The Return of the Noble Abandoned Consort

Chapter 10: First Time Practicing Medicine

The mutton had been stewed to perfection, its slices were thin and tender. The noodles were smooth and could easily be slurped into one's mouth. Together with the hot pepper-seasoned soup, the dish was so delicious that one could not help but practically swallow their tongue trying to speedily eat it.

Since they've settle down in Xīniú Village, the two little buns had never eaten such delicious dishes before. They were both so happy that they ate until they were sweating all over.

Qiáo Wàng Shū was afraid of spiciness, the smell of the pepper was strong enough to irritate one's nose. She took a bite and huffed out twice from the spicy taste. With bulging cheeks and a rosy-red complexion, Qiáo Wēi thought she could die with how cute her daughter looked. This meal was eaten very happily.

Along with the other dishes, the amount of mutton noodle soup she ordered was more than enough. Seeing that the brother and sister pair was unable to finish it, Qiáo Wēi took it upon herself to finish the rest.

Shuān Zi Diē ate a bowl of dumplings, a bowl of mutton noodle soup, a chive box, and half a scallion pancake. In the end, his stomach could no longer fit anything else. Usually, when he gave someone a ride, they did not care about meals. He had already prepared flat bread for himself to eat but who knew that Xiǎo [1] Qiáo would also order him such a large meal? A mother and her two children eating a meal, he was also eating, this was really extraordinary.

He was not an educated person so he did not know how to put it in good words. However, he felt that Xiǎo Qiáo's mannerism was different than that of a typical village women's. Her imposing atmosphere, her orderliness, her straightforwardness; Qiáo Wēi knew when to speak up, but also knew not to make a fuss over every minor detail. She conducted herself as well any self-respecting man; she was nothing like the questionable person rumors had made her out to be.

"Shuān Zi Diē, have you eaten your full?" Qiáo Wēi asked politely.

"Full!" Shuān Zi Diē answered, patted his rounded belly. "Practically can't walk around anymore."

Qiáo Wēi gave a slight smile. "If it is not enough, let me order something else."

"There is really no need to," Shuān Zi Diē said in a hurry, his hands waving frantically. "I'll burst if I eat anymore."

Seeing that Shuān Zi Diē was truly full, Qiáo Wēi only smiled, not saying anything else. Instead, she turned towards her children, asking, "What about you guys? Have anything you still want to eat?"

They shook their heads; they could barely stand up as it was.

"It seems like you both really like to eat this," Qiáo Wēi said, looking at the table's mutton noodle soup. "Niáng [2] will buy some lamb meat and noodles back and stew some for you two to eat."

After paying the bill, Qiáo Wēi returned back to the marketplace and bought some sturdy bedding and several cuts of fresh meat. Actually, she also wanted to buy a writing set of brush, paper, and ink-stone but changed her mind after hearing the price. The price of paper from this dynasty was more expensive than gold. It was really not something commoners could afford.

By the afternoon, the group was ready to return from their rewarding journey.

Right before leaving the marketplace, Qiáo Wēi bought a few candied hawthorns for her son and daughter to share among their friends back in the village. Of course, she also got them their own share.

The two little buns were extremely happy; in the past, it was always them who ate other people's food but now it was finally their turn to share. No more need for embarrassment, now.