The Princely Heir nodded and said, "Neighbor, you should still accept it. Besides, our family will be living here on the mountain for a long time. Borrowing things from each other will be quite common in the future. So how could we borrow for free?"
The two brothers insisted that Mu Yuanxiu accept it.
Mu Yuanxiu had no choice but to take it.
The Princely Heir then added, "By the way, what’s your name? It’s a bit awkward to keep calling you neighbor."
He shared his and Second Young Master Li’s names first, "I’m Li Xingmao, Li of wood character. Xing as in prosperity, and this is my second brother Li Xingsheng. I also have a third brother named Li Xing’an."
Mu Yuanxiu said, "My surname is Mu, with the grain radical, Yuan as in energy, and Xiu as in self-cultivation."
"Brother Mu, I’m older than you and my family is larger. If you need anything in the future, just come find us," the Princely Heir continued.
Mu Yuanxiu slightly curled his lips, thinking to say it was unnecessary.
But he still nodded politely, "Thank you, Brother Li."
When the Princely Heir and Second Young Master returned after delivering things, Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an were already roasting leopard meat.
The Second Princess was crouching to help.
After washing their hands, they also joined the grilling team.
Two-and-a-half-year-old Li Jing squatted quietly by the fire, his eyes bright as he stared at the meat.
"Auntie, why do you roast meat with stones?" Li Jing asked with great curiosity at Li Yuzhu’s new grilling technique.
"This way, the meat won’t get burnt," Li Yuzhu laughed.
She didn’t place the meat directly on the fire but found a thin stone, washed it clean, placed it over the fire, and pan-fried the thinly sliced meat on the stone.
Thin slices of meat would turn into charred ashes if grilled directly on the fire.
"Is it done, is it done?" Li Xing’an asked eagerly, holding a pair of chopsticks made from broken bamboo branches, as he flipped the leopard meat and eagerly asked Li Yuzhu.
The Great Princess and Xue Family wanted to come closer to watch but felt embarrassed.
Being the elders, Prince Luling and his wife wouldn’t compete with their children. With the Princely Heir and the second son also grilling, they would naturally have their share once the meat was cooked.
Li Yuzhu glanced sidelong at Li Xing’an, "It won’t help to be impatient, it’s not for you to eat."
Li Xing’an’s eyes widened, "What? I’ve been busy for a long time, why can’t I eat it?"
"It’s for Jingjing. You, as the third uncle, should let the little nephew eat first, right?" Li Yuzhu said with a smiling face.
Li Xing’an was fuming inside.
Of course there’s a problem, he’s hungry too!
But he couldn’t bring himself to fight for food with his nephew.
Li Jing, upon hearing it was for him, smiled so wide his dimples deepened, clapping his little hands in delight.
"Guoguo also said she wanted to eat," Xue Family, smelling the aroma of the meat, was almost drooling.
Not daring to say she wanted to eat herself, she brought her daughter closer.
But Li Guoguo didn’t cooperate, turning her head away and smiling at Princess Consort Luling behind.
There wasn’t even a glance at the roast meat.
Li Yuzhu deliberately exposed her, "Guoguo is talking with her mother consort and not looking at the roast meat. Sister-in-law, does she really want to eat? The meat is so tough, she wouldn’t be able to chew it."
Li Yuzhu said, "These thinly sliced meats are for Jingjing, and these roasted bird eggs are for Guoguo. Guoguo doesn’t have teeth yet, she can’t even eat roast meat. She’s only half a year old. Let her have mashed egg yolk."
Xue Family’s face darkened with anger. If her daughter couldn’t eat, could she?
Did Li Yuzhu have to say it out loud?
Saying it made her embarrassed to ask for more.
"Then what do we eat?" Li Xing’an rubbed his stomach.