Tang Qi Tan

Fortunately, there were no accidents or other episodes, passing through a moon-shaped gate hidden at the end of a winding alleyway; and retreating behind several women with swords who appeared one after another from the shadows to salute; Jiang Tian and others Appeared in a large garden that suddenly opened up;

Under the moonlight, there are flowers and trees blooming in the courtyard, as well as the compound aroma of daylilies, calamus, laurel, tung flowers, hibiscus, peony, and peonies brought by the breeze; it makes people feel a little bit hot in summer. , suddenly became calm and comfortable from the outside to the inside.

However, in the distance of the huge courtyard, looking at the multi-storey high-rise buildings and pavilions, the bright lights faintly reveal the joy and feast, shining in the orchid dome-like night; this huge contrast between movement and stillness , and further set off the elegance and tranquility of the garden.

When Jiang Tian walked on the winding stone path, he could even see the swaying plantains and poppies in the shade of the nearby trees in full bloom; there were also groups of little girls in thin dresses.Either plucked the strings and harmonized, or tactfully sang, or danced lightly.

There are even a few who are raising their swords and slashing like butterflies piercing flowers.Apparently in this quiet and private occasion, they looked very relaxed and natural. They couldn't help lifting up their sleeves and hem with sweat and light dampness, and even loosened their waist and chest; revealing their white and powdery insides.

Therefore, when viewed from a distance, it appears quite fragrant and seductive.Only when people approached did they quietly disappear into the whirling bamboo shadows, flowers and trees like a frightened bird.Occasionally, with a whoosh, someone jumped onto the bushes, or the top of the rockery pavilion, and disappeared like a nimble night owl.

Such a scene also made Jiang Tian couldn't help slowing down, slowly admiring the scenery along the way.It's just that when he listened carefully to the singing and silk and bamboo melody sent by the wind, his expression became a little weird; because what Jiang Tian heard was "Orchid Pavilion Preface" and "Blue and White Porcelain" in tune.

However, as he strolled along the trails of flowers, trees, mountains and stones, the melodies that were faintly discernible gradually turned into "Chrysanthemum Terrace" and "White Moonlight".Well, needless to say, this is also the legacy of the senior traveler who changed the Tang Dynasty hundreds of years ago - Duke Liang.

In other words, it represents the direct or indirect historical connection between this senior traveler and the local host.With this strange thought in mind, Jiang Tian finally followed Du Zhi Du Niang to a rockery full of cherry blossoms and caves.A red and white building is hidden among them.

However, when Jiang Tian stepped into the outer corridor of this building, he discovered that this seemingly small building actually has another side of tallness and grandeur.That is along the steep surface of the rockery more than ten feet high; terraces and floors descending like steps; extending all the way to the small lake below.

And this small building is just a small part of the building complex with dozens of levels down one by one, located on the top of the rockery.At this time, everyone knew that Du Niang bowed again and said, "Your honored guest, Antai, the owner of my workshop has already prepared a banquet inside, just waiting for your visit and appreciation."

As she affectionately opened the wooden door inlaid with white glass and clams, a transparent and spacious banquet hall was displayed in front of Jiang Tian.And under the ceiling of the bucket arch in the center of the banquet hall, there is a circle of railings; through the spiral staircase to the building below, there is a faint sound of instrumental music.

However, in such a space of hundreds of square meters, there are only two ebony desk seats placed next to the railing.Along with Jiang Tian and Da Keya, they entered the arena one after another; behind the curtains on the four walls of the octagonal banquet hall, there were also clear chimes and golden bells.

With the echoes of these clear sounds, two rows of maids in colorful skirts poured in from the outside, holding various washing utensils in their hands, and lovingly served Jiang Tian and Koda Duck for a little cleaning; and then passed on like flowing water. Fresh seasonal fruits, carved snacks and preserved honey, and appetizing seasonal side dishes are served.

After they all retreated lightly and quietly; Koda Ya, who had been sullenly, relaxed his body, leaned on the cushioned railing, and smiled at Jiang Tian: "It seems that this is the real place. Where is the Yiying Building, my young master, I was fooled by the facade placed outside."

"Look at these three crisps and honey, five-flower wraps, snow-topped panna cotta, and dragon crystal celiac; I'm afraid it's not a summer food that has only recently emerged in the palace; there are also lychees from Jianchuan and new oranges from Jianghuai. I'm afraid it wasn't delivered just now, and then chilled in the ice cellar; it seems that I value you a lot!"

"You know, the kindness bestowed by the Tian family to the clans and noble relatives, as well as the feudal vassals in Beijing, is nothing more than that; the rumor that Qixiufang has a close relationship with Da Nei is not groundless." Da Ya side Saying so, he stuffed his mouth unscrupulously:

"To be honest, I'm in the land of Haidong, and everything else is fine, but the local food-related products are a little lacking; even if I bring a chef from Beijing, it's hard for a clever woman to cook without rice, and I can't make so many items. The suits come; it makes people miss the goodness of the capital even more."

While the two were slowly tasting and chatting, and chatting about various anecdotes about Kodak Duck in Haidong, the crisp golden bell rang again; The wife used a thick wooden pole to carry the main course placed in a long lacquered box.

"Hunyang died suddenly" Jiang Tian couldn't help but read softly: This is a very popular and famous dish in this era.The earliest palace banquet originated from the Kaiyuan period, and it is one of the products of the integration of Hu Feng in the grasslands into Han customs.But after the evolution of the Taiping years, it has become popular among the people.

The method is to wash the carefully selected fat goose first, put the meat and glutinous rice mixed with five flavors into the cavity of the goose, then slaughter the sheep, peel the skin, remove the internal organs, and then put the goose into the belly of the sheep and sew it properly. After being roasted on high heat, take goose and sheep as stuffing in the abdomen, and eat the skin and meat.

And this is just the most common practice in folk restaurants and restaurants. It is said that in the homes of officials and noble relatives, roasted cattle and camels will be used as the third layer. There have also been five dishes of camel, calf, lamb, duck and quail.

Of course, the pair of "Hunyang Shihu" in front of me is not too big, at best, it is bigger than a roast suckling pig; from the appearance, it is a "pi raccoon" that can only be found in the grassland outside the Great Wall, and it comes from the Governor's Mansion of Songmo One of the characteristic tributes of Linhuang Zhufan, a game known for its tender and delicious meat.

"Pi Li, Pi Li, young master, I only saw you at the state banquet of the vassal clan five years ago!" Kada Duck even muttered, and the familiar food dagger lightly swiped it, and it was already burnt. The overripe meat comes off the bone, exposing the roasted whole rabbit wrapped inside.

I saw him lightly poking and poking the back of the roasted rabbit with the chopsticks; the whole roasted rabbit disintegrated in the center; and showed a shelled goose egg wrapped in many candied fruits; and then , Koda Duck carefully picked up the goose egg with a flat-headed silver spoon, placed it in front of Jiang Tian and said:

"Brother-in-law... This is the benefit of being the guest of honor."

Afterwards, Jiang Tian nodded and scooped off a piece with a spoon, and immediately felt it when he put it in his mouth. The shrimp, fish paste and crab roe filled in instead of egg yolk, as well as the delicious fragrance of shredded scallops; layers on the tip of the tongue The distinct blooming, and the continuous taste of cheering.

Then the rabbit meat picked up with chopsticks melts in the mouth and the soup is full; and the small pieces of raccoon meat divided by the food dagger are also tender on the outside and tender on the inside, and they are delicious even without any seasoning. The same is true.It is even more addictive when paired with light and mellow fruit wine.

The main course that I saw was eaten up and down, and a bottle of fruit wine with orange peel and sweet plum was also drunk; the twelve snacks as appetizers and concoctions, after the two of them tasted it one by one, The maid who was waiting at the scene observed the words and expressions, and rang the bell for two rounds very thoughtfully.

"Since the master has arrived here, why don't you come out and meet for a while." Jiang Tian, ​​who was a little satisfied, suddenly raised his head and said coldly to the outside: "Since you have received such kind hospitality from the master; what do you want to say? Yes, why don't you explain it face to face?"

"Your guest is really discerning, seeing inside and outside! This seems like a slave." This is a slightly old female voice sounded in the outer corridor: Then two tall and fit women, dressed in light shirts and headbands, wearing tassels and long swords in red sheaths Wei pulled the curtain and entered, then stood sideways by the door.

"Sun, the lord of Qixiufang, has met Jiang Jianxian;" Immediately afterwards, a woman with a slightly fatter figure, wearing a warm yellow high-waisted wide skirt, entered gracefully.I saw her gray hair with high sideburns and short hairpins, her face was round and plump, and her youthful demeanor and brilliance could be vaguely seen between her finely wrinkled eyebrows and eyes.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh On the maid who came to help, she was helped out muttering.

"You are the present-day Aunt Gongsun, but you have been famous for a long time. It is an honor to meet you today?" At the same time, Jiang Tian didn't get up, but still leaned on the soft bed, looked at the other party indifferently and said indifferently: "Thanks to this The grand invitation and hospitality, but I don’t know what to teach.”

However, upon hearing this sentence, the two female guards standing beside them couldn't help showing dissatisfaction with raised eyebrows; even in front of the court ministers, they wouldn't be so disrespectful and ignoring the Fangzhu.However, Gongsun only used one look to make them submissive again.

"Of course, it's just a way of expressing my heart, and it's just to repay the kindness of the supervisor." Gongsun smiled lightly, showing a refreshing expression and said: "In other words, it is also on behalf of Qixiu Fang, as well as several generations of Fang owners. The remaining grudges and grievances have to be snowed out, just a little repayment."