“His grudge against Yuan Qing went far beyond just a concubine.” Duke Jingguo said, “The more we investigated, the deeper went the involvement. In the early years, he had a grudge against Yuan Qing.”

“During his wife’s journey from her hometown to Beijing, she encountered Wen Xuance in Li County, which led to conflicts between her and Yuan Qing’s wife. Many witnesses from both families can attest to this,” Duke Jingguo said. “Look at how he treats others, and then look at how he treats his concubines… What else is there to say?”

“Furthermore, he has raised the issue of military expenses with Yuan Qing several times, openly accusing Yuan Qing of extravagance and waste,” Duke Jingguo continued, his anger rising again. “I have personally inspected the state of Yuan Qing’s army and found no sign of extravagance or waste. What can we say about such a person, if not that he is narrow-minded and biased?”

Lin Fei heard this, and asked Duke Jing: “Why did Wen Xuance think General Shao was extravagant and wasteful?”

“He keeps claiming that he has done the math and that Yuan Qing’s military expenses simply can’t be that high,” Duke Jingguo said, unable to hold back a muttered curse. “What does a scholar who has never even been on the battlefield know? Is he trying to play the armchair general like Zhao Kuo?”

Upon hearing this, Lin Fei pondered for a moment and said, “I have reviewed the records and investigated Wen Xuance’s character. Knowing his nature, if he raised the issue of General Shao’s military expenses, he must have provided a detailed list. Has anyone verified that list?”

After hearing this, Duke Jing glanced at Lin Fei and said, “These matters have already been calculated by people from the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War. If it’s passed, how can he be used to calculate it? What’s more, he gave it directly to the Emperor, and the late Emperor accidentally dropped it into the pool after listening to it.”

But it didn’t matter…

“The late Emperor asked someone to see the army. In the middle of the situation, no extravagance of Yuan Qing and others was found. Everyone said there was no problem. It is just a scholar who had never been on the battlefield kept saying there was a problem. What do you think this is if not looking for trouble?” Duke Jingguo became angrier as he spoke.

“Yuan Qing rarely returned to the capital, so the conflicts between them never escalated. However, after some investigation, it was discovered that whenever Yuan Qing returned to the capital, Wen Xuance would always cause trouble for him. A person with such a narrow mind has long regarded Yuan Qing as a lifelong adversary,” Duke Jingguo said, letting out a cold snort. “Unable to use open strategies against Yuan Qing, he resorts to covert schemes. Ah Fei, given all this, do you think Wen Xuance’s motives for harming others are insufficient?”

Lin Fei shook his head: If it had already come to this, it was not unreasonable for Wen Xuance to harm people for this reason.

“But I heard Mr. Zhao say that he never admitted it.” Lin Fei paused and said.

“If asked to produce evidence or defend himself, he wouldn’t be able to do so,” Duke Jingguo said. “This man used to be skilled in debate, even surpassing others in literary gatherings. If he truly hadn’t committed murder, why can’t he offer any defense?”

“That’s true.” This time, Lin Fei finally gave what Duke Jingguo wanted to hear, and he said thoughtfully.

After talking about the past, Duke Jingguo got up and went back to the house. Before leaving, he did not forget to throw the roasted sweet potatoes made by Wen Mingtang back on the stone table.

Even if what Wen Xuance’s daughter made was jade liquid and fine wine, he would never touch it in his life.

Picking up the sweet potatoes that had been cooled on the table, although the aroma was not as strong as when it was hot, the inside of the sweet potatoes in the mouth was still sweet. With a sip, it melted like mud. Lin Fei left the Duke of Jingguo’s Mansion and returned home to Hou Mansion.

…

…

Wen Mingtang didn’t know that Lin Fei and Duke Jingguo almost got into a dispute because of the roasted sweet potatoes she made.

Early the next morning, the dawn drum bell rang, and she got up at dawn and started making breakfast.

After establishing a good relationship with Ji Caimai, in addition to not charging too much for purchasing ingredients, she also helped Ji Caimai reduce the waste of ingredients.

Ji Caimai came to Dali Temple with them early in the morning. He came out of the ice cellar holding a large pot of white meat skins and found Wen Mingtang: “Master Wen, maybe you can use this meat skin?”

After washing their hands, Ah Bing and Tangyuan, who were about to start working, saw the white fleshy skin. Their faces changed, especially the neat cuts made by the knife. The two couldn’t help but say: “Is this intentional? Just to make the meat less fat and more lean?”

Anyone capable of such unethical deeds, one can easily guess who it might be.

“I asked Sun Dingren if it was him, and he repeatedly assured me it wasn’t. He shifted all the blame onto Wang Junshan and told me to ask him if I didn’t believe it!” Here, Ji Caimai couldn’t help but sneer. “Where can I ask? Should I go to the prison? Wang Junshan isn’t locked up here.”

Wen Mingtang: “…”

So, now that there was no one to testify against, it was hard to do anything to Master Sun.

“Who wouldn’t get tired after eating this fat?” Ah Bing couldn’t help but remark, looking at those pieces of fat.

“Yes! I’m afraid even Chao Zhao and others can’t eat it!” Tangyuan followed worriedly.

It was obviously a worrying scene, but because of Tangyuan’s words, it made people want to laugh inexplicably.

Wen Mingtang looked at the meat skin that Ji Caimai brought, and then at the flour that had been poured out beside her. After thinking about it, she asked Ji Caimai: “Is there pork meat available for breakfast?”

Ji Caimai nodded when he heard this, “Yes, there is.” After a pause, he asked Wen Mingtang, “How much do you want?”

Wen Mingtang said, “For making steamed buns.”

“There is enough!” Ji Caimai estimated the amount, nodded in agreement, and put down the large pot of pork skin. Turned around and went to the cellar where the ice was kept.

After Ji Cai bought it, Ah Bing and Tangyuan hurriedly asked Wen Mingtang: “Master Wen, what do you want this meat skin for?”

This thing looked unpalatable!

Wen Mingtang blanched the large pot of meat skin and said, “Let’s make a Xiao long guàntāng bao!”

Xiao long guàntāng bao? Judging from the name, this was a new dish. It was different from ordinary steamed buns and was called “guàntāng”¹! How can this steamed stuffed bun be filled with soup?

The two of them watched curiously as Wen Mingtang took out the blanched meat skin, then picked up a handy knife and removed the hair on the skin and the fat on the back, leaving only a clean piece of skin.

The knife skills of Ah Bing and Tangyuan were not up to the task, so Wen Mingtang did it herself.

A large basin of meat skin was processed in the blink of an eye, and only a few thin pieces of meat skin were left.

Wen Mingtang sliced ​​the meat skin into pieces and cooked it in a pot with green onions, ginger, and wine, and then told Tangyuan: “After about an hour, the soup becomes milky white, then turn off the heat, take out the meat skin, and immediately send it to the ice cellar.”

Tangyuan nodded in agreement upon hearing the comment.

At this moment, Ji Cai bought pork meat and came over. Ah Bing was the best at mincing pork, so he glanced at Wen Mingtang subconsciously. When Wen Mingtang nodded, he picked up a knife and walked to the chopping board to start cutting the pork into mince.

Seeing the clear division of labor between Ah Bing and Tangyuan, Ji Caimai couldn’t help but say: “Master Wen is a good master. If she teaches for another year and a half, these two children may be able to stand alone.”

Wen Mingtang seemed to be confused. She didn’t pay attention, she responded with a smile and started kneading the dough herself.

However, after saying this, Ji Caimai suddenly stopped and looked at Ah Bing and Tangyuan who were working seriously, his eyes flashed slightly: Actually… it was not impossible!

(End of chapter)

---

Footnote

1. Soup filling