Traveling back to ancient times to get rich

Chapter 65 The Beggar Leader

As the afternoon approached and the sun began to set, soft sunlight streamed into the courtyard. Ye Qingchen enthusiastically began preparing the mouthwatering whole roasted lamb. He skillfully built a large stove in one corner of the yard, then carefully sealed it tightly with mud, leaving only a small ventilation opening.

Next, Ye Qingchen picked up a sharp saw and precisely sawed open the sheep's breastbone. Then, he made a powerful cut between its two thick thighs, allowing the sheep to be more perfectly tied to the specially made barbecue grill. Before this, the plump sheep had quietly soaked in clean water for a full half day, thoroughly removing all blood and impurities.

Ye Qingchen quickly scooped the sheep out of the water and placed it aside to drain. Then, she turned and went into the kitchen, carefully selecting various spices: star anise exuded a rich aroma, cinnamon had a mellow woody fragrance, and there were plump dried peppercorns. Of course, there were also some secret spices that Ye Qingchen only had in her space. Each one made one's mouth water.

She first slowly stir-fried the seasonings in the pot until they were fragrant. Then, she poured in an appropriate amount of water, along with a few bright red gardenias, large chunks of onion, thick slices of ginger, and plenty of salt. As the flames danced, the ingredients in the pot gradually churned, eventually blending into a delicious marinade. After the marinade cooled slightly, Ye Qingchen immersed the drained lamb in it, allowing it to fully absorb the flavors, ensuring that the roasted lamb would be tender, juicy, and delicious.

With everything ready, Ye Qingchen carefully tied the marinated lamb securely to the specially made barbecue grill—a grill he had specifically instructed others to make using sturdy iron rods, ensuring that no accidents would occur during the long roasting process.

Finally, Ye Qingchen lit the charcoal fire, the orange flames licking merrily at the bottom of the pot. Holding a brush, she meticulously brushed a layer of a carefully prepared sauce of sesame oil and salad oil onto the lamb every 15 minutes. As time passed, the enticing aroma of roasted meat began to fill the air… During the roasting process, incisions were made in the lamb to speed up the cooking process, and it was constantly stirred to ensure even heating. When it was almost done, the mud covering its mouth was removed, and after continuing to roast for about 3 hours, Ye Qingchen finally began to remove the mud seal.

A rich, enticing fragrance, like an invisible hand, quickly stirred people's hearts, spreading rapidly in the blink of an eye. Originally, Liu Yufeng hadn't intended to leave his room; he was lost in his thoughts. However, when that alluring aroma crept into his nostrils, it was as if a spell had been cast, making it impossible for him to remain seated.

You see, the food they made was absolutely delicious; the aroma was so enticing it would make you want to bite your tongue off. So, as if drawn by some mysterious force, Liu Yufeng found himself involuntarily walking towards the kitchen.

As soon as he reached the door, the scene before him stunned him. The entire family was bustling about, each person with their own task. Some stood at the chopping board, skillfully wielding knives to cut ingredients into even pieces; others squatted by the stove, intently adding firewood, the roaring flames reflecting on their faces; still others moved between the tables, methodically setting out bowls, chopsticks, and various seasonings. Even the young girl was busy, her small figure moving back and forth, helping with this and handing over that; though her movements were still somewhat immature, her earnestness was incredibly endearing.

The kitchen was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation as everyone busied themselves with their tasks, joking and teasing each other. This warm and harmonious atmosphere was truly captivating. At that moment, Liu Yufeng felt as if he were in a warm and welcoming family, and an indescribable sense of gratitude welled up within him.

Liu Yufeng gazed quietly at the harmonious atmosphere before him, his heart filled with quiet contemplation. If he were fortunate enough to marry this gentle and lovely Miss Dong in the future, would their life be as joyful and harmonious as this? However, the thought of his own life—a life spent wandering the martial world, living a life of constant danger—filled him with worry. He wondered if he truly had the fortune to have such a beautiful marriage amidst such a nomadic and perilous existence.

Just then, Liu Yufeng's heart skipped a beat. A keen intuition told him that a top expert seemed to be approaching from the rooftop. Almost simultaneously, Ye Qingchen and Gu Changfeng also sensed this unusual aura. Ye Qingchen looked up and shouted loudly, "Expert on the roof, if you are not a petty thief, please show yourself!" His voice was clear and resonant, as if piercing through the clouds, echoing in the silent night sky.

"Hahaha, this is truly fascinating, truly fascinating! In all my years, this old man has never seen a young girl with such profound internal strength! Young girl, you are truly amusing to this old man!" Accompanied by a hearty laugh, an old man dressed in slightly tattered, even patched clothes, leaped down from the roof like a light bird. In his hand, he tightly gripped a staff that looked like it was carved from jade, its blade gleaming with a warm light.

Ye Qingchen was secretly startled, never expecting that someone would see through her disguise at a glance. Since she had been seen through, she decided to stop pretending. She clasped her hands in a fist and bowed, saying loudly, "Old sir, how did you know my true identity? My husband and I have been traveling the world together. As a woman, it would be very inconvenient to travel in women's clothing, so I had no choice but to wear men's attire. I hope you won't take offense." Facing this mysterious expert, Ye Qingchen thought that it was better to be honest and straightforward than to hide anything.

At this moment, Ye Qingchen carefully examined the old man before him. His disheveled hair fell loosely over his shoulders, and his face was etched with deep wrinkles etched by time, but his eyes were bright and piercing, revealing a wisdom and open-mindedness born of experience. Looking at his patched-up clothes and worn-out shoes, Ye Qingchen couldn't help but think of Hong Qigong from Jin Yong's *The Legend of the Condor Heroes*. Although this old man was probably not named Hong Qigong, judging solely from his appearance and demeanor, he looked exactly like a beggar leader!

"My name is Ye Qingchen. This is my husband, Gu Changfeng, and my family. May I ask your honorable name, sir?" Ye Qingchen asked.