Chapter Fifty-Seven: Delicious Food Wins People's Hearts

  (This chapter is today's second update, there is still one more before this. Hope for collection and recommendation, thank you.)

  Fu Xi was quite inexperienced in emotional matters, seeing Qing Sang cry made him anxious, he didn't know what to say, after being tongue-tied for half a day, he said: "You are my wife, of course I will be good to you."

  "It's only natural, Princess. The prince being good to you is a matter of course. Don't get hurt, Princess." Although Ma Xi said this with her mouth, she was actually very envious in her heart. These men from the North were rough and overbearing, and would never consider women. The prince had grown up in the Imperial Court, so he had developed such thoughtfulness and meticulousness. The princess was truly blessed. Of course, she also knew that this blessing was something she couldn't be envious of, as a matter of fact, all the women from the North were unable to be envious of it.

  Qing Sang stopped crying, suddenly feeling very ridiculous. And not really a sixteen or seventeen year old girl, would actually be moved to tears for this matter. Maybe, was too tired; or perhaps, here, can't distinguish between friend and foe, the vigilant heart needs care and sincerity.

  Qing Sang said to Fu Xi: "Today I'll cook for you, and make a delicious meal. But since you made me cry, you have to be punished."

  "What are you punishing me for?" Xiu Xi saw Qing Sang wasn't crying anymore and felt that whatever punishment she gave him was fine.

  "Punish you by making you start a fire for me." Qing Sang said with tears of laughter.

  "Good!" Xiang Xi didn't say another word and snatched the firewood from the male slave who was starting a fire, and lit it up.

  Fu Xisheng lit the fire, and Qing Sang cooked the meal. The slaves and Ma Xi beside them also hastened to help out, washing vegetables as they chatted, creating a warm scene like one big happy family.

  The green onion that was stir-frying occasionally glanced at Xú Hùi, who was seriously adding wood to the stove, and couldn't help but smile as he carelessly wiped his sweat, leaving a white streak on his black face, just like a little calico cat.

  Qing Sang didn't know that all of this fell into the eyes of Ma Xi and the slaves, how shocking it was, and how enviable a scene it was. When Fu Xi and Qing Sang took matters into their own hands, they both tried to dissuade them, but couldn't persuade the two, and in the eyes of everyone, the two were just a loving couple, with the husband singing and the wife following, making others envious.

  And so, afterwards, the Northern Rong had a long period of time where they passed down the beautiful story of the two.

  At noon, dish after dish of fragrant dishes were served on the table.

  There was braised pork, stewed chicken soup, Kung Pao chicken cubes, carrot stir-fried meat slices, scallion tofu... The aroma of dishes was so tempting that Fu Xi couldn't help but reach out and take a piece of braised pork into his mouth.

  "Also doesn't know how to wash hands!" Qing Sang Na had just let someone cut the chopsticks lightly tap on Fu Xi's hand.

  Fu Xi curled up his hand, chewing on the "meat" and laughed. His appearance was so funny that it couldn't be helped, causing Qing Sang and Ma Xi to laugh out loud.

  "Who carved this chopstick?" Qing Sang asked.

  "Is it Guan Zhong's fault? Is it done badly?"

  "No, very careful, and even knew to whittle the wooden skewers." The chopsticks in his hand were at least twice as long as ordinary ones. The Beijiang people only used their hands or spoons when eating, without using chopsticks, but today's dishes naturally required the use of chopsticks. So Qingsang instructed Maxi to have someone find some wooden sticks, whittle them down and make chopsticks. Although the chopsticks in his hand were not at all 'refined', it could be seen that the person who made them had put thought into it, with a smooth surface and no splinters, probably having been sanded with sandpaper or something similar.

  "Mahui, go and invite Dr. Chu to come over. If Caixiang and Chang'an's bodies can withstand it, also invite them to come over." Qingsang instructed while washing his hands in a basin brought by a female servant.

  "Yes." Mary replied.

  "By the way, if Dr. Lajen is still around, please invite her over as well." Qing Sang added.

  "Yes." Ma Xi replied and went to invite Zhu Lianyu.

  Before long, Chu Lianyu, Cao Xiang and Chang An arrived.

  Qing Sang invited everyone to sit down and eat together.

  Cao Xiang and Chang An were initially too afraid to sit down, making excuses for half a day. In the end, Qing Sang had no choice but to order them to take their seats. Only then did they nervously sit down.

  "Mahi, you sit down too and try some of the dishes I made." Qing Sang said.

  Ma Xi was taken aback and didn't dare to go forward.

  Qing Sang had no choice but to pretend to be stern and say: "Let you sit and you sit, thinking of disobeying orders is not allowed!"

  Ma Xi slowly walked up and sat down.

  Qingsang poured wine for everyone present, and first raised his cup to say: "We can gather here, it's fate. Except for Mahi, others are all because of me and the king to come to this thousand miles away from North Rong, in the future we will be together here for a lifetime. So, we must support each other, take care of each other. Mahi is a Rong person, but she also takes good care of me with all her heart, we should treat her sincerely too."

  "I, a humble servant, will do my utmost to serve the princess and the prince consort." Cao Xiang and Chang An heard Qing Sang say this, and without minding their pain, they quickly knelt down to thank her and express their loyalty.

  Qingsang Ming stood up and said: "I forgot to tell you all, from now on there's no need to kneel, remember this."

  Cao Xiang, Chang An quickly got up and thanked him.

  "Mahxi thanked the princess for her recognition and promised to serve the prince and princess wholeheartedly." Mahxi knew in her heart that Qing Sang had intentionally said this for her to hear, but Qing Sang's words were sincere, and she was indeed kind to her subordinates, which moved Mahxi to thank her sincerely.

  Fu Xi sat on one side and never spoke, in terms of wit, he completely trusted Qing Sang, so no matter what she did, he didn't casually express his opinion.

  After finishing speaking, everyone started eating. Mali obviously didn't know how to use chopsticks, so Cao Xiang patiently taught her. Fu Xi and Chu Lianyu were discussing some local customs, while Chang An quickly refilled their wine glasses with a smile. At this moment, Qing Sang felt that everyone was like one big happy family, without any conflict or suspicion.

  After dinner, Qing Sang didn't forget to ask Chu Lianyu to bring some "chicken" soup back for Qiao Lu. Water chestnut was not suitable for drinking "chicken" soup due to severe scalding, so Qing Sang asked the kitchen to cook something else.

  The Mansion of Empress Dowager Cixi

  After Qing Sang left, Guli Ai ordered Wang Mu to go to Mei Zhu and inform Huo Rong that there was something important to report. Huo Rong didn't take it seriously at the time and just said he would go in the evening. Before dinner, Huo Rong arrived at Guli Ai's courtyard.

  "Speak quickly, I still have to dine with Aga at the Kirov estate." Fyodor reclined on a comfortable wicker chair, not even glancing at Kulikova.

  Guliya's eyes flashed with a hurt expression, but she still smiled and said: "Wang, this morning Bao Ling came to pay his respects and 'handed over' something to me to 'hand over' to you."

  Guliyaer handed over "Hai Lan Bao" to Huo Rong.

  Huorong saw that it was indeed the "Hai Lan Bao" that Qing Sang had wanted to go to yesterday, and he sat up in surprise, roughly taking it over and examining it carefully.

  "She actually paid it back?" Huo Ran muttered to himself.

  "Yes, this child Baolong is really good." said Guliayi.

  "What's wrong with you! You're still a Xuan dynasty person no matter how good you are. Have you forgotten about Yu Yan Meng?" Huo Ran said viciously.

  Guliya lowered her eyelids, and the wrinkles on her face seemed even more aged.

  Huorong got up with disgust and was about to go out when Wangmu came in to report that Princess Jiaming had arrived.

  Guliya glanced at Huorong and saw that he had stopped in his tracks. She felt a surge of joy in her heart and hastily said, "Quickly, invite him."

  Qing Sang originally wanted to bring some dishes he made himself to get close, and take the opportunity to ask about the whereabouts of more than a dozen 'girls' sent by Xuan Chao, but unexpectedly, Rong Wang was also there.

  Huorong and Guliya paid their respects. Qing Sang ordered Maxi to bring up the new braised "meat" she had made that evening and the "chicken" soup that had been stewed for several hours.

  "Delicious! You're so thoughtful." said Guliya with a smile.

  "Ah, it's indeed fragrant. I, the king, have also developed an appetite. We'll dine here tonight. Bao Ling, you join us too. Where's Da Ge? Call him over as well." Huo Ran said.

  "The Marquis and General He went to drink with the leader of the dam workers. I was bored alone, so I came to disturb Mother Empress, who would have thought Father Emperor is also here." Qing Sang said softly, only to hear Huo Yan's heart fluttering.

  "Haha, since we've met, let's have a good drink together." Huo Rou said with a smile, and then turned to Guliya: "Don't be slow in ordering the feast."

  Guliya asked tentatively: "Wang, what about Jialuo..."

  Huorong glared at her and said, "Let Zhuru go and pass on a message, telling her to take good care of Aka." After that, he didn't bother with her anymore and turned to ask Qingsang some trivial matters. Qingsang answered carefully.

  After the dishes were served, Huo Ran took a spoonful of 'chicken' soup and slurped it loudly, saying it was delicious. He then tasted the braised 'meat' and found it even more flavorful. Of course, his favorite was still wine, and he insisted on having Qing Sang accompany him in drinking. As a result, Qing Sang reluctantly took a sip and was choked into a fit of coughing.

  "Hahaha^" Huo Rou saw Qing Sang's awkward appearance and laughed loudly, saying: "Bao Ling, you're really useless! Alright, alright, if you can't drink today then don't drink. However, drinking is something that must be practiced. As a daughter of the Northern Rong, not being able to drink is unacceptable!"

  Qing Sang was worried that Huo Rong would force her to drink, seeing him say this, she felt a huge relief.

  Qing Sang had originally intended to come and investigate Qing Bi's news, but now he was disrupted by Huo Rou, feeling a bit annoyed, and his appetite wasn't good since noon. Especially when the white sliced lamb meat was served, Qing Sang almost couldn't help but vomit.

  Forcing down the discomfort in her stomach, Qing Sang persisted until dinner was over, then quickly found an excuse to take Ma Xi and leave.

  Not far from Guliya's mansion, Qing Sang suddenly bent down and vomited.

  "Princess, you seem to be unwell for the past two days. Is it because of the climate and food here that you're not adapting well?" Mali had been noticing her vomiting from last night when she started serving Qing Sang, and couldn't help but feel worried, reminding her with concern.

  "I'm fine, it's just not used to the water and soil." Qingsang wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. Suddenly, an idea flashed through her mind for a moment. It seemed that she hadn't had her period for two months already.

  Ever since Qing Sang crossed over, this month's affair has indeed been abnormal, the longest time was four months without coming, and finally had to ask a doctor to open a 'medicine' prescription, after eating bitter 'medicine' for many days before it came. So two months without coming is not necessarily abnormal, especially with changes in water and soil that can cause physiological disorders. However, I have had 'sexual' experience, so...

  Qingsang really wanted to slap her own head, at this age, she didn't notice this layer. After having a relationship with Tang in the past, Qingsang had been worried, but birth control pills weren't easily available back then, and besides, such things couldn't be revealed. At that time, she also had a lucky escape, remembering that Yexi from her previous life used to calculate the ovulation period before getting pregnant, so Qingsang calculated it according to that method, but since her menstrual cycle wasn't very regular, the result was also incorrect.

  Later, too many things happened, and several times 'life' was hanging by a thread. Qing Sang had forgotten about this matter, but now that he thought about it again, combined with the symptoms of vomiting, picky eating, and fatigue in recent days, Qing Sang felt fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.