Chapter 5: Only Home Cooking
"Okay, I believe you." Old Madam Pei glanced at her daughter-in-law, causing Madam Pei, who was about to continue persuading her, to shut up instantly.
She felt a little aggrieved and didn't know what she had done wrong.
Old Madam Pei also noticed the aggrieved look on her daughter-in-law's face and felt helpless. Regardless of the quality of the thing, Sui Niang might feel uncomfortable seeing her daughter-in-law humiliated in front of her granddaughter-in-law.
She was a good daughter-in-law in every way, but she was weak and had a soft temper. In the past, the affairs of the general's mansion were handled by herself and her eldest grandson's wife. She was raised to be simple and innocent.
Now that the general's mansion has been confiscated and he has been exiled, she has to change her temper.
Mrs. Pei drank the red mushroom soup in her hand. The light fragrance of the mushrooms and the overbearing taste of the wild onions mixed together in a harmonious way. The two flavors complemented each other, leaving her mouth full of freshness and fragrance.
It's obviously just simple ingredients without any complicated seasonings, but it's so original and flavorful that it makes people raise their eyebrows.
After finishing a bowl, your taste buds will be greatly satisfied, and you can’t help but want another bowl.
Ji Zhisui wanted to get the diners' evaluation, while Pei Ersao and Madam Pei were worried about the old lady's health.
Madam Pei spared no effort to praise, "Sui Niang, this red mushroom soup tastes so good, I'm afraid even the general's previous chef didn't have such skills."
These words piqued Pei Ersao's interest, especially when she stood in front of the pottery jar and the unique aroma of food filled her nose.
She loves food and used to be a frequent visitor to restaurants in Beijing. Now the temptation of food prevails, completely offsetting her fear of the food in front of her.
"Sui Niang, I want to try it too." Pei Ersao was eager to try.
Ji Zhisui scooped another spoonful for his second sister-in-law.
Mrs. Pei held the bowl and chopsticks, eagerly putting them into her mouth. The fresh aroma of the mushrooms was endlessly delicious. She couldn't help but ask a few more questions, "Sui Niang, your cooking skills are amazing! Even Jinxiu Tower in the capital doesn't have this skill. Have you learned it before?"
Pei Yuanyuan happened to pass by and heard this. She sneered, "Cousin, there should be a limit to your boasting. Jinxiu Tower is a place praised by princes and nobles. How could she have such skills?"
As she spoke, Pei Yuanyuan could smell the fragrance of the red mushroom soup, and the feeling of hunger instantly came over her. She couldn't help but look at it a few more times, and then immediately looked away.
What good things could a person like Ji Zhisui make? This thing must be unpalatable. It is understandable that his family has to rely on bragging to make a living after falling into such a situation.
"What does our family's affairs have to do with you?" Mrs. Pei said in a bad tone with majesty.
Pei Yuanyuan was a little frightened and subconsciously wanted to lower her head, but she quickly realized that the General's Mansion was gone, and they were no longer the high and mighty eldest wife, so she didn't have to be humble.
"It has nothing to do with me. If you have the guts, don't come and beg our family." A few days ago, no one knew who it was, but he begged her family for a few medicinal herbs.
Old Madam Pei also thought of the situation not long ago. Compared with the second house, the first house was extremely poor.
She had never realized how valuable money was before, but after her house was raided and she was exiled, she realized that without money, nothing could be done.
"There's really no need to do that to someone so heartless and ungrateful." Ji Zhisui said.
Now she has the spiritual spring on her body. Although it cannot bring the dead back to life, it is much more useful than ordinary herbs. It may be able to save lives at a critical moment, so Ji Zhisui is not afraid.
The second wife has been harboring resentment towards the first wife for a long time and would like to see them live a miserable life. Not to mention offering a helping hand, they will only add insult to injury. It will be useless to try to please and beg this family.
"It's you again, you bitch!" Pei Yuanyuan couldn't stand being targeted by her third cousin again and again. Today she had to vent her anger!
But before she could make any move, a passing yamen runner impatiently shouted, "Be quiet! Stop making trouble!"
Pei Yuanyuan, who was originally aggressive, suddenly became as quiet as a chicken, and her previous willful and capricious temper disappeared in an instant.
Even though her family still had some money, she did not dare to confront these yamen runners. She was no longer a high-ranking noble lady in the capital, and she even had to curry favor with and bribe the yamen runners.
However, the yamen runner did not leave after he finished speaking, but continued to stay here. He was attracted by the faint and tempting fragrance and could not move away.
The gluttony and curiosity in his heart made him ask, "What kind of food did you make that smells so good?"
During the exile, not only the exiles had a hard time, but even the yamen runners had a hard time. Although they had to eat and drink, they could also extort a lot of money from these people.
But most of the time they were in the deserted mountains, and when they purchased supplies they could only buy dry food, biscuits, bacon and other foods that could be stored for a long time. They didn't know how to cook very well, so the food they ate was barely edible.
He could only enjoy a meal in towns and villages. He had just left the town two days ago and had a feast of delicious food and wine, but now he had to eat those tasteless breads and salty bacon. Lao Wutou felt that he was suffering great torture both physically and mentally.
The next town is still four or five days away, and the journey is not going to be easy.
The reason he came over here was not only because he saw the dispute, but more importantly, he smelled a mouth-watering aroma.
He doesn't have any special skills, but he has a dog's nose and is very sensitive to the smell of food.
Ji Zhisui looked at the official who was asking him questions, and an idea came to his mind.
But her face showed no emotion. She said softly, "I made some red mushroom soup. Would you like some, sir?"
When Old Five saw the bright red mushrooms in the basket, his appetite instantly disappeared. The expression on his face was indescribable. "My dear, these mushrooms are poisonous. You should throw them away as soon as possible!"
Ji Zhisui had heard rumors about red mushrooms being poisonous countless times today, but she didn't take it to heart. "Thank you for the reminder, Master Jun. I used to cook a lot, and I've eaten this stuff before. It's not poisonous."
When Old Five heard this, his originally nonchalant attitude suddenly stiffened. "Young lady cooks often, so she must be a good cook, right?"
After all, this can of soup tastes really delicious.
"It's not very good, just the level of some home-cooked dishes." Ji Zhisui said, but that's her modesty. As a food blogger, her cooking skills are not bad, and she has learned from different factions.
But these words still made Lao Wu's eyes light up. He really didn't want to eat dry steamed buns and pancakes with salty bacon soup tonight.
The food they made was barely edible. These exiled people were of high status before and didn't know how to cook.
"Then, young lady, can you help us cook a meal?" Old Five made his request. It was his turn to cook tonight, but he was still aware of his cooking skills.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
