Pei Shu’er was a bit at a loss whether to laugh or cry. She stuffed a pickled vegetable meat bun into Tang Zan’s hand. Tang Zan glanced at it, his thin lips pressed into a line. She reached out and took away the black bread in Tang Zan’s hand. Only then did he look up at Pei Shu’er, his eyebrows slightly raised, the corners of his mouth displeased and turned down. Generally, if someone saw the Young Master , they would wish to retreat three yards away. If the Young Master was unhappy, it could very well be life-threatening. But Pei Shu’er simply looked at him warmly, placing the bun into his hand. She pulled Tang Zan up, and at that moment, the dizziness in her head suddenly vanished. A flash of insight struck her mind, but she couldn’t quite catch it. Tang Zan pressed his lips together but stood up, following Pei Shu’er into the kitchen. This time, entering the kitchen, she lifted the lid off the cast iron pot that had been simmering, revealing the glossy red-braised pork that was ready. This dish was started by Pei Shu’er while the buns were steaming; first boiled, then the skin was fried to a golden brown, with some seasonings and water added to submerge the meat, and finally simmered until the sugar color developed. The flavor was simply extraordinary. When the lid was opened, the Tang Family members all swallowed collectively, and the eyes of the few government officers guarding in the kitchen went wide. Pei Shu’er served two plates of red-braised pork onto the table, letting the Tang Family eat first. The Tang Family members couldn’t wait to take a bite; because it was too hot, they ate too quickly and burnt themselves. But the taste was so exquisite they couldn’t bear to spit it out, so they blew on it while chewing the red-braised pork in their mouths. The pork belly was stewed to be tender and soft, the pork skin tender yet chewy, all absorbed with the broth, blending meaty aroma, oily fragrance, sweet scent, and salty taste into one, like a feast on the tip of the tongue. Tang Peiyi ate and started to cry. He thought he would never have the fate to eat such delicious food again. It was his niece-in-law who snatched his life back from King Yama, allowing him to live and taste food akin to what an Imperial Chef would make. The others, while eating, also began to cry. Old Madam Tang’s eyes reddened, and she heavily knocked on the table. "What does the family discipline teach, eating without crying." As she said it, she also cried. She really couldn’t hold back... This meal, it was truly too difficult. After several narrow escapes, such fine food was savored, such a moment of peace was secured. Then she served a big platter of red-braised pork to the government officers in the kitchen, and returned to the big pot, ready to ladle a large bowl of red-braised pork for the officials outside. Suddenly, the sound of swallowing reverberated from the window. Pei Shu’er looked up and saw the people from the main house standing at the window. The few looked haggard, already emaciated, with sunken cheeks, disheveled hair, and slightly hunched backs as they stood next to the kitchen. They looked like beggars dragging families to beg for alms. Mrs. Li and Tang Peilin exchanged a glance, knowing they had incurred Pei Shu’er’s disdain, and with their faces all swollen, decided not to step forward first and instead focused their gaze on Aunt Lin. Aunt Lin was being urged forward against her will, and she smiled, "Shu’er, your red-braised pork is really well made. When I once tasted the red-braised pork made by the Imperial Chef in the palace, it wasn’t even a tenth of what you’ve made." Pei Shu’er stood there expressionless, quietly awaiting Aunt Lin’s next words. Aunt Lin continued with a smile, "Look Shu’er, you’re so capable, talented in cooking, and filial to elders. Auntie just knows this is for our main house. You know how hard it has been for us on this journey, right?" Tang Qingrou wiped away tears: "Exactly, father is crippled, the officials don’t give food at night, and I see how father can almost faint from hunger. Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t bear to watch father faint, right?" Pei Shu’er calmly replied, "What does it matter to me, Pei Shu’er, if you can’t endure hunger; besides, wasn’t the main house already separated?" "If you have hands and feet, you can’t support yourselves—is that also my fault?" Having said this, Pei Shu’er closed the kitchen window. Aunt Lin and Tang Qingrou lamented at the window. "Shu’er, how can you treat us this way, we are your great aunt after all." Tang Qingrou also sighed, "Shu’er, how heartless you are—it takes one stroke to write the tang in both families." Pei Shu’er heard the chatter of exiles outside, sneered coldly in her heart, and said through the window. "Don’t say I’m just a niece-in-law yet to step through the door, even your brother has been made cold-hearted by you." "Don’t say you are the Tang Family; who traps their own brother and niece, nearly extinguishing the Tang line, only to now come asking for food." Pei Shu’er’s voice was stern: "Do you deserve it? Who wouldn’t want to avoid relatives like you?" Aunt Lin sighed, wanting to say more, but Pei Shu’er suddenly moved close to the window and threatened softly. "Go on, continue pretending, say one more word, and I’ll open the window and knock your teeth off." With those words, there was a gasp from outside, Aunt Lin’s breathing quickened in fear, not daring to speak another word. Pei Shu’er finally felt more comfortable. She previously thought Tang Peilin and Mrs. Li were done for, and the main house would settle down; now she realized that Tang Qingrou and Aunt Lin were no good either. She smelled a strong "green tea" scent on them. Dealing with such "green tea" calls for tough measures—let them exhaust their tricks on the stone, getting nowhere in frustration all day. No one from the Tang Family said anything, except Old Madam Tang, who seemed a bit reluctant, but still didn’t suggest giving food to the main house. Pei Shu’er said to Tang Zan, "Let’s go, we should take some food to the officials outside." Tang Zan, having eaten enough by now, stood up, took some buns, and walked out with Pei Shu’er. Pei Shu’er placed several baskets of buns in front of the government officers, noticing that everyone seemed quite satisfied with the meal. Lu Qing nodded with a smile: "Pei Shu’er, good cooking." It was the first time Pei Shu’er saw Lu Qing genuinely smile at her, bringing a friendly smile to her own face. "I’ve liked food since I was little. If you Lords want to eat in the future, feel free to ask me to cook for everyone." After all, there wasn’t much longer before reaching the place of exile. Cooking is a small matter; it’s more crucial to inquire about information on Gulan Mountain from the Lords. In an unfamiliar and dangerous place, information is more valuable than anything. The other government officers were no longer cold towards Pei Shu’er as before, but instead laughed heartily. "We’re just afraid that once we get used to Miss Pei’s meals, everything else will taste like chaff." "The Lords are being modest. Whenever there’s anything you need me for, just call on me." After saying this, Pei Shu’er placed another basin of red-braised pork in front of the government officers. Seeing these meats, they couldn’t help but widen their eyes. The neatly cut red-braised pork was an enticing reddish-brown, gleaming with a savory gloss, exuding a sweet and meaty aroma.