CHAPTER 95: CHAPTER 95: WHY ARE YOU SO DENSE?

The inn’s rooms were arranged by Li Chang’an.

Zhao Dahe needed quiet, so he stayed alone.

Qin Zheng followed Li Chang’an, and Meng Yao stayed alone too.

In such a busy inn, Li Chang’an was able to arrange accommodations, showing some capability.

"Auntie, let’s keep it simple for dinner today. I’ve already talked to the inn, and they’ve lent us a small stove, so we can cook ourselves," Li Chang’an said.

"No need, is there? We’re out and about, not much need for fuss," Zhao Dahe said, though he quite missed his mother’s cooking. Still, since they were not at home, he felt awkward asking his mom to continue taking on the labor.

"You’re about to take the exam, so you need to be extra cautious with what you eat. It’s your first time taking the imperial exam, so naturally you don’t know the ins and outs. What if you get an upset stomach? How would you take the test?" Li Chang’an said seriously.

"Cousin, don’t worry, I’ve been healthy since I was young," Zhao Dahe joked.

Li Chang’an glared at him, "You’re usually smart; why are you so clueless now? You better not be clueless during the exam!"

Zhao Dahe wasn’t quite understanding yet, but Meng Yao got it.

Some people are dishonest and use underhanded tricks to prevent other candidates from taking the exam.

Of course, these other candidates are usually the ones who are good at studying.

Since it’s Zhao Dahe’s first time taking the exam and he hasn’t gained any reputation yet, presumably, no one would pay attention.

However, it’s important to be cautious of others. Even though the chances of falling for it are very slim, one cannot be careless with such matters.

Moreover, if she cooks, Zhao Dahe feels comfortable and joyful, which helps with the exam too.

Meng Yao looked at Li Chang’an with admiration, "You’ve thought this through, Chang’an."

"I heard about it from others before, so I kept it in mind," Li Chang’an said.

Zhao Dahe finally understood and looked gratefully at Li Chang’an, "Cousin, if I achieve success in the future, I definitely won’t forget your contribution."

Li Chang’an remained composed, "It’s too early to say anything now."

"Chang’an, is the small stove arrangement all set?" Meng Yao asked.

Li Chang’an nodded.

"Then we don’t have to wait for tomorrow, let’s cook for ourselves today," Meng Yao said.

"The inn doesn’t provide vegetables and such; I was planning to take Auntie to the morning market tomorrow," Li Chang’an hesitated.

"Tonight we’ll eat noodles, we can just buy some flour from the inn; I brought fried sauce," Meng Yao said.

The fried sauce she made herself was clean and hygienic and could be mixed with anything.

It was extremely tasty.

"Auntie, follow me then," Li Chang’an said.

"Dahe, you and Si Mo find a way to get some hot water; soak your feet before bed," Meng Yao instructed.

"I know, Mom, quickly cook the noodles; I’m already hungry," Zhao Dahe urged.

The innkeeper was quite agreeable and sold some flour to Meng Yao. Meng Yao also bought a few eggs, which she cracked into the dough to make the noodles more chewy.

Li Chang’an wasn’t idle either; while Meng Yao kneaded the dough, he cleaned the pot, added water, and lit the fire.

Meng Yao was quick and strong; she soon kneaded the dough to the right consistency.

She rolled out the dough into moderately thick sheets, folded them, sprinkled some flour to prevent sticking, folded again, and sprinkled more until the entire dough sheet was folded up.

With a swift cut, the long thick folded dough turned into evenly wide strips. Once shaken loose, they became hand-rolled noodles.

Li Chang’an had seen their cook at home preparing meals and was quite skillful, but compared to Auntie, still lacking.

How to say, watching Auntie cook was a delight.

The noodles were ready, but the water wasn’t boiling yet.

Li Chang’an felt a bit embarrassed, uncharacteristically losing his usual calm demeanor, "Haven’t lit much fire, feeling a bit rusty."

"Let me light it," Meng Yao said.

The fire wasn’t very strong at first, but after Meng Yao poked it a few times, the flames grew, eagerly licking the bottom of the pot, and half the pot of water was boiling in no time.

Put in the noodles and cook them.

Technically, fried sauce noodles should be rinsed with cold water, but since it was not very cold today, rinsing might not be suitable and could chill the stomach, so Meng Yao scooped the noodles directly into bowls.

Four bowls for four people.

Aside from her own bowl, the noodles in the other three were evenly portioned.

Li Chang’an brought a tray, and the two headed back to their rooms.

On the way back, someone asked where they got the noodles from, and upon hearing Meng Yao made them herself, showed a look of regret. If the inn had provided them, they could have bought a bowl.

According to their taste, they mixed in the fried sauce. Zhao Dahe, Qin Zheng, and Li Chang’an were very satisfied.

"Mom, when you brought the fried sauce, I didn’t quite understand. It turns out you have a forward-looking vision," Zhao Dahe praised Meng Yao.

"Alright, no talking while eating or sleeping," Meng Yao glared at him.

After eating, Zhao Dahe automatically gathered the bowls of the four, and Qin Zheng joined him in the backyard by the well to wash them.

Meng Yao busied herself making the beds in the three rooms, covering mattresses and putting on duvet covers.

It was a habit Meng Yao had developed before, bringing all intimate contact items with her when traveling.

Life was a little luxurious, and Meng Yao felt that one should pursue the finer things when possible. As for others’ opinions, she didn’t care; she couldn’t control them.

Li Chang’an was also someone who liked cleanliness, so although he didn’t say anything, he showed his happiness with his actions, helping Meng Yao put on duvet covers, his mouth showing a slight smile.

The duvet covers were done for all three rooms, but Zhao Dahe and Qin Zheng hadn’t returned yet.

Just washing a few bowls, why so slow?

Traveling away from home, Meng Yao wasn’t taking chances and went downstairs to find them, ending up seeing Zhao Dahe and Qin Zheng in the main hall.

A seven- or eight-year-old child was clutching the innkeeper’s sleeve, pleading for something.

Meng Yao walked behind Zhao Dahe and pinched his waist, nearly making him cry out in surprise.

He quickly covered his mouth.

Seeing it was Meng Yao, he felt a bit guilty, "I’ve already washed the bowls and utensils, came here, saw a crowd, couldn’t resist pulling Si Mo to join the bustle."

"Joining the bustle; don’t forget why you came here!" Meng Yao criticized him, lowering her voice, "Traveling away from home, do you casually watch the bustle? Be careful not to become the bustle yourself."

Zhao Dahe shrank his neck, "Won’t watch anymore, won’t watch anymore."

After saying this, he pulled Qin Zheng along, following Meng Yao to go upstairs back to the room like a little wife.

"Innkeeper, if you ignore me, I will die in this inn," the child’s voice changed; Meng Yao could hear an urgency born of helplessness.

"You go up first, I’ll take a look," Meng Yao said to Zhao Dahe.

"Mom, you don’t let us watch the bustle, but you yourself..." Zhao Dahe muttered.

Meng Yao gave him a stern look, and Zhao Dahe obediently quickened his pace.

"Now that we’re out of the city, it’s very likely we can’t get back. We’ve already agreed to refund the money for your reserved room, why are you still pestering?" the innkeeper said impatiently.

The child bit his lip tightly, his face showing unease and guilt; it was clear that even using this threat, the child himself felt bad about it.