Chapter 322: Roasted Grasshoppers
Chapter 322: Roasted Grasshoppers
Feng Xuanrui was initially hesitant to give it a try.
But when Feng Xuanbin asked, he felt that it would be unbecoming of him as the sixth brother if he didn't accept the challenge.
Besides, Suisu was also eagerly looking at him, expecting him to do something.
He was the older brother!
He could do this!
It was just eating bugs, after all!
And...
Feng Xuanrui was also curious about what grasshoppers tasted like. The initiative of children is always surprising.
As Princess Qi was listening to Aunt Qiu telling her about the situation at Jin Yang Hou's mansion, the three children suddenly dashed off.
Princess Qi called out to them, but they didn't stop.
Helplessly, Princess Qi gestured for the attendants to follow the children.
The mountain path after the rain was not very easy to walk on, even though it was paved with stone slabs. Each step squelched with water, and some spots were muddy.
Princess Qi walked very carefully, afraid that her skirt would get wet.
The children didn't have such worries.
They even stepped directly onto the grass in their new shoes, their feet covered in mud, but they didn't care and continued to run happily.
Seeing Suisu running with them, her skirt also stained with mud, Princess Qi felt her breath tighten.
She raised her hand and pointed in the direction of the children, asking uncertainly, "Won't they turn Suisu into a little troublemaker?"
Seeing Suisu's happy little figure, Aunt Qiu swallowed uncertainly and replied, "Probably not?"
With her uncertainty, Princess Qi felt even more uneasy.
She thought that having a companion while studying was indeed very important.
She couldn't let these brothers influence Suisu anymore.
If she continued to spend time with them, she would end up as mischievous as Little Six, causing trouble everywhere and beyond control!
Feng Xuanrui and the others needed a fire source for their plan.
Where could they find fire?
The kitchen, of course!
Along the way, they also didn't forget to catch more grasshoppers.
Feng Xuanrui contributed his ugly purse, Suisu her little hat, and Feng Xuanbin didn't want to be left behind, so he lifted his outer shirt to help catch the excess grasshoppers.
After Prince Qi finished his morning meal, he heard that the children were playing in the back garden, so he strolled over casually.
What he saw was Suisu taking off her hat and following her two brothers in a dash.
The brothers' postures looked a bit odd.
Prince Qi didn't understand and turned to ask Sui Si, "What are they doing?"
Sui Si had just arrived and didn't know either, so he pulled Qing Shui over and asked, "What are the sixth young masters doing?"
Hearing Sui Si's question, a painful expression appeared on Qing Shui's face.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally decided to tell the truth, "They're going to the kitchen to borrow fire."
"What do they need fire for?" Prince Qi asked, puzzled.
"To roast grasshoppers," replied Qing Shui.
Prince Qi: ?
Sui Si: ??
At first, Prince Qi didn't react, but soon he realized what was happening and immediately shouted, then rushed towards the kitchen, "Behave, that thing is not edible! Don't mess around!"
By the time Prince Qi arrived, Feng Xuanrui had already successfully borrowed a fire and even a wire mesh from the little monk, thanks to his silver tongue.
The wire mesh didn't look very clean, so Feng Xuanrui wiped it clean before skewering the grasshoppers and preparing to roast them over the fire.
They should turn out well this way, right?
Suisu watched from the side, clapping her hands in admiration, "Brother is so amazing! I used to just throw them into the fire and pick them out when they looked done. I didn't have any of this."
"Grasshoppers don't need much cooking. They're done quickly."
"If you roast them too long, they'll burn and turn into a mouthful of crumbs."
"Actually, roasted bamboo worms are quite tasty too. They're crispy and have a hint of sweetness."
...
When Qi Wang arrived, he saw Feng Xuanrui looking serious as he skewered the grasshoppers.
Feng Xuanbin helped by keeping an eye on the remaining grasshoppers, making sure they didn't escape or die.
Feng Xuanrui mentioned that the dead ones weren't fresh and probably wouldn't taste good.
So, fresh skewer, live grasshoppers, they had to keep an eye on the little critters.
Suisu was reminiscing about the past, recounting the various things she ate, which tasted the best, which were edible but not that great, and which ones she absolutely couldn't stomach, even if it meant starving.
As Qi Wang listened, his eyes stung with tears.
He turned away, wiped his eyes fiercely, and gritting his teeth, said, "Is Chen Daling's family mining?"
Sui Si was an insider.
Hearing the prince's question, he quickly replied in a low voice, "They've already started. The Qingzhou side is moving quickly. After the imperial decree was issued, they began conscripting able-bodied men. Now that it's not yet farming season, each household is definitely sending their strongest men, and we've definitely put in a good word for the Chen family, so they'll surely receive special treatment."
Sui Si smiled at this point, then continued, "Moreover, I heard that Chen Daling's two young sons have taken up gambling, influenced by someone. Although we're not sure of the details yet, it's estimated that it won't be long before they lose everything and come to the capital."
Qi Wang was reluctant to see these people.
However, if it meant making their lives difficult and causing pain to the fake noble lady of Jin Yang Hou, Qi Wang felt that it wouldn't hurt to have Chen Daling's family come to the capital.
Thinking of this, he nodded slightly, "My dear girl suffered so much in the past, eating bugs every day. Damn the Chen family! Wasn't that girl his niece? When his sister brought back so much silver, how much could one child possibly eat?"
At this point, Qi Wang gritted his teeth, "That Chen San Niang is also a despicable woman. When she was alive, my dear girl didn't have it easy, which shows she wasn't affectionate towards the child. Why did the heavens let her give birth? Why didn't my dear girl reincarnate into a noble family instead?
He longed for a daughter, but the heavens refused to grant his wish.
Instead, they let his dear girl suffer in someone else's household first, only to give her to him later.
Why make him worry so much?
Boo hoo!
His precious dear girl.
Qi Wang was so angry that he wanted to draw his sword and head to Qingzhou immediately, slaying Chen Daling with his own hands.
But he couldn't do that!
If Chen Daling's family died, the fake noble lady of Jin Yang Hou would be the happiest.
He couldn't let her off so easily!
Qi Wang wiped his tears fiercely, calmed himself, and then strode forward.
If his dear girl could eat bugs, so could he!
He couldn't go back in time and accompany his dear girl, eating the same bitter meals and walking the same difficult path.
However, he could now stay by her side, cheering her up, and giving her a stable life, which was also wonderful.
So, little critters, bring it on...
Speaking of which, were they even edible?
Qi Wang took a few steps, hesitated slightly, and then bravely strode forward again.
Just insects, he could handle it!
When Qi Wang arrived earlier, Suisu and the others had noticed him.
But they were roasting insects, so they had to keep an eye on them, making sure they didn't burn and become inedible!
Hence, Qi Wang didn't approach immediately, and they temporarily stayed put, all eyes on the grasshoppers already skewered and roasting over the fire.
Now, with Qi Wang approaching, Suisu quickly stood up, extending her slender arms towards him, "Father!"
(End of Chapter)
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