Chapter 493: De Hongchen, the Devoted Eater
Zhou Yuan wasn't the only one who noticed De Hongchen entering Han Shi. The other ministers also gradually recognized the Imperial Teacher—someone who rarely even attended court once in several months. If not for the need to conceal their identities, they might have already stood up one by one to salute him. Even so, they still showed obvious signs of unease.
De Hongchen's gaze flickered slightly. His lips moved, and his voice rang directly in the ears of every minister in the dining area.
"I'm just here for a meal. Ignore me and carry on with what you're doing."
With De Hongchen's words, the ministers gradually calmed themselves and resumed their roles as ordinary diners.
A hint of confusion flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes.
The Imperial Teacher hadn't attended court, so how did he know about the plans discussed there?
Then he smiled wryly.
He had almost forgotten about Hall Master Hongchen. Most likely, it was him who had informed the Imperial Teacher.
With his doubts resolved, he continued savoring his Dragon Well Tea Shrimp while patiently waiting for his other dishes.
"Your Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork and white rice are here."
Zhou Yuan didn't have to wait long before Qi Han brought over his remaining dishes. As he did, he noticed the elderly man who had just entered the dining area.
A new face—he hadn't been here yesterday?
Then he probably wasn't related to Xu Jiyun. Could he just be a nearby resident who wandered in for a meal?
Seeing the old man's simple, coarse linen robe—completely different from the attire of the other diners—Qi Han became more certain of his guess. He walked over with a friendly smile.
"Sir, what would you like to eat?"
As he got closer, Qi Han noticed that this elderly man was somewhat different from ordinary old people.
His eyes were not cloudy like most elders, but clear like a child's—deep blue, like the ocean. His build wasn't particularly robust, and his slightly hunched posture made him seem a bit shorter than Qi Han. His rosy, healthy face carried a gentle, approachable smile, giving off a warm and pleasant aura.
De Hongchen carefully looked at Qi Han for a moment before taking a seat. "Young man, this lunchbox belongs to your shop, right?"
As he spoke, he handed over the lunchbox he was holding.
"Yes." Qi Han nodded, recalling the middle-aged man who had asked for a takeout container earlier at noon.
Thinking back to that man—who hadn't arrived with the other diners but had also been introduced by Xu Jiyun—Qi Han realized his earlier assumption had been incorrect.
But it didn't matter much.
After taking the lunchbox, Qi Han began his usual introduction. "Here is our menu. Just let me know what you'd like. Also, wasting food is not allowed, please keep that in mind."
"Waste?" De Hongchen shook his head. "With food this delicious, how could I bear to waste it? Go on with your work, young man, I'll take a look at the menu first."
"Alright." Having said what needed to be said, Qi Han turned and returned to the kitchen to continue preparing the next customer's dishes.
Hmm… business has been picking up since today. Should I hire a waiter?
Forget it, I'll see in a few days.
As he pondered, his knife moved swiftly, slicing ingredients into evenly thin pieces.
…
Slowly withdrawing his gaze from Qi Han, a strange glimmer flickered in De Hongchen's eyes. Then he refocused on the menu, flipping through it while muttering softly.
"Quite a variety of dishes… hmm? These are illustrations? They look so appetizing, just looking at them makes me hungry… let's see… this Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish looks excellent, I'll have one of that, and this as well…"
After quite some time, when Qi Han passed by De Hongchen again, the old man—who had been thoroughly engrossed in the menu—finally looked up.
"Young man, I know what I'd like to eat."
"Go ahead," Qi Han said, casually taking out a pen to jot it down.
"One serving of Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish, one serving of Mapo Tofu, and a bowl of white rice."
As De Hongchen spoke, he glanced at the other dishes on the menu.
Sigh~ what a pity his appetite wasn't bigger. Otherwise, he would have loved to try every single dish in one go.
It seemed he would have to come back a few more times in the future.
If every dish at Han Shi was as delicious as the Dragon Beard Noodles and Fried Pork in Scoop he had at noon, he might as well eat every meal here from now on.
De Hongchen stroked his beard and chuckled, his anticipation growing even stronger.
He didn't have to wait long before his dishes were served. The Mapo Tofu and white rice arrived first, while the Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish would take a bit more time.
Pulling the plate of Mapo Tofu slightly closer, a unique spicy fragrance mixed with a rich soybean aroma slowly drifted into his nose.
This smell…
De Hongchen sniffed lightly, his eyes instantly lighting up.
At noon, the Fried Pork in Scoop he had eaten was sweet and sour, while the Dragon Beard Noodles were savory. Already conquered by those flavors, he now encountered this entirely new spicy and numbing aroma—and it immediately refreshed his senses.
The tofu cubes were stacked neatly in the dish. Their extremely soft texture caused them to slightly deform under pressure, while their surfaces were coated in a deep reddish-brown sauce made of fermented black beans and chopped chili. The sauce clung evenly to each cube, reflecting a glossy sheen under the light. Just the sight of it made De Hongchen swallow involuntarily.
Let's taste it.
Without hesitation, he picked up a piece of tofu with his chopsticks.
Though it looked incredibly soft, it didn't fall apart as expected. It wobbled slightly and deformed under the pressure of the chopsticks, but remained intact.
Just looking at it, De Hongchen could already imagine how smooth and delicate it would feel in his mouth.
As the tofu entered his mouth, the sauce coating its surface instantly touched the taste buds on his tongue. A flavor he had never experienced before—fragrant, numbing, and spicy—exploded across his senses without warning.
With a gentle press, the tender tofu broke apart in his mouth, releasing its rich soybean flavor. This blended seamlessly with the sauce of the Mapo Tofu, intertwining two distinct yet complementary tastes into something so exquisite that De Hongchen could only marvel in amazement.
After swallowing the piece of tofu, feeling the lingering savory and spicy flavors in his mouth, his gaze unconsciously shifted to the bowl of white rice beside him.
The rice itself already looked far more appealing than any he had ever seen. Now, stimulated by the lingering flavors of the Mapo Tofu, he looked at it as if it were a supreme delicacy.
He picked up a small portion and put it into his mouth. As each grain gradually broke apart while chewing, a gentle sweetness from the rice blended with the remaining sauce in his mouth, creating a harmonious and delightful taste. An involuntary smile appeared on De Hongchen's face.
This pairing of Mapo Tofu and rice… was simply perfect.
He began eating faster and faster.
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