Shi Fuqiu led them to the side courtyard, gave instructions to the young monks, and then retreated. Although it was a side courtyard, the layout of the furnishings inside was still very particular.
The level of the space, the arrangement of tables and chairs, the hanging calligraphy, and the blank space for paintings all have a simple and literary atmosphere.
Xiao Muhong came here for the first time and was really pleasantly surprised.
"It seems that Brother Chu really didn't lie to me. I can't wait to try that vegetarian feast you mentioned to see if it's really as delicious." Xiao Muhong looked at the rice paper placemat and bamboo chopstick box on the table, and said There is a chopstick pillow that looks like a pen holder and a small basin to hold extra things. You can pick it up and look at it with great interest.
If it weren't for the steaming tea cup reminding her that this was a dining room in a side courtyard, she almost thought these were for her to write calligraphy on...
Even Xia Chu, who was always very picky about meat and meat, could not forget the all-vegetarian banquet, and naturally praised it a lot to Xiao Muhong.
What's more, if we really want to talk about it, Master Jieyan in Tianyan Temple can be regarded as his cooking master in his previous life.
In his previous life, Xiao Yanjun often came here to have meals in the name of praying for blessings.
Therefore, Xia Chu followed Jie Yan and learned cooking skills for a period of time...
At this time, when he saw Xiao Muhong looking like she was drooling, he deliberately teased her and told her some dishes that were still fresh in his memory in his previous life. He realized his frustration, looked at him and asked, "Achu, are you familiar with this place?"
Xia Chu looked startled, and then said mysteriously in his ear: "Is there anything else I don't know?"
Xiao Zimu froze and looked at him with a complicated expression.
If it were before today, Xiao Zimu would not have any objection after hearing Xia Chu's words.
But now, he looked at Xia Chu's flowery smile, stretched out his hand to pinch the signature in his sleeve, and thought to himself, Ah Chu, do you know that my signature is for you...
Xiao Zimu later asked them to wait for a while, and then went into the Buddhist hall to worship, secretly praying for Xia Chu's peace.
No one in the world knows, only Buddha knows...
He thought about the master's words: "The family is in trouble, the population is in trouble." His heart became cold again. He only hoped that he could be the lucky person hidden in the evil in this fortune. I wish him a safe life. This calamity.
"Here it comes!" As the monk served the dishes, Xiao Muhong excitedly took the hands of Xia Chu and Xiao Zimu and shook them, pulling Xiao Zimu out of his depressed mood.
"Ah? It's just fruits?" Xiao Muhong looked disappointed when she saw that although the plate was very elegant, it was just some seasonal fruits.
"This dish is for appetizers. It's called Shixinguo. Try it. It's refreshing and sweet, sour and sweet. It's very appetizing." After Xia Chu said to Xiao Muhong, the young monk serving the dish next to him was shocked.
Xia Chu caught a glimpse of it from the corner of his eye, frowned suspiciously and asked, "Am I wrong?"
The young monk nodded with fear on his face, and Xia Chu laughed out loud: "Why are you looking at me with such a damn expression?"
The young monk blushed and murmured for a long time before he hesitated and said: "This dish is a new dish made by Master Jieyan today. Even the name is new. How can you..."
Xia Chu looked startled. He had eaten this vegetarian feast many times in his previous life. Who knows, this dish was only made today. Is it such a coincidence...
Xiao Zimu also turned to look at him, with confusion on his face. Xia Chu smiled awkwardly: "I'm just telling you nonsense. I wanted to deceive my sister, but I accidentally hit him by mistake! It seems that Master Jieyan and I have the same feelings. Connected!"
The young monk quickly clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, monks don't lie."
Xia Chu had a headache and held his forehead: "Yes, let's continue serving the food..."
The young monk stopped talking and turned around to serve the second dish. Xia Chu no longer dared to show off the name of the dish and waited for him to introduce it himself.
"The fragrance of the lotus pond comes from the hydrangea fungus." The young monk presented three bowls of clear soup served in blue and white porcelain, slowly simmered with white fungus, lotus seeds, bamboo shoots and other ingredients.
It tasted sweet and refreshing, the soup was thick but very smooth, and the soup was soft and delicious. Xiao Muhong drank it all and ate it to the fullest. She had long forgotten that Xia Chu had just said that he had lied to her about the name of the dish.
The young monk then served thirteen dishes, each with a small portion, but enough to try. Xiao Muhong ate to the end, feeling her belly and burping, and kept shouting that she would come again next time.
Xia Chu ate very slowly, wanting to take some time to prevent Yue Feng from looking for help.
Secondly, he always kept in mind how the situation with Concubine Li was going.
Therefore, some food cannot be swallowed, unlike Xiao Muhong who enjoys it.
But no matter how slow he ate, the meal was still finished after all. While drinking tea after the meal, he chatted with the young monk intentionally or unintentionally, and finally asked: "Empress Li Fei, when will you return to the palace?"
"I don't know, little monk, but I must have stayed here today. How many of you are there?" the young monk replied respectfully and asked in passing.
"We're going back now, I won't bother you any more, young master." Xia Chu waved his hands repeatedly and responded politely.
"Well... uh..." The young monk hesitated.
Seeing this, Xia Chu smiled and asked, "Young Master, what's the matter with you? Why don't you tell me directly?"
The young monk then gave a salute: "Master Jieyan said that since you are destined to meet someone who shares your mind, you might as well invite him to come and talk."
Xia Chu glanced at Xiao Zimu and Xiao Muhong, thought for a while and declined politely: "Forget it for today, I should send the two highnesses back to the palace. I will definitely visit Master Jieyan in person next time."
The young monk looked stunned. He must have never thought that he would be rejected. It is difficult for ordinary people to meet him, but this young man is better...
He clasped his hands together and stepped aside, leading them out of the house and sending them out of the temple.
Xia Chu heard that there was nothing else but the chanting of sutras in the temple all the way. He thought that the progress should be smooth. He just wanted to send them back to the palace early and hurriedly went to Yuefengwan's house to wait. By the way, he was also looking forward to that person would meet today. Not being so kind, he handed Concubine Li over to him to ask a few questions.
Although he advised Xiao Zimu not to take the matter of signing the lottery seriously, combined with what Chen Rongrong said a few days ago, Xia Chu still had some lingering fear in his heart, and he only hoped to ask for clarification.
Because Xiao Zimu and Xia Chu had their own concerns, on the way back to the palace, Xiao Muhong was the only one who couldn't remember the return and was filled with emotions. From time to time, she asked Xia Chu when he would take her out of the palace.
Xia Chu could only reply perfunctorily: "I'll pick you up when I'm free."
Xiao Muhong was not stupid, she clearly sensed his handling. She held his arm in dissatisfaction and coquettishly, insisting that he give an accurate date.
Xia Chu held his forehead in pain, so he had to face her and said, "Next time, wait until your brother comes back, and let's go out and play together."
Xiao Muhong counted the days and pouted. It was almost the beginning of December. It would be at least half a month until Xiao Mubai came back.
Xiao Zimu suddenly woke up at Xia Chu's words, raised his head and asked, "Second brother, are you coming back?"
(End of chapter)