But fortunately, there were no accidents or other interruptions after that. After passing through a moon-shaped gate hidden at the end of the winding alleyway; and after retreating from the many women with swords who emerged from the shadows to salute; Jiang Tian and others Appeared in a large garden that suddenly opened up;
Under the moonlight, the garden is full of flowers and trees in bloom, and the breeze brings the compound aroma of day lilies, calamus, laurel, tung flowers, hibiscus, peony, and peony. It makes people feel a little bit hot during the summer. , suddenly became calm and comfortable from the outside to the inside.
However, just in the distance of the huge courtyard, looking at the stacks of multi-story high-rise buildings and pavilions, the brightly lit lights vaguely reveal the sound of joy and feasting, shining in the orchid dome-like night; this huge contrast between movement and stillness , which further highlights the elegance and tranquility of the garden.
When Jiang Tian walked on the winding gravel path, he could even see the swaying plantains and poppies under the shade of the nearby trees with blooming flowers; there were also groups of young women in skimpy dresses. Or they are plucking strings in harmony, or they are singing gracefully, or they are dancing gracefully.
There are even some who are raising their swords and stabbing them like butterflies piercing flowers. Obviously, in this quiet and private place, they looked very relaxed, natural and comfortable. Unable to avoid being wet with sweat, they lifted up their sleeves and hems, and even loosened their waists and breasts, revealing the white and pink inner layers.
Therefore, when viewed from a distance, it looks quite fragrant and eye-catching. Only when people get closer, they quietly disappear into the shadows of bamboos and flowers and trees like a frightened bird. Occasionally, someone jumps up to the bushes or the top of the rockery pavilion with a whooshing sound, and disappears like a nimble night cat.
Such a scene also made Jiang Tian couldn't help but slow down and slowly appreciate the scenery along the way. But when he listened carefully to the singing and the melody of silk and bamboo brought by the wind, his expression became slightly strange; because what Jiang Tian heard was the "Orchid Pavilion Preface" and "Blue and White Porcelain" with different tunes.
However, as he strolled along the paths of flowers, trees, mountains and rocks, the faint melody gradually turned into "Chrysanthemum Terrace" and "White Moonlight". Well, needless to say, this is also the legacy of Liang Gong, the senior traveler who changed the Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago.
In other words, it represents some direct or indirect historical connection between this senior traveler and the local owner. With this strange thought in mind, Jiang Tian finally followed Du Zhidu Niang to a rockery full of cherry blossoms and holes. A red-and-white tower is hidden among them.
However, when Jiang Tian stepped into the corridor of this balcony, he discovered that this seemingly small balcony actually had another side that was tall and majestic. That is along the steep face of the rockery that is more than ten feet high; terraces and floors descending like stairs; extending all the way to the small lake below.
And this small terrace is just a small part of this group of buildings with dozens of levels going down, located at the top of the rockery. At this time, everyone knew that Du Niang also bowed and saluted again: "Dear guest An Tai, my host has prepared a banquet inside, just waiting for you to come and enjoy it."
As she kindly opened the wooden door inlaid with white glazed glass and clam shells, a banquet hall that was transparent and spacious from top to bottom appeared in front of Jiang Tian. Under the dougong ceiling in the center of the banquet hall, there is a circle of withered railings; through the spiral staircase turning to the building below, faint instrumental music can be heard.
However, in a space of hundreds of square meters, there are only two ebony and glossy eucalyptus mats placed next to the withered railings. As Jiang Tian and Ke Keya entered the venue one after another, the clear sound of chimes and golden bells also came from behind the curtains on the four walls of the octagonal banquet hall.
As these clear calls echoed; two rows of maids in colorful skirts and temples poured in from the outside, holding various washing utensils in their hands, serving Jiang Tian and Kodak affectionately for a little cleansing; and then it spread like water. We serve seasonal fruits, flower snacks and preserved fruits, as well as appetizing seasonal side dishes.
After they all quietly retreated with light steps, Kodakya, who had been sullen all the time, relaxed his body, leaned on the cushioned trunk, and smiled at Jiang Tian: "It seems that this is the real place. The Yiying Building is located, but I was intimidated by the facade outside."
"Look at these Sansu Honey Mix, Wuhua Wraps, Snow Ding Milk Jelly, and Dragon Crystal Milk. I'm afraid it's not a summertime snack that has only recently emerged in the palace. There are also lychees from Jianchuan and new oranges from Jianghuai. , I’m afraid it wasn’t just sent here and chilled in the ice cellar; it seems that he values you very much!”
"You must know that the kindness that the Tianjia bestows on you clans and noble relatives, as well as the princes and vassals in Beijing, is nothing more than this; the rumors that Qixiufang has a close relationship with Ouchi are not groundless." Ke Ke Ya said. As he said this, he stuffed it into his mouth unscrupulously:
"To be honest, where I live in Haidong, everything else is okay, but the local food-related products are a bit expensive and lacking. Even if I brought a chef from Beijing, it would be difficult for a skilled woman to cook without rice, and she wouldn't be able to cook so much. The variety of names makes people miss the beauty of the capital even more."
While the two were slowly tasting and chatting, chatting about various anecdotes about the Kodak Duck in Haidong, the crisp golden bell rang again; then, a faint hot wind blew towards their faces; The woman used a thick wooden pole to carry the main dishes placed in a long lacquer box.
"Hun Yang is dead" Jiang Tian couldn't help but whispered: This is a very popular and famous dish in this era. It originated from the palace banquet in the Kaiyuan period and is one of the products of grassland Hu Feng integrating into Han customs. However, after the evolution of the peaceful years, it has become popular among the people.
The method is to first wash the carefully selected fat goose, put it into the goose cavity with meat and glutinous rice mixed with five flavors, then slaughter the sheep, peel the skin, remove the internal organs, and then put the goose into the belly of the sheep and sew it up properly. After roasting over high heat, stuffing is taken from the belly of goose and lamb, and the skin and meat are eaten.
And this is just the most common practice in folk restaurants and restaurants. It is said that in the homes of officials and nobles, roasted cows and camels will be used as the third dish, and in the palace banquets, There is also a five-course set of camel, calf, lamb, duck and quail.
Of course, the "Hun Sheep Shihu" in front of me is not that big, at best it is bigger than a roast suckling pig; from the appearance, it is a "Pi Li" that is only found in the grassland outside the Great Wall, and comes from the Songmo Dudu Mansion. One of the special tributes of the Linhuang vassals, game is famous for its tender and delicious meat.
"Bili, oh Bili, I have only seen you at the vassal state banquet five years ago!" Kodak duck even muttered something in his mouth, and with a light stroke of the familiar food dagger, it was already browned. The overcooked meat comes off the bone, revealing the whole roasted rabbit wrapped inside.
I saw him gently poking and pushing the roasted rabbit's back with his sharp head; the whole roasted rabbit decomposed in the middle; and revealed a shelled goose egg wrapped with many preserved fruits; and then , Kodakya carefully picked up the goose egg with a flat-headed silver spoon, placed it in front of Jiang Tian and said:
"Brother-in-law...this is the benefit you should take advantage of as the guest of honor."
Then, Jiang Tian nodded and scooped out a portion with a spoon. He put it in his mouth and immediately felt the delicious aroma of shrimp roe, fish paste and crab roe filling it instead of egg yolk, as well as the delicious scallop shreds; they layered on the tip of his tongue one after another. A distinctly blooming, joyful and continuous taste.
The rabbit meat that is picked up immediately melts in the mouth and the soup is full; the small pieces of civet meat cut into small pieces are also crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and are chewy and delicious even without any seasoning. Likewise. Paired with fruit wine with a clear and mellow taste, it’s even more addictive.
They saw that most of the main course was eaten, and a bottle of fruit wine with tangerine peel and sweet plums was also consumed. After the two of them tasted the twelve snacks as appetizers and condiments, they finished the meal. The maid who was waiting at the scene listened carefully and rang the bell twice with great consideration.
"Since the master has arrived, why don't you come out and meet us." Then Jiang Tian, who was slightly satisfied, suddenly raised his head and said coldly to the outside: "Since I have received such warm hospitality from the master, what do you have to say? Yes, why not explain it in detail in person?"
"Your distinguished guest is really perceptive and insightful inside and outside! This seems to be a slave's pretentiousness." This was a slightly older female voice rang out from the outer corridor: Then two women with tall and muscular postures, dressed in light clothes and futou, wearing long swords with tassels and red scabbards on their waists. The guard opened the curtain and came in, then stood sideways and solemnly by the door.
"The lord of Qixiufang, Mr. Sun, has met Jiang Jianxian." Then a woman with a slightly fatter figure, wearing a warm yellow high-waisted wide skirt, walked in. She has gray hair with high temples and short hairpins, a round and plump face, and her youthful grace and brilliance can be seen vaguely between her eyebrows and eyes with subtle lines.
"Ah, ah, ah, ah... I seem to be a little sleepy. Someone, help me out to change clothes and take a rest." At this time, Kodakya also stood up with a serious look on his face; then he couldn't wait to lean against a nearby person. The maids who came to help were all groaning as they were helped out.
"You are the contemporary Aunt Gongsun, but you have been famous for a long time. How lucky are you to meet me today?" At the same time, Jiang Tian did not get up, and still leaned on the couch. He looked at the other party without any courtesy and said calmly: "Thank you for this. He invites and entertains me generously, but I don’t know what to teach him.”
However, after hearing these words, the two female guards standing beside them could not help but look unhappy with their raised eyebrows; even in front of the court ministers, they would not be so rude and ignorant to the boss. However, Gongsun only used one look to make them obedient again.
"Of course, it's just a way to express my feelings and repay Jian Xian's kindness." Gongsun chuckled lightly and said with a breathtaking expression: "In other words, it also represents the views of the entire Qixiu Fang and the generations of owners. It’s just a little repayment for the hatred and great hatred left behind.”
