Yuan Xi and Zhen Mi whispered, then peeled off a taro and handed it to Zhen Mi.
Zhen Mi took it and said with a smile, "Thank you, husband."
She whispered: "Husband, guess what, this dish was cooked by me?"
Yuan Xi lowered his head and looked at the Yue kiln celadon square box on the table in front of him. Different foods were placed in each grid.
This kind of food box is very similar to the buffet plate of later generations, but it has more grids and can hold a variety of foods. It was quite popular in the banquets of the nobles in the land of Wuyue.
After Yuan Xi came to Guangling, he discovered this thing in the city. It contained more types of food, but the quantity was not large, so it was very suitable for family gatherings.
He looked at the grid. The vegetables included sunflower (winter amaranth), wild rice, and taro. The meat included a piece of soft boiled meat soup, and half a Wudi seabass sprinkled with sauce. This was a famous local dish, whether it was among nobles or nobles.
Common people like it very much.
There is also a small half piece of fruit cheese next to it, which is made from cheese mixed with nuts from the north. It is a sweet made only during the holidays.
Finally, there is a small bowl of fragrant rice.
Yuan Xi smiled at Zhen Mi and said, "This is really hard for me."
He looked at Zhen Mi's narrow expression, his heart moved, and he pointed at the bass and said, "You did this."
After hearing this, Zhen Mi looked surprised: "How come your husband guessed so accurately?"
Yuan Xi looked at Zhen Mi's still pale face and thought that everyone knew that Zhen Mi's illness was not completely cured yet, and it was estimated that Cai Zhaoji and the others would not let Zhen Mi work too hard.
After all the calculations, the rice and vegetables need to be washed, and the meat soup needs to be chopped. It is most convenient to wash the fish in advance and steam it in the pot, and let Zhen Mi pour the sauce.
He suddenly remembered that the winter in Xuzhou was actually not too cold, and Zhen Mi was still sick. He should be more careful when he arrived in Youzhou.
Thinking of this, he said to Zhen Mi: "You are still a little weak. You should have a good rest these days and don't overwork yourself. Leave these things to others."
Zhen Mi also knew that she had caused trouble when she was sick, so she said softly: "I understand, I am indeed still feeling a little uncomfortable. I will go back to rest soon."
She lowered her voice and said, "It's hard for me to serve my husband these days. You can go find Zhao Ji and Cao Xian."
Yuan Xi thought to himself that Cao Xian had finally spent the New Year with his family, so why disturb them? Cai Zhaoji had no family and was probably not in a good mood, so she should go find her by herself.
Mrs. Wu, who was eavesdropping at the side, changed slightly after hearing Zhen Mi's words.
She also thought that Yuan Xi would probably go to Cai Zhaoji tonight, and the token was in Cai Zhaoji's room!
what to do?
Wait until tonight is over and plan again?
Mrs. Wu's brain was racing rapidly. If she missed tonight, Cai Zhaoji would have copied all the classics in the next few days, Zhen Mi's illness would be almost cured, and Yuan Xi would take his family north to Youzhou at any time.
When the time comes, I will also be sent to Youzhou, which will be really troublesome!
The New Year's Eve is the most relaxing time in the house. If you miss it, you will never find such a good opportunity again!
The token must be stolen!
After three rounds of drinking, Zhen Mi drank some wine and became a little sleepy. When Yuan Xi saw her, he wanted to send Zhen Mi back. Zhen Mi said, "I can just go back by myself. My husband hasn't eaten yet."
When Mrs. Wu saw it, she quickly got up and said, "I'll take my wife back home."
Yuan Xi did not doubt that he was there, and immediately nodded and said: "Then there is Mrs. Lao."
Mrs. Wu helped Zhen Mi back to the room and helped her sleep. Zhen Mi could not open her eyes, so she squinted and said, "Excuse me, Madam."
"I don't know why, but I was already feeling well, but today I feel a little tired."
Mrs. Wu said: "Don't worry, madam. You will be fine in a few days."
Zhen Mi nodded and fell asleep.
Mrs. Wu got up and walked out of the house, closing the door behind her, feeling a little guilty.
She helped buy the rice wine for tonight's banquet. She is the only one who knows that this kind of local wine is not strong when you first drink it, but it has a strong stamina and makes people who drink it easily fall asleep.
.
So Zhen Mi only drank a few drinks, and she felt very sleepy as she was already a little weak.
She quietly returned to her room and took out a small bottle of rice wine, which she carefully selected. Its taste was as light as water, but its stamina was still considerable.
Nowadays, during the Chinese New Year, everyone in the house drinks. During the few hours at night, it is time to do things by oneself. The only variable is Yuan Xi, who does not drink.
No matter what, you have to trick him into drinking!
After Mrs. Wu returned, she told Yuan Xi that Zhen Mi had gone to bed. At this time, Cao Hua was young and drowsy, so Mrs. Huan took him back to the house.
Mrs. Wu saw that her daughter Axiang was also very sleepy, so she took her back to the house and coaxed her to sleep.
When she went back, there were only a few people at the banquet. Cao Xian and Cao Hua had also gone back, and only a few people, Yuan Xi and Cai Zhaoji, were left at the banquet.
When Yuan Xi saw Mrs. Wu coming back, he said apologetically: "I have made Madam troublesome and I haven't even had a few bites of anything."
Mrs. Wu said hurriedly: "It doesn't matter, I've almost eaten."
She was secretly happy that everyone was almost here, and now she just had to think of a way to keep Yuan Xi and Cai Zhaoji from returning to the house for the time being!
Cai Zhaoji was thinking about the few remaining classics. Her face turned red and she stood up and said to Yuan Xi: "I drank too much. I will go to the study to sort out the classics first. I will return to the room in about half an hour."
Mrs. Wu saw that Cai Zhaoji's steps were a little unsteady when she went out, and she thought that she was better now. The wine was so strong that she would have to sleep for a few hours, let alone half an hour.
Now the only obstacle left is Yuan Xi!
She had already used her sleeves to cover up, poured the wine she had brought earlier into the jug, turned to Yuan Xi and said: "I will leave soon, but I have not formally thanked you for saving my life."
After saying that, she picked up the jug and said, "I know that the young master doesn't drink, so I only pour a glass of wine for him, but he doesn't have to drink it."
After saying that, she lifted up the wine pot, filled the wine glass in front of Yuan Xi, and filled another glass for herself.
She picked up the wine glass and said, "I'll do it first as a courtesy." After saying that, she raised her head and drank all the wine in the glass.
Yuan Xi saw it and said, "Then I'll replace the wine with tea."
He picked up the teapot at hand, only to find that there was no tea in it.
Mrs. Wu secretly thought that she had already made plans, and she just saw that the teapot in Yuan Xi's hand was empty, so she persuaded Yuan Xi to drink!
Yuan Xi hesitated for a moment and found that the wine in front of him had a very weak taste. He brought it to his mouth and smelled it, wondering: "This wine seems to have no taste?"
After hearing this, Mrs. Wu whispered: "Did you buy wine mixed with water? I'll go get a drink."
Yuan Xi waved his hand and said: "No need, it's just right."
He took a sip and felt that it really had no taste, so he drank it, pointed the empty cup at Mrs. Wu, and said, "It would be rude of me not to drink it."
Mrs. Wu quickly leaned over and said, "I am very frightened. Thank you so much for your love."
She saw that there were not many people at the table, and Yuan Xi also drank the wine. If the other party was really as drunk as the rumors, then most of the night would be over!
Thinking of this, she stood up and said: "It's getting late, let me leave first."
Seeing that everyone at the table was gone, Yuan Xi also stood up and said, "It's time for everyone to go to sleep. Madam, be careful."
The two of them left the hall one after another. Seeing that Yuan Xi was going to Cai Zhaoji's bedroom, Mrs. Wu was anxious and said wisely: "I saw Mrs. Zhaoji went to the study, and she seemed to be feeling a little unwell."
After hearing this, Yuan Xi nodded and said, "Thank you, madam, for reminding me." After saying that, he went to the study room.
Mrs. Wu concealed her ecstasy, and most of the matter was settled!
She returned to her room and stared in the direction of the study. After a full two-quarters of an hour, no one came out.
After waiting for a while, Mrs. Wu felt a little drunk. She quickly drank some water and washed her face before she sobered up.
She thought to herself that this wine was really powerful, and she could drink well, but she reacted so strongly. If Yuan Xi really couldn't drink well, he might have fallen asleep in the study by now.
Seizing the opportunity, she decisively left the house and walked quietly to Cai Zhaoji's bedroom.
At this time, in the study room, Cai Zhaoji was drunk and drowsy, her head kept shaking, and the pen in her hand fell off. Yuan Xi saw her and said, "You have drunk too much. Go back to your room and rest first."
Cai Zhaoji nodded and wanted to stand up, but found that her body was weak. She simply went to the couch, pulled the quilt and said, "I'll take a nap for a while. Master, go back to sleep first. I'll go back when I wake up."
Yuan Xi smiled and said: "It's so troublesome, just wait until I take you back."
He stretched out his hand to pick up Cai Zhaoji, but found that he began to feel dizzy with a sudden exertion, and he could not hold Cai Zhaoji.
At this time, Cai Zhaoji had already fallen asleep. Yuan Xi was afraid that the cold wind would blow on the way back while carrying her, which would be bad, so he had to give up.
He stood up unsteadily, feeling drunk, thinking that the drink had so much stamina?
Or is it because I drink too much?
He picked up the teapot on the table and poured three large bowls in succession. However, he still felt dizzy, so he got up and went out. The harsh winter cold outside suddenly made his mind clearer.
Yuan Xi looked up at the sky dotted with stars, feeling that he still couldn't help but feel drunk. He secretly cursed himself for being too big. He thought that a glass of wine would be fine, but he didn't expect that he was still so unbearable.
He staggered around and played a few sets of Wu Qin Xi in the yard. Unexpectedly, as soon as his body moved, his blood accelerated and his drunkenness became even more intense.
Yuan Xi gradually began to lose his mind and wanted to return to the study. In a daze, he instead walked to Cai Zhaoji's bedroom.
At this time, Mrs. Wu was taking advantage of the weak moonlight outside the window to rummage through boxes and cabinets in Cai Zhaoji's house. She dug out several hidden drawers, but did not find the key token.
She felt the alcohol was rising and her body began to heat up. She began to become anxious. She had finally reached this point, how could she give up?
She lifted up the mat, touched the seams in the boards, and moved the cabinet away. Time passed by, but she still found nothing!
At this moment, footsteps came from outside the house, causing her breathing to stop.
Then there was a knock on the door, and Yuan Xi's dizzy voice sounded: "Zhaoji, are you asleep?"
Mrs. Wu suddenly wanted to vomit blood. Aren't you staying in the study with Cai Zhaoji? Why are you here?
She turned to look at the door latch, and was even more devastated. She didn't put the door latch on when she came in. Yuan Xi could just push the door open and come in!
Yuan Xi's voice said again: "I'm coming in."
When Mrs. Wu heard this, she became very anxious. She would be doomed if she was exposed!
She turned around and looked around, panicked and confused.
Yuan Xi opened the door and walked in. Taking advantage of the moonlight, he found someone lying on the couch, covered with a quilt, and a dark coat was thrown beside him.
His mind was already confused at this time, and he smiled and said: "So you are back." After saying that, he turned around and closed the door, and hung up the latch.
Mrs. Wu faced the board wall, heard the sound of the door closing, and secretly complained.
She was so anxious that she took off her deep clothes and got under the quilt, trying to get past him, but she didn't expect that the other party just refused to leave!
Hearing Yuan Xi's footsteps walking in, Mrs. Wu's heart beat rapidly and she could only pretend to be asleep.
But with a plop, Yuan Xi lay directly next to Mrs. Wu, pulled half of the quilt aside, and said in a daze: "You, are you asleep?"
Seeing no reaction from the people around him, Yuan Xi felt sleepy and was about to fall asleep.
Mrs. Wu breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the other party was very drunk. As long as she fell asleep, she could take the opportunity to escape.
Although the token incident was compromised, at least the matter was not exposed and can still be undone.
Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly felt a claw stretching out from behind her.