Traveling back to ancient times to get rich

Chapter 292 Stewed Big Fish

Ye Qingchen smiled and said, "It's the fish in this lake." Upon hearing this, the Princess's face instantly showed surprise, and she widened her eyes, asking, "The fish in this lake? Doesn't that mean we drank your bathwater?" Upon hearing this, the surrounding people were first stunned, then burst into laughter. The Princess's mother couldn't help but gently pat the Princess's arm, laughing, "You, you, your thinking is truly peculiar."

Ye Qingchen laughed and explained, "Mother, you're so funny! How could that be? The lake water is crystal clear, and the fish grow freely in it, feeding on aquatic plants and insects every day, which is why their flesh is so tender. Besides, the fishermen have unique techniques to ensure that the fish are caught fresh and lively. Then, after being carefully cooked by a master chef, the taste is simply amazing. Furthermore, these fish are so big, almost as big as people. Since you don't know martial arts, we naturally set up nets underwater, keeping these fish very far away from you!"

The princess was still somewhat skeptical, but infected by the laughter of the crowd, she laughed along: "Then I must try it properly and see if it's really as magical as you say. And this fish must be caught and shown to me, how long is it?"

Hearing the adults' conversation, the children nearby became interested as well. They clamored, "I want to eat too! I want the biggest fish!" This prompted the other children to chime in. Even Prince Lin became much more lively, unlike his usual quiet self.

At this moment, the Emperor Emeritus smiled and stroked his beard, saying, "The fish from the Medicinal Spring are truly exceptional. Not only are they delicious, but eating them feels like taking some kind of elixir, leaving one feeling incredibly comfortable." Upon hearing this, the children's eyes filled with curiosity, and they pestered the Emperor Emeritus to tell them more stories about the fish.

Seeing the excitement and anticipation on everyone's faces, Ye Qingchen had an idea. He smiled and suggested, "Everyone, since you are all so interested in this fish and full of anticipation, how about we enjoy this delicious fish today?" As soon as he finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement.

Just then, the venerable Old Master Lu flashed into the crystal-clear lake like a dragon plunging into water. In the blink of an eye, ripples spread across the surface, and then Old Master Lu emerged from the water like a god of the water, holding a huge fish firmly in his hand.

This enormous fish was truly astonishing and breathtaking! It was over two meters long, much longer than an adult human. Everyone stared in disbelief at the colossal creature before them, their mouths agape, speechless for a long time. After a while, someone finally came to their senses and murmured incredulously, "My God! This fish is huge! I've never seen such a massive fish before!"

The children were terrified, their faces pale, hiding far behind the adults, too afraid to approach. However, there was one exception among them—four-year-old Chao'er. This little guy was incredibly brave, showing no fear whatsoever. Instead, he toddled straight to the large fish, tilting his head back curiously and exclaiming, "Wow, look at that fish's big head!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and then Ye Qingchen sent someone to take the fish away, instructing Bai Zhi and Fu Ling to prepare it. The fish was too large, so it had to be cut into small pieces and cooked in various ways. There was steamed fish, garnished with vibrant green scallions and bright red chilies, its color incredibly appealing; there was braised fish, the rich sauce coating the flesh, making it incredibly appetizing; and there was fish soup, its milky white broth exuding a mellow aroma.

The princess entered the dining hall, her gaze immediately drawn to the dazzling array of fish dishes on the table. Her eyes widened in astonishment, and she exclaimed, "Heavens! I never imagined that such a large fish could be transformed into so many dazzling dishes!" Before she finished speaking, she eagerly reached for her jade chopsticks, gently picked up a piece of steamed fish—its color enticing and aroma irresistible—and carefully placed it in her mouth.

The incredibly tender fish meat melted instantly upon touching her tongue, like snowflakes, so delicate and smooth that it was almost imperceptible. Then, an intensely rich and delicious flavor flowed through her mouth like a clear spring, quickly conquering the princess's taste buds. She couldn't help but close her eyes, savoring the exquisite texture and taste, a look of blissful satisfaction on her face.

After a long while, the princess slowly opened her eyes, a smile playing on her lips as she said to Qingchen beside her, "Hmm, you truly live up to your reputation! Qingchen, you haven't lied to me at all this time." Hearing the princess's praise, Qingchen quickly bowed to express her gratitude.

Meanwhile, the children sitting around the table could no longer contain their cravings and began to wolf down their food. Completely disregarding the etiquette and decorum they had learned, they used both hands to stuff pieces of succulent fish into their mouths, their cheeks bulging like adorable little squirrels. Some children even slurred their words because they ate so fast, but they kept shouting, "So delicious! More, more..."

Even more remarkably, after the adults tasted the fish, they all noticed an astonishing change—the chronic ailments that used to cause them intermittent pain and trouble seemed to have suddenly lessened considerably! It was as if a mysterious and powerful force was quietly guiding the tiny guardians of health within their bodies to fight bravely against the disease.

As time went on, the adults felt this miraculous change more and more clearly. The pain that had been ever-present gradually dissipated, replaced by an indescribable sense of ease and comfort. Every bite of fish felt like a refreshing spring flowing into their bodies, nourishing their long-parched meridians; it was like a gentle spring breeze caressing their weary bodies, bringing them immense pleasure.

Moreover, after eating these fish, the adults were pleasantly surprised to find that they seemed to have been rejuvenated, and their mental state was much better than before. Their faces, which had once shown signs of aging due to the passage of time, now had a new glow, as if time had turned back, allowing them to rediscover the vigor and confidence of their youth.