Chapter 19: Spicy Blood Duck

Feng Xin was completely unaware of the young lady’s unusual expression behind him as he chewed on the fragrant marinated dishes, chatting nonstop. “My younger brother has quite the discerning palate. Yesterday, he treated that marinated dish like a treasure, but I ate it all, and he threw such a huge tantrum.”

“Yulin, are you sure you got it wrong?” Wen Zhongxia chuckled. “Your brother doesn’t seem to think much of my humble food stall.”

She didn’t intend to complain; she just briefly recounted the incident when he pressed her for details.

After hearing her out, Feng Xin’s first reaction was, “Was that green dumpling delicious? Can Lady Wen make it again?”

Wen Zhongxia burst out laughing—this young master was truly a foodie through and through.

“Qingming has passed, and mugwort is no longer tender. We’ll have to wait until next year to make it again.”

Feng Xin silently scolded his absent-minded brother. If it weren’t for his thoughtless behavior, he might have already tasted the delicacy long ago.

Wen Zhongxia said, “The marinated dish you had was probably from another stall. After all, your brother openly said he wouldn’t eat it even if it was given to him.”

“But it was from your place. He said so himself. Besides, I can tell the flavor—it’s exactly the same.”

“That… I don’t get it,” Wen Zhongxia said.

Feng Xin, however, understood perfectly. His brother now regretted it but was too proud to admit it, so he bought the dish secretly and dared not eat it in public.

With a serious look, he said, “Young lady, he is who he is, and I am who I am. Don’t take your anger with him out on me.”

Now Wen Zhongxia was convinced they were truly brothers.

After a full meal, Feng Xin didn’t return home but instead headed to the Imperial Academy to fetch his troublesome brother.

Since yesterday, Feng Yuan had been sulking. Just moments ago, a servant reported that he saw his older brother at the food stall, and it made him so angry that he lost his appetite for lunch.

He scowled, “Why did you call me out?”

Probably to show off.

Before Feng Xin could speak, he tapped Feng Yuan’s head hard with his folding fan.

“Why did you hit me?” Feng Yuan held his forehead.

“Don’t play dumb. What did you do to Lady Wen?” Feng Xin glared at him.

Feng Yuan knew his secret was exposed and lowered his head, stammering.

“Come on, go apologize.”

“No way, not even if you beat me to death.”

This was too embarrassing.

Feng Xin insisted, “You have to go, or I won’t have the face to eat there anymore.”

That had to be the real reason, Feng Yuan thought bitterly.

“I already made things worse. If I bow my head now, where’s my pride?”

“Does it give you pride to make things difficult for a poor girl?” Feng Xin raised his voice.

“Hey, keep it down.” Feng Yuan nearly covered his brother’s mouth.

Students at the Imperial Academy were few; most of those passing by knew each other. Feng Yuan could feel their curious gazes.

Feng Xin pressed harder: “Today Lady Wen made new marinated vegetarian dishes. The braised tofu turned a rich brown, and it’s so fragrant when you chew it.”

Feng Yuan’s mouth watered, his hunger growing.

“She also said she’ll have marinated chicken and duck soon, with five-spice and sweet-spicy flavors…”

“Enough,” Feng Yuan said, nearly drooling.

“Going to apologize or not?”

Feng Yuan’s resolve wavered, and half-reluctantly, he was dragged forward.

At the food stall, many students were gathered. The moment Feng Yuan appeared, they started making fun of him, especially Qin Qian, who loudly sneered, “Isn’t that Young Master Feng? What brings you to our Imperial Academy today?”

“That’s the bad guy who doesn’t queue.” Wen Mengdong still remembered him, her face puffed up with anger.

Feng Yuan fidgeted, wanting to turn away, but his brother pushed him forward sharply.

“Customer, please queue to buy food.” Wen Zhongxia remained calm.

Seeing her composed attitude, Feng Yuan felt ashamed and bowed, “Lady Wen, I was rude the other day. I apologize.”

Wen Zhongxia glanced at Feng Xin, realizing Feng Yuan might have been dragged here by his brother or was reluctantly apologizing for her food’s sake.

She didn’t care if it was sincere, as long as he stopped causing trouble.

“All right, I accept. Let bygones be bygones.”

Qin Qian protested, “Lady Wen, you’re too kind. How can you forgive such rudeness so easily?”

“See?” Wen Zhongxia said to Feng Yuan. “I think you still need their forgiveness.”

Feng Yuan scanned the faces of the Imperial Academy students, hesitated, then stepped forward and bowed again, “I was arrogant before and offended you all. Please forgive me, fellow students.”

The students at the stall fell into an incredulous silence.

Had Feng Yuan taken the wrong medicine today?

“Words are easy to say,” Qin Qian was the first to remain skeptical.

Feng Yuan frowned. Wasn’t that enough?

He thought for a moment and then raised his hand, “Then how about this: today’s meal here is on me. I’ll pay for everything. Order whatever you want.”

Feng Xin sighed and smacked his forehead with the folding fan. His brother really wasn’t the sharpest, turning it into a show-off moment again.

Sure enough, the students started murmuring:

“Who asked you to pay?”

“We can afford it ourselves.”

But this did break the tension, and the students were less hostile toward Feng Yuan.

They were only teenagers without deep grudges. Even if they didn’t fully forgive him now, spending time together would smooth things over.

Feeling his mission accomplished, Feng Yuan hurried back to Wen Zhongxia. “Lady Wen, can I order now? I want—”

“Customer, please—”

Before she finished, he interrupted, “I know, queue up. I’ll line up.”

He dashed to the back.

She smiled in relief—he was teachable after all.

…

“Quack… quack…”

Wen Mengdong squatted by the duck cage, curiously watching a group of fluffy yellow ducklings, occasionally imitating their quacks.

Nearby, Wen Zhongxia was selecting fat ducks. She had already told several customers that marinated duck and chicken would be available soon, but she had to wait a bit longer. The marinated dishes couldn’t be refreshed too quickly.

But talking about it stirred her own craving for duck.

Seizing the moment, after closing the stall, she immediately went to buy one.

She carefully picked a fat duck weighing over three jin, paid, and left.

After a few steps, she looked back; the little girl was still squatting by the duck cage.

Wen Zhongxia and Xu Xiu exchanged helpless smiles.

“Dong’er, let’s go.”

Only then did Wen Mengdong look up. “Sister, sister-in-law, can we keep a duck?”

Sure enough, children rarely resist the charm of cute animals.

Wen Zhongxia returned and asked the chicken and duck seller, “Can we take a duckling out to touch?”

The seller was generous and immediately picked one up, placing it in Wen Mengdong’s hands.

The child stiffened instantly, as if holding a fragile egg.

“Dong’er, raising ducks isn’t easy. You have to care for them every day—feeding, cleaning, everything.”

“I can do it.”

“Ducks are social animals. You can’t just buy one or two; otherwise, they get lonely and sick.”

“Ah?” Wen Mengdong’s face went blank. He only wanted one for company. Wouldn’t more be too noisy?

“Also, ducks poop a lot and can mess up the yard.” Wen Zhongxia had just spoken when the duck’s rear made a fitting “plop” sound.

Wen Mengdong’s palm instantly became wet and sticky. The pale green duck droppings gave off an indescribable smell. His face scrunched, almost in tears.

“Sister, it pooped.”

Even the seller laughed so hard he doubled over and quickly put the duckling back into the cage.

After this harsh blow, the child’s idealized image of ducklings shattered instantly. He looked dejected, only wanting to rush home and wash his hands with lye.

Wen Zhongxia wasn’t forbidding him from having pets but wanted him to understand the responsibilities and consequences, not act on a whim.

Raising ducklings was much harder than chicks. Their immunity was weak, and if one died accidentally, the child would be heartbroken.

Better to leave it to the professionals—their expertise was in eating.

The duck’s wings were crossed and held down by foot, a few feathers plucked from its neck. A knife sliced smoothly, fresh red duck blood oozed out, falling into a bowl.

After braising the offal, Xu Xiu, now accustomed to the young lady’s eating habits, sprinkled salt and white wine into the duck blood, stirring it into a paste.

The duck was scalded with boiling water to remove feathers. Wen Mengdong quickly recovered and, watching his sister pluck a handful of feathers, grew eager to try.

The duck was cleaned, the innards kept for a stir-fry dish later.

This time, Wen Zhongxia planned to make spicy blood duck as the main course.

Hearing the name, Wen Mengdong knew he wouldn’t get to eat it.

Wen Zhongxia smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll make you a separate bowl without spice.”

Little Dong’er silently vowed to learn to eat spicy food someday.

The duck meat was plunged into hot oil and stir-fried, cooking off the blood. This free-range duck was not only tender but less gamey.

Its surface was seared dry over high heat, then seasoned with cooking wine and chili powder.

This dish was all about heavy oil and strong spice. Dried chilies weren’t enough; when the sauce was nearly reduced, fresh green and red chilies were tossed in.

The rich aroma of spicy heat wafted uncontrollably from the kitchen window.

“Is it ready to serve?” Xu Xiu, too eager to tend the fire, nearly glued her eyes to the pot.

“Almost. Now for the soul—the duck blood.”

Wen Zhongxia poured the dark red duck blood paste into the pot, stirring vigorously. The whole pot of duck meat instantly took on a vivid crimson hue, making it look even more appetizing.

“Smells so good.”

Just as Wen Zhongxia plated the blood duck, Aunt Yang’s voice came from the kitchen door.

The two women were so entranced by the dish they didn’t hear the knock; it was little Dong’er who went to open.

“I’m early, but maybe it’s just right.” Aunt Yang looked at the perfectly cooked duck meat, eyes shining uncontrollably.

Clearing her glance, she added, “I’m here to collect the rent.”

Wen Zhongxia had almost forgotten and said, “Aunt, please wait in the main room. I’ll get the money and let you try my blood duck.”

Rent was due again so soon. She still remembered the heavy snow when they first arrived, when Aunt Yang wouldn’t even step across their threshold.

Life, indeed, was full of unpredictable changes.