Jinyi Spring

Chapter 104 Brothers Bickering
On the afternoon of the 29th of the eleventh lunar month, Feng Chuchen had just returned home when she received a letter delivered by Shangguan Ruyu. He said he was bringing someone over that evening to eat Golden Pork Ribs and Golden Chicken Popcorn, and that she must prepare these two dishes.

Feng Chuchen guessed that it was most likely Ming Shanfeng.

Ming Shanfeng has a sweet tooth; he said he wanted to eat Feng's golden pork chops and popcorn chicken, so he'll definitely shamelessly come over.

Because of the matchmaking incident, Feng Chuchen really didn't want to see Shangguan Ruyu and Ming Shanyue, but Shangguan Ruyu was so oblivious and insisted on coming.

Perhaps Shangguan Ruyu wanted to ease the awkwardness between them so that they could meet again in the future?
Since that's the case, I'll just pretend that nothing ever happened.

Both young masters had servants with them, and they even had to prepare food and drinks for the servants.

Feng Chuchen told Aunt Wu and Shaoyao to hurry to the market to buy some ribs, frozen shrimp and other vegetables, and also to buy three to five pork knuckles.

There are a few roosters in the house, kill one.

Ming Shanfeng came for a good meal, so besides making golden pork chops and popcorn chicken, he also made golden prawns, braised pork knuckle with fish-fragrant sauce, and a few other dishes to go with drinks.

Make several more braised pork knuckles with fish-fragrant sauce. While we're eating them tonight, we'll also send one to the Princess's residence and one to the Ming family.

In this era, there was no fish-flavored dish with Sichuan pickled vegetables added, so Aunt Wu's fish-flavored shredded pork and fish-flavored meatballs were very popular.

Fish-flavored pork knuckle is fatty but not greasy, and it combines sour, sweet, salty and fragrant flavors.

My grandmother loved this dish in my past life.

Feng Chuchen asked Zisu and Sister-in-law Song to come and help.

Not long after, Cai Yuxiu suddenly arrived.

She smiled and said, "Dr. Qin examined the episiotomy and said it's healed very well. I want to learn from you, so you can't keep anything from me."

She even tugged at Feng Chuchen's sleeve and acted coquettishly, which was quite rare for her.

Feng Chuchen then had someone bring her a piece of pork with the skin on and told her how to cut and sew it.

Unlike Aunt Wang, Cai Yuxiu had never delivered a baby herself, nor had she ever seen the place up close, so she didn't quite understand even after talking for a long time.

Feng Chuchen then drew it.

She blushed a little when she saw what was on the paper.

He made himself look like a pornographic artist.

But when you think about cultivating talent for the great cause of medicine, what does this matter?

Cai Yuxiu blushed deeply, "Hehe, that's what it looks like there."

But he didn't hesitate and followed along very seriously.

Occasionally, she would mention the conflicts within the female doctor's circle and the injustices she had suffered.

Her medical skills were far superior to Dr. Fan's, but because Dr. Fan had a powerful background, her monthly salary increased faster, and she had priority in getting good jobs...

Feng Chuchen disliked Doctor Fan and comforted her, saying, "Those with real ability there must be careful, and those without real ability who dare to act tough will not have a good ending."

Cai Yuxiu nodded, "Yes, my father said the same thing. I don't envy her at all. Also, Doctor Fan often scolds you, saying you're not very capable but have a big ego, relying on being a descendant of the Mother of a Thousand Infants to gain fame for yourself..."

“I was so angry that I argued with her a few times. Later, Dr. Zhou also said that Dr. Feng was really skilled, so she didn’t dare to say anything more.”

Feng Chuchen said, "She can say whatever she wants. You don't need to argue with her because of me. Someone will deal with her for her own good..."

Aunt Wu returned from grocery shopping and came to the main room to report, "Young lady, it's getting late. I went to several stores and only managed to buy three pork knuckles."

Feng Chuchen said, "Three it is fine."

Feng Chuchen said to Cai Yuxiu, "I'll have dinner at my house tonight."

Cai Yuxiu liked the dishes cooked by Aunt Wu, and agreed with a smile.

Before long, Mu Jin came to report, "Miss, a young master has arrived. He says he is the second young master of the Ming family."

Feng Chuchen said, "So early?"

Cai Yuxiu continued practicing sewing, while Feng Chuchen went to the upper room.

Ming Shanfeng was led to the main hall and said with a smile, "I asked for an hour's leave to leave school early. My grandfather used to say that my cousin Shangguan was good-for-nothing, but ever since he started learning medicine from Miss Feng..."

“My grandfather praises him every day, saying he’s made something of himself, and my maternal grandmother praises him to the skies. Hehe, of all the imperial physicians and doctors, I’m most familiar with Doctor Feng. I want to become your apprentice and become a good doctor to make my elders happy.”

Feng Chuchen said, "Being a good doctor isn't that easy. Lord Shangguan not only studied medicine but was also interested in surgery and often went to the prison to treat prisoners' injuries."

Ming Shanfeng looked troubled. "I don't want to have surgery; it's too scary. Miss Feng, which aspect of medicine is the easiest to learn?"

Feng Chuchen had long seen that this child was different from Shangguan Ruyu. Shangguan Ruyu looked like a spoiled brat, but he was very persistent in things that interested him, and he also had the cunning of a member of the imperial family.

Ming Shanfeng is truly ignorant and not particularly bright. If it weren't for his family's strict discipline, who knows what he would have become.

She said, "Medical skills are divided into several categories, including Bian stone therapy, acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and massage. It depends on which category you want to learn..."

Ming Shanfeng looked pained. "Okay, okay, these are all hard to learn, too mentally taxing. I don't want to learn them. No matter what you do, there's always the simplest way. Just tell me the simplest one."

Feng Chuchen thought for a moment and said, "If I had to say the simplest and least brain-intensive job, it would be to be a doctor's assistant."

Ming Shanfeng raised an eyebrow. "Oh, what do assistants do?"

"For example, helping the doctor carry the medicine box, handing over acupuncture needles, fetching medicinal herbs, and doing various things for the patient as instructed by the doctor..."

Ming Shanfeng slapped his thigh and laughed, "I'll be your assistant. I'll be in charge of carrying the medicine box and handing you the silver needles, and the other servants will do the rest."

He turned around and said to the servant standing behind him, "Kekou, did you hear me? You must do things for the patient according to Doctor Feng's instructions."

Keke was thirteen or fourteen years old, still a fuzzy kid who hadn't fully grown up.

He bowed and said, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will obey your orders."

Ming Shanfeng frowned and said, "Wrong, it's following Doctor Feng's instructions."

Ke Ke bowed to Feng Chuchen again and said, "I will follow Doctor Feng's instructions."

tasty?

And this name, Mingshan Feng really loves to eat it.

Feng Chuchen laughed.

The usually serious Dr. Feng suddenly smiled.

Dr. Feng looks so beautiful when she smiles; Shangguan Ruyu wasn't exaggerating.

Ming Shanfeng was flattered and surprised, feeling that he must have been sensible and had spoken to Dr. Feng's heart.

Hehehe...

As they were talking, Feng Buji came home from school.

Feng Buji clasped his hands and said, "Young Master Ming, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am a humble student with limited knowledge and I have a few questions I would like to ask you."

Ming Shanfeng could tell at a glance that this little kid was just pretending to be serious; he didn't like anything serious.

He gave a perfunctory reply to Feng Buji's request for advice, and then said to Feng Chuchen, "Please teach me how to be an assistant, Doctor Feng."

Feng Chuchen had no choice but to take out a set of silver needles and tell him what each needle was called.

During the explanation, Ming Shanfeng interspersed various questions, all related to food.

"Besides the braised pork chop and popcorn chicken, what else haven't I tried?"

You probably haven't tried braised pork knuckle with fish-fragrant sauce.

Ming Shanfeng looked disgusted. "Fish-flavored pork knuckle? Pork knuckle with fish in it? The fish can't mask the greasiness of the pork knuckle, and the pork knuckle can't mask the fishy smell. This combination won't taste good, will it?" Feng Chuchen explained, "Fish-flavored pork knuckle just means that the pork knuckle has the taste of fish, not that fish is added to it."

……

Feng Buji could tell that this guy was just a gluttonous idiot.

He didn't want to ask any more questions.

But seeing Ming Shanfeng constantly pestering his sister with questions, he disliked it and went out to invite Cai Yuxiu over.

Cai Yuxiu knew Ming Shanfeng, and with her witty banter, Ming Shanfeng's attention was no longer entirely on Feng Chuchen.

As dusk fell, Shangguan Ruyu arrived, bringing with her an unexpected guest—Ming Shanyue.

Both were dressed casually; Shangguan Ruyu was in a green robe, and Ming Shanyue was in a blue robe.

Ming Shanyue followed behind Shangguan Ruyu, having already estimated the optimal distance to Feng Chuchen.

Feng Buji stepped forward and bowed, while Feng Chuchen curtsied in return.

Please have the two of you take a seat.

Shangguan Ruyu said, "When Cousin Ming heard that I was coming to Miss Feng's house for a delicious meal, he insisted on coming along."

He's been unhappy with Ming Shanyue these past few days, and his words have been sarcastic and pointed.

Ming Shanfeng retorted, "Big brother said I'm greedy, but aren't you just as greedy?"

Ming Shanyue was a little embarrassed. Shangguan Ruyu said they were going to Doctor Feng's house to eat different kinds of food. He didn't want to come, but his honest taste buds made his mouth water, so he couldn't help but come along.

He scolded with a stern face, "I heard you didn't do well on your monthly exam again. All you do is eat all day."

Ming Shanfeng explained, "I didn't come here to eat, but to learn medicine from Doctor Feng, so that I can become a good doctor even if I'm not a good doctor, just like my cousin Shangguan."

Shangguan Ruyu asked in bewilderment, "You want to be a good doctor?"

Ming Shanfeng was extremely proud. "Yes, I want to become a royal physician in the Imperial Hospital like my cousin Shangguan, and I want my grandparents and maternal grandmother to praise me every day."

Seeing her younger brother's sudden change in personality, Ming Shanyue was still relieved. Her grandfather and father used to constantly berate him, calling him good-for-nothing, useless, and a good-for-nothing...

Studying medicine is a good idea.

He asked, "You've been here so long, what have you learned from Dr. Feng?"

Ming Shanfeng said, "I already learned how to recognize silver needles when you weren't here, but I forgot again because you guys kept interrupting. Haha, today we have braised pork knuckle with fish flavor, but without fish..."

Ming Shanyue frowned, realizing she had thought too highly of him.

He said, "All you know is eating. I'll test your studies when we get home."

Ming Shanfeng pouted and puffed out his cheeks.

He retorted stubbornly, "Big brother, you're really something. You should be taking care of your son, but you insist on taking care of your younger brother. Please, listen to Grandpa and Grandma, hurry up and get married and have a son, and stop taking care of me."

"You don't like Miss Tong because she's too dark-skinned. I heard that Miss Zhen is deeply in love with you. After she recovered from her illness, she went to Aunt Xia, hoping to rekindle your relationship..."

Seeing that Ming Shanyue had the urge to hit someone, and feeling his buttocks already hurting, he quickly said, "Okay, okay, if you don't want to marry me, then don't marry me. I won't say anything more."

Shangguan Ruyu loved watching these two brothers bicker. Whenever Ming Shanyue got really angry, he could beat Ming Shanfeng horribly, but Ming Shanfeng just wouldn't learn his lesson and often made Ming Shanyue so angry he'd jump up and down.

He patted Ming Shanfeng on the shoulder and laughed, "You're so happy today, you're saying whatever comes to mind."

Ming Shanyue ignored him and asked Cai Yuxiu, "I heard that Dr. Cai's son has a son. Congratulations."

Dr. Cai's son was also Cai Yuxiu's cousin.

Ming Shanyue was gloomy and depressed, but this was the first time he took the initiative to talk to Cai Yuxiu.

Cai Yuxiu was somewhat surprised, but quickly replied with a smile, "Yes."

Ming Shanyue then asked, "How is General Wang's health now?"

Cai Yuxiu blushed slightly. "Thank you for your concern, Lord Xie Ming. He's doing well."

General Wang was Cai Yuxiu's unmarried grandfather, the eldest uncle of Cai's husband (who was also a female doctor), and Wang Tu's father. Before retiring, he was a fourth-rank general.

Ming Shanyue added, "The old couple had it tough. Their two sons died in an accident, and their eldest son and his wife also passed away early. They raised their three grandchildren all by themselves."

Wang Jian, the second of the three grandchildren, is Cai Yuxiu's fiancé. He is a martial arts scholar, nineteen years old this year, and serves as a seventh-rank captain in the Imperial Guard.

Not to mention Cai Yuxiu's somewhat strange expression, everyone else looked at Ming Shanyue in surprise.

This person is acting strangely today, unusually talkative, and in a particularly inappropriate way. Why should the young lady meddle in her fiancé's family affairs?

Cai Yuxiu forced a smile and said, "Yes. Now the three siblings have all grown up and are very filial to their elders. Grandfather is fine except for some inconvenience in his legs, and Grandmother has always been very healthy."

Ming Shanyue didn't think she was annoying, and added, "Old Cai, the female doctor, is very talented. She not only inherited her family's expertise in orthopedics and internal medicine, but is also quite proficient in gynecology and pediatrics."

“My grandmother still talks about her, saying that she had superb medical skills and a kind heart.”

Seeing that Ming Shanyue finally stopped talking about her future in-laws, Cai Yuxiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He laughed and said, "My grandfather told me that my eldest aunt was exceptionally hardworking and talented when she was young, even more so than my father. If she were a man, she would definitely have become the top imperial physician in the Imperial Medical Academy."

Ming Shanyue was quite disappointed that she hadn't found out what she wanted to know.

After the food and wine were served, Feng Buji accompanied Ming Shanyue and his brothers, as well as Shangguan Ruyu, to eat in the main hall.

Feng Chuchen and Cai Yuxiu ate in the east wing, while Guo Hei, Duan Yan, Kele, and seven other servants ate in the west wing of the main house.

Since there were only three pork knuckles, one was given to Feng Buji's table, and two were kept to give away. Feng Chuchen's table and the male servants could only eat fish-flavored lion's head meatballs.

When Peony went to the west room to serve the dishes, she saw Guo Hei there, and only snorted softly, not daring to say anything more.

Feng Chuchen had warned her that there were many guests today and she shouldn't be disrespectful.

Guo Hei ate with grease dripping from his mouth, but he didn't dare to be unruly, as his master had given him specific instructions before he came.

When Mu Jin came to serve the dishes, Guo Hei laughed and said, "Your cook is very good. Every dish is unique and delicious, especially the fish-flavored lion's head meatballs and the cold shredded radish salad. One is full of fragrance, and the other is sour and crisp."

Mu Jin chuckled and said, "This shredded radish dish was made by Sister Shaoyao."

Duan Yan and the others winked at Guo Hei in an ambiguous way.

Song Xian placed the shredded radish in front of Guo Hei, saying, "If Heizi likes it, you can have it all."

Guo Heida's face flushed red, and he roared at Song Xian in a gruff voice, "What, you want to fight?"

Although Ke Kou is young, he often hangs out with Ming Shanfeng and knows a thing or two about romance and romance.

He chuckled, "What, are Brother Hei and that Sister Peony a couple?"

Guo Hei slapped him on the head, glared at him, and roared, "No matter what, I wouldn't be interested in that ugly girl. If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll teach you a lesson."

Duan Yan quickly said, "Shh, keep your voice down. That girl isn't even afraid of Lord Jin. If she hears this, she'll beat you up."

Guo Hei retorted defiantly, "Hit me? You can't kill her."

Turn the volume down.

Tears welled up in her eyes from the pain, and she felt incredibly wronged.

Song Xian laughed and said, "Talking nonsense won't get you beaten up. Those two aren't a couple, they're enemies."

Ke Ke, quick-witted, hurriedly said, "Brother Hei, I misspoke."

He quickly moved the shredded radish in front of him as an apology.