Wu Ziya looked at Bai Wanyi and laughed in her heart at her serious self-praising look. She said that she was living with a group of men in the Ministry of Industry, and she was so proud of it. Didn't she know how people outside would look at her now?
Wu Ziya covered her mouth with a handkerchief and smiled, saying, "Sis, since you're back, we have to arrange a welcoming banquet at home. What would you like to eat? I'll ask the kitchen to make it for you."
Bai Wanyi tapped her belly and said, "You're pregnant, so don't worry about it. I'll take care of it."
Wu Ziya didn't shirk her responsibility. She thought the more she did, the more mistakes she made. If she wanted to make the arrangements, then she could do it. She wasn't worried about her taking advantage of this opportunity to seize power, so she smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, sister."
When Bai Wanyi came out of the main courtyard, she saw Chu Yun waiting at the door. She frowned and asked, "What are you waiting for here?"
Chu Yun told the news she had heard, and then said, "Madam Yu is now very prestigious in the mansion. The marriages of the Sixth and Eighth Misses are also relying on her, and they are still being discussed. Also, the Fifth Miss, oh, that is, Lu Yushi from the palace, has sent letters home several times, asking for money. The old lady gave it twice, and Madam Yu gave it once."
Bai Wanyi nodded, realizing she hadn't gotten any useful information. "Go find the maids and servants who used to work at Shuangxi Tea House and ask them if they're willing to go back and continue working. Your monthly salary will increase by 10% then."
"And ask Grandma and the other girls to come to my room tonight for a gathering."
"Yes." Chu Yun agreed.
Bai Wanyi went straight to the kitchen.
The people in the kitchen were startled to see the lady coming. The housekeeper came over with a smile and said, "Madam, you're back? What would you like to eat? Please tell me."
Bai Wanyi looked around the big kitchen. The yard was very clean and tidy. Several old women were picking vegetables in the yard with little girls aged five or six. Baskets of vegetables were placed under the eaves. There were also some meats hanging under the eaves, including pork, mutton, venison, fish, chicken, duck, goose, etc. It was very complete.
Bai Wanyi pointed at the fish and said, "I'm coming back today and will host a banquet for everyone in the mansion tonight. I will cook a table of dishes myself. Bring me this fish."
The housekeeper thought Bai Wanyi came just to show up and order some dishes, even if she cooked them herself, but she didn't expect her to ask someone for an apron.
The housekeeper was afraid that she would hurt herself, so she quickly advised: "Madam..."
"It's okay, I can cook, you just need to help me." Bai Wanyi glanced around the yard, but didn't force himself to do it all.
She ordered a few vegetarian dishes. "Ask the chef to make these; they should be light and refreshing. And for pork, choose the best tenderloin and pork belly. Forget the lamb or venison; they're hot in nature, and my sister can't eat them since she's pregnant. Clean the fish and bring it in. I'll make some boiled pork slices, and then go find me some shrimp."
Bai Wanyi thought for a moment before adding, "There probably aren't any crabs this season, but I saw Qianxianglou has razor clams, mussels, squid, and sea cucumbers. Go look for them at the market and buy whatever you can. I'll cook them."
The housekeeper was stunned for a moment, then quickly agreed: "Okay, then I will go and buy it myself."
Bai Wanyi made a braised pork and a sweet and sour pork with pork tenderloin. Both of these took some effort. The braised pork had to be stewed first, and the sweet and sour pork also had to be marinated with water starch and then fried.
Don’t fry the food for the second time until all the dishes are ready, and then fry them for the second time when cooking to ensure that they are still crispy after cooking.
She was afraid that others wouldn't fillet the fish well, so she filleted it herself and starched it in the same way.
At this moment, the housekeeper came back with a basket of seafood, which even included a few crabs.
The housekeeper said, "That's all we have. There are some dead ones too, which I didn't want. But it will be soon when I send these back."
Bai Wanyi took a look and said, "It's all cooked. I'll make some seafood with sauce."
Bai Wanyi didn't need anyone else to help him. He picked up the small red pepper and chopped it up, and smashed the peeled garlic...
She worked very efficiently, and the housekeeper was stunned: "Madam, you must have put a lot of hard work into your craft."
The old woman beside her also nodded: "Everyone can cook, but whether the cooking is good or not can be seen from the knife skills. Madam is really amazing."
A group of old women and maids from the kitchen gathered around to watch her cook. Several chefs were pushed to the back and didn't even dare to move forward. What a difference between men and women!
Bai Wanyi prepared the sauce and the seafood was cooked. He asked someone to bring in a bucket of water and throw the cooked seafood in.
It was cold, and the well water outside was cool enough that the meat became firmer after being frozen.
After freezing for a while, Bai Wanyi had the seafood taken out and drained with cold water before putting it into the sauce.
The seafood needed to be soaked for a while longer to absorb the flavor. Bai Wanyi then took off her apron and said, "Wait until I get back to make the sweet and sour pork. I'm going to go pay my respects to my grandmother first."
Bai Wanyi went back to wash up first, and then went to Old Lady Lu's courtyard.
Old Lady Lu had just woken up from her nap. After hearing the message from the maid, she learned that Bai Wanyi had returned. She was about to complain that she hadn't come to pay her respects when she heard someone come to announce, "You're so annoying! Come in quickly."
As Bai Wanyi entered the room, she was met with scrutiny from Old Lady Lu. She stepped forward and casually knelt down, "Grandma."
"Have a seat." Old Lady Lu frowned slightly, noticing Bai Wanyi was in good spirits. But she smiled and said, "You've become so skinny from starvation. Life must be tough at the Ministry of Works. How do you live?"
Although Bai Wanyi's brain sometimes doesn't work well, she is not stupid. How could she not know that Old Lady Lu was asking whether she was hanging out with that group of men all day long.
She smiled and said, "His Majesty specially allocated a side hall of the palace for me to live in."
Old Lady Lu suddenly said seriously, "Living in the palace?"
Bai Wanyi nodded. "Didn't the messenger tell me? This matter is extremely confidential, so not only do I live in the palace, but several other officials and craftsmen also live there. No one is allowed to go in or out. Because I'm a woman, I'm allowed to live in the side hall of the palace next door, and go there to work together during the day."
Old Lady Lu couldn't hide her joy immediately: "Is it a very confidential matter? Then is there any reward this time? You are a woman, no matter how much the reward is, it will only be a lady or something, and it won't be practical. The most practical reward will probably go to Yan'er, right? Good, good, Wanyi did a great job!"
Bai Wanyi watched her expression change so quickly. No matter what he was thinking, he didn't show any anger on his face. He just smiled and said, "Whether there will be any reward or not depends on what Your Majesty decides. I came here to invite you to have dinner in my courtyard tonight. I've been away for over two months. Thank you for taking care of Ping'er and the family. I will cook a meal myself to thank you."
"Okay, okay, I'll go, I'll go." Old Lady Lu was so happy, "Now that you're back, it's time for us to hold a welcoming banquet. Thank you for your hard work."
Marrying Bai Wanyi was really the right choice!
What is Qin Wan, a county lady?
That can't happen to men either. Only Bai Wanyi can truly bring prosperity to her husband! For such a confidential matter, officials must be confined to the palace. Her contribution must be great!
If Bai Wanyi's achievement doesn't go to her husband, her own grandson Lu Yan, who will it go to?
It's hard to get promoted to a higher rank, but can I get promoted to a higher rank?
Besides, this trip to provide disaster relief is a great contribution.
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