Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 477

Earlier, the old doctor had indulged in the sweet-scented osmanthus cake made by Gu Yin, finding it incredibly delicious.

Despite the old doctor’s frequent presence, Gu Yin knew he wasn’t fond of ostentatious gestures. If he truly valued such external things, he would have served in the imperial front rather than staying in Duke Ying’s Mansion. Gratefulness, for Gu Yin, was expressed through her occasional culinary efforts at home.

A recent coincidence led Gu Yin to mention a dish called “oil-fried double crisp”, a renowned delicacy admired by many famous diners and documented in various books. The old doctor had always been curious about its taste, but being a dish not native to the capital, it required strict control over heat, evident from the word “crisp” in its name.

During a time when Gu Yin was enlisting chefs to enrich the snacks on the fourth floor, she had invited a Huaiyang chef catering to Qian Sansi’s taste, as well as someone skilled in Shandong cuisine. While the Shandong chef knew the steps to make the dish, he lacked the expertise to execute it.

Gu Yin, always up for a challenge once she knew the basics, experimented with the dish at home. The old doctor, eager to taste it, joined her in the kitchen to observe the process.

Despite it being Gu Yin’s first attempt, her solid foundational skills shone through. She started by meticulously removing the fat and inner membrane from the tip of the pork belly, then proceeded to make a cross-shaped cut.

The old doctor couldn’t help but commend her at that moment, saying, “Your method is really neat. I can’t believe it’s your first time doing this.”

Subsequently, Gu Yin marinated the pork belly and moved on to cutting the chicken gizzard. The old doctor watched intently, his gaze inevitably drawn to the dark kitchen knife in her skilled hands, unable to conceal his smile any longer.

Covering his heart, the old doctor claimed he wasn’t feeling well and hastily exited the kitchen.

Gu Yin successfully crafted the double crispy oily dish. While the sauce might not have been an exact replica of Shandong cuisine, she added her unique touch to it. The pork belly and chicken gizzard turned out fragrant and crispy, perfectly balanced.

The old doctor, however, seemed more preoccupied with the cherished piece of cold iron he had held onto for many years than the delectable dish before him. Despite his internal turmoil, he managed to devour an entire plate.

From that day forward, he refused to let Gu Yin cook for him, fearing that the occasional pang of distress over the lost piece of iron would resurface.

The old doctor’s temperament resembled that of a child, incapable of concealing his emotions; almost everything was written on his face. Gu Yin, perceptive as always, noticed something amiss that day. When someone obtains the dish they’ve longed for, why would they stutter while complimenting and lose their usual smile?

In Duke Ying’s Mansion, Wu Qingyi was the one who knew the old doctor the best. During a family dinner, Gu Yin inquired about the kitchen knife he had given to her.

It was then that she learned the knife was crafted from the old doctor immortal’s precious metal. Although the old doctor had initially intended to give it to Wu Qingyi for weapon-making, he never expected his disciple to use it to create a kitchen knife for Gu Yin.

After the meal, Gu Yin and Wu Qingyi went to apologize to the old doctor. In front of Gu Yin, the old doctor refrained from scolding Wu Qingyi and remarked, “It’s okay. My daughter-in-law’s craftsmanship is excellent. This cold iron was originally meant for this reckless fellow, so why can’t it be used by you?”

However, the old doctor’s gesture of covering his heart suggested that putting down the matter entirely wasn’t easy.

Upon hearing that Wu Qingyi had won a rare small machete during the spring hunt, a blade previously unused even by the past emperors, the old doctor had also given it to Gu Yin for use as a meat knife.

When Gu Ye suggested asking his mother to cook again, the old doctor unconsciously placed his hands over his heart once more.

Gu Ye, seeing that, chimed in, “Regarding meteorite iron, cold iron, and the like, there should still be some in the storeroom in the palace. If I have a chance in the future, I will definitely find a better piece for you.”

The old doctor, charmed by the child’s attempt to comfort him, couldn’t help but laugh again. Waving his hand, he said, “It’s alright; I truly want to let it go. I’ve said it long ago—it’s a gift. How it’s used is his right. It’s just that your uncle, the boring gourd, the wooden man, even resorts to the trick of borrowing flowers to offer Buddha. I’ve been pondering these days; it’s not easy to find someone like your uncle. If being used by him to please his sweetheart is not a humiliation for my precious iron.”

Gu Ye gave a thumbs up and praised, “Master, I am sincerely convinced, and I will definitely follow your example in the future.”

Given his unique status and the likelihood of becoming a crown prince, Gu Ye’s proclamation wasn’t just empty words. Others might be uncertain, but the old doctor, who dabbled in fortune-telling, had secretly evaluated this in private.

Such a child stating that he would take the old doctor as an example left even the solitary old doctor immortal feeling a bit overwhelmed. The old doctor smiled and waved his hand, saying, “It’s just a small matter; I really didn’t take it to heart. I know you are busy with other affairs, so there’s no need to make a special trip for this trivial matter.”

Gu Ye continued to smile and flatter, “Master, you are an expert in the world; how could your affairs be trivial? And it’s not just for this; I have something else to trouble you.” The old doctor raised his eyes to look at him.

Although Gu Ye and Gu Yin were not blood-related, some small habits were alike, especially this little fox-like smile!

The old doctor, despite being horrified by his smile, had already engaged in a pleasant conversation. It wasn’t easy to dismiss him now, so he reluctantly inquired about what Gu Ye wanted.

Gu Ye leaned closer and whispered a few words in a low voice.

The old doctor immortal retorted angrily, “You are just like your mother, truly treating me as an immortal being!”