Chapter 718: Chapter 718: There Are Two Things to Tell Shu Yu Chapter 718: Chapter 718: There Are Two Things to Tell Shu Yu Guard Cheng Xian’s expression caught Shu Yu’s eye, and she immediately signaled to Wang Changdong with a glance.
The latter quickly echoed Shu Yu’s words, saying, “Yes, Cheng Xian, we are all trying the taste of these snails. But since we are all inexperienced and haven’t seen the world, we can’t say whether there are better-tasting snails elsewhere. With your broad experience, perhaps you could offer some advice to Lady Lu.”
The others also nodded in agreement and then crowded around Cheng Xian, nudging him forward.
Cheng Xian couldn’t very well refuse, and found himself being pushed into the living room to take a seat. The table in front of him had been wiped clean by the quick-witted officers.
The wine jug had also been put away. Tasting the snails was fine, but drinking alcohol was not on the agenda.
Cheng Xian pretended not to notice the strong smell of wine, but Wang Changdong timely added, “The snails have been cooked with a bit of wine to remove the fishy taste, which is why it smells strongly of alcohol, haha, haha.”
Shu Yu, “…” Don’t you think that’s admitting there’s no silver here?
Fortunately, Cheng Xian didn’t mind. He nodded slightly and accepted the small dish and chopsticks that Shu Yu handed to him.
In fact, the snails didn’t really require a toothpick as Shu Yu had cut their tails quite large, and they had been well fried, so they were easy to slurp out.
Cheng Xian still kept his expressionless demeanor. Without much effort, the snail meat, mixed with the thick sauce’s aroma, landed in his mouth.
He paused slightly. Indeed, there wasn’t a hint of fishiness.
“Fresh, fragrant, delicate in texture, without any muddy smell.”
Unexpectedly, he had offered his critique, which was quite rare for the usually reticent Cheng Xian.
Wang Changdong sighed in relief and quickly took a seat opposite him, saying, “See, I thought they were delicious too. Cheng Xian, please have some more.”
Initially, Cheng Xian had only intended to sample them as a courtesy, since they really were so fragrant.
But snail slurping is addictive, especially when the spicy snail dish was such a rare delicacy, and he found it hard to stop.
Eventually, Wang Changdong and the others also sat opposite him, chatting and eating, and the atmosphere turned surprisingly harmonious and joyful.
Shu Yu stood behind them, her mouth twitching at the corners. It seemed Guard Cheng Xian couldn’t maintain his aloof demeanor after all.
Luckily, he knew when to control himself. Seeing that he had piled up quite a few shells in front of him, Cheng Xian who had enjoyed his fill, stopped, drank some tea to moisten his throat, and then cleared his throat to say, “Indeed, it’s good. I think there’s no need for improvements.”
Shu Yu held back a laugh and nodded, “That’s good to hear.”
Seeing that Cheng Xian didn’t plan to eat anymore, she quickly diverted his attention and asked, “By the way, Cheng Xian, you said you had something to discuss with me. May I know what it is?”
Cheng Xian stood up, “Let’s talk over there.”
Shu Yu nodded and invited him into the room on the left side of the living room. She poured him a glass of water and then sat opposite him.
Cheng Xian’s expression returned to its usual solemnity and he said, “I’ve come to inform Lady Lu of two things.”
Cheng Xian nodded, “The first is that the affairs of Heichang County are almost settled, and the governor will be leaving tomorrow. However, though the Lord is leaving, Mister Qi will stay.”
A light sparked in Shu Yu’s eyes, “Mister Qi isn’t leaving?”
Cheng Xian’s expression was gentle, “Correct. Now that Heichang County’s former county magistrate has been arrested, we have to wait for news from the capital’s Ministry of Personnel regarding the new magistrate.”