Before long, the two had scrubbed the bluestone slabs clean and propped them up on the spot.
By this time, the first batch of cured wolf meat was just about ready. He Zhiran brushed some oil on the bluestone slabs and neatly arranged the wolf meat on top.
Mo Jiuye was squatting to one side, adding firewood under the slabs.
The husband and wife worked together seamlessly. Before long, the tempting aroma began to drift through the air, making everyone's mouths water.
Peng Wang came running over, following his nose.
He Zhiran picked up a piece of roasted dried wolf meat and gave it to him.
"Master Peng, try this and tell me if dried meat that tastes this good can fetch a good price."
Peng Wang couldn't wait to pop the dried meat into his mouth and chewed it carefully.
"Tender and delicious, rich wolf flavor, this is the first time I've had such chewy meat. It's a rare delicacy."
This was Peng Wang's heartfelt evaluation.
He Zhiran was delighted that the first batch of dried meat had been approved. She happily picked up a piece and stuffed it into Mo Jiuye's mouth.
"Husband, you try it too."
In an unintentional move, her fingertips gently brushed Mo Jiuye's lips.
Mo Jiuye shuddered slightly, feeling his heartbeat quicken by half a beat.
Unconsciously, he touched the place He Zhiran had brushed, not knowing why he suddenly felt elated.
To cover up the awkwardness, Mo Jiuye chewed the dried meat seriously.
Soon, He Zhiran’s sweet voice rang in his ears again.
"Husband, is the dried meat tasty?"
"Yes, very tasty." At this moment Mo Jiuye's mind wasn't on the dried meat at all, unable to carefully evaluate it like Peng Wang. But it really was very tasty.
He Zhiran didn't look at Mo Jiuye's expression. She thought his simple answer was just his cold personality, and didn't think too much of it.
She looked at Peng Wang again: "Master Peng, do you still think this is worthless wolf meat?"
"No, absolutely not. This dried meat will definitely fetch a good price in the city."
Peng Wang seemed to see countless coins raining down on him already.
"Good. Let's dry all the wolf meat into dried meat this way and take it into the city to sell.
Also, while the sunshine is good, dry those wolf hides too. If handled properly, I guess we can sell them for some extra silver."
Hearing He Zhiran speak knowledgeably, Peng Wang admired her even more.
He really didn't know how much this woman had stuffed into her little head to have so many ideas.
"We'll do as you say."
Peng Wang simply lingered here instead of leaving. This tasty dried meat, he had to have his fill first.
After all there was so much wolf meat, he eating a little wouldn’t matter...
As Peng Wang ate, he seemed to remember something. He turned and ran off.
Soon he returned, tenderly cradling a gourd of wine.
He uncorked the wine, but instead of drinking it himself, he offered it to Mo Jiuye.
"How can you have such delicious dried meat without wine? You drink first."
In the army, Mo Jiuye often ate meat and drank wine in large mouthfuls with the officers and soldiers.
Recalling that feeling, he didn't refuse but accepted the wine gourd, just about to take a swig when He Zhiran stopped him.
"You're still injured. No alcohol."
At her words, Mo Jiuye’s hand froze in mid air still holding up the wine gourd.
But soon he returned the wine gourd to Peng Wang.
"My wife is right, I'm injured and shouldn't drink."
Peng Wang looked at them with some amusement, and meaningfully teased:
"I didn't expect our prestigious Duke to be so afraid of his wife."
Of course Mo Jiuye knew Peng Wang was joking, but he still said seriously: "Be careful with your words, sir. I'm just an exiled convict now, no longer any Duke."
Peng Wang also realized his words were inconsiderate.
"In that case, I won't call you Duke, and you needn't call me Sir either. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Peng."
Mo Jiuye wasn't fussy. And he quite approved of Peng Wang's character.
"Brother Peng."
Peng Wang took a big gulp of wine and guffawed. "Ha ha ha... Good. From now on you're my brother Mo, and Lady He is my sister-in-law."
Having a closer relationship with the captain of the guards was something He Zhiran had been hoping for.
She roasted the dried meat even more enthusiastically.
Following the alluring aroma, the sisters-in-law and Mo Hengyue soon arrived too. He Zhiran busily invited them to try the dried meat.
They simply couldn't stop eating after one taste.
It was so delicious, not just on the road in exile, even back in the capital they had never eaten anything so flavorful.
The sisters-in-law felt bad that He Zhiran was working so hard. After carefully learning her dried meat roasting technique, they took over for her.
He Zhiran stretched lazily, then brought some roasted dried meat for everyone else to try.
Whoever tasted the delicious dried meat sang its praises.
In her delight, He Zhiran simply declared unlimited rations of dried meat for today.
By nightfall, due to limited tools, only a third of the meat had been dried.
Mrs. Zhao was worried the wolf meat would spoil if left too long, and volunteered her women to work through the night.
Mistress Xie also said the Fang family would rest tomorrow morning and they would continue work.
At this rate all the dried meat could be done by tomorrow nightfall.
The weather was muggy this season. To prevent spoilage of the curing wolf meat, He Zhiran led people to move it riverside.
The temperature there was relatively lower, better for preservation.
After a busy day, they could finally rest.
After washing up, He Zhiran returned to the tent.
Mo Jiuye said caringly, "Rest early. You worked the hardest today."
He Zhiran thought Mo Jiuye would say something more, but he didn't.
Since he didn't bring it up, she would.
"The Lis will probably reach the capital tomorrow."
"Mm. When they reach the capital, news of the person who died in the hut will quickly reach my enemies." Mo Jiuye's tone was extremely indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with him.
He Zhiran didn't understand his attitude.
"Aren't you worried they'll send someone after us again?"
"It's not something we can prevent." If he hadn't been busy with He Zhiran all day, Mo Jiuye would have likely spent the whole day pondering this issue.
But he didn't want her bothered over it too, which was why he deliberately acted so indifferent.
Given their current situation, with things like this all they could do was passively take the beating and counter when possible.
Taking the initiative to attack would not be so easy.
They couldn't even catch the ringleader.
With Li Rou’er dead, peace had returned for all of two days before having to worry about enemies striking again.
But He Zhiran was never afraid of such things.
Just some invisible troubles? Let them come!
