At this moment, seeing the dish served, he first scooped a bowl of mutton soup for both Old Granny Zhang and Yang Zongbao, urging them to drink quickly: "Having mutton soup in the winter is the best, quickly drink a bowl to ward off the cold."
Over in Qilidun, the usual fare includes only pork, chicken, and fish.
Beef is strictly forbidden by the Imperial Court, and even if an old or diseased cow dies, or one is injured beyond survival, it must be documented at the Yamen, further reducing any chance of consuming it.
Old Granny Zhang held her bowl and first smelled it; the aroma of the meat carried a slight tang, with a hint of pepper. She tried a sip, and the peppery flavor mixed with the fresh taste of mutton rushed to her head, instantly refreshing her spirits.
With one bowl downed, not only was her whole body feeling warm, but a bit of sweat also appeared at the tip of her nose.
