt it. Brother Qiu, please don't make fun of me anymore."

For some reason, Wen Yao, Wen Xiuyi, and the others all felt that Li Fu's last sentence sounded slightly off, though they couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

"Oh, stop praising her, or you'll have this girl's head in the clouds. Eat up, eat up! These dishes won't taste good if they get cold. Didn't Mr. Li want to eat roast duck? Try the roast duck; this is much more authentic than the ones in the shop. Have a taste." Old Man Wen now held a remarkably favorable impression of Li Fu and enthusiastically began serving food onto his plate.

Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, Li Fu simply laid down his chopsticks and wrapped the duck directly with his hands.

Pairing it with the aged liquor Wen Yao had brought out, it was a truly hearty and satisfying feast.

Once the guests started eating, the others finally began picking up their chopsticks.

While the adults' table was busy drinking wine, Li Yi was sent over to the table of youngsters where Wen Jun and the others were, seating himself right between Big Head and Wen Jun.

Since the table was filled with boys of roughly the same age, there was naturally much less stiffness and formality.

Wen Fa harbored a singular ambition to become a great general. Even though he was currently pressured by his family into studying, it was merely to ensure that he wouldn't become an illiterate general in the future. Knowing that Li Yi came from the capital city, his curiosity was boundless.

"Li Yi, are you also a student of Mr. Qiu? Is your home in the capital? What does the capital look like?" Wen Fa specially wrapped a large piece of roast duck, handed it to Li Yi, and asked away.

Showing not a shred of impatience or disdain, Li Yi accepted the wrapped duck from him, took a bite, and replied, "When I was little, the Master started me on my studies. Later, after the Master left the capital, I would come to visit him every once in a while. My home is indeed in the capital. As for the capital, well, there's nothing particularly grand about it—it's just a bit larger than Cloud and Mist Town, with more people, nothing special."

Without a trace of movement, Wen Jun signaled to Big Head with a glance. Big Head immediately tilted his head, looked at Li Yi, and asked with an innocent expression, "Big Brother, what does your family do in the capital?"

Li Yi was quite fond of the Master's adopted son. He patted Big Head's head, his voice softening a fraction as he answered, "Just an ordinary family."

Big Head glanced at his eldest brother; this answer was as good as saying nothing.

Wen Fa asked again, "Since you live in the capital, have you seen those great generals? What do they look like? Are they all super strong? Does everyone know incredible martial arts?"

Just as Wen Fa finished asking, he was kicked under the table by Wen Nong nearby, who hastily lowered his voice and said, "Watch it. If Mom hears you asking about generals again, watch out for your hide."

Wen Fa instinctively shrank his neck, and seeing that his mother wasn't paying attention to their side, he continued looking eagerly at Li Yi.

Li Yi thought for a moment and replied, "The capital is full of officials, so of course I've seen generals. But generals come in several kinds—there are junior generals and grand generals, and the most formidable of all is the Grand General Defending the Country. He is unimaginably majestic."

Wen Fa looked full of yearning. "Then becoming a great general must be terribly difficult." With that, he let out a deep sigh. He didn't even know any martial arts; how could he ever become a great general?

Li Yi had caught on. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you want to become a great general?"

Wen Fa's eyes lit up and he nodded. "Mm." But the enthusiasm vanished in an instant. "My mom won't agree, though. She's afraid I'll go off to be a soldier and die out there."

Slap!

Wen Nong directly dealt Wen Fa a blow to the head.

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Quickly spit three times and ward it off."

Reluctantly, Wen Fa tilted his head and spat three times.

Watching the interaction between the brothers, Li Yi simply smiled faintly.

"If only someone could teach me martial arts, I would study hard, and then Mom wouldn't stop me," Wen Fa whispered.

"Martial arts? I know them," Li Yi stated. "My father hired a dedicated martial arts master to teach me since I was a child."

Wen Jun glanced sideways at the young master, who was dressed in the attire of a scholar. Remembering that he had taken him out for a walk that afternoon—during which Li Yi had seemed curious about everything and asked about all sorts of things—Wen Jun realized that Li Yi was exceptionally skilled at probing for key points.

Not only that, but while Wen Jun was trying to size Li Yi up, Li Yi had also been subtly questioning them about their family situation.

Fortunately, there was nothing shameful about their household, so Wen Jun had answered open-handedly. In the end, it was Li Yi who had seemed somewhat embarrassed and stopped asking further questions.

Hearing now that Li Yi knew martial arts, Wen Fa was truly filled with envy.

"Really? Then could you—" Wen Fa was just about to say "perform a demonstration for us" when Wen Nong shoved a piece of duck directly into his mouth.

Wen Nong laughed awkwardly at Li Yi and apologized, "Don't mind him, Young Master Li. This younger brother of mine is just like that—speaks without thinking. Whatever nonsense he spouts, just treat it like hot air and don't take it to heart."

With that, Wen Nong gave Wen Fa a warning glare.

He wanted Young Master Li to teach him martial arts? What a pretty daydream.

Judging by his clothes at first glance, this young master clearly belonged to a household far beyond their reach. Having seen all sorts of people bustling around the docks, Wen Nong naturally had to keep his brother in check so he wouldn't foolishly make himself a laughingstock by pushing too hard.