The Dandy's Duchess

Chapter 84: Off to Roast Fish (6)

Before he could throw the sachets away, Yun Qianyue sprang up from the rock, dashing over to Ye Qingran and grabbing his hand to stop him. "Wait! Don't throw them away! If you toss those out, we won't be able to grill the fish!" She let out a sigh of relief seeing the sachets still in his hand. "Good thing I stopped you in time."

Ye Qingran's face darkened, an intense frustration clearly building.

"They're just patterns; they don't mean anything," Yun Qianyue tried to reassure him. "Now hurry up with the grilling! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this? It's almost noon already!"

Ye Qingran's anger began to dissipate, though he still muttered, "I'll make sure to deal with him when we're back!"

"Who?" Yun Qianyue asked, puzzled.

"My grandfather," Ye Qingran replied.

"Wait... your grandfather gave you these sachets?" Yun Qianyue was taken aback.

"Not exactly. Seven years ago, I told my personal attendant to buy some sachets for storing things like this. My grandfather happened to be around and said he'd handle it. So he gave me these. I thought they looked fine and didn't pay attention to the patterns on them," Ye Qingran said through gritted teeth.

Wow! So he's carried these around for seven years!

Yun Qianyue picked up one of the sachets to inspect it, then another. They were all meticulously crafted with fine silk and exquisite embroidery. Each sachet was clearly handmade by different people, with techniques that were undoubtedly from the hands of well-bred young ladies. Ye Qingran was evidently oblivious to details; she had to admire his obliviousness. She was equally impressed by the grand gesture of the Duke, who had basically sent him out with an entourage of feminine charm. Perhaps it was to keep him company? The idea of Ye Qingran, handsome and flamboyant as he was, ever being lonely seemed unlikely.

"Let's get back to grilling! If we wait any longer, I'll starve," Yun Qianyue managed, stifling a laugh.

"Laugh if you want!" Ye Qingran said, grinding his teeth.

Unable to hold back, Yun Qianyue burst out laughing. Unlike the typical tinkling laughter of women, her laugh was hearty and clear. The more she looked at Ye Qingran's darkening expression, the more she laughed.

Ye Qingran glared at her, his eyes practically popping out. This girl is too honest! I tell her to laugh, and she really does!

Finally, Yun Qianyue's laughter subsided under his glare. She waved her hand, catching her breath, "Alright, alright, I'm done laughing. I'm so hungry I don't have the energy for it. Hurry and grill the fish."

With a huff, Ye Qingran pulled out a fire starter and sparked a small flame by striking it against a rock. He built a small shelter with dry twigs and placed the lotus-wrapped fish over it. Soon, a sizzling sound emerged as the lotus leaves shrank and clung to the fish, infusing it with a fragrant, earthy scent.

Yun Qianyue watched the fire starter with interest. "Do people generally use these to make fire?"

"Of course," Ye Qingran nodded. "You can't tell me you've never seen one before?"

"Nope!" Yun Qianyue admitted honestly. Who even uses these anymore in modern times?

"You're the type to sit around and wait to be served, so it's not surprising," Ye Qingran said with a shrug.

Yun Qianyue thought about it and agreed. The original owner of this body was indeed a well-bred young lady. In this era, noble young women didn't cook; they were served by attendants. Not knowing was perfectly reasonable.

The fire took quickly, and the lotus leaves gradually shrank and tightened around the fish as the flames licked them. Soon, Ye Qingran began to sprinkle spices from each sachet onto the fish, using a branch to flip it over and adding more spices.

Yun Qianyue's eyes stayed glued to the fish. Before long, a delicious aroma filled the air, blending with the lotus scent, making her mouth water. She licked her lips, barely able to contain her excitement.

"You're such a glutton!" Ye Qingran teased, chuckling as he looked at her.

"People who know how to appreciate food are usually gluttons. You're one, too!" Yun Qianyue retorted, her eyes still fixed on the fish. She didn't have much experience in cooking, so she especially admired skilled chefs. Right now, in her eyes, Ye Qingran's image was towering.

"True!" Ye Qingran said, flipping the fish with a nod. "By that logic, Rongjing must be an even bigger glutton! That 'fragile beauty' appreciates good food even more than I do. I couldn't bring myself to eat a blood-sweating horse, but he didn't hesitate!"

"That's because it wasn't his horse! Why would he feel sentimental about it?" Yun Qianyue replied.

"Exactly," Ye Qingran agreed, seemingly savoring the memory. "Though, I must admit, that horse meat was far tastier than any ordinary kind."

Yun Qianyue gazed up at the sky, wordless. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the horse, yet also thought that being eaten by the likes of Rongjing and Ye Qingran was quite the honor, considering it had left such a lasting impression.

"Looks like it'll take a bit longer. Aren't you tired of squatting there?" Ye Qingran asked.

"Not at all!" Yun Qianyue shook her head, eyes gleaming. With such a delicious meal in front of her, exhaustion was the last thing on her mind.

Ye Qingran fell silent, focusing on the fish as he turned it. Yun Qianyue also joined in, using a branch to help flip the fish.

Amid the serene mountain breeze, the enticing aroma of the fish filled the air.

After a quarter of an hour, the two smaller fish were finally cooked. Ye Qingran picked one up and handed it to Yun Qianyue, who eagerly took it and was about to dig in, only for Ye Qingran to caution, "Slow down—it's hot!"

"Doesn't matter!" Yun Qianyue dodged his hand and took a big bite. It was indeed scalding, but as Ye Qingran had promised, it was fragrant, smooth, fresh, and tender, leaving a lingering taste. Without pausing to talk, she quickly devoured it, pleasantly surprised to find it had only one bone, sparing her the trouble of removing any fish bones.

Ye Qingran watched her with amusement, then began eating his own fish.

The only sound was the enthusiastic chewing of both of them, almost like they were competing to finish their meal.

In no time, the two small fish, each about a pound, were finished. Tossing the fish bones aside, they licked their lips and exchanged a glance, then turned their eyes eagerly toward the larger fish still roasting on the fire.

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