As the group approached, the aroma of the sauce grew even stronger!

The moment they entered the kitchen, Wen Mingtang and the others, who had been guarding the counter, lifted the lid of the clay pot.

Better late than never!

Wen Mingtang and the others, who had been standing by the counter, had come over, led by the aroma of the sauce. One would think their noses had already grown “used” to that rich, savory scent, yet the moment the lid was lifted, even Wen Mingtang, Ah Bing, and Tangyuan—who had long become familiar with it—were jolted by the sudden surge of fragrance. It was as if lifting that lid had released every bit of aroma simmered inside the pot all at once.

Taking a deep, intoxicated breath, almost simultaneously, everyone looked towards the braised pot simmering on the stove.

Today’s evening meal was made in those everyday clay pots, brimming with ingredients. Chicken wings, shrimp, and meatballs were neatly arranged on top, the thick sauce bubbling gently as it simmered over low heat. Steam rose, filling the countertop with a misty haze, making Wen Mingtang and the others feel as if they were in a fairyland!

Despite the ethereal appearance, their actions were incredibly mundane. They deftly sprinkled fresh scallions and cilantro onto the fragrant clay pot, then quickly moved the still-bubbling pot away from the stove.

This dish, called Sān Zhī Mèn Guō, was very simple to make; only the cooking time was crucial. If cooked for too long, the vegetables at the bottom would easily burn!

After a busy afternoon, everyone was starving. Their stomachs, like Liu Yuan’s, had been rumbling in protest outside. Now, stepping into the kitchen, the rich aroma of the sauce seemed to act as an invisible hand, completely luring out their cravings.

The rumbling of their stomachs, the sounds of swallowing, and exclamations of “So delicious!” echoed continuously.

Seeing the crowd suddenly surge in while they were busy sprinkling scallions and cilantro, Ah Bing and Tangyuan were genuinely startled. Almost instinctively, they blurted out, “It’s as if they appeared out of thin air!”

“We are human beings; we don’t just appear out of thin air!” the chāyì at the front of the line said with a smile. “You were just too focused on your work!”

Although they were praising them, before Ah Bing and Tangyuan could respond, the chāyì continued to urge them on: “We are starving! Chef Tangyuan, Chef Ah Bing, hurry up and serve the rice!”

Having delicious food right beside them, only being able to smell and see it but not be able to eat it, was truly the most severe “torture” for their stomachs!

Glancing at all the chāyì urging them on, Tangyuan and Ah Bing shook their heads but did as they were told to speed up!

The seemingly simple Sān Zhī Mèn Guō smelled incredibly delicious. Not to mention the constables who had been busy all afternoon, even they were finding it hard to resist!

After the evening meal, there was still a tough battle to fight that night, so no one, whether queuing or getting their food, lingered!

Although everyone rushed into the public kitchen at once, and the queue stretched out into the courtyard, the line moved very quickly thanks to everyone’s cooperation. By the time the last chāyì in line received his meal and found a seat in the crowded hall, only half an incense stick’s time had passed.

Glancing at the few remaining pots of stew on the table, Wen Mingtang took them down through the thick cloth and placed them in the food boxes stacked against the wall. Then, she went around from behind the table, found the nearest constable, and asked, “Are Lin Shaoqing and Liu Sicheng busy? Zhao chāyì didn’t come to collect his meal today!”

Lin Fei’s meal-collecting habits were quite good: even when he was busy, he would always have Zhao You come to collect his meal! But today, she hadn’t even seen Zhao You, so Wen Mingtang couldn’t help but ask.

The chāyì, who was eating with his head down, paused, his chopsticks still bulging. Though his mouth was stuffed full and he was reluctant to let go, he still pointed towards the main hall and mumbled, “Wei Sicheng interrogated that Su fellow in prison all afternoon, and I heard it was quite effective. Lin Shaoqing and the others are discussing it, forgetting about eating! “

As for Zhao You…

“Zhao chāyì is injured!” the chāyì said, noticing the slight change in Wen Mingtang and the others’ expressions. He quickly swallowed the lotus root in his mouth and said, “It wasn’t from the fight, but after it was over, he was rushing back for dinner, and the rain was too heavy, so he slipped and fell! I’ve already asked Liang Nu to help take them back; it looks like he broke a bone!”

Wen Mingtang: “…” She wondered where Zhao You, usually the fastest runner, was!

“Master Wen, if you’re not in a hurry to eat, could you please deliver this? They’re with Lin Shaoqing!” the constable said, swallowing another large mouthful of rice. “Liu Sicheng and the others are starving, but they’re too busy with official business to come!”

Wen Mingtang glanced back at Ji Caimai, who nodded. He then left the table in Ji Caimai’s care and took Ah Bing and Tangyuan to make the trip.

The chāyì were right. When the three of them arrived at Lin Fei’s house with the food box, they could still hear Lin Fei and the others’ voices coming from inside.

“…That Yang family’s acquaintances with the thieves are old friends…”

Although the door wasn’t bolted, it was closed. Anyone with sense would avoid it.

Seeing this, Wen Mingtang and the others didn’t knock. They simply placed the food box on the small table in front of the door, left a note, and left.

…
…

Although he hadn’t gone along with Lin Fei and the others, Second Master Su had indeed given quite a few instructions here as well.

After Wei Fu finished recounting the afternoon’s interrogation results, Liu Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “So, what exactly is this Yang guy holding onto? Why did those powerful figures behind the scenes choose this group of thugs?”

Wei Fu glanced at him, shook his head, and took a deep breath: He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt a fragrance wafting in from outside!

But now was the time to get down to business! Taking another deep breath, suppressing the craving lured by the aroma, Wei Fu said, “Second Master Su joined midway, so he doesn’t know either. But he also said that their ancestors seemed to be hiding some secret, but he doesn’t know what that secret is!”

Hearing this, Bai Zhu seemed thoughtful: “In that case… why not try arresting the Yang mother and son first? And then see if we can pry them open up…”

Halfway through his sentence, Bai Zhu took a deep breath, glanced at Wei Fu, who was shaking his head and smiling wryly at him, and turned to look outside. The fragrance seemed to be coming from outside.

Lin Fei noticed everything. Hearing the rumbling of Liu Yuan’s stomach in protest, Lin Fei said, “We can arrest the Yang family mother and son, but it won’t be easy to pry their mouths open!” Without waiting for a reply, he stood up and said, “Master Wen and the others should have brought over dinner. Let’s eat first, and then we can discuss this matter!”

(End of Chapter)

---