This dinner was quite sumptuous.
A whole deer was cooked in several ways. The deer legs were roasted, while the other parts were stir - fried with chili peppers, and the taste was really delicious. Even the bones were used to make a large pot of soup.
Chu Qing looked at the cracked bowls in the hands of Ruan Zheng and the others, then at the clean and intact bowls in her own and Wei Ying's hands. She couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion in her heart.
These people didn't have many rules. They simply and honestly gave the best to them.
However...
Chu Qing looked down at her bowl piled up like a small mountain again and smiled helplessly.
It seemed that she would never be able to get rid of the impression that she was a woman who could eat dozens of dishes in one meal.
A woman noticed that she was pregnant and very considerately served her a very large bowl of bone soup. After Chu Qing took it, the woman showed a simple and honest smile and said, "Princess Consort, you should nourish your body well now. Drink more soup. It's very nourishing! There's nothing good in our place. Princess Consort, don't dislike it! I just don't know if you're used to this taste..."
Chu Qing returned a smile and said softly, "How could I dislike it? I just like this kind of food."
After saying that, she took a big gulp of the soup without any affectation.
On the side, the men had drunk a few rounds of wine, and they were becoming more and more unrestrained in their conversation.
Especially Ruan Zheng.
He was seen with one arm around Nangong Jin and the other around Wen Yi, laughing loudly.
Nangong Jin looked quite natural and still smiled good - naturedly.
On the contrary, Wen Yi was squirming uncomfortably, trying to break free.
But Ruan Zheng didn't notice the other person's discomfort. Instead, he tightened his grip and said with a laugh,
"Your Highness the Prince! Don't be shy! I heard there are a lot of rules in the palace! You've finally come out. Don't worry about those rules anymore. Just do whatever makes you happy!"
Wen Yi's eyebrows twitched, and he really didn't struggle anymore.
However, his expression was rather resigned.
Chu Qing saw this and chuckled softly.
Wen Huan naturally also noticed the state of her elder brother and couldn't help but let out a few giggles.
Chu Qing naturally cast her eyes on her.
Wen Huan felt someone looking at her. Seeing it was Chu Qing, she snorted and said, "What are you looking at me for!"
At this time, Chu Qing was in a relatively good mood and didn't argue with the little girl. Instead, she squinted and smiled, "You were also looking at me."
"I didn't look at you!"
"If you weren't looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you?" Chu Qing curled her lips.
This was a rather rascally statement.
But it left Wen Huan blushing with anger. It took her a while to retort, "You're just a rascal! This princess won't argue with you! It's childish!"
Chu Qing raised her eyebrows and really stopped talking to her. Instead, she continued to lower her head to eat.
After Wei Ying picked up a piece of stir - fried rabbit meat for Chu Qing, he turned his head and called out to Ruan Zheng.
Unfortunately, someone named Ruan Zheng didn't seem quite used to his full name.
It wasn't until Ruan Ming, who was flushed from drinking, kicked him that he was stunned for a moment and said uncertainly, "Is His Highness the Prince of Ning calling me?"
"废话! Who else here is named Ruan Zheng!" Ruan Ming said irritably.
Ruan Zheng chuckled and said, "Your Highness the Prince of Ning, you can also call me Hua'er!"
"Um..." Wei Ying looked rather complicated. But he didn't call his name anymore. Instead, he directly asked, "Do you still want to follow this king?"
Ruan Zheng looked puzzled and said, "Aren't I here... Ouch! Grandpa, why did you hit me again!"
Ruan Ming said angrily and helplessly, "You fool! Didn't you tell me before that you wanted to worship the Prince of Ning as your teacher!"
"Eh???" Ruan Zheng was stunned for a moment. Then, as if he suddenly sobered up, he turned his head towards Wei Ying with bright eyes and said, "Your Highness the Prince of Ning has agreed!!!"
Wei Ying helplessly rubbed his temples and said, "It's not exactly taking you as a disciple, but this king can teach you things. However... you have to follow this king. So this king is asking you, are you willing to leave here, are you willing to leave Dongyi and go back to the Great Yan with this king?"
"I'm willing!" Ruan Zheng answered without hesitation. But after answering, he subconsciously looked at Ruan Ming.
He didn't know... if the old man would let him leave.
Back then, the old man also had the chance to leave, but he didn't want to.
Ruan Zheng thought about it. He didn't have the same thoughts as the old man, like thinking this place was his root. In short, he didn't have a strong sense of belonging to Dongyi.
Ruan Ming saw Ruan Zheng looking at him. After heaving a heavy sigh, he slowly said, "You're grown up. I can't hold you back if you have any ideas. If you really want to follow the Prince of Ning, just go."
Back then, he didn't leave with the Prince of Guangling because he couldn't let go of his family.
And now, Ruan Zheng wasn't married yet. The only thing he was concerned about was himself.
But he couldn't tie the child to his side because of his own selfish desires.
Moreover, if Ruan Zheng still stayed here, there would be no future for him.
Thinking of this, Ruan Ming continued, "Son, if you really want to go, just go. It's just..."
At this point, Ruan Ming seemed a bit embarrassed to say the rest.
Wei Ying saw that Ruan Ming hesitated to speak and immediately understood what he was worried about.
So, Wei Ying said seriously to Ruan Ming, "This king's sword will never point at the place where swords are forged. Uncle Ruan, rest assured."
After hearing this, Ruan Ming lowered his head in shame.
Ruan Zheng didn't quite understand. Instead, he excitedly pulled Cao'er and his other brothers and said, "Then Your Highness the Prince of Ning, can I take my brothers with me?"
A dark look flashed in Wei Ying's eyes, and he replied simply and neatly, "No."
Ruan Zheng was a bit stunned. Cao'er on the side bared his teeth and said with a smile, "Don't we know our own capabilities! In the end, we might just hold back the Prince of Ning and Big Brother! Moreover! We just like to stay in this small mountain valley!"
"Yeah! Yeah! We're not used to going to other places!" The others quickly echoed.
Seeing Ruan Zheng looking a bit down, Wei Ying's heart also sank.
Unexpectedly, Ruan Zheng slapped his head, and his eyes quickly regained their brightness: "It's okay! If they can't go! Then I'll follow the Prince of Ning alone! When I make something of myself in the future! I'll come back to help these brats!"
Hearing this, Cao'er and the others were all touched, with red eyes.
Ruan Zheng also sniffed, then turned to Ruan Ming and said, "Grandpa! Come with me!"
Hearing this, Wei Ying took over and said, "Uncle Ruan, come with us too. In this way, Ruan Zheng will be more at ease."
Ruan Ming waved his hand with a smile and said, "No, no. I'm old and can't walk anymore! If Your Highness the Prince of Ning is willing, just let this kid come back to visit me every year!"
Seeing that the other person really didn't want to go, Wei Ying didn't persuade him anymore.
Ruan Zheng still wanted to say something, but was grabbed by Ruan Ming.
"You all eat first. I'll take this kid into the house to have a few words." After saying that, Ruan Ming forcefully dragged Ruan Zheng into the house.
It was only natural that the grandfather and grandson would have something to say as they were about to part.
However, not long after, a earth - shattering howl suddenly came from the house.
It was like...
The howl of a pig being slaughtered.