Chapter 180 - 179: When is it Not Piaopiao?
Mrs. Wei gave an awkward smile and said, "Marquis Chu heard your hot pot is delicious and he wanted to eat it for midday meal today. But, today is the second day of the New Year, and it’s not very polite to visit others. So, could Afu you please go make it at the Tang Garden?"
Shyly, she then revealed that yesterday, Marquis Chu praised Afu, saying the dishes cooked at home were not as delicious as those done by Afu, so they all wanted to go over to the Lu Garden for a meal. However, they were convinced to stay by the Marquis. Today, they wanted to do so again and were once again convinced to stay. The Marquis argued that it was not appropriate to go to someone else’s house for meals on the first and second days of the New Year...
"Oh dear, it’s a bit late now," Afu replied, laughing. "If the broth for the hot pot isn’t simmered until it’s thick, it’ll lack flavor. How about this, I can stir-fry a few dishes for Marquis Chu’s midday meal first. In the late afternoon, when there’s more time, I’ll prepare the hot pot?"
Mrs. Wei laughed, "That would be even better. We servants are so foolish, we can’t serve the masters well, so you will have to take the effort, Afu."
Afu modestly declined this praise and, moving into the kitchen, took a large handful of garlic sprouts and a small jar of "Fine Bran". Along with Mrs. Wei and the two guardians who had arrived with her, she exited the house.
As they had barely left the house, an old man came out from the other side of a tree, blocking their path.
With his murky eyes, the old man glanced at Afu and asked, "Are you Afu?"
On recognizing the man, Afu took a second look. He was probably in his fifties, dressed in a grey long padded cotton gown, with a fur hat on his head. His clothing and hat were shiny from wear, evidence of how long he’d been wearing them. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, displaying a wretched and grief-stricken look, and bore some resemblance to Mrs. Wang, allowing Afu to guess who he was.