CH 65

C65 – That must be Your Illusion!

Tang Yue opted for a solitary dinner, excluding his family’s company. He shared a pot of vegetable porridge with them.

Although it was labeled as vegetable porridge, he had actually added minced meat, shrimp, and vegetables. The flavor was surprisingly delightful. Ping Shun managed to down three sizable bowls in a row. If Tang Yue hadn’t regulated the portions, he might have gone on to consume another three bowls.

Despite it not being midnight yet, both of them were ravenous. Tang Yue covertly consumed some jerky that he had stashed in his room. Before he could take a couple of bites, a knocking sound at the door interrupted him.

Swiftly hiding the dried meat beneath his bedding and swallowing the morsel in his mouth, he hastened to the door and opened it. As expected, Noble Heir stood on the other side. He was of such stature that he practically blocked the doorway.

“This Noble Heir smells meat!” Noble Heir remarked dolefully.

Tang Yue surreptitiously licked the residual meat off his lips. “It’s just your imagination.”

Leaning against the door, Ping Shun regarded him weakly. His eyes revealed an unmistakable hunger and yearning.

Tang Yue found it difficult to witness. In the interest of not compromising his health at the outset, he resolved to take Ping Shun hunting for wild sustenance. This approach would enable exercise and sate their hunger.

Fetching seasonings from the kitchen and arranging for a ladder to be positioned against the wall, he swiftly scaled the wall. “Climb up. I’ll show you how to find food.”

Ping Shun appeared somewhat hesitant. Throughout his upbringing, it had always been others who brought him food. The notion of foraging for sustenance was completely foreign to him.

“Come on, hurry up and join me. Let’s go catch some wild chickens and roast them.”

The tempting prospect made Ping Shun salivate, and he couldn’t resist as he ascended the wooden stairs.

A “Pata” sound, followed by the thud of flesh hitting the ground, reached Tang Yue’s ears. Lowering his gaze, he witnessed Noble Heir ending up on all fours, struggling to turn over.

Tang Yue gazed skyward in disbelief. There was no alternative but to have him carry a few sizable stones and arrange them underneath himself. In this way, he created a makeshift stone staircase to ascend.

“Why should I be the one carrying stones?” Ping Shun protested.

Perched atop the wall, Tang Yue peered down at him. “Apart from you and me, the entire yard is full of women. Would you have the elderly maids carry the stones?”

Ping Shun truly wanted to ask why not. He was the master, and they were the servants. Even the servants needed to be divided by gender?

Yet, Tang Yue couldn’t let this chance to make him flex his muscles and joints slip away. Seated on the wall, he refrained from calling for assistance.

Thus, Ping Shun had to roll up his sleeves and tackle the task himself. After carrying the three sizable stones, he was practically left limp. Lounging against the wall, he became a bit like putty.

Tang Yue hopped off the wall, crossed his arms, and awaited his descent. They reached the foothills of the back mountain two hours later, having spent quite some time waiting.

Tang Yue cast a quick glance at the sleeve Ping Shun had grabbed and spoke in hushed tones, “In such deep mountains, it’s likely there are wild beasts, right?”

Nodding, Tang Yue added, “Which is why we’re sticking to the base of the mountain.”

“Here?” Ping Shun surveyed the pitch-black surroundings, his bravery wavering once more. “How are we even going to catch them?”

Tang Yue, being just as inexperienced, found himself without an answer. Fortunately, a troop of guards trailed them, each one robust and capable, swiftly resolving the issue for them.

Tang Yue was left momentarily flabbergasted as several wild rabbits and pheasants darted towards them, almost as if they were about to collide into their arms.

How could this work?

“Quick, catch a few of them!” Tang Yue kicked his smooth butt, urging him to move.

“Why is it this Noble Heir again?”

“Because it’s your humble servant who will be cooking, Young Master!” Tang Yue threw a sideways glance at him. “Or are you considering stepping into the kitchen?”

Ping Shun shook his head and took a few deep breaths. Spreading his plump legs wide, he surged forward.

With this abrupt movement, the oncoming wildlife instantly halted and redirected their paths to escape.

His pace was leisurely, his intention clear. Yet, each time he failed to intercept the animals, they were already gone.

After more than ten rounds of fruitless pursuit, he collapsed onto the grass, panting heavily, utterly motionless.

Tang Yue gauged the time and reckoned it was the right moment for the hidden guards to capture a few hares and pheasants.

Observing this scene, Ping Shun scowled, pointing at Tang Yue. He grumbled, “You’re intentionally subjecting His Noble Heir to this torment!”

Tang Yue extended a hand to help him up and brushed off the clinging foliage. “This isn’t torture, it’s exercise!”

Surveying his surroundings, Ping Shun found they were all Tang Yue’s subordinates. He stood isolated, without any family around. Unable to oppose further, he suppressed his annoyance and plopped onto the ground, sulking.

Yet, when the aroma drifted by, his frustration yielded to hunger. He craned his neck, striving to lock onto Tang Yue’s figure.

Tang Yue prepared three pheasants and two rabbits, applying seasoning and honey before roasting them to perfection, filling the air with their mouthwatering aroma.

A few guards eyed the roasted pheasants with envy. Soon, they set off to capture a sizable wild goat. After cleaning it, they unashamedly handed it over to Tang Yue.

Tang Yue’s plan was to roast the entire goat. He instructed them to fashion a wooden rack for the fire and place the goat on it.

Ping Shun had been waiting eagerly, his eyes gleaming as he fixed his gaze on these delectable treats.

Tang Yue carved a chicken and divided one of the legs. He kept half for himself, sharing the remainder with the guards.

“A single chicken leg isn’t enough.” Ping Shun polished off the meat in three bites, casting a pitiful glance toward Tang Yue.

Tang Yue nibbled on the chicken wing, gesturing towards the roasted lamb. “Save some food for us.” This gesture was meant to placate the hunger in Noble Heir’s stomach.

The appetites of these men couldn’t be sated by a few small wild animals. As Tang Yue devoured half of the chicken he held, he noticed everyone eyeing the sheep greedily, drawing nearer.

Tang Yue ushered Pingshun closer to the fire and imparted the art of meat roasting. He instructed him to flip it occasionally, season it periodically, and increase the quantity. He felt as content as a mentor guiding his protégé.

“In this world, relying on others is unreliable. It’s best to depend on yourself. If you can cook well, you can relish delicious food wherever you go.” Tang Yue patiently guided his future brother-in-law toward becoming one of his twenty-four devoted husbands.

In the modern era, being a capable husband meant not only being the breadwinner but also possessing culinary skills. Proficiency in domestic tasks both inside and outside the home was crucial.

Tang Yue considered himself quite capable in this regard. Unfortunately, neither men nor women in his life had benefited from his skills. The young boyfriend he had recently mentioned hadn’t even stayed over at his place, denying him the chance to showcase his talents.

Pingshun recognized the logic in these words, yet his internal struggle stemmed from his aversion to remotely learning culinary arts as a gentleman.

“It’s about time to coat another layer of honey!” Ping Shun’s mouth watered as he spoke.

Tang Yue glanced at him, noting that Ping Shun’s notion of time was rather vague. He wasn’t certain how long it would take for an incense stick to burn or a cup of tea to brew, but Ping Shun had it down pat.

With a notion, he questioned him, “Can you recall the time and sequence I just mentioned?”

Ping Shun reiterated the exact words he had spoken earlier, not missing a beat. He even offered a timely reminder, “It’s time to flip it.”

Tang Yue studied him from head to toe. He hadn’t expected Ping Shun’s memory to be so impeccable. It seemed the rumors about the supposedly useless Noble Heir of State Duke Heng weren’t accurate.

Of course, a suspicion crept into his mind that this lad might have channeled his talent toward the opposite gender.

“Do you also recall the count of women in your harem?” Tang Yue inquired casually.

“Of course I do. Do you even need to ask?” The topic of women brought him a sense of relief. He started to recount the various individuals in his courtyard, vividly recalling each person’s characteristics.

Tang Yue couldn’t decide whether to appreciate his sharp memory or be annoyed by his playful demeanor as she listened. Eventually, a sense of dejection settled in.

By the time he reached his thirtieth concubine, he noted that her bosom shape was exceptionally ideal. Regrettably, her facial features didn’t meet his standards, and her complexion fell short of his preference, relegating her to the thirtieth position.

“Alright, let’s have our meal.” Reflecting on it, he realized discussing this subject was unwise. Tang Yue sliced a piece of meat about the size of his palm for Ping Shun using a knife. He cut himself a portion before instructing someone to take away the remaining meat.

Ping Shun watched as they disappeared into the night with a reddened gaze. He pitifully regarded the sliver of meat hardly sufficient to satiate his appetite. “After waiting until midnight, Noble Heir, this is all the food you’re giving?”

Tang Yue inwardly thought, “I’m making an exception for you tonight. Tomorrow won’t be the same treatment.”

Disregarding his complaints, Tang Yue finished his barbecued meal and felt eighty percent full. He extinguished the fire, patted his backside, and prepared to head back.

“Tang Yue, don’t take another step! If you don’t clarify things, I won’t return.”

“Are you planning to feed the wolves here?” Tang Yue cast a fleeting glance in his direction before continuing on.

“Hey… wait…” The area turned dark once the fire was put out. The sound of wolves howling seemed to reach Ping Shun’s ears, prompting him to hasten after Tang Yue.

Whatever ambitions or sentiments one held, when confronted with the threat to their very life, all else appeared trivial.

On this day, Ping Shun had expended an excessive amount of energy. Both his mental and physical stamina were drained, leaving him with legs as heavy as sandbags when he tried to run.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Tang Yue ascended the wooden ladder and entered the yard, while Noble Heir stood alone, gazing blankly at the towering wall.

“Tomorrow! Ming! That Japanese Noble Heir must depart from this cursed place!” Pingshun trudged into the yard, carrying stones and visibly fatigued.

As soon as he stepped into the house, he spotted a bucket of hot water waiting. Casting aside his frustration, his plump cheeks broke into a smile. Finally, he could relish a soothing bath.

Yet, standing beside the bathtub, a new concern arose. What if there was no one to assist him in changing clothes?

The elderly woman in the yard wouldn’t lend a hand without Tang Yue’s instruction. Neither threats nor bribes held any sway. He haphazardly tore off the clothes he wore, reducing a fine ensemble to tatters. Only then could he finally slip into the bath, devoid of clothing.

The cool water enveloped his body, evoking an unexpected melancholy within Ping Shun. He’d never faced true hardship from a young age. This marked the first instance he encountered the harshness of life without the support of his father, once he departed from State Duke Heng’s Mansion.

However, what he remained oblivious to was that even more trying times awaited him.