Now, the braised pork could be made to taste nearly as good as it had in his previous life.
Mrs. Wei saw how deliciously her son was eating the dish. Although she initially wasn't too keen on fatty-looking meat, she couldn't resist trying a small piece.
Then, she, too, was amazed.
The pork looked greasy but wasn't fatty at all. Instead, it was rich and fragrant, perfect with rice.
After tasting the other dishes, they were even more surprised.
The chicken soup was savory, the steamed fish was sweet and fresh, the fried fish was crispy and aromatic, and even the greens were delicious.
Each dish's flavor was beyond their expectations.
So everyone had their fill, thoroughly pleased and satisfied, leaving not a single leftover.
Even the last bit of sauce from the pork was scooped up with rice by Ma Gu and Wei Zian.
Even Mrs. Wei, who was usually very restrained, couldn't help having an extra bowl of chicken soup after she was full.
"Brother Lu Qing, I'm really starting to regret not having meals at your place before. How many delicacies have I missed out on!"
After the feast, Ma Gu was full of remorse.
"Ha-ha, it's not too late to come over in the future. Just means more chopsticks," Lu Qing laughed.
"That's for sure. Even if you don't invite me, I'm going to shamelessly stick around for meals," Ma Gu joked.
Seeing this, Wei Zian looked on enviously.
If his family didn't live in the city, he too would like to come by for meals often.
But then, he thought, Ma Gu was now his master.
As a disciple, it was only right to visit the master often, right?
And if by accident he also came over to Young Master Lu's place for a meal, that would be normal too, wouldn't it?
Wei Zian couldn't help but feel pleased with his own cleverness.
Even Mrs. Wei was almost tempted by the idea.
Unfortunately, she knew that with her status, once she returned to her residence, it wouldn't be easy to come out again.
For a moment, the meal made everyone's mood relax, and they seemed to forget the upcoming trip to the county.
But what needed to be faced had to be faced eventually.
After the meal, there was a silence, and the elder doctor finally spoke, "Ah Qing, get ready. We're about to leave."
Lu Qing nodded and went out to prepare.
With the members of the Tian Cang Sect around, they couldn't just stroll into the county openly.
They still had to disguise themselves.
So Lu Qing went to the village to borrow a set of clothes for Mrs. Wei and Wei Zian to wear.
He also borrowed Old Zhang's docile ox and cart from next door, loading it with some medicinal herbs.
Once everything was ready, Lu Qing, with the War Saber and a covered bamboo basket on his back, lifted Little Yan onto the cart.
Indeed, he had decided to take Little Yan with him this time.
The trip to the county was fraught with danger, and he and his master were unsure what might happen.
Leaving Little Yan alone in the village without Little Li was not something he was comfortable with.
The two siblings had been each other's sole support.
So this time, they would set out together.
After all, he and his master would never let anyone harm Little Yan before they themselves fell.
"Brother, where are we going?"
Little Yan, seated excitedly in the cart, asked.
"We're going to the county. Haven't you always wanted to see the city? Well, this is your chance."
"To the city? Yes, yes!"
Little Yan was immediately delighted.
She had never been to the city before.
"Mrs. Wei, please help take care of Little Yan along the way," Lu Qing said to Mrs. Wei, who was also seated in the cart.
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Mrs. Wei, dressed as a village woman, held Little Yan tightly.
She hadn't expected Lu Qing to bring Little Yan along.
But she could feel Lu Qing's determination and knew persuading him might be futile.
So she silently made a vow: unless it cost her life, she would not let Little Yan come to harm.
Once everything was in place, the elder doctor took the lead with the cart, cracked the whip, and the wheels of the cart began to turn slowly as they headed out of the village.
Lu Qing, Ma Gu, and Wei Zian walked alongside the cart.
The villagers were unaware of what Lu Qing and the others were setting out to do, and they were oblivious to Mrs. Wei and her son's true identities.
They just thought they were accompanying the elder doctor to the city.
Seeing Lu Qing and the group setting off, the villagers bid them farewell without much additional sentiment.
Now that Lu Qing was so capable, they were not worried about him.
As the cart reached the edge of the village, the elder doctor stopped.
Lu Qing walked forward and, from beneath a stone slab under the letter tree, took out three Red Ropes and wrapped them around the tree.
"Young Master Lu, what is this?"
When Lu Qing returned, Mrs. Wei asked.
"This is a tradition of our village. Everyone who leaves the village must tie a Red Rope on it..."
Lu Qing gave her a brief explanation.
But the simplicity of his words made Mrs. Wei's heart tremble fiercely.
The hands holding Little Yan tightened even more.
Ma Gu and Wei Zian standing by also firmed their expressions.
In their hearts, they made a certain resolution.
The whip cracked again, and the ox cart moved forward, slowly advancing.
The cart passed through the woods, startling a flock of birds that burst suddenly into flight.