Sheng Sanlang was still in a daze.

Hadn’t they agreed the big wild boar was frightening? Why was his cousin thinking about beggar’s pork elbow?

Wait, he had only heard of beggar’s chicken. What was beggar’s pork elbow?

Luo Sheng was quite understanding about this.

The news about pulling off a man’s belt would probably be rather shocking for any man. She had to give him some time to adjust.

Glancing at the still-twitching wild boar, Luo Sheng patiently explained, “I promised Cousin earlier that I’d make you a dish.”

Sheng Sanlang’s stiff expression regained its flexibility.

He remembered now—this had been exchanged for letting Cousin Luo stay in Nanyang City for two days.

Sheng Sanlang immediately recalled that dish he couldn’t stop thinking about—the flash-fried fish. Looking at the wild boar on the ground that had taken who knows how many blade strikes, he felt somewhat reluctant. “Cousin, why not make fish instead? Flash-fried fish—a whole fish, fresh and flavorful…”

Luo Sheng interrupted Sheng Sanlang’s fantasy. “We don’t have fish. Wild boar meat couldn’t be fresher, and it’s enough for all of us to eat.”

Sheng Sanlang wanted to struggle further, but meeting the girl’s calm, bright eyes, he immediately sobered up.

He couldn’t provoke his cousin!

“Then… I’ll listen to Cousin.”

Hearing the regret in Sheng Sanlang’s tone, Luo Sheng comforted him. “Compared to flash-fried fish, I think Cousin will like beggar’s pork elbow even more.”

Sheng Sanlang’s eyes lit up. “Is beggar’s pork elbow really that delicious?”

Luo Sheng nodded.

“Then what is beggar’s pork elbow? The name is so strange.”

Luo Sheng showed a hint of surprise. “Cousin hasn’t heard of beggar’s chicken?”

Sheng Sanlang felt the embarrassment of exposing his ignorance. “Ahem, of course I’ve heard of beggar’s chicken. I’ve even eaten beggar’s chicken from Five Delicacies Hall. It tasted excellent…”

Seeing Sheng Sanlang sink into fond memories of beggar’s chicken, Luo Sheng said mercilessly, “Although beggar’s chicken smells fragrant, it actually lacks sufficient fat and tastes somewhat dry. Beggar’s pork elbow is different—”

“How is it different?” When it came to food, Sheng Sanlang immediately threw the shadow cast by his cousin pulling off a man’s belt to the back of beyond.

“Pork elbow is rich in fat and tender in meat, so beggar’s pork elbow not only smells fragrant but tastes even more fragrant.”

Gulp—that was the sound of Sheng Sanlang swallowing.

Hong Dou at the side could no longer contain herself. “Miss, please make the beggar’s pork elbow quickly. Can this servant tend the fire?”

Xiu Yue’s gaze toward Luo Sheng held a bit more excitement.

The evaluation of beggar’s chicken versus beggar’s pork elbow—the Princess Imperial had said exactly the same thing, word for word!

What connection could this Miss Luo possibly have with the Princess Imperial?

But this was simply impossible. Calculating the ages, when the Princess Imperial met her tragic end, Miss Luo was only a three or four-year-old child.

Xiu Yue stared blankly at Luo Sheng, momentarily bewildered.

Xiu Yue’s unusual behavior naturally didn’t escape Luo Sheng’s notice.

It could be said that her making beggar’s pork elbow today—having a fresh wild boar as an ingredient was one aspect, but another was to gradually hint to Xiu Yue step by step that she was Princess Imperial Qingyang.

When doubts accumulated enough, when questions multiplied enough, one day these would break through the cage of reason and make Xiu Yue boldly imagine who she might be.

“Cousin, you all set up the stove and start the fire. Ugly Granny, you come help. Let’s process this wild boar together.”

Everyone quickly busied themselves according to Luo Sheng’s instructions.

What should be discarded from the wild boar was discarded. Large chunks of meat were skewered and placed over the fire to roast, while the pork bones were thrown into a large pot taken from the cart specifically for carrying supplies to make broth.

Staring at the pork bones tumbling in the large pot, Sheng Sanlang sighed.

When it came to food, Cousin Luo was far too thorough in her considerations!

Luo Sheng placed the four pork elbows in a wooden basin to marinate. After finishing, she instructed Hong Dou, “Go to the back cart and fetch that black clay jar.”

Hong Dou responded affirmatively and soon returned carrying a jar of moderate size.

The clay jar was plain and unadorned. When opened, it was filled with honey of excellent quality.

Luo Sheng indicated for Hong Dou to take the jar of honey to Xiu Yue, who was turning the meat skewers, and said, “Brushing a layer of honey on the roasted meat will make it taste even better.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I like it with honey!” Sheng Sanlang’s eyes curved with delight.

The guards who had become idle looked at the skewers of roasted meat over the fire and couldn’t help but swallow.

On a long journey, not having to gnaw on dry rations and instead having freshly roasted meat and bone broth to drink—they were truly fortunate!

Sheng Sanlang glanced at the pork elbows in the wooden basin. “Cousin, didn’t you say you were making beggar’s pork elbow?”

“Marinating longer makes it more flavorful. Ideally, it should marinate for a full day.”

When the aroma of roasted meat grew increasingly rich and the pot of bone broth had turned milky white, Luo Sheng finally took out the marinated elbows.

She laid down a layer of dried lotus leaves softened with water, then a layer of pork caul fat, wrapped the elbows tightly, coated them with a thick layer of mud, and buried them in the fire. All that remained was to wait and eat.

“Cousin even prepared dried lotus leaves.” By this point, Sheng Sanlang was utterly convinced and had no doubt the beggar’s pork elbow would be delicious.

Well, at least it wouldn’t be worse than beggar’s chicken, right? His cousin had guaranteed it.

“The roasted meat is ready to eat.” Xiu Yue suddenly called out.

The sound of swallowing immediately rose and fell in succession.

Hong Dou immediately took a skewer of roasted meat and offered it to Luo Sheng. “Miss, have some roasted meat.”

Luo Sheng remained unmoved. “You all eat first. I’ll have a few pieces of beggar’s pork elbow later—that will be enough.”

The guards cheered and eagerly grabbed roasted meat, feasting heartily.

Sheng Sanlang, smelling the aroma of roasted meat, really couldn’t resist and snatched a skewer. After biting into a piece, his eyes lit up. “Cousin, I didn’t expect that Ugly Granny not only makes good tofu pudding but also delicious roasted meat.”

Hong Dou, her mouth full of oil, looked smug. “Of course. Our miss has the best judgment.”

Sheng Sanlang thought of the strikingly handsome man in crimson robes they had encountered at the tea stall and couldn’t help but agree. “Cousin indeed has good judgment.”

Come to think of it, he should be safe and didn’t need to worry about having his belt pulled off by his cousin—huh, this realization didn’t make him particularly happy for some reason…

The aroma of meat drifted farther and farther. In the grass half a person’s height not far away, more than ten dark figures were hiding.

A man with a full beard solemnly reminded the dark-faced youth beside him, “Xiao Qi, this is your first time robbing, so don’t be nervous. See that most beautiful young lady?”

The dark-faced youth nodded quickly. “I see her.”

“When we rush over and our people engage those guards, you immediately capture that young lady. Then those people won’t dare resist, and we can take whatever we want.”

“Alright.” The dark-faced youth nodded forcefully, his clenched fists revealing his inner tension.

Luosai Huzi raised his hand and patted him. “Don’t be afraid. We have more people than they do, and besides, they have three women with them.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Good. Brothers, prepare for action!”

The dark-faced youth tugged at Luosai Huzi. “Big Brother, why don’t we wait a bit longer.”

Luosai Huzi was startled. “Wait for what?”

Smelling the drifting aroma of meat, the dark-faced youth swallowed. “Why don’t we wait until that thing called beggar’s pork elbow is done before we go out?”