The squeezed juice doesn't need to be poured out; it can be boiled, drained, and canned. It can then be used to make sweet syrup, which tastes fragrant and sweet. Needless to say, the words "Zhao Yue" must be written on this small jar of peony sweet juice.

The next step is to knead the fermented dough and divide it into portions, then roll it into dough sheets, wrap it into balls, pinch the edges and roll it into balls, and then press it into pancake shapes.

This cake can be baked or fried. Earthen pots are not popular in the capital. Cakes are usually baked in cellars and ovens. Xu Jiang's house is too small to build one, so frying is the only way.

Pour a little cooking oil into the pan until it's 1/2 hot, then add the flower cakes and fry them slowly over low heat. Don't overcook them to prevent them from burning when you fry them again the next day. Remove from the pan when the crust is formed and slightly firm. Fry again the next day until both sides are golden brown and ready to eat.

Xu Jiang fried the last few pancakes thoroughly and shared them with Liang Mo and Zeng Zhui. The three of them had been busy for most of the day and were very hungry.

After the pastries are made, the lotus root is prepared. At this point, the lotus root has already grown, and the mud has been removed, making it very tender and fresh. The tender lotus root after the lotus root has expanded is the most suitable for stuffing lotus root, which is crisp, tender, easy to cook, and refreshing.

To make honeyed lotus roots, Xu Jiang used glutinous rice. She soaked the rice early in the morning, so it was just the right amount of rice. After draining the rice, she filled it with intact lotus root nodes, sealed the mouth with bamboo sticks, and simmered it in a jar for half an hour. Once cooked, she removed the lotus root, sliced it, and drizzled it with syrup or honey.

Honey is plentiful in spring but expensive, so Xu Jiang uses freshly made peony syrup as a substitute, which is sweet and salty and has a floral fragrance.

Mixed vegetables are simple and easy to make, Xu Jiang can easily prepare them, and they must be fresh, so she wants to save them for tomorrow's cooking and eating.

The lotus stems had been washed and kept in clean water to ensure freshness. Xu Jiang saw Zeng Zhui taking out one from time to time and chewing it with a "crunching" sound, so she reminded him to be gentle and not eat it all.

In addition, the reed shoots must be blanched and soaked in water first to remove the grassy smell. Then take them out and chop them up the next day, and mix them with simple sauce and vinegar to make them delicious.

After finishing these, the kitchen work is almost done. The remaining apricot curd, cold pottery, and mulberry leaf tofu must be made in the morning, otherwise the taste will be spoiled.

Xu Jiang took a lunch box and picked up some mugwort fruit, small locust flower buns, and honeyed lotus roots, and asked Zeng Zhui to take them to the Nanshan Academy. She also picked up a portion and asked Liang Mo to deliver it to the home of Shopkeeper Wang, saying that his two children would love it.

After sending Zeng Zhui away, Xu Jiang inspected Liang Mo's engravings. Seeing that his knife skills had improved considerably, she couldn't help but praise him and pack up a portion for him to take home for his family and master to try.

After Liang Mo left, Xu Jiang sat down with his hands on his waist to drink tea and rest, while waiting for Lou Yunchun to leave the office.

I became confused as I waited.

In the mysterious realm, her master, whom she had not seen for a long time, emerged from the fog, ate a few pieces of cakes she made, and then began to cut paper and write a book.

Xu Jiang walked over to grind ink for him and read the verses that fell from his pen. He became annoyed with his reading and frowned. He put down his pen and chased him away, saying, "You're buzzing like a mosquito. If you have nothing to do, go outside and do some writing. Don't disturb my peace here."

She didn't want to be rigid, her hands hurt, so she begged, "I won't talk anymore."

The master glared at her a few times, but didn't drive her away, so he just let her be.

She watched from the side, without saying a word, but she read every word in her heart.

The sound of horse hooves woke Xu Jiang from her dream. She was a little dazed for a moment, staring at the door in a daze. It was not until Lou Yunchun stepped in that she came to her senses and smiled at him.

"You're here."

Seeing that she looked a little tired, Lou Yunchun quickly walked over to sit beside her and touched her face. "Are you tired?"

Xu Jiang nodded, "A little bit, but I just closed my eyes for a while, and I feel much better now."

"Next time you go to rest on the couch, don't sleep with the door open, otherwise..."

"Otherwise, you will see me in the Dali Temple files?"

Lou Yunchun choked, "Don't talk nonsense."

Xu Jiang smiled and asked, "Are you hungry? We have mugwort fruit, locust flower buns, and honeyed lotus root. Would you like some?"

Lou Yunchun swallowed and said, "Eat."

The two of them locked the falling rain and the night outside the door, then went to the kitchen hand in hand to sort out the cakes, put them on the small table on the wooden couch to eat, and also made two cups of tea to relieve the greasiness.

"I'd like to borrow your flowers to offer to Buddha. Please try this sweet lotus root." The lotus root was delivered from the building's house early in the morning. Last night, when the two of them were preparing vegetables, Xu Jiang said it casually, and he remembered it in his heart.

Lou Yunchun ate it with the help of Xu Jiang's hand, showing a happy expression, "It's delicious." Then he picked up a piece and put it to Xu Jiang's mouth.

Xu Jiang smiled and said, "I don't find it boring."

Lou Yunchun replied: "This is the only one I'll ever have in my life."

The double entendre is even more fascinating when enjoyed between lovers.

The two of them took turns eating, finishing most of the plates of cakes, and then sat down to drink tea.

"Are you happy to be attending the gathering today?"

"It was quite interesting. I even ran into two people at the gathering."

"Which two?"

"Thank you Hongxing and Lord Mu." Xu Jiang then told Lou Yunchun everything that happened at today's gathering and her conversation with Mu Congye.

When Lou Yunchun heard that Xu Jiang hit someone, he couldn't help laughing. After hearing her repeat what Mu Cong said, his expression couldn't help but become gloomy.

Xu Jiang lamented that his emotions were becoming easier to discern, but at the same time she was worried about what conspiracy Zhao Xiu was secretly planning.

"Whatever his conspiracy is, it must be targeting the Imperial College."

"I thought so too. He's been going to Mr. Du's house quite often lately, so I think it's related to Mr. Du. But even if we repeatedly remind Mr. Du to be on guard, as long as he doesn't take any action, it's impossible to prevent him. Now he's the top scorer in the imperial examination, and he hasn't done anything wrong. It's not good to lock him up or tie him up for no reason without any evidence."

Lou Yunchun had a plan in mind, so he whispered, "I will discuss this matter with Mr. Du about how to deal with it. You should stay out of it."

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!