For demons and certain humans, these dried meats are considered delicious snacks. Despite their efforts, the father, son, and their loyal aides, Uncle Hao and the steward, could not find any item particularly captivating among the assortment and decided to let the matter rest. He Lingchuan glanced down at the necklace around his neck, pondering its uniqueness. It had transformed from its original state, and he had deliberated whether to reveal it, yet a voice within him sternly advised against disclosure. This intuition was so strong that he chose to follow his instincts.
"Let's put these items away, and continue to have the Red-White Path watch over the two guards. I recall they own a farm on the southern outskirts, which should be quiet this season... Right, we'll head there after dinner to handle this discreetly. Lingchuan, do you understand? Uncle Hao, stay behind for a moment," He Chunhua instructed, turning his attention to the matters at hand.
After receiving his father's orders, He Lingchuan departed, leaving Uncle Hao to stay back for further discussion.
Once He Lingchuan's figure vanished beyond the corridor, He Chunhua asked Uncle Hao to recount the day's events without embellishment. After listening, He Chunhua nodded, signaling for Uncle Hao to leave.
The room fell silent as He Chunhua's gaze lingered on the leopard's corpse, lost in thought for a while.
Standing by, the steward, Mr. Wu, waited patiently until it was time to remind his lord, "Sir, it's time for dinner."
"What's your take on this matter?" He Chunhua inquired after a moment's consideration.
"The Young Master may seem impulsive, but his actions were quite appropriate. Those two guards should not be left to wander and inquire freely within the city," the steward replied with a smile.
"The lad has finally shown some prudence. It seems this recent injury has turned out to be a blessing in disguise," He Chunhua exhaled softly, his worries about his son's sudden maturity easing.
"Yes, let's go dine," He Chunhua said, resigning himself to the reality that, despite his longing for the sophistication of the capital, daily meals in Heishui City had to align with local customs.
He Lingchuan heartily devoured a boiled lamb leg before him, prepared in pure water with just a hint of ginger and scallion to remove any gaminess, revealing the meat's natural flavor. The lamb, crisp and tender, became even more delectable when dipped in a spicy salt-pepper mix. He Lingchuan, slicing and dipping each piece, relished his meal with evident satisfaction.
The chefs at the magistrate's residence exclusively used young Big Horn sheep, known for grazing on medicinal herbs like Gynostemma and Scutellaria in the Gobi, giving their meat a rich flavor distinct from others. This was a delicacy unique to the Red Cliff Route.
Seated beside He Chunhua was his first wife and the mistress of the household, Ying Hongchan, who delicately sipped her millet porridge, her composure contrasting sharply with He Lingchuan's hearty eating.
She occasionally tasted a piece of lamb, neatly prepared by the steward, enjoying the meal and the conversation between her husband and youngest son with a contented smile.
The family of four gathered here, complete and united.
He Chunhua discussed the year's tax revenue with his youngest son, He Yue, a topic of much interest among Heishui City's residents. Notably, He Yue, not yet fourteen, had displayed a remarkable aptitude for finance, outshining even seasoned accountants and contributing significantly to his father's administrative efforts.
This scene was not uncommon in their household. He Lingchuan, without participating in their discussions, simply focused on savoring his meal, a habit unchanged from his predecessor's time.
The He brothers, both inheriting their father's good looks, differed greatly in temperament. He Yue possessed an eidetic memory, while He Lingchuan, despite his imposing stature and handsome features, would inevitably fall asleep within minutes of reading, finding it more effective than any sedative.
"Let's eat," Ying Hongchan interjected, breaking up the discussion, "before the dishes cool."
In reality, if they didn't start soon, He Lingchuan would have finished most of the food with his appetite, which was more than double that of an ordinary person due to his martial training.
Noticing Ying Hongchan serving He Yue a tender fried shrimp, He Lingchuan wiped his hands and mentioned, "Tomorrow, issue a pass for Liu Baobao's trading company. They're due back soon and wouldn't want to be stuck at Baitong Pass."
"Don't call me 'the second' again!" He Yue protested, disliking the nickname. "The Liu family's company owes two years of carriage taxes, totaling over seven hundred