Chapter 1116: Resignation

Having traveled in both the north and the south, Qi Haoran had tried countless delicacies. Not to mention anything else, the imperial chefs in the palace had superior culinary skills. In spite of that, when it came to the foods he craved the most, Shu Wanniang’s cooking could be ranked in the top ten.

As for Ah Ling, for personal reasons, he reluctantly gave her the tenth place.

Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling helped to handle the prey that they had caught, then looked at Shu Wanniang eagerly.

Smiling, Shu Wanniang said, “This is not enough. We can’t just eat wild game, right? Go out and rest first. I’ll get someone to buy some other ingredients back.”

As Shu Wanniang’s heart ached for her daughter and son-in-law, after checking out what was available in the kitchen, she wrote a shopping list for the servants. She planned to make many delicious dishes tonight.

Seeing that they weren’t of much help in the kitchen anyway, Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling did as Shu Wanniang said and left.

Mu Kejia asked curiously, “Sister, isn’t it said that the best chefs in the world are the imperial chefs? Why do you still crave Mother’s cooking?”

“The imperial chefs’ culinary skills are indeed excellent, but Mother’s cooking is even better.”

Qi Haoran nodded repeatedly.

“Sounds like the imperial chefs’ culinary skills aren’t that good huh. Although Mother’s culinary skills are good, to me, it tastes similar to the food prepared by our kitchen maids.”

When Mu Bowen heard this, he smiled and said, “That’s because you’ve been living a good life since you were young, with kitchen maids cooking for you. You hadn’t been through hard times like us, lacking clothes and food. Back then, there were only Mother, Father, and Big Sister cooking for us.” Mu Bowen paused and glanced at Mu Yangling. “There’s no need to mention Father’s culinary skills. As for Eldest Sister’s culinary skills, actually she makes a pretty good dish of roast meat.”

When Qi Haoran heard this, he laughed out loud and said, “Even now, your sister only has three presentable dishes. Other than roasted meat, she can only cook braised pork belly and braised lion head.”

Mu Kejia widened her eyes and quickly turned to look at her sister. Mu Yangling was not ashamed at all and said self-righteously, “When I make other dishes, they’re at least cooked thoroughly and of suitable saltiness.”

“Is that enough to be considered a dish?” Qi Haoran looked at her disdainfully.

Mu Yangling replied in an equally disdainful tone, “At least I am familiar with the kitchen. You haven’t even been in the kitchen twice.”

Qi Haoran said arrogantly, “A gentleman stays clear of the kitchen. Have you ever seen a man cook?”

“Sure, a gentleman doesn’t need to eat and can subsist on wind dew alone. Also, when did you become a gentleman?”

Mu Bowen silently supported his sister. “90% of the chefs in the restaurants and eateries are men.”

Mu Yangling clapped with a smile. “That’s right. The imperial chefs are also men. If you don’t know how to cook, just say so. Why bring up gentlemen and whatnot?”

Qi Haoran: “…”

After looking at Mu Yangling and Mu Bowen, Mu Kejia wisely chose to watch from the side.

Poor Qi Haoran could only be bullied by the siblings.

Shu Wanniang prepared a table full of delicious food. Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling ate until the edges of their mouths were full of oil. Little Bear was already looking at his grandmother with stars in his eyes. He kept urging, “Grandmother, come back to the capital with us. My younger siblings haven’t seen you yet.”

Shu Wanniang couldn’t bear to part with her grandson either. However, her youngest daughter was getting married in the Winter Solstice and Bosi was also about to marry. Plus, she wasn’t in good enough health to travel. Thus, she could only make up for it by making more delicious food for Little Bear during this period of time.

Little Bear, who had lost weight because of the war, became fair and fat in just half a month because of Shu Wanniang’s cooking. As Qi Haoran fought with his son for food, he urged him to practice martial arts. “You’ve become so fat that you can’t even lift your sword.”

“Daddy, lower your head and look at your stomach…” The father and son fought for food as they bickered.

Seeing this, Shu Wanniang pursed her lips and smiled. She turned around and whispered to Mu Yangling, “Back then, I was afraid that you would suffer when you married over. At that time, because Haoran was your father’s immediate superior, it was inevitable that we didn’t feel so confident when facing him.” Hence, all these years, she could only keep sending things to the capital. She never dared to ask her daughter to do anything for the family because she was afraid that Qi Haoran would dislike that.

Shu Wanniang held her daughter’s hand and sighed. “Both of us are lucky people. I hope your younger sister will be as lucky as us. To a woman, marrying well is the most important.”

Mu Yangling was silent for a moment before asking, “Hasn’t Daddy met Kejia’s prospective husband?”

“The human heart is the most difficult to fathom in the world. He presented himself well, but who knows if he’s as good as he looks? Even if he’s as good as he looks now, who can guarantee that he won’t change in the future?”

Mu Yangling felt that her mother was too pessimistic. Smiling, she said, “Mother, you can’t pin your hopes on what kind of person Brother-in-law is. Instead, you should think about how Kejia should experience this marriage and deal with things. As long as Kejia is good, even if Brother-in-law isn’t good, she could always divorce and find another man. If one’s temperament is good, their life will naturally be good. At the very least, one can live a good life by themselves. Could it be that Bowen and Bosi won’t support Kejia in the future? Besides, there’s still me.”

Stunned, Shu Wanniang hurriedly spat and gently slapped Mu Yangling’s mouth. She chided, “Children’s words carry no harm. Don’t you think before you speak?”

Mu Yangling didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Weren’t you the one who started talking about it? Besides, how can I still be considered a child when I’m already so old?”

“Alright, I can’t win against you. Anyway, don’t say such things again, lest bad luck befall.” Seeing her son standing in front of the moon gate, Shu Wanniang nudged her daughter. “I reckon your brother has something to say to you. I don’t know if this child is hiding something from us, but he specially took two extra days off to come home.”

Mu Yangling went over to look for Mu Bowen.

Mu Bowen looked at her with a smile. “Sister, Brother-in-law said that you guys are leaving?”

“In the next two days. We’ve been here for more than 20 days, and the capital has been urging us to go back for some time now. If we stay any longer, His Majesty will send an imperial edict to urge us.” Mu Yangling turned to look at her silent brother and asked, “If you have anything to say, say it. When did you learn to keep things to yourself?”

“Sister.” Mu Bowen hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to resign.”

Stunned, Mu Yangling sized up her brother.

Mu Bowen was only 26 or 27 years old this year and was at the peak of his youth. As he had been an official for a few years and had become a father, he had a calm and refined temperament, much like Shu Wanniang, unlike the rest of the family who were more boorish.

Mu Yangling asked, “Why do you want to resign? What do you want to do after resigning?”

Mu Bowen looked at her with bright eyes. “Sister, I want to compile a new astronomical calendar. I also want to travel all over the country and survey the water conservancy facilities.”

Mu Yangling’s mouth fell open.

Mu Bowen looked at her pleadingly. “If I don’t resign, I might not be able to accomplish these two things in my lifetime. Only by resigning will I have a glimmer of hope.”

Mu Yangling was silent for a long time before asking, “What did Father and your wife say about this?”

“Yuanniang said that she would listen to me. As for Father.” Mu Bowen was a little dejected. “Daddy didn’t agree. He said that since I’m the eldest son, it is my duty to support the family.”

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