The pot's bottom was divided into a two-taste duck pot, with one side spicy and the other mild.
The non-spicy side contained wild mushrooms, half a chicken, half a tube of bones, and a dash of wolfberry and two dates. The resulting thick and milky-white soup served as the delectable base for the hot pot.
Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan set off together, with Songshi having rented the finest wagon for them. The wagon was well-insulated and covered with a thick carpet. In one corner, a stove with a cover was cleverly fixed, emanating a warm glow from the burning red coals.
Their destination was Pinggu, an area with advanced mountains and dense forests, offering picturesque scenery and abundant prey.
The official road was bustling with activity during this time of the year. Moreover, the suburban road, being under supervision, remained easily passable despite the snowfall.
