C58. Double-boiled Hot Pot.

C58. Double-boiled Hot Pot.

With the help of Chu Hechao, there has been a significant breakthrough in the progress of the vertical windmill.

After finishing the gears, Yuan Li skeptically checked whether the spur gear and the bevel gear could mesh together, only to be surprised to find that the two gears indeed successfully meshed together, fitting perfectly. The problem that had troubled him for a day or two was suddenly resolved.

Yuan Li looked up in amazement at Chu Hechao, admiringly asking, "General, how do you know even about this?"

Chu Hechao brushed off the sawdust on his hands, casually saying, "As you get older, you learn a thing or two."

"Yes," Yuan Li agreed, nodding, "My father is about ten years older than you."

Chu Hechao: "..."

Yuan Li chuckled, carefully placing the two gears next to the vertical windmill, and began to install them. During the process, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his palm and, upon inspection, realized that a piece of wood had scratched his skin.

Yuan Li tried to shake it off and continue working, but the man next to him grabbed the object from his hand and pulled him away from the windmill, gripping his collar and sternly saying, "Go aside."

Yuan Li was pushed away, and as he looked back, he saw Chu Hechao crouching in his place. With his sturdy back bent and his thighs tensed, he began to handle the windmill.

His rough hands carefully ran over the wood, his thick skin giving no regard to splinters. Though his tone was rough, his actions were meticulous.

Yuan Li realized that he was helping him, feeling a mix of amusement and warmth. After watching for a while, he noticed Chu Hechao dry lips and said, "I'll go get some water."

Not long after Yuan Li left, Guo Lin hurried over, looking somewhat surprised at Chu Hechao, and respectfully asked, "General, do you know where Lord is?"

"He'll be back soon," Chu Hechao glanced at him, "What do you need from him?"

Guo Lin, having nothing secretive to ask, honestly reported, "Two elders from the clan have rushed to Jixian, just visited the Prince Chu Estate, and sent me to inform Lord."

"Elders?" Chu Hechao inquired, "Which elders?"

Guo Lin replied, "They are the two uncles of the clan leader's grandson, Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan."

Chu Hechao had never heard of these two individuals, but that was normal. Regardless of whether Chu Hechao adhered to traditional scholar values, his background always remained in the elite class, the most outstanding among the scholars.

Small families like the Yuan family wouldn't have caught Chu Hechao attention if not for fortuitous circumstances.

He didn't care about these two people and after asking Guo Lin to wait for Yuan Li to return, he focused back on the windmill.

This miniature windmill was not as tall as him, barely reaching his chest. Chu Hechao pieced the wood together, suddenly asking, "How long have you been with Yuan Li?"

"After the turn of the year, I've been by Lord's side for eleven years," Guo Lin replied.

Chu Hechao removed another splinter and asked, "How did Chu Mingfeng and Yuan Li meet?"

"They met at the Prince Mansion," Guo Lin answered.

"How many times have they met?" Chu Hechao inquired.

Guo Lin answered cautiously this time, "I am not certain about that."

Chu Hechao laughed, "Don't be nervous, just casual conversation. I am curious about how Chu Mingfeng and Yuan Li got along."

Guo Lin forced a smile on his face, his thoughts swirling. Yuan Li had indeed praised Chu Mingfeng's talent and character in front of them. Guo Lin continued, "Lord greatly admires the late Eldest Chu and always wished for more opportunities to converse with him. When the Elder fell ill, Lord visited him and was deeply saddened, unable to eat due to grief."

Chu Hechao smiled faintly, "After someone has passed away, does your Lord still remember him?"

In front of Chu Hechao, Guo Lin couldn't possibly admit that Yuan Li didn't remember Chu Mingfeng. He sighed and rubbed the corner of his eye, saying, "Lord often recalls the Eldest Chu, and each time his heart aches, his eyes well up with tears. He has mentioned to us many times that if the Eldest Chu were still alive, it would be better."

As Chu Hechao shook his arm, a sharp wood splinter pierced his finger, causing a bead of blood to well up and drip onto the sail.

His mind wandered, oblivious to the pain.

"The Eldest Chu was charismatic and extraordinary, no wonder Lord can't forget him..." Guo Lin suddenly exclaimed, "General, your finger is bleeding."

Chu Hechao glanced down, set down the windmill, and accepted the handkerchief from Guo Lin to cover the wound.

After a moment, he remarked, "The dead cannot be brought back to life. Those who have passed away are gone, and the living should focus on living well. He may miss Chu Mingfeng, but Chu Mingfeng cannot come back to life. He truly wishes for Chu Mingfeng to rest assured and live his own life to the fullest."

Guo Lin nodded in agreement, "You are right."

Chu Hechao gazed at the blood seeping through the handkerchief on his hand, "Make sure to advise him. He's still young and doesn't have to mourn Chu Mingfeng for the rest of his life."

Guo Lin hesitated, "I will remember that."

While the sentiment wasn't unusual coming from anyone else, it felt strange for Chu Hechao as Chu Mingfeng's own brother to express such sentiments to a family member.

The atmosphere fell silent, with the cold wind blowing wood chips around with a rustling sound.

After a moment, Yuan Li returned with a jug of water, and Guo Lin rushed to inform him about the arrival of relatives from their hometown.

Yuan Li was both surprised and delighted, "It's almost the New Year, why are they here now? In the dead of winter, they traveled such a long distance. How could they leave their minds at ease at home? Hurry back and bring them here."

Guo Lin hurried off, leaving Yuan Li to cheerfully place the water in front of Chu Hechao saying, "General, my brothers have arrived. Will you meet them later?"

Chu Hechao didn't turn to him and replied, "Aren't they your uncles who have arrived? How did they suddenly become your brothers?"

Yuan Li's joyful smile fell slightly, his excitement at the prospect of seeing his relatives soon visible on his face. He explained, "Though they are uncles, we are close in age and treat each other as brothers in private."

He then suggested, "General, if you wish to meet them, let's have dinner together tonight."

Chu Hechao turned around, chuckling inexplicably, "I'm not your husband. Why should I meet your family relatives with you?"

Yuan Li was caught off guard by this statement, "Ah?"

Chu Hechao straightened his mouth, picked up the water without looking at it, drank from the jug, allowing a drop of tea to linger on his lips and fall onto his throat sensually, "No."

If he went, Yuan Li and his two relatives wouldn't feel at ease.

Yuan Li sighed suddenly, a sly glint in his eyes, "Alright then, let me go change my clothes. General, you should stop working on the windmill now and take a break."

As Yuanli left, Chu Hechao stood for a moment before picking up the vertical windmill and getting back to work.

*

Jixian County.

Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan nervously made their way towards the estate with their servants.

They had faced many difficulties and dangers on the journey, finally reaching Youzhou safely.

The brothers' faces were red from the cold, skin cracked, bearing signs of frostbite, appearing no better than farmers working in the fields. Their companions behind them were in the same state, with flushed cheeks and exhausted expressions, dusty and worn out.

As they headed north and the weather became colder, they lacked experience with the climate in Youzhou. In the end, one of them ended up wearing everything they had in their bags, looking like a group of refugees.

Yuan Dan couldn't bear to look at himself now. He sighed and said to his brother, "With us looking like this, will Yuan Li think we are beggars?"

Yuan Lou had always been calm. "Don't talk nonsense," he replied.

"It's not nonsense," Yuan Dan said in despair, running his hands through his hair. "Brother, I feel like there are lice crawling on me."

Yuan Lou subtly moved away from him.

Yuan Dan didn't notice and sighed again. "Brother, do you think Yuan Li will be happy if we come to seek refuge with him?"

Yuan Lou knew that his brother was speaking out of worry. He also had his own worries and some hesitation.

As Yuan Li's uncles, they had traveled a long way to seek refuge with their nephew, which made Yuan Lou feel a bit embarrassed.

The brothers had thought about many things, and their conversation seemed distracted.

It had been over a year since they had last seen Yuan Li. They learned that Yuan Li had studied under the renowned scholar Ouyang Ting and had achieved military merit, becoming the Marquis of Guannei.

Upon entering Youzhou, they discovered that Yuan Li's reputation was widespread and respected by the people. Furthermore, they learned that Yuan Li was temporarily in charge of the position of the Provincial Governor of Youzhou.

Provincial Governor of Youzhou!

That was a provincial governor!

In the past, the Yuan family had Yuan Song, who was a county magistrate, and they thought that having Yuan Song become a marquis was a great achievement. Little did they know that Yuan Li was even more outstanding, taking charge of a province before even being formally recognized.

When Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan learned of this, they were filled with excitement and overwhelmed.

However, after a year apart, the difference in their status had become vast. Even though their grandfather had said that Yuan Li needed the help of his family members in Youzhou, the brothers were still uneasy.

The Provincial Governor was too far removed from them. Even though Yuan Li was the Provincial Governor of Youzhou, they still felt unfamiliar and afraid, fearing that Yuan Li would not accept them.

As they neared the estate, these thoughts weighed heavily on their minds. Yuan Dan nervously pursed his lips and fell silent.

Upon arriving at the estate, a servant greeted them respectfully and said, "Please wait a moment, I will inform the master."

Watching the servant enter the estate, Yuan Dan took a deep breath. "Brother, I'm so nervous."

Yuan Lou was stiff with nerves, his tongue slightly tied as he forced himself to remain calm. "It's okay. Although we have come to seek refuge with Yuan Li, we are also here to offer our services and gifts. If Yuan Li truly does not need us, we can simply return when the weather warms up."

Yuan Dan remained silent for a moment. "But I don't want to go back. Brother, just like grandfather said, we can only make a name for ourselves by staying by Yuan Li's side. I will work hard for Yuan Li, ask him to keep me. I can't bear the thought of going back in disgrace. Do you want to go back?"

Yuan Lou remained silent for a moment before shaking his head silently.

Having braved the harsh winter and dangers to come to Youzhou, they were determined to achieve something significant.

Before meeting Yuan Li, Yuan Lou quietly reminded Yuan Dan, "Remember what I told you on the way here. Yuan Dan, even though we are older than Yuan Li in terms of seniority, from the moment we decided to seek refuge with him, we cannot abuse our seniority and act arrogantly here. Serving Yuan Li means we are his subordinates. While we are of the same bloodline as Yuan Li, we must not take advantage of that."

"I remember, brother, how many times have you said this." Yuan Dan rubbed his ears and muttered to himself: "Even if you and I want to use our seniority to do things, do you think Yuan Li will just stand by? Yuan Li is not the kind of person to tolerate things just because we are his uncles!"

Before they could chat much, they heard footsteps approaching.

Someone was coming.

The brothers quickly composed themselves. Soon, they saw Yuan Li himself come out of the estate, walking briskly towards them and exclaiming, "Gaolin, Wenhan, you're finally here!"

Yuan Li, dressed in a dark blue robe and a fox fur coat, looked handsome and mature. His hair was neatly tied back, and his dark complexion contrasted with his handsome features, bright eyes shining like clear spring water, making him quite striking.

Yuan Li smiled warmly as he approached them with graceful steps. He looked at the brothers whom he hadn't seen in a while.

Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan were taken aback by his present elegance, and quickly dismounted, paying their respects. "We pay our respects to the Provincial Governor, my lord."

Yuan Li hurriedly helped them up, laughing and scolding, "You are my uncles, no need for such formalities!"

Yuan Lou, impressed by his aura, spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Even though we are relatives, we must not neglect proper etiquette."

Yuan Li sighed in amusement and turned to Yuan Dan beside him, teasing, "If Wenhan hadn't spoken, I wouldn't have recognized you. I remember Wenhan used to fancy himself a handsome man, but why do you look so disheveled now?"

Yuan Dan blushed. "I've endured hardships all the way from Ruyang to Youzhou, and it's midwinter now. I haven't had a bath in over three months. Even if I were good-looking, I couldn't withstand the dust and wind on the road."

Besides, he was just average-looking compared to Yuan Li, the real standout.

Yuan Li chuckled and gestured, "Come on, go freshen up in the estate. Take a bath, get some rest, and we'll talk over dinner."

Feeling relieved by his warm and natural attitude, Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan's previous anxieties gradually dissipated. They shared a glance, a smile, and followed Yuan Li into the estate.

The rest of the afternoon was spent refreshing themselves, washing off the dirt, and taking a comfortable nap. When they were roused from their beds by the servants for dinner, Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan felt a bit disoriented.

They shook off their daze and followed the servants into the dining hall.

The table was already set with food.

Yuan Dan looked at the table and exclaimed in surprise, "Li'er, what is this?"

Yuan Li smiled, "It's a mandarin paired hotpot."

"A mandarin paired hotpot?" Yuan Dan approached curiously, examining it and puzzled, "Why can't I see it looking like a pair?"

Yuan Li chuckled, "The pot is divided into two parts with a partition in the middle, like a pair, isn't it lovely?"

Yuan Lou nodded in agreement, "Indeed charming. I've never seen anything like this before. It looks like it's made of iron. Truly novel, not even Luoyang has such a thing."

Yuan Li nodded in response.

An iron pot?

Yuan Dan stared at it for a while, but couldn't see the beauty in it. He smiled awkwardly, "I can't see it."

Yuan Lou felt slightly embarrassed, but Yuan Li couldn't help but chuckle. He served them the broth and dishes with a hospitable demeanor.

He was excited and looking forward to enjoying the hotpot with Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan.

It was fortunate timing for Yuan Lou and Yuan Dan. The hotpot had just been prepared yesterday, and Yuan Li had intended to wait until the Lunar New Year to taste the first hotpot. However, Chu Hechao had missed out, so the honor went to his two uncles instead.

Yuan Li couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered Chu Hechao's firm and swift rejection of dinner together. He wondered if the general would regret missing out on the meal.