Ch 57: Reborn to Raise My Husband

This time, with a banquet to host at home, Xiao Yuanbao had already secured chicken, duck, fish, and pork—these were essentials for any rural feast.

To add something different and elevate the spread, he had to find meats that were uncommon on ordinary village tables.

After much consideration, he settled on rabbit, goose, and lamb—three types of meat rarely seen in farming households, perfect for making an impression.

The banquet to thank guests couldn’t be stingy. If people left hungry, they’d talk behind their backs, saying the Xiao family was cheap.

He remembered how, years ago, two village weddings served too little. There were many dishes, but very little meat. Tables of eight—young women and boys included—left still hungry. Let alone tables of grown men.

Even the wine was diluted so much it barely tasted like anything.

That had happened a year ago, and even now, whenever anyone hosted a banquet, that incident was still brought up in conversation.

So for the twelve tables Xiao Yuanbao was planning, he bought five free-range chickens, each over five jin in weight—enough for one chicken per three tables.

The chicken would be used to make a stew-style meat dish. Each table would get two bowls. A five-jin chicken, once plucked, bled, and cleaned, would yield about three to four jin of usable meat.

With soup added and stewed, six dishes could easily be made.

The extra chicken was to account for any unexpected guests—headcounts and actual attendance never perfectly matched.

Having too much meat was easy to handle. Too little would be a disaster.

Xiao Yuanbao had never overseen an entire feast himself, but he’d always seen the meat and vegetables prepared while cooking.

He’d seen some households prepare enough for five tables, only to have six tables of guests arrive. The extra guests had nowhere to sit and had to stand in the courtyard.

That wasn’t just embarrassing—it also looked like they weren’t being treated properly. A situation like that could offend guests enough to ruin ties.

Xiao Yuanbao had been to many banquets, and he wasn’t about to make such a careless mistake.

For duck, he planned half a duck per table. He bought seven ducks, each around three to four jin.

Fish were to be served whole, one per table, each weighing over two jin. He ordered fourteen in total.

In the countryside, people preferred spicy or sour poached fish served with soup and vegetables—a single fish could be made into a whole bowl. But for show, serving a whole braised fish made the table look more impressive.

Braised whole fish had no added vegetables—just meat—which made it even more costly.

He chose grass carp, tender and with few bones, a few copper coins pricier than common black carp.

Pork needed no extra thought. He bought half a carcass, which would be used for braised belly, stir-fries, and more.

He also ordered a full set of offal from the pig butcher and sourced two extra pig stomachs, a basket of livers, and a pair of kidneys from others.

He’d make a cold dish from large intestines, heart, and pig jowl. The stomach would be slow-cooked with lettuce stems; liver and kidney would be stir-fried with scallions.

Rabbits had small bones but decent meat. He bought four, which would be diced for stir-fry.

Four geese would be cooked with bamboo shoots in a spicy fermented stew.

These higher-end meats would be prepared in ways that produced enough dishes without using too much of the actual meat.

He bought eight jin of lamb, which alone cost nearly one yuan.

Everything was expensive this year—much more than previous years.

He didn’t know how to cook lamb, but it was necessary for appearance. He’d have to ask the teacher to prepare it.

Most likely Jiang Fulang would stew it into a soup and garnish with coriander.

Once the meats were settled and roughly planned out, the next step was vegetables.

Vegetables were easier—most could be gathered from their own fields. But winter didn’t offer much variety. In the ground they had napa cabbage, radish, garlic shoots, and scallions.

On the edge of the field, a big patch of red leaf spinach was growing fresh and tender. The last batch sold well in town.

By the banquet day, it should be ready for another round—perfect for making blood soup, which was tasty and rich.

They also had a few large winter melons in storage and two baskets of taro, all usable for dishes.

Xiao Yuanbao finalized the amounts and dish list, and brought it to Jiang Fulang to review. He gave a nod of approval.

Only then did Xiao Yuanbao go borrow bowls, dishes, tables, and stools from others.

After checking around, he realized most villagers still used clay bowls—not very attractive—and no one had proper fish platters.

So he made a trip to town to rent a full set of blue-and-white patterned tableware for twelve tables.

The restaurant in town didn’t want to deliver so far out into the countryside. To send someone would cost extra. Since renting the plates was already expensive, Yuanbao decided to have Tian Ken drive the ox cart to fetch them himself.

By early October, the ordered meats and vegetables were arriving at the house.

The banquet was set for the eighth.

Originally, the family had planned to wait until the new estate was built. That way, inviting guests would feel more grand.

But even with fast construction, it wouldn’t be finished until the end of the year. The twelfth lunar month would be filled with New Year preparations, and the cold would make food go cold minutes after serving.

No matter how tasty the meat, once it cooled down, it lost its appeal.

October’s crisp weather was perfect for hosting and eating a banquet.

The meal would be served in the afternoon. Early on the eighth, the villagers helping out arrived in good spirits.

“Lots of stars last night—guaranteed clear skies today. Perfect weather for a banquet!”

Aside from Old Fang, the entire Fang family came early after breakfast to help set up.

Madam Zhang from the village head’s household also came early with Zhao Guangzong. The village head had to go to the county office to report on the harvest and couldn’t spare the time—he’d come later that afternoon.

As soon as the helpers arrived, they got busy building the stove, picking vegetables, washing meat…

Tian Ken directed the lifting and moving, while Xiao Hu and Qi Beinan stayed in the courtyard, welcoming and greeting guests.

“Have some fruit snacks, everyone—let’s get to work!”

Jiang Fulang came out carrying a large round platter of pastries and dried fruits for the helpers to snack on and tide them over.

“Jiang Fulang, how come it’s you bringing the snacks today?”

Jiang Fulang stuffed a handful of fruit snacks into the apron pocket of a plump woman who was chopping vegetables.

“Someone’s already working at the stove—I stole a moment to slack off.”

“Is Bao Ge’er the head cook today?”

Jiang Fulang said, “It’s a happy day. We’re both cooking together as master and apprentice.”

“Well then, we’re all in for a treat.”

A few women and young men who had grabbed some snacks paused for a moment and whispered:

“The Xiao family really went all out with this one. Twelve tables, but it looks like they’ve got enough meat for seventeen or eighteen tables. So generous!”

“Make way, dishes and bowls are coming through!”

Tian Ken and Fang Youliang carried in the dishware, handing them off to those assigned to wash and prep.

The helpers looked over and stretched their necks, unable to help commenting:

“All matching sets… so fancy! Must be from a restaurant in town.”

By midday, four tables’ worth of people had gathered.

Xiao Yuanbao cooked stir-fried napa cabbage, a light egg-drop soup, and pork belly with garlic shoots.

Each table got a few simple dishes to feed those who had come early to help.

By early afternoon, before the hour of the goat, guests for the feast started arriving.

Qi Beinan and Xiao Hu became completely occupied—greeting, chatting, receiving congratulations, hardly able to pull away.

From the kitchen, Xiao Yuanbao peeked out and saw the crowd growing—four or five full tables were already seated in the courtyard.

He quietly took a deep breath and adjusted the apron tied around his waist.

Jiang Fulang was beside him, overseeing the work. He didn’t speak often, but seeing Xiao Yuanbao like this, he finally said:

“The chicken, duck, and goose for stewing are already in the pot. The seasoning you made was great—the flavor’s spot on. The stews will turn out just fine.”

“The whole kitchen smells amazing. Bao Ge’er, you’ve done a good job.”

Fang Ge’er, who was stoking the fire under the stove, also chimed in.

A smile lit up in Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes. “The stir-fries and pan-sears are where the real skill shows. There are so many guests—I’m almost too nervous to hold the spatula steady.”

He wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even though it was already October, standing in front of the iron stove nonstop with the spatula in hand was exhausting and hot.

His undershirt was already soaked with sweat.

Before, when he helped his teacher here and there, it never felt this tiring.

Watching the teacher cook had seemed effortless. He’d thought being head cook wasn’t so difficult—but it was only because his teacher was steady that it looked easy.

Now that he held the ladle himself, he truly understood the effort it took.

He hadn’t even had time to drink water all day, worried that a single mistake might ruin everything.

“You look overheated.”

Xiao Yuanbao turned at the voice and saw Qi Beinan bringing him a cup of tea.

It was coarse tea, brewed in a big tub outside. Anyone who was thirsty could go scoop a bowl.

“You came in? There are still guests outside that need greeting.”

Xiao Yuanbao took the bowl and gulped down three large sips—he’d been parched for a while now.

Qi Beinan pulled a handkerchief from his robe and handed it to him. “Uncle Xiao is outside watching things. I saw you looking out the window—stuck in here all day. You barely ate lunch.”

Xiao Yuanbao took the handkerchief and wiped his face. His own had long since been soaked and unusable.

“I’ve been too busy to feel hungry. Brother, you’d better get back to the guests—don’t stay in here too long or you’ll end up smelling like the kitchen. Wouldn’t be good for greeting people like that.”

“I’m going now.”

Qi Beinan had also brought two pieces of pastry, insisting that Xiao Yuanbao eat them before he left.

Xiao Yuanbao laughed, “I’m manning the stove—how could I not have food to eat?”

“You’re too disciplined. You can eat, but you won’t.”

Once Qi Beinan saw that Xiao Yuanbao had eaten, he finally left the kitchen.

The cooks in the kitchen at that moment were all familiar faces.

Jiang Fulang saw Qi Beinan come in and leave again, and his face softened. “He really does care about you.”

Xiao Yuanbao said, puzzled, “Of course my brother cares about me.”

Jiang Fulang just smiled. “Almost time—let’s start plating. Tonight’s an early banquet.”

“Got it!”

Xiao Yuanbao responded quickly. After getting something in his stomach, he felt a lot more energetic.

By the end of the hour of the monkey, guests were being called to their seats. When the hour of the rooster arrived, dishes began flowing out from the kitchen.

Soon, all twelve tables were full. Tian Ken took a close look—each table had eight people. He quickly had two more tables set up.

“If any more guests arrive and we can’t fit them, we’ll just add extra stools and utensils—turn each eight-person table into a ten-person one.”

Qi Beinan saw that the crowd had exceeded expectations and told Tian Ken, “Don’t worry about space—we prepared enough food. Even if there are twelve people per table, there’s more than enough.”

“Understood.”

Luckily, adding two more tables was enough. After that, only a few stragglers showed up, and everyone had a seat.

“What a lively banquet! The last time it was this festive was the village head’s celebration feast.”

“So much meat and so many dishes—this banquet’s truly impressive.”

The guests at the tables watched as dish after dish was brought out. The servers cleared space again and again—four, five times—just to make room for the food.

Bowls and plates were stacked on top of each other. Empty ones with only a few scraps left were gathered together. Any dish with just a bit remaining was combined into one. Even so, the tables were packed full.

“Madam Yu, are the dishes to your liking today?”

Jiang Fulang had made the lamb dish. Once that was served, he stepped away from the kitchen to mingle and chat.

“Mister Wang, how’s the meat? Still going down well?”

“It’s great. So many dishes, and all delicious. I can barely manage my chopsticks, they’re twisting in every direction! Your cooking, Jiang Fulang, is something else.”

“That’s right—next time, come cook a feast at my place too.”

“If you call me, I’ll definitely come.”

Jiang Fulang smiled and said, “Only the lamb pot was mine. Everything else was done by my apprentice. As long as everyone’s enjoying the food, that’s what matters.”

“Wow, Bao Ge’er is that capable? I’m not flattering—this feast is truly top notch.”

“The master teaches well, that’s why!”

Just as the last plate of pickled vegetables was brought out, Xiao Yuanbao finally stepped out of the kitchen.

The sky outside had already dimmed. The courtyard buzzed with voices, filled with laughter and the clinking of cups.

Hands on his hips, Xiao Yuanbao stood in the shadows, enjoying the cool air after coming out of the steaming kitchen. Though he was drenched in sweat and felt sore all over, seeing so many tables filled with dishes he’d prepared gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.

He heard guests praising the food, naming which dish they liked best, and couldn’t help feeling a little proud.

Most new cooks only managed five or six tables their first time leading a banquet, but he had handled over a dozen—and at such a young age. Of course he was proud.

He glanced over at Qi Beinan’s table and saw him chatting and laughing with the village head and several respected elders. His eyes crinkled in a smile.

He didn’t sit down to eat with the guests. Instead, he fetched some water, went inside to wash up, and changed into clean clothes.

Then he took out a small herbal packet to protect the liver and ease digestion, and boiled it on the stove under the eaves in the back courtyard.

Only then did he step out again.

It was darker now, and half the tables had already wrapped up.

Xiao Yuanbao helped walk guests out.

By the time everything was tidied and cleaned up, the moon had already risen past the treetops.

Exhaustion hit him all at once. He flopped onto the bed in his room—worn out but too wired to sleep.

“Xiao Bao.”

The door creaked with a knock. He lifted his eyes and saw Qi Beinan walk in carrying several small plates.

He didn’t want to move, but seeing Qi Beinan’s hands full, he scrambled up anyway.

“Why’d you bring food in here?”

He saw that he’d brought a bowl of diced rabbit, stir-fried chicken giblets, and a bowl of chicken soup with a whole drumstick inside.

“You didn’t eat dinner. After a whole day of work, how could your body take it?”

Qi Beinan set the food down. “Sit tight—I’m going to get rice.”

Xiao Yuanbao blinked, watching him leave the room. Was this man born with four eyes or something? He had been greeting guests, drinking, chatting—

And yet somehow, he’d noticed he hadn’t eaten dinner.

Suddenly remembering something, he jumped up and followed.

Soon the two of them returned—one holding rice, the other a bowl of herbal soup.

“Good thing I remembered in time, or the decoction would’ve simmered dry. I managed to pour out two bowls. I’ll take one to Father—he’s already snoring on the lounge chair.”

Xiao Yuanbao sighed, “I couldn’t wake him up. Big Brother Tian Ken had to carry him to bed. While he was halfway up, we got him to drink the soup. He still tried to bluff, saying he couldn’t drink any more.”

Qi Beinan sipped the herbal soup. On a chilly late autumn night, it warmed him from the inside out.

“Uncle Xiao drank a lot today—mostly because he blocked a lot of toasts meant for me. Otherwise, with his tolerance, he wouldn’t have gotten this drunk.”

Xiao Yuanbao grinned, “Men in the village are serious drinkers. They probably thought my scholar brother would be an easy target.”

Qi Beinan replied, “Exactly. You don’t get many chances like this. It wouldn’t look good to turn down a congratulatory toast.”

“Alright then, come on—eat before it gets cold. You cooked these yourself. It’d be a shame not to enjoy them.”

“Isn’t it too late to eat now?”

Xiao Yuanbao looked at the dishes but felt no appetite.

He used to wonder why the teacher never ate much after cooking, despite all the delicious food. He’d talk with the guests and barely move his chopsticks.

When he was little, he’d worry his teacher was going hungry and sneak pastries into his pockets to give him after the banquet.

The teacher would say, “Smelling food while cooking fills you up.” At the time, he hadn’t believed it.

Now, having done it himself, he finally understood. After cooking so much food, he honestly didn’t want to eat any more.

Qi Beinan handed him chopsticks.

“Going to bed hungry isn’t smart. I barely had two bites of food today—mostly drank. I’m still hungry. Let’s eat together.”

He said that and placed a piece of rabbit in Xiao Yuanbao’s bowl.

Then he picked up some giblets for himself, eating them with rice.

Seeing how much he enjoyed it, Xiao Yuanbao’s appetite returned.

Smiling, he picked up the bowl of chicken soup and took a sip. “I’m eating the whole drumstick first.”

“This chicken is so good—tender and smooth, not dry at all.”

Qi Beinan smiled and said, “Let me have a bite. I searched through that whole pot of chicken soup and only found one drumstick.”

Xiao Yuanbao laughed and handed the drumstick over for Qi Beinan to take a bite.

“Not bad,” he said—and then took a big bite himself.

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes went round. He quickly snatched the drumstick back, puffing up angrily, “You’re terrible!”

Qi Beinan chuckled and said, “I heard quite a few people at the banquet praising the food, and I even saw Jiang Fulang going around asking folks how the dishes tasted.”

“I thought maybe you two were using today’s banquet to announce that you’re officially the head cook.”

“I still want to wait until I’m of age before I formally take that title. These next couple of years, I’ll just keep practicing and honing my skills.”

Qi Beinan thought, that was a good plan. Rushing things too quickly wasn’t always wise.

By candlelight, the two of them ate their simple meal and ended up more than satisfied.

The one who had claimed he didn’t want to eat—Xiao Yuanbao—ended up finishing two big bowls of rice.

After eating, drowsiness settled in. His energy was all spent now, and even his voice grew soft. “Brother, just leave the bowls and dishes here in the room. I’ll clean them up tomorrow morning…”

Qi Beinan looked at the boy slumped over the table, reached out, and gently stroked his head.

His heart ached a little, seeing how tired he was—but seeing him this happy made it feel worth it.

The next morning, Xiao Yuanbao woke up with the sunlight already streaming through the window.

He sat up from the bed, his whole body sore and weak.

He pursed his lips, remembering vaguely that he had fallen asleep right there at the table last night…

Wait—he looked back at the neatly made bed behind him, sniffed once, and feeling a little embarrassed, lay back down again.

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