The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 56: Lunch is Served

Chapter 56: Lunch is Served

Xu Feng wasn’t in the kitchen for long, the meal was ready in around thirty minutes. The two guests of the Blooming courtyard stayed in the kitchen the entire time.

It was strange even for Xu Feng to see a scholar make himself at home in a semi-modern rural kitchen. He was dressed in his fine silk clothes standing around with the warm iceberg not talking only observing.

Xu Feng wished he had changed out of the nicer clothes he was wearing, but he was hungry, and Erlang would be there soon to eat his meal. He’d told the girls after his wedding, that they would start cooking in his courtyard, and Erlang knew to pick up his meal before going back to his duties.

All three jin of pork belly that they’d salted the week before was brought out. Thinking of the two men at the gate of the courtyard, Erlang, Xuan Yang, and Xuan Jian, there were five big men that he needed to feed. Including himself, Si, and San, that was eight mouths.

Xu Feng realized that he would need to head out first thing in the morning to purchase more ingredients if the snowfall didn’t worsen overnight.

It was a rather disheartening sight to see that even a "grand and prosperous" household like the Xuan’s could find themselves without meat.

...but then again, there might still be meat in the main kitchen.

Xu Feng got right to work in his cozy Blooming courtyard kitchen, determined to whip up a tasty meal in a short time. With a batch of salted pork belly at his disposal, he decided to showcase various simple and novel cooking methods.

For one portion of the pork, he sliced it thinly and stir-fried it. He heated up a wok, added plenty of oil, and tossed in the pork slices.

They sizzled and turned a nice golden brown. Xu Feng seasoned them with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a bit of sugar for a perfect blend of flavors. The spices he purchased on their trip to Yilin would be put to good use!

The kitchen filled with the delicious aroma as he skillfully stir-fried the pork until it was tender and tasty.

Another portion of pork was destined for a braised dish. In a separate pot, he combined the pork belly with fragrant spices, soy sauce, and a splash of wine from the wedding festivities.

He let it simmer gently, absorbing all those rich and savory flavors. The slow braising process made the pork melt-in-the-mouth tender and bursting with flavor.

While the pork dishes were cooking away, Xu Feng took a moment to check on the brown rice the girls had started on the stove. He wanted it to be just right, soaking up all the kitchen’s flavors.

There wasn’t much rice available, Xu Feng had only bought a small amount on their last trip to town, but it would be enough for both lunch and dinner.

Amidst all the cooking, Xu Feng decided to add some kimchi pancakes to the mix. All three children had loved his Kimchi pancakes the last time he made them, so it was a no brainer.

He took the homemade kimchi and mixed it up with a simple batter of millet flour, water, and a pinch of salt. Then, he heated up a good amount of oil in a pan until it shimmered and poured in the kimchi batter.

The pancakes sizzled and crisped up beautifully, infusing the meal with a tangy and spicy kick.

In no time at all, the Blooming courtyard kitchen was filled with the mouthwatering scents of stir-fried pork, braised pork, and freshly cooked brown rice.

The sizzling kimchi pancakes added an extra layer of excitement to the meal. Xu Feng knew that this small feast would not only fill their bellies but also warm them up on this chilly winter day.

In the midst of cooking, Erlang returned and immediately got to work. He kept himself busy by lighting the furnace at the back of the main building, which would help warm the floors of Xu Feng’s quarters.

Although the kitchen was warm due to the cooking, the rest of the buildings were getting a bit chilly. Pre-warming them was a considerate idea to make sure everyone would be comfortable.

As the dishes neared completion, Xu Feng turned his attention to his two diligent kitchen helpers, momentarily ignoring the young master and his personal iceberg.

"Could you two please set the table? I’m going to change," Xu Feng requested.

The two girls responded enthusiastically; their eagerness evident. "Yes!" they chimed in unison.

San felt a twinge of guilt and added, "Yes, young mistress, we should be the ones handling the cooking."

Xu Feng offered a warm smile. "We can learn together, and when you’ve mastered all the dishes I can make, you can take charge of the cooking," he replied.

San had a certain charm about her; she usually carried herself like a little adult, but when her childlike side peeked through, it was completely lovable.

With a nod to the two men, Xu Feng left the kitchen, braving the cold to return to his bedroom and change out of his morning attire. As he adjusted his casual robes in front of a bronze mirror, he reminded himself that he was now the master of the estate.

He’d greeted the elders like a good little daughter-in-law, and now within his own home, he could do as he pleased.

When Xu Feng emerged from his room, he found San waiting right outside the door, directing him away from the reception room where he’d expected to dine. Instead, she led him to the modern dining room adjacent to his modern living area.

There, Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian were already seated, their eyes fixed on the food with suppressed anticipation.

The stir-fried pork, braised pork, brown rice, kimchi, and other fermented dishes were artfully arranged on the finest china Xu Feng had in his entire collection.

Before he could say anything, San excused herself from the room, leaving the three men to enjoy the meal she and Si had diligently arranged.