Chapter 83 (Tonifying Soup)

May 15th

According to the marching progress, Xiao Huaiting's army will arrive this morning.

To be precise, they arrived last night, but most people will be resting outside the city until this morning, when the commander-in-chief and some officials will enter Kyoto City.

Starting from outside the city gate, countless people came running to watch.

In this era, fighting is a common thing. A great victory means that the people are safe and worry-free. After experiencing the tragic situation of being on the brink of war, everyone will cheer for the winner.

When Xingjun's team passed by them, many people would give them a bunch of things. As the head coach, he still trampled on the head coach of Uta, and blackmailed many young people and smashed countless wallets.

The same was true for the other lieutenants behind him.

In addition to the wallets, this victory was too great, and some people extravagantly threw popcorn and various candies at him. Yan Xiang felt a gust of wind coming, and he stretched out his hand to catch it, but it felt soft in his hand.

I was immediately shocked. Could it be that someone threw away rotten vegetables?

When he looked carefully, he saw something light yellow, soft and sweet with a milky aroma in his hand.

Yan Xiang raised his eyebrows and was surprised. What a good thing!

He put it in his mouth and found the taste was amazing. As a rough man, he had never tasted such delicious pastries before. His eyes widened: "General, what is this? It's delicious! Is it made by Miss Yan?"

"I got one too. General, do you want one? It's huge! It's stuffed with sweet things. I can see girls and children will love it! We've only been gone for less than half a year, and there are so many new and delicious foods in Kyoto."

The young man glanced at it calmly and said, "No need, I've eaten it before. It's a cake with jam inside. The red one is strawberry flavored, and the pink one is peach flavored..."

Yan Xiang and Lei Shan, filled with surprise, were silent for a moment, and then they ate the sweet food in their mouths, but they tasted a full sour taste.

So jealous!

Yan Xiang said sourly, "Miss Yan and I used to have a good relationship. I wonder if you still remember me? General, you are so lucky. You saved Miss Yan and can eat such delicious food every day."

Xiao Huaiting curled his lips imperceptibly: "I don't like sweet things. I've only eaten this cake twice."

"Ah?" Yan Xiang was surprised, but also felt a little sympathetic.

Such delicious food, but I only ate it twice!

The next second, Xiao Huaiting said, "The barbecue she makes is delicious, sprinkled with all kinds of spices and seasonings. I like it very much. I used to eat it every few days when I was in the mansion, but I haven't eaten it since the war. I miss it a lot. I wonder what we will have to eat when we go back later?"

Yan Xiang: “…”

Even more sour!

Can be picky about food!

Especially as a rough guy, he actually loves the feeling of eating meat in big mouthfuls, so after hearing Xiao Huaiting's simple words, he began to miss the delicious food that Yan Qiushu made for him when he first met her.

Wucheng!

So many delicious foods!

Suddenly Yan Xiang remembered something, coughed lightly, and gently reminded: "General, the girl you brought back from Wucheng this time, are you also going to bring her back to the Xiao Mansion?"

Xiao Huaiting was about to nod.

Yan Xiang laughed and said, "I don't know if Miss Yan will be happy that a sister is here to keep her company."

Xiao Huaiting paused, his face expressionless as he continued to ride forward. However, he tightened his grip on the reins and ordered, "Take me to the palace in a moment. You will take the man to the manor outside the capital. Do you know where it is?"

"I know, but I'm hungry..." Yan Xiang said vaguely.

Xiao Huaiting said unhappily, "Let's go to the food court, right next to the braised food shop. Tell me your name."

Yan Xiang's eyes lit up and he rubbed his hands excitedly.

The whispered conversation between Xiao Huaiting and his two adjutants was drowned out by the overwhelming noise and could not be heard by outsiders.

The common people watched the troops disappear before their eyes, and could not help but sigh: "This General Xiao really has the momentum of his father, so majestic!"

"Yeah, I remember that every time General Xiao came back, it was always like this. But General Xiao was still more powerful. He even broke through Wuta!"

“The Xiao family is mighty!”

Amid the roar, the army marched across another street.

Amidst the bustle, a few children shouted, "Uncle is so awesome!!!"

The young man on horseback seemed to have heard something and looked towards the source of the sound sharply, just in time to meet several heads on the second floor: a pretty woman, a chubby boy with food residue around his mouth, a cute little girl, and a silly-looking big boy.

The horses continued to move forward and soon passed each other. The young man's sight was obstructed and he withdrew his gaze. Considering that they were outside, he did not show any strange expression, but his starry eyes were still as dark and bright as ever.

Yan Qiushu was just watching the fun, but suddenly her gaze met his. She was stunned for a moment and didn't have time to look away.

Fortunately, it was short.

She pursed her lips and walked out the window, with those eyes still clearly appearing in her mind.

Thinking back to the time when we first met, when we opened the door, he was a young man who was not yet mature and tough, but still had outstanding grace and elegance. Time flies so fast, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Wan'er, however, still stretched her head to look at the crowd's backs, and said with regret: "I can't see it anymore."

Dongdong took two steps back, holding the ice cream in one hand and the garlic ribs in the other, chewing them with relish: "It's okay, let's go back and have a look."

Xiao Pingsong was so excited that his face flushed: "My little uncle is so awesome!"

Wan'er nodded vigorously, Dongdong followed suit, and Yan Qiushu thought about it and nodded as well.

The nearly half-year war had made him more mature. The youthfulness he had when we first met was gone, and what remained was a strong and resolute character. He had also become thinner, and his skin seemed to be much rougher.

I heard that there is a lot of wind and sand in Uta, there is little land suitable for farming, and the food is not good and the clothes are not warm.

Yan Qiushu pinched the jade pendant that was tied tightly around her waist. Three days ago, Xie Qingyun brought a matchmaker and betrothal gifts to the farm to propose marriage. However, because Xiao Huaiting was coming back today, the Xiao family came to pick her up and take her back home early in the morning.

She said gently, "Okay, we should go back. When your uncle comes back, it will be time for lunch."

"Okay." Wan'er withdrew her head with lingering thoughts.

Dongdong looked at the pile of food on the table and stood up anxiously to ask the nanny to clean it up: "Take it all with you, don't waste it!"

Yan Qiushu was puzzled: "Just let Mammy and the others eat it. When did you become so frugal?"

This child is not extravagant, but he shouldn't be so anxious. He even specifically reminds others not to waste and takes everything back?

Dongdong wiped his mouth, shrank his neck guiltily, and said seriously, "Because it's delicious, I don't want to waste it."

"You can't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat lunch later." Yan Qiushu reminded him, "Food won't taste as good when it's cold. Let Mammy help you eat."

Dongdong's face was in pain, but he nodded: "Okay, Mammy, you can eat it."

The wet nurse who served him amusedly pinched the young master's hand secretly and said, "I know."

She packed it up, held the oil paper bag in her arms, and didn't eat it.

Dongdong smiled happily and followed behind happily.

In fact, he didn't want to be so stingy, but he was poor now, and he had to save the pocket money his grandma gave him. He could no longer eat as freely as before, and he had to save as much as he could, otherwise he would have no snacks to eat!

Because his uncle felt that since he had started practicing martial arts, he couldn't be too fat as it was bad for his bones, so he needed to lose weight. Now, no one in the mansion could cook for him at will, except for Sister Ashu. But Sister Ashu didn't cook many spirit stones, and mostly just three meals a day.

Dongdong sighed deeply. The key point was that he still had to go to school. He could only go there for dinner every day. It was too miserable!

That’s right!

My uncle always comes back with a lot of silver after the war. I wonder if he has any this time?

My uncle is always generous!

Thinking of this, Dongdong walked faster.

Yan Qiushu and others returned to the mansion, but Xiao Huaiting had not returned yet.

For such a major event as the destruction of Wuta, the old emperor and his ministers naturally had to discuss carefully how to deal with the people of Wuta, and it was impossible for them to return too early.

Yan Qiushu wanted to come back now because she was thinking about the soup in the house.

After saying goodbye to Dongdong and the others at the inner courtyard gate, she quickly returned to her own courtyard and went to the kitchen. Before she even reached the kitchen, she smelled a meaty aroma with a hint of sweetness.

On the stove in the kitchen, there was a big black pot wrapped in red flames. Its round belly kept making gurgling sounds, and the fragrance was wafting out from the gap in the lid.

Aunt Xu smiled and said, "Just when I was thinking it was almost done, the young lady came back."

Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled: "Come back after you finish reading it. Is the water in it not boiled dry?"

"No!" Aunt Xu shook her head and took a peek. The moment she opened the lid, hot steam and a fragrant aroma filled the entire kitchen. "There's still half a jar left. Oh, it smells so good!"

"Isn't it fragrant? There are a lot of good things added in it!" Shui Yu said with a smile and a teasing look.

They brought this here early in the morning, but there was not enough time to cook it at that time, so they sent it to this yard and cooked it for a long time. It was made into black chicken soup, and supplements such as ginseng were added.

Yan Qiushu glared at her and told the nanny to watch the fire and keep it low. She hurried out. It was better, but since the person hadn't come back yet, she had to leave it alone for now.

Shui Yu stuck out her tongue, feeling that she had persuaded Yan Qiushu to leave.

Aunt Xu shook her head and smiled, "The girl is just embarrassed. Her face is red."

Shui Yu helped clean up the kitchen, washed her hands, and went into the house to accompany Yan Qiushu.

It was almost mid-afternoon when someone from the main courtyard came to invite Yan Qiushu to dinner.

When Yan Qiushu arrived, everyone from the Xiao family had already arrived.

Including Xiao Huaiya, who almost never ate with them, they all sat next to Xiao Huaiwu. The two sisters were talking about how brave she was in battle and how she took the enemy's head directly, while the other one was watching with her watery almond eyes, her eyes widened from time to time in worry about the crisis, and she smiled because of her sister's strength.

She clearly has a weak and vulnerable face, but in fact, if it weren't for the scar on her face, this girl might be even more heroic than Xiao Huaiwu.

Yan Qiushu thought about it, but then denied it. No, Xiao Huaiya still loves beauty more.

"Ashu, come and sit down." Mrs. Xiao waved with a smile. There was an empty seat to her right.

Sitting on the left is Xiao Huaiting.

Yan Qiushu shuddered, her cheeks suddenly heating up and her back sweating. She quickly pretended not to see anything, walked over quickly and sat down, greeting them one by one. When she reached Xiao Huaiting, her smile froze a lot: "Congratulations, General Xiao, on your triumphant return."

"Thank you, Miss Ah Shu." Xiao Huaiting nodded as usual, his cold and hard features softening a lot. However, noticing the slightly lame gait, he still asked, "What's wrong with your foot?"

The Xiao family members looked at each other tacitly and smiled.

Yan Qiushu explained softly, "I accidentally sprained it a couple of days ago, and it's almost healed now."

"That's good." Xiao Huaiting nodded without saying much.

Madam Xiao looked left and right, very satisfied. That distressed expression was gone, and her voice revealed joy: "Everyone is here, let's serve the food."

The maids and servants served the dishes one after another.

These are all light yet nourishing dishes.

Xiao Huaiting had just returned from the war and hadn't eaten any oily food for a long time, so it was not a good idea to feed him directly now.

When the food was served, everyone started eating.

There was no formal lunch at noon, so the family just ate casually, so the atmosphere was more casual, and they talked about family matters. Xiao Pingsong and Dongdong asked about the details of the war, and Wan'er was listening on the side, and she was very immersed in the play, sometimes panicked and sometimes happy, just like Xiao Huaiya just now.

Her mother covered her mouth and laughed secretly.

Thinking of Xiao Huaiya, Yan Qiushu was originally concentrating on eating. She looked over tentatively and found that the other person was right opposite her. When she looked over, she found that the other person had taken off her veil.

But the scar was different from what one would imagine. Although the scar on her cheek was obvious, it was not hideous. It was easy to notice due to the proliferation of scars, but overall, one could notice her overly beautiful facial features at a second glance.

Although she may still be a little uncomfortable with it, she would half-lower her head while eating, with her face slightly tilted and her left hand on her left cheek, as if trying to cover the scar, but it would occasionally reveal a little.

Yan Qiushu happened to see it when she was picking up the food. The other party seemed to have noticed it as well, and panicked for a moment, and the food on the chopsticks fell onto the plate.

Yan Qiushu was also a little panicked and quickly smiled at her.

Xiao Huaiya calmed himself down, forced a smile, and continued to pick up the dishes, but he covered his face tightly with his left hand, no longer trying to block it.

Apart from this little incident, the food was generally enjoyable.

Especially now that everyone in the Xiao family except Shen Pingyu has returned, the family is reunited, and the happiness index has increased exponentially.

At the end of the meal, Shui Yu came over with her maid, and each of them received a bowl of soup. The soup was slightly yellowish with a hint of brown, and quite translucent, so that you could see the wolfberries at the bottom. She smiled and said, "This is the soup my daughter made specially early in the morning. The Fourth Young Miss and the Sixth Young Master have worked hard recently, so they need some nourishment."

As soon as the words fell, everyone subconsciously looked at Yan Qiushu.

Yan Qiushu herself: “…………”

Shui Yu, what are you doing?!

She didn't let me say anything weird!

She just said to wait until you are almost done eating before serving it. There is not much soup, just one bowl per person and half a bowl for children. They will definitely be able to drink it. Hasn’t she always served it directly like this in the past? Why did she say this now?

It's not that I'm angry, I'm just blushing.

Yan Qiushu took a deep breath, trying to maintain a normal appearance, and smiled: "Hurry up and drink it. This soup is a food tonic recipe I asked Doctor Tao for. It's made with black chicken soup as the base, and I added a lot of medicinal herbs, including ginseng. It tastes pretty good."

Xiao Huaiwu raised her eyebrows, picked it up with a smile, blew on it, took a sip, savored it carefully, looked at "everyone" and said: "The soup made by Ah Shu is naturally the best, right?"

Madam Xiao smiled and became even happier.

Xiao Huaiqi and his wife looked at each other, lowered their eyes and took a sip of their soup. Wow, it’s really delicious.

Although there is a slight bitterness in the aroma, this bitterness does not affect the appetite at all. After swallowing, there is actually a slight sweet aftertaste lingering between the lips and teeth.

Xiao Huaiya curved her lips and smiled with a hint of cunning.

The three children also hurriedly picked up the bowl, blew on it carefully, and then drank.

Siha!

hot!

But it tastes good, the soup is salty, fragrant and delicious, and the slight bitterness seems to soothe the excessive deliciousness. There is no meat in it, only soup and a little wolfberry at the bottom.

After drinking it in one gulp, even a kid like Dongdong who likes strong flavors and sweets didn't think it was bad. After one sip, he smacked his lips and quickly took a second sip, but it was just a small sip because it was too hot.

And the "people" being watched anxiously by Xiao Huaiwu - Xiao Huaiting nodded calmly: "Miss Shu's cooking skills are naturally beyond words."

After saying that, he picked up the bowl. However, the soup, which was still steaming in the summer, was obviously very hot. However, he seemed to ignore the tolerance of his tongue and took a big gulp.

When the hot soup comes into direct contact with the tongue, the temperature explodes!

At this moment, Xiao Huaiting suddenly felt that his tongue was not his own.

The Xiao family, who knew how hot the soup was, exclaimed: "!!!"