After the betrothal ceremony, Aunt Yang actually went to find Gu Xiao and asked, "Brother Ting is getting married soon. Should we get rid of the concubines in the house?"

Gu Xiao glared at her coldly, "Don't do anything stupid! Gu Ting is getting married, and there will be one less person in the house without any explanation."

Those who know the truth will think you're trying to curry favor with the Earl's family; those who don't will think Gu Ting is incredibly ruthless!

After a moment's thought, Yang realized she hadn't considered things thoroughly. She then abandoned the idea.

Liu Xiang'er took some time to go home, and her mother, upon receiving the news, made preparations well in advance.

I kneaded the dough and mixed the filling, steamed a pot of mutton buns, mixed willow shoots, and simmered a pot of rich mutton soup. I also asked my little daughter to go to the market to buy a plate of fried white sausage, which she is most proud of eating.

When Xiang'er got home, she saw the whole family bustling around preparing for her, with the table neatly set and full of food.

Feeling quite satisfied, he took out two peach-red dresses, a piece of fine blue cloth, three pairs of gold teardrop earrings, and two small silver ingots, each weighing three ounces.

"Mother, please keep it. I was busy in the yard during the New Year and couldn't come out. I didn't come back for the holidays."

Xiang'er's mother's old face wrinkled with laughter, "My good daughter, you really make your mother proud."

Mother knows; she'll be praying for the young master's well-being during the New Year. Being a month or two late in returning is nothing.

Your mother misses you dearly!

Wait here, let me get you a bowl of mutton soup. I put the meat in the pot to simmer early yesterday morning, and it's really flavorful.

I didn't let any of them touch a drop. We were just waiting for you to come back so we could drink first.

Xiang'er was pleased with herself. She took a meat bun and ate and drank it heartily with the mutton soup.

After the family had eaten and drunk their fill, there were still two meat buns left on the table. Xiang'er said to her mother,

"Go find me a small winnowing basket and put the two leftover meat buns in it. I'm going to Wang Ying's house."

Xiang'er's mother was indignant and gently pushed her daughter's shoulder, "Why do you have to rush to send steamed buns to their family!"

"What do you know? The young master may be getting married soon, so the number of people in the courtyard will have to increase. Wang Ying might be transferred back to his place."

Upon hearing this, Xiang'er's mother immediately started shouting, "How could this girl side with her enemy?"

We're short-staffed, so we can transfer your older sister there. She's currently sweeping floors in the outer courtyard!

Feeling guilty but unable to explain herself, Xiang'er stood up, grabbed a small winnowing basket, and quickly walked out.

Her mother tried to stop her but couldn't. When they arrived at the Wang family home, Wang Yan, who was on leave that day, had also returned.

"My family made some mutton buns, and I specially picked out two to give to my younger sister."

Where is Ying-jie? I haven't seen her for quite some time; I'd like to talk to her.

Ignoring Wang Yan's winks, Aunt Wang reached out and took it, saying, "Wang Ying has returned to the manor to work again. She's currently embroidering a birthday picture for the old lady."

"What?" Liu Xiang'er's face turned ashen.

He put away his small dustpan, said a few hurried words, and went home.

After she left, Aunt Wang snorted coldly, "See? Luckily, I found your sister a job, otherwise this little hussy would have wanted to come over and show off!"

Wang Yan nodded in deep agreement, but then she glanced at the two mutton buns on the table...

"Mom, I don't want to eat the steamed buns she brought. I want to drink soup, the same mutton soup as hers."

Aunt Wang raised her eyebrows and said, "Their soup has been simmering for over a day. Even if you make this fresh for me, you still won't get to drink it."

After thinking for a moment, I said, "I'll make you a pot of cured pork porridge. It'll be fragrant and delicious."

First, wash a clay pot, add water, put in a handful of rice, and simmer over low heat to make porridge.

Cut the cured pork into cubes, add some garlic sprouts, stir-fry in a pan until fragrant, and sprinkle with salt and white pepper.

Put the stir-fried diced cured pork into a clay pot and cook for another 15 minutes. Finally, add a handful of finely chopped celery and cook for a few more minutes before serving.

It was just a simple meal, but it tasted pretty good.

However, this salted pork congee reminded Wang Yan of a congee with preserved egg and lean pork that she had drunk before.

This is quite novel. I wonder if I'll tell Aunt Sun and she'll give it a try.

If it goes well, there will be another reward. The thought of earning money excited Wang Yan again. She didn't stay home for long before saying she wanted to return to the manor.

Upon arriving at the mansion, instead of rushing back to the small kitchen, he went to Wang Ying's place.

When Wang Ying heard that Liu Xiang'er had come to her house to see her, she couldn't help but frown deeply. What exactly did Liu Xiang'er want to do?

After sending my sister away, I still need to go and ask Manjing again.

……………………

"Was lime brought in?"

“You’ve brought your aunt along to handle things, don’t you trust her?” Aunt Sun smiled and glanced at Wang Yan.

Besides Wang Yan, Chunxi was also very excited, circling around Granny Sun.

I heard she's making something delicious again? She's been going to the small kitchen more often lately, almost as often as Chunye.

The group divided the work: Chunxi and Chunye took a basin to make ash from burning fragrant wood and fallen leaves.

Fu Ling and Grandma Sun were preparing the proportions of lime, baking soda, and rice water.

Mix lime with fermented rice water, add 20% edible alkali, and then shovel in two shovels of wood ash.

Fresh, undamaged eggs and duck eggs should be rolled in lime water, and the sawn wood cut by carpenters should be wrapped up.

Place dry straw in the tea canister, then divide the wrapped eggs and duck eggs into two jars and place them there for 20 days.

Chicken eggs produce a transparent yellow color, while duck eggs produce a preserved egg.

I definitely can't make preserved egg and lean pork congee right now; we'll see how it goes later. I also don't know if I can pickle the preserved eggs properly.

After they finished cooking, they went to the small kitchen in front of the kitchen, covered in sweat, to ask Wang Yan for water.

Wang Yan quickly brewed a pot of tender willow leaf tea for them and sprinkled some brown sugar on top.

The group drank tea and ate spicy snacks. Chunxi's love for food remained unchanged. Just thinking about the taste of preserved eggs described by Wang Yan made her mouth water.

"I'll have to eat two by myself, along with the preserved egg and pork congee that Sister Yan mentioned."

"Alright, alright, if Aunt Sun wants to serve it to Madam, she'll definitely have someone taste it first. We'll be in for a treat then."

That's true. Just thinking about this scene of eating delicious food made Chunxi chuckle.

Chunlan took a broom and came over to pour tea. Seeing how happy everyone was, she felt uncomfortable.

She snorted and raised her chin high. "Miss Zhiju said you were to deliver a pot of rice tea. Why haven't you gone yet?"

Wang Yan's face fell. "Even the tea that Madam drinks was fetched by Sister Qingmei herself."

Is Zhiju really that precious? More particular than the lady? If so, I'll send her some.

However, if I go out, the tea room will have to be closed and locked. If Madam can't get her water and Sister Qingmei comes to scold her, that's your problem!

Chunlan glanced at her, stomped her foot angrily, and took a pot of brewed rice tea to Zhiju's room.