Sun Miao'er chatted with Liang Lao Er's family for a few minutes, then waited for the messenger sent out by the village to return with a message.
Liang Lao Er's wife sat at the Sun's house from noon until the sun was almost setting, instructing Xiao Man to go out and inquire five or six times, but she couldn't find out anything.
Finally, as it was getting dark, Xiaoman returned from outside, panting, "You're back, sister."
Xiaoman waved her hand while panting, "No news. I heard they've turned the entire downstream area upside down, but they still haven't found anyone."
"This is really strange. How come they've disappeared without a trace, neither alive nor dead?" Liang Lao Er's wife wondered. She had already changed the tea several times, showing a particular fondness for the tea brewed with patchouli.
Sun Miao'er was also keeping an eye on Wu Dali's news, since it was closely related to her. "Aunt Liang, since he's gone, there's no point in pursuing it any further."
"Never mind, I didn't suffer any losses anyway. By the way, niece, these pork kidneys are fresh. You're weak, it's good for you to eat more of this!"
Liang Lao Er's wife patted Sun Miao'er's hand, and before leaving, she didn't forget to say a few words, "I think Doctor Fu is quite good, and his appearance is also top-notch. Although he is a bit old, my dear niece, don't you really want to consider him?"
“Aunt Liang, he’s my master!” Sun Miao’er glanced at Fu Yuchi, and saw that he was thinking about something else. Luckily, she didn’t hear these words.
Liang Lao Er's wife smiled, looking like she'd been through it all, "Alright, alright, Auntie understands, she understands."
After seeing Aunt Liang off, Sun Miao'er examined the pair of kidneys. They were steaming hot when they were brought over, but now they were already cold.
Xiaoman's exclamation came from outside the pigpen, "Sister, the phoenix has hatched chicks!"
Sun Miao'er ran to the backyard. She hadn't taken care of the chicken coop much these past few days, only instructing Xiaoman to prepare some food. She didn't expect that when she returned today, the goose egg that Xiaoman had picked up earlier had already hatched.
Xiaoman was excitedly squatting outside the chicken coop, admiring her harvest over the past few days. "Sister! Look, why aren't they big white geese, they're ducks!"
Sun Miao'er leaned closer for a look, and it certainly didn't look like a goose, but the egg was clearly a large white goose egg. She thought for a long time, staring at the newly hatched little creature for a long time, "Xiaoman, this is a swan egg!"
Yes, I heard the story of the Ugly Duckling when I was a child. When a swan hatches, it looks like a duck, but it's much uglier. Xiaoman didn't encounter an ordinary white goose, but a swan!
"A swan?!" Xiaoman stared incredulously at the gray little creature on the ground, unable to reconcile it with the birds flying in the sky.
Sun Miao'er squatted down and finally caught the little swan. She held it in her palm and admired it for a long time. The phoenix also came over.
Fu Yuchi was slightly surprised. He had seen this bird in the garden at home before, but his teacher always called it a swan, the same swan in the saying "How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?" He didn't know why Miao'er blurted out that it was a swan.
But isn't this just a big white goose that flies in the sky?
Xiaoman was immersed in the joy of hatching swan eggs. As night fell, Fu Yuchi played with the swans for a while, while Sun Miaoer was busy in the kitchen.
She sliced the pair of pork kidneys in half. You know, the hardest part about pork kidneys is the odor; if you don't clean them properly, you can't even stand the smell, let alone eat them.
The "waist blemish" is the white part in the middle of the pig's kidney after it has been cut open. Every part of it must be cleaned with a knife. After the "waist blemish" is cleaned, the next step is to cut it. It is best to cut the kidney slices into decorative cuts, making them into kidney flowers. The kidney flowers can be quickly shaped in hot oil, making them look, smell, and taste delicious.
Even after removing the gamey smell from pork kidneys, they still need to be marinated before cooking. They should be drizzled with Shaoxing wine and seasoned, and then cooked in about half an hour.
The pork loin slices were cooked, and the aroma filled the kitchen, wafting all the way to the yard. Xiaoman, who is usually very enthusiastic about eating, was nowhere to be seen today.
Just now, Xiaoman was playing with the swans in the back. Sun Miao'er walked into the yard but didn't see Xiaoman anywhere. She only saw Fu Yuchi teasing the little swan with a foxtail grass. "Master, where is Xiaoman?"
Fu Yuchi pointed to Jin's room, "His father is back."
Sun Yuanhu is back? Before she could even react, Jin Shi's harsh voice came from the other room, "You still have the guts to come back? Last time those people came, I almost got into trouble too!"
"What's the rush? I've already come up with a solution!" Sun Yuanhu lowered his voice and gestured for Jin to close the door.
With the door closed, Sun Miao'er couldn't hear what was being said inside. She could only crouch under the window, her ear pressed against the wall, and vaguely hear some of it.
Xiaoman stood to the side, head down. He had been playing happily with the swans when a figure suddenly appeared at the door in the darkness. It was none other than his father. As soon as he got back, he pulled him into the house without even having a chance to say goodbye to his sister.
Jin smiled dismissively, "What can you do, you stupid pig? Liang Lao Er's wife is already wearing silk and satin, and your wife's clothes are worn in the coldest winter and the hottest summer, and there's nothing to replace them with!"
“We can’t say it like that, can we?” Sun Yuanhu picked his teeth, his face shiny with oil. He looked much more haggard from hiding these days. “You know Liang Lao Er’s family. Her family, the Du family, are landlords in Dahuai Village. They’re very rich. I’m here to bring you some advice, aren’t I?”
"Stop spouting these worthless lies. Let me tell you, Sun Yuanhu, I only care about money now. If you can't come up with money, don't ask me for anything else!"
The more Jin looked at Sun Yuanhu's face, the angrier she became. She had thought he was some kind of hot commodity, but it turned out he was a good-for-nothing.
Sun Yuanhu, now emboldened by some unknown source, raised his voice a few decibels, "I heard rumors outside that war is brewing, and they might come to Pingnan City any day now. Why don't we just sell those two plots of land and go all out!"
"War?" Jin slammed her hand on the table, suddenly becoming frightened. "I was thinking of keeping these few pieces so I could sell them for a good price later. If I sell them now, I'm afraid I'll lose a lot of money!"
Sun Yuanhu held up five fingers. "I've already inquired about this amount in the city. Someone is willing to pay fifty taels to buy our land."
"Are you crazy?" Having learned her lesson from the previous times, Madam Jin no longer believed in such a windfall. "Who would pay fifty taels for these few pieces of shabby land? Fifty taels is enough to lease half a village! Don't be fooled again!"
Sun Yuanhu waved his hand, “Things are different now. Once the war starts, this land will be worthless. It’s only worth a few taels of silver now. You’re still a woman and don’t understand the ins and outs of this. When the land is sold, we can have fifty taels of silver. Where can’t we go and live a carefree life?”
Sun Miao'er listened from behind the wall, not recognizing anything else, but she did understand that Sun Yuanhu was exceptionally good at making empty promises.
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