Chapter 25: The Greatest Delicacy in the Mortal Realm!

"Father-in-law, what kind of meat is this?"

"Pork," Zhao Zheng replied.

Yang Zhaodi’s expression shifted. "Father-in-law, pork has such a pungent, gamey smell; nobody ever wants to eat it."

In the Great Kang Dynasty, pork was considered "base meat." Even the poor disliked it, and very few people raised pigs.

Zhao Zheng explained, "This pork was castrated, so it doesn't have that smell. When you stew it, add this packet of medicinal herbs."

In Great Kang, spices were luxuries that only high-ranking officials and the wealthy could afford. The common folk found pork unpalatable not just because of the smell, but because they lacked seasonings. He had prepared the spice blend from the system's store and wrapped it in gauze; this recipe could make even a shoe sole taste delicious.

"Oh!" Yang Zhaodi nodded. Although she was still skeptical, since her father-in-law had said so, she would follow his lead.

Zhang Xiaoe, who was tending the fire, glanced at the woodpile. "Father-in-law, we’re running low on firewood."

Zhao Zheng took a look and realized she was right; there was only enough left for one night. The heated brick bed was the biggest drain on their fuel. "I’ll go chop some wood tomorrow."

He paused, then added, "From now on, let’s cook more in the morning and prepare lunch and dinner all at once. If we keep starting the fire, it will easily draw the villagers' attention. If we get targeted, it’ll be trouble."

If the Wang family could storm their house today over a few rotten persimmons, others could just as easily find reasons to harass the Zhao family for a bite of food. Regarding their "poverty," they had to ensure the villagers believed the Zhao household was just as destitute as they were.

Both women nodded, the day's events having made them wary. From now on, they must ensure outsiders never found out about the good things they possessed.

Soon, the aroma of stewed meat wafted from the clay pot. The scent of spices mingling with the meat made Zhang Xiaoe wipe the corner of her mouth. "It smells so good! There really isn't a hint of that gamey odor."

Unlike the meat of a yellow weasel, pork was rich in fat, with layers of lean and fatty tissue. One bite would surely be pure bliss.

Zhao Zheng was getting hungry, too. After a few days of recovery, he felt his body could handle the stewed meat without indigestion. He lifted the lid, and the fragrance rushed out. He poked the meat with his chopsticks. "It’s tender. Time to serve."

The meat, stewed until soft and succulent, wobbled on the plate, looking incredibly tender and bouncy. The glistening, oily broth poured over the top made it look like a heavenly delicacy.

"Time to eat."

With Zhao Zheng’s command, the three climbed onto the heated bed. Zhang Xiaoe once again heaped a full bowl of white rice for Zhao Zheng. He picked up a ladle and drizzled some broth over the rice.

The crystalline grains were coated in the savory liquid, taking on an enticing hue. The distinctive fragrance of the stew teased his senses every moment. He mixed the rice, added two chunks of meat, and fished out the quail eggs he had added to the pot earlier. A perfect bowl of stewed-meat-over-rice appeared before the two women.

He took a bite. A look of satisfaction spread across Zhao Zheng’s face. This was, without a doubt, the most satisfying meal he had eaten since crossing into this world.

"Delicious!" He let out a long breath. This, damn it, was what one called living. He looked at the two women and urged, "Don't just watch me eat. Dig in! Follow my method; I guarantee it’s great."

The two women followed suit, preparing their own bowls. After the first bite, Yang Zhaodi’s eyes lit up. The way the fat and lean meat melted in her mouth made this the best meal she had ever had in her life. She couldn't help but sigh, "It’s good, it’s so good! I never imagined castrated pork could taste this amazing."

Zhang Xiaoe was so moved she began to tear up. "Wuu, if it weren't for Father-in-law, I would never have tasted such delicious meat in my entire life!"

Zhao Zheng chuckled. "Silly girl, this is nothing. There are even better foods to come; this is just entry-level cuisine."

Zhang Xiaoe was too stunned to speak. "Something this good is only 'entry-level'?"

Zhao Zheng nodded, thinking to himself that if he made braised pork belly, Dongpo pork, or steamed layered pork, the little girl might just swallow her own tongue. Seeing the two women only daring to take small pieces, Zhao Zheng placed two large chunks into each of their bowls. "Eat your fill. It won't taste as good once it gets cold."

"Father-in-law, you eat too," Yang Zhaodi said, placing a piece of meat into Zhao Zheng’s bowl.

A sense of happiness flowed through Zhao Zheng’s heart. This was what a family felt like!

Soon, the three of them had polished off the rice. Zhang Xiaoe, her belly rounded, sighed in distress, "If we keep eating like this, I’m definitely going to turn into a fatty!"

Yang Zhaodi nodded in agreement. "Eating meat and eggs every day—not even the local landlords live as well as we do!"

Zhao Zheng casually picked up a bamboo toothpick to clean his teeth, feeling a sense of accomplishment. He pulled a few persimmons from the bamboo basket as a dessert for the women before lying back on the bed, feeling content, crossing his legs, and humming a tune from his previous life.

After clearing the dishes, Yang Zhaodi began sewing the cotton cloth into the bedding. Zhao Zheng told her to wait until daylight, but she refused, so he let her be. Zhang Xiaoe took the linen cloth to sew a pillow for him.

The two women were chatting and laughing when, right on schedule, Zheng Chunmei arrived, and the laughter died instantly.

"Uncle Zhao, I'm here again."

The moment she stepped inside, Zheng Chunmei caught the lingering scent in the air. "Is that... the smell of meat?"

Shocked, she walked to the edge of the brick bed. Not seeing the crispy rice she had been craving, she felt anxious, but then her eyes fell upon a plate. The aroma was coming from that very plate.

It was... meat jelly!

The Zhao family was secretly eating meat! How could this be?!

She masked her expression and asked, "Are you having meat for dinner, Uncle Zhao?"

"Not really," Zhao Zheng replied.

"That's meat jelly on the plate, isn't it?" A look of longing appeared in Zheng Chunmei’s eyes. She whispered, "If I massage you to your satisfaction tonight, can you give me some of the meat jelly, Uncle?"

Zhao Zheng neither agreed nor refused. "We'll see."

Zheng Chunmei felt a thrill—as long as he didn't refuse, there was hope. Zhang Xiaoe was fuming; the widow Zheng was truly shameless. Just as she was about to speak, Yang Zhaodi stopped her, whispering, "Don't say anything. Father-in-law must have his reasons."

Given his low-key nature, why would he leave the meat jelly out on the table? She realized there must be an ulterior motive. Zhang Xiaoe pouted, staying silent. She despised Zheng Chunmei—not only was she unvirtuous, but she also came over every day to mooch off their food. It made her deeply uncomfortable.

"Zhaodi, I washed my feet before coming over," Zheng Chunmei said as she climbed onto the bed. Seeing the women sewing something, she felt a pang of envy. It seemed Old Man Zhao really had exchanged those persimmons for many good things; no wonder the Wang family was jealous and causing trouble.

With this in mind, she crawled over to Zhao Zheng’s side and knelt. "Uncle, where should I massage today?"

"My legs are tired from walking today. Do the legs!" Zhao Zheng didn't turn over; he just lay flat.

Zheng Chunmei was a bit unaccustomed to this, but she didn't say a word, her mind entirely focused on the meat jelly on the plate. She even began to calculate if she could ask the stingy old man for a piece of cloth as well.

As she began to massage, Zhao Zheng let out a comfortable grunt. Whether intentional or not, Zheng Chunmei had her back turned to him, and from his angle, she presented a perfect, peach-like silhouette.

Suddenly, a wave of heat surged in his lower abdomen, and he felt an immediate stirring of desire.