Madame is Pretending to be an Academic Slacker Again!

Chapter 472: Chapter 472: Master Xin’s Wild Maneuvers Return

Qin Xin and Ah Hua’s voices disappeared outside the courtyard, and the lively courtyard suddenly became quiet.

Behind layers of gauze curtains in the side room, a man’s lips curled slightly, and he let out a light laugh.

”Master Tu, do you need anything? Would you like me to pour you some tea?” Xiangxiang turned her head upon hearing the sound.

The man’s voice returned to its cool tone: ”No need.”

He held his breath, focused, and began to meditate.

Xiangxiang’s hand was injured, so she couldn’t work. She sat on a bluestone slab outside the courtyard, eagerly awaiting Qin Xin’s return from fishing.

The entire courtyard felt like a paradise, somewhat unreal.

Outside the village.

Liuxi River.

In the Imperial City, it was snowing heavily, but here at Liuxi River, it hadn’t frozen over yet. In the gurgling water, you could see plump fish occasionally leaping out of the surface.

Ah Hua cast the net, but whether it was because the net’s holes were too large, the timing was off, or the fish were too cunning, after a long ordeal, not a single fish was caught.

Qin Xin chuckled: ”You’re not a very qualified village girl.”

Ah Hua sulked: ”Then you try!”

Instead of taking the net, Qin Xin started piling up stones in the stream and even directed Ah Hua to help.

Ah Hua pouted, curious to see what trick Qin Xin could pull off.

This pampered city girl who couldn’t even cook, how could she possibly catch fish?

A few minutes later.

Qin Xin blocked off the narrowest part of a tributary of Liuxi River, forming a square stone trap. The fish swam down from upstream and got trapped in the stone enclosure, soon stranding over a dozen large fish and several small fish fry.

Qin Xin said with a smile: ”See which type of fish you’re good at cooking, pick a few, and let the rest go.”

Ah Hua swallowed back the sarcasm that was on the tip of her tongue.

Why hadn’t she thought of such a simple fishing method in twenty years?

City folks sure know how to have fun. No one in the village ever fished like this!

On the way back, Ah Hua’s attitude toward Qin Xin improved a lot, and she even started a conversation: ”Ugly girl, don’t always tease me and your master. It’s not like I have that kind of intention towards your master.”

Qin Xin smirked: ”Not that kind of intention? Then what kind of intention?”

Ah Hua blushed: ”Honestly, your master is indeed very handsome. But I also know my own worth, and I know I don’t deserve him. I wouldn’t dare have any thoughts.”

Qin Xin’s lips curved slightly: ”Then, are the three mushroom stews you make every day for me?”

Ah Hua turned even redder, spat cheekily: ”In your dreams, they are for my dear Miss Lu Lu.”

Qin Xin was curious: ”Who’s this Miss Lu Lu?”

Ah Hua hesitated: ”Anyway, a beauty worthy of your master. Let’s not talk about it, it’s useless telling you. You don’t decide who your master marries.”

Qin Xin squinted her eyes.

Not necessarily; as a filial apprentice, she returned this New Year with the intention to serve Master Tuantuan well. Helping match her master with someone would be even better.

With that, they both entered the courtyard.

Ah Hua quickly changed the topic, busying herself with fetching water and preparing the fish.

Qin Xin volunteered: ”I may not be able to cook, but I can definitely clean the fish.”

Ah Hua was skeptical but handed it over: ”Start with the fish scales, make sure to clean it well, or else the soup will be fishy. I’ll go start the fire.”

By the time Ah Hua had the fire going and the water boiling and turned back to help Qin Xin with the fish, she was dumbfounded.

She thought the most this city girl could do was scrape some scales; she surely wouldn’t gut the fish, which involved blood.

To her surprise, Qin Xin not only cleaned off the scales completely but also gutted five fish exceptionally—cleanly.

Each one was sliced open from the belly, without spilling a drop of blood.

The fish intestines, swim bladders, gills... all the internal organs were neatly placed on the board, lined up in an orderly fashion.

Above were five fish; below, five rows of innards.

Ah Hua was left speechless!