BDSMST -Chapter 33 A Meal That Completely Changed Uncle Fu’s Perspective

In the end, Uncle Fu stayed for the meal. It wasn’t that he was after food—he wanted to use the opportunity to observe, more closely, what sort of secrets this estate held.

Jiang Suisui hadn’t specially prepared anything. The lunch menu followed Gu Xuan’s requests and his usual “special meal” standard.

In the kitchen, Chunxing tended the fire while Jiang Suisui took the lead as head chef. The rhythmic clatter of chopping knives and the sizzling of the wok soon filled the small kitchen and drifted out into the courtyard.

The young masters, having finished their chores, ran to the well to wash their hands and faces, then conscientiously set out tables and chairs, arranged bowls and chopsticks, and eagerly waited for the meal to begin.

Uncle Fu stood to the side, watching these pampered scions of noble families—who in the capital were accustomed to being treated like little emperors—now acting like obedient schoolchildren, scurrying about without complaint just for a meal. He felt like decades of experience in his life were suddenly inadequate.

Gu Xuan finished washing his hands and ran to Uncle Fu, tugging at his sleeve.

“Uncle Fu, you should wash your hands too. It’s time to eat.”

Looking at the boy’s small, dark hands and at his own travel-stained clothes, Uncle Fu sighed and went to the well to quickly clean up.

Soon, a strong, commanding aroma wafted from the kitchen.

It was the perfect blend of sweet, sour, and meaty fragrance. Just smelling it made one’s mouth water. Uncle Fu’s stomach gave an untimely growl, turning his face red as he hastily coughed to cover it.

The first dish served was a large bowl of milky-white winter melon and pork rib soup. The ribs had been stewed until the meat fell off the bone, and the winter melon had absorbed the rich essence of the broth, turning translucent and glistening. The rich aroma of the bone stock filled the air.

Next came the main course.

A plate of golden, beautifully arranged sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin. Each piece was evenly coated in a glossy, fragrant sauce, exuding a tantalizing sweet-and-sour aroma.

Finally, a plate of stir-fried cabbage, vivid green and vibrant. The cabbage was so bright it seemed almost unreal, like finely carved jade, glistening with a gentle sheen in the sunlight.

Three dishes—two meat, one vegetable—set on a rough wooden table: simple, yet abundant.

“Let’s eat!”

With Gu Xuan’s cheerful shout, everyone picked up their chopsticks.

As the guest, Uncle Fu was seated at the main spot. Jiang Suisui personally ladled a bowl of the rib soup for him.

“Uncle Fu, please enjoy.”

Holding the bowl, Uncle Fu looked at the tender, falling-apart ribs and mentally prepared a scolding to continue admonishing this brazen woman.

Distracted, he took a spoonful of the soup and put it into his mouth.

Then, his expression froze.

Fresh! An explosion of pure, intense umami hit his taste buds like a thunderclap.

This flavor wasn’t crafted from rare seasonings. It was the pure essence of the pork bones themselves, perfectly extracted. The broth was rich yet not greasy, gliding smoothly down the throat, filling the body with warmth and comfort.

He had spent most of his life as a steward in a marquis’ household. What delicacies had he not seen? What imperial chefs’ techniques had he not tasted?

Yet he could say with certainty: even the marquis’ own small kitchen, using top-grade ingredients and simmering stock for seven or eight hours, could never produce such a pure, exquisite flavor.

Ignoring proper decorum, he drank several more spoonfuls, reluctant to put the bowl down.

He then picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork tenderloin.

The exterior was crisp, the interior tender and juicy. The sweet-and-sour sauce was balanced perfectly—any more would be cloying, any less would be bland. The first bite cracked with the crunch of the fried exterior, then the soft meat and tangy sauce filled his mouth, making him want to close his eyes in bliss.

Uncle Fu could no longer stop his chopsticks.

Finally, with a sense of cautious curiosity, he picked up a piece of the seemingly ordinary stir-fried cabbage.

The moment Uncle Fu tasted the cabbage, he froze completely.

A pure, vibrant sweetness immediately flooded his mouth. He didn’t even need to chew—the leaves seemed to melt on his tongue, leaving only a refreshing, lingering aroma.

Having lived for more than sixty years, this was the first time he realized that a simple cabbage could taste this incredible.

This… this wasn’t “plain food” at all. This was a divine feast!

The meal ended in a strange, almost eerie calm, like the wind sweeping away all remnants of doubt.

Uncle Fu held his empty bowl, leaning back in his chair, staring at the equally empty plates in front of him, his mind utterly blank.

He finally understood why those young masters had been like spellbound, refusing to leave.

If it were him, he would also be willing to dig in the fields every day, as long as he could eat such a meal!

Looking at Jiang Suisui—who had quietly eaten her meal from start to finish—his gaze completely changed.

It was no longer one of scrutiny or hostility, but a deep, indescribable reverence.

This woman was extraordinary. What she possessed was not some magic, but a true skill capable of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

After the meal, Jiang Suisui invited Uncle Fu inside to speak privately.

“Uncle Fu, do you still think Gu Xuan is suffering here?” she asked calmly, pouring him a cup of clear tea.

Holding the cup and inhaling its fresh aroma, Uncle Fu’s face turned beet red. He opened his mouth but could not utter a single word.

“I admit, life here is not as luxurious as the marquis’ mansion,” Jiang Suisui continued. “Gu Xuan has to do many tasks by himself, many things he had never done before. He will get tired, dirty, and even hurt.”

“But Uncle Fu, look at him now.”

She gestured for him to look out the window.

Outside, Gu Xuan was directing the young masters in the courtyard, using wooden boards and bamboo to build a new sheep pen. He gave clear instructions, divided tasks efficiently, and moved with organized precision. The sunlight fell on his tanned little face, full of confidence and focus.

“He has learned how to take care of himself, how to interact with others, and how to use his own hands to create value. Here, he may have lost the privileges of being the young marquis, but he has gained everything a boy needs to grow.”

Jiang Suisui’s voice was steady and unhurried, but every word struck straight to Uncle Fu’s heart.

He watched Gu Xuan outside the window and remembered how he had skillfully served food to his companions at the table, and how commanding he had been when reprimanding Qian Duoduo.

He had to admit—what Jiang Suisui said was true.

The young marquis had indeed changed.

He was no longer the gloomy, irritable child who expressed dissatisfaction only through crying or tantrums. He had become cheerful, confident, and responsible.

Was this “suffering”?

No, this was perhaps true growth.

After a long silence, Uncle Fu finally stood and bowed deeply to Jiang Suisui.

“Madam, your servant… has learned his lesson.”

His bow was sincere, from the heart.

“Your servant understands. I will return to the mansion and report truthfully to the marquis and madam. You may rest assured.”

He lifted his head and looked at Jiang Suisui, his tone full of earnestness.

“However, your servant has one more humble request. While the young marquis is here, everything regarding him… I leave entirely in your hands, madam.”