Chapter 75 (Three-Juice Stew Pot (Part 1)...)
Following Xie Qingyun's teasing, Madam Xiao also said slowly: "You said before that you were rescued from the bandits by Lao Liu, so I guessed that the girl from the Yan family happened to be missing in Wucheng."
Xiao Huaiyu smiled and said, "Although Ah Shu's behavior is very casual on weekdays, when she meets people, you can still see her style when she greets them. Some things are ingrained in us. If nothing else, the Yan family is very good at etiquette."
The weather was hot when he came in. Xiao Huaiqi carried a fan with him. After dinner, he fanned himself gently and said, "But I do suspect I missed it. Ah Shu's cooking skills are too good. I haven't heard that the girls of the Yan family are good at cooking."
Yan Qiushu: "..."
She really didn't expect it, but it was also her fault for being careless.
After all, her living environment was once so safe, so it was really difficult for her to disguise herself in everything from big to small. Even the vest fell off really quickly!
Seeing her so embarrassed that she almost buried her face under the table, Madam Xiao consoled her, "Don't pay attention to him. Your cooking skills are your business. It's thanks to your cooking skills that our Xiao family is where it is today."
Although it seemed that Yan Qiushu did not do much, in fact, everything changed after she came to the Xiao family.
For example, herself, Dongdong, Pingyu, Wan'er...
As long as people's hearts are not dead, everything will turn around.
Yan Qiushu finally calmed down a bit and smiled shyly, "Thanks to you for taking me in. Otherwise, I don't know how I could survive in this world alone."
Xie Qingyun smiled gently and said, "Yesterday, the imperial edict came down, bestowing the title of Xiangjun on you. Ah Shu, we want to hold a celebration banquet for you. We can invite Prince Chang and his family, and we can have a meal together. What do you think?"
"Sure, you're the only ones I know. It would be great to have dinner together." Yan Qiushu readily agreed.
"What delicious food do you want to eat again?" A soft voice with a hint of laughter sounded.
Yan Qiushu subconsciously turned around and saw Xiao Huaiya being carried over by four maids.
The injury on her leg had not fully recovered yet, and she wanted to walk such a short distance by herself. Madam Xiao was reluctant to let her go, fearing that her injury would be further injured, so she made a small sedan chair for her and asked several strong maids to carry it over.
She was still wearing a veil, but her delicate features were much brighter than before. As soon as she came in, her almond-shaped eyes stared at the bowl of noodles on the table that had not been put away yet. She twitched her nose, and then she said nothing, just looking at Yan Qiushu.
Needless to say, the delicious food must have been brought by her.
Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled: "You have it."
She asked Shui Xian to take out the portion left in the lunch box.
Xiao Huaiya smiled a little embarrassedly, but still took it and asked someone to help her go to the side hall to eat.
The maids went forward to clear the dishes from the table. Several people returned to the chairs on either side of the table. As soon as they sat down, a maid came over to report: "The young lady of the Song family is here. She said she has a gift for the Lord of De'an."
Mrs. Xiao's smile froze and she looked at Song Mingdai deeply.
Song Mingdai quickly lowered her head and dared not say a word.
Madam Xiao restrained her expression and said calmly, "Please ask her to come in."
The maid hurried over to ask for help. After a while, a woman about thirty years old and elegantly dressed walked in. The nanny behind her was holding a red gift box.
As soon as she came in, she smiled and said, "Mrs. Xiao has become more and more energetic recently!"
Then everyone bowed very naturally, including Yan Qiushu.
She is now a county lady, and all the women who are officials must pay their respects to her.
Yan Qiushu didn't move and nodded in acceptance, which made the smile on the face of Mrs. Liu, the eldest son of the Song family, fade a lot.
However, Madam Xiao's expression did not warm up, her eyebrows and eyes remained cold: "What's the matter with your visit this time?"
Liu smiled brightly, "What could it be? I just heard about the good news about the De'an Township Lord. We are relatives, so I came here to congratulate you. The Song family is poor, and the gift is ordinary. I hope the Township Lord will not despise it."
As she spoke, she turned to Yan Qiushu, took the gift from the nanny, and personally delivered it to Yan Qiushu.
Yan Qiushu subconsciously looked at Madam Xiao. In the Xiao family, she also subconsciously regarded Madam Xiao as her elder. Whether to accept the gift or not, she had to seek her consent.
Madam Xiao was also used to it and nodded at her.
Only then did Yan Qiushu accept it and thank her.
"What are you thanking me for? It's my duty." Liu waved her hand, exchanged a few words with the other members of the Xiao family, and then looked at Song Mingdai for a hint.
However, the person who was hinted at didn't even raise his eyelids. He lowered his eyes and blew on the hot tea in front of him without responding.
Liu was annoyed, thinking that her sister-in-law was just as dull and inflexible as her mother-in-law. It was no wonder that her mother-in-law was not liked by her father-in-law. The second son of the Xiao family was really blind to fall in love with her sister-in-law.
But she came this time because she really had something to do. Since the last time, the Song family no longer mentioned dragging the Xiao family onto the boat of the Sixth Prince Xuan Wang, but she still hoped that Wang Xuan would let her son go to the Imperial College!
If she could go to school there and be taught by the great teachers of the Great Zhou, and make friends with some children of powerful families, her son would definitely have a bright future. Her father-in-law and husband are useless, and she can only rely on the Xiao family. Unfortunately, the Xiao family is stingy. Even though they are relatives, they only give her an official position that is as small as a sesame seed and not very lucrative, so they are unwilling to help her anymore.
She was the only one who could handle this matter, so when she heard that the girls in the Xiao family had been favored by the Xiao family and were able to be named county ladies, she took the initiative to offer to deliver gifts to the Xiao family and take the opportunity to see what was going on with this sister-in-law.
Seeing that no one else was willing to let her sister-in-law be alone together, Liu gritted her teeth and said boldly, "Aunt, my sister-in-law has been away with Pingsong for several months. My parents-in-law miss her terribly, and I have some personal words I want to say to my sister-in-law."
I thought that since this was the case, Mrs. Xiao would definitely go with the flow and let her and her sister-in-law go to the second brother's yard.
However, just as the voice fell, Madam Xiao asked with interest: "Is there anything we can't hear?"
"Nothing." Liu smiled awkwardly.
Madam Xiao said slowly, "Is it about persuading my Xiao family to join a certain prince?"
Liu took a deep breath and looked at the person in front of her in horror. Her lips trembled as she stared at him, and her legs almost gave out and she fell to the ground.
The next second she looked at Song Mingdai, and this time she was really angry!
Is this sister-in-law sick? !
Telling this to your mother-in-law?
Madam Xiao sneered, "Your official position in the Song family is not high, but your hands are so long!"
Liu's face turned pale and she quickly shook her head, saying defensively, "No, no! Aunt, you're worrying too much. It was just some private talk."
Xiao Huaiqi smiled faintly and said, "Madam Song, it seems your husband hasn't been taught a lesson enough before. He actually dares to set his sights on my Xiao family?"
Liu's body trembled, and she was supported by the nanny so that she would not fall down. She looked at him in surprise. After a few breaths, she remembered that a few months ago, her husband was beaten up, along with her brother-in-law, and their faces were bruised. When she asked about it, her husband hesitated. She thought that the other party went to the music school to fight for a woman, and she was angry for several days.
Now that I think about it, I was actually taught a lesson by the Xiao family. No wonder they never mentioned my sister-in-law again.
She thought her husband had given up, but she didn't expect that he was too scared to do anything because he was beaten!
Liu was completely exhausted. She gave up struggling and knelt on the ground. "Coming here today was my own idea. It has nothing to do with my husband. My husband has told me not to mention it since that time. I just can't bear it. Please don't blame my husband!"
Xiao Huaiqi wanted to hit him again.
There's no need to do anything violent again. The Song family hasn't done anything evil. The last lesson was enough. There's no need to hold on to it.
But the woman who had been silent all this time suddenly stood up and went over to help her sister-in-law up.
Liu made up her mind, stood up, and walked out with her strength, saying eagerly: "Mingdai, I don't mean to bully you. You know that your father, mother, and your brother are useless. I don't want my son to be an idle official in the future, so I hope to use this opportunity to help our family climb up the social ladder. If you can talk to your mother-in-law..."
Song Mingdai had a blank expression on her face. She waited until the person reached the gate of the yard before she pushed him away.
Liu was pushed and staggered. She looked at her in confusion, not knowing what was wrong with her sister-in-law.
But Song Mingdai said coldly, "That's enough! When I returned home, I told my parents clearly that I had paid back what I owed them for raising me. Don't think about anything else, let alone using the Xiao family to gain anything. If you don't want your son to follow in your husband's footsteps, let him study hard. There's no such thing as a free lunch. That's all I have to say. Get out!"
"I..." Liu still wanted to pull her aside to talk about love. The marriage with the Xiao family cannot be broken off!
But in fact, Song Mingdai had no feelings for the Song family a long time ago. She went back just because she wanted her son to be safe. When she got married, the betrothal gift given by the Xiao family could pay back several of hers, not to mention the gifts they sent back during the holidays.
Even so, when it comes to interests, the Song family will sell her and the Xiao family without thinking.
It’s good that it’s broken now, so that no one can take advantage of the Xiao family through the Song family.
She shook off her sister-in-law's hand and walked away without looking back.
Xiao Pingsong, who had rushed over after hearing the news, happened to see this scene. He was overjoyed. When he ran into the yard, he bumped into his aunt at the door, then hesitantly went to his mother and asked, "Mom, you weren't bullied, were you?"
Song Mingdai felt warm in her heart and shook her head: "Nothing."
"Pingsong! Um--" Liu's eyes lit up when she saw her nephew.
However, just after she shouted, her mouth was covered by the Xiao family's nanny and she was dragged away directly. The Second Young Master's wife didn't recognize this marriage, so why not drag her away quickly!
After discussing the details of the upcoming banquet in Madam Xiao's yard, Yan Qiushu went to the big kitchen to see what could be cooked in the evening.
Although the dishes were prepared by the chefs of the Xiao Mansion, she also had to cook some, because the Prince Chang's Mansion would definitely bring gifts when they came. The Xiao Mansion would not really hold a banquet for her without spending a penny, and she couldn't give money to the Xiao family, so she could just give them some food.
As soon as Yan Qiushu arrived at the kitchen, the steward immediately stood up and said, "My humble servant greets the Lord!"
"Manager Zhang, please don't be like this. I'm not used to it." Yan Qiushu rubbed her arms. She was not used to suddenly changing from an ordinary person to a person with a class in this society.
Although they had been quite polite to her before, they had never been so respectful.
Manager Zhang smiled and relaxed a little. "You're very polite, my lord. By the way, the farm just sent us a lot of fresh mushrooms, fish, shrimp, and other things. Is there anything you need?"
Yan Qiushu nodded, and came to the place where the various ingredients were placed, holding a basket in her hand, and said without hesitation: "There are quite a lot of shrimps here, give me a basket."
"Okay." Manager Zhang nodded and pretended for her.
Yan Qiushu also took out a lot of corn, carrots, a large piece of beef and a piece of pork. These were not enough, so she said, "Could you please buy some chicken wings? Not too little, fill a basket."
"Okay, I'll take note of it." Manager Zhang responded.
Yan Qiushu looked again and saw nothing else, so she took some homemade sauce made by the chef in the main kitchen.
She likes to cook the dishes she learned in her previous life, but in this world, many of the dishes are new to them. As cooks, they frequently encounter new things, which leads them to start thinking about new things.
This sauce is quite similar to the bean paste from the previous life. It is often used when cooking. Yan Qiushu likes it very much. It happened that the small kitchen was almost used up, so she took it away.
Now that she had gotten all the food, it was time for her to go back.
One advantage of getting food here is that you don’t have to pay, you can just take it and leave, which is quite nice.
Yan Qiushu found it funny just thinking about it.
If it stays like this in the future, it would actually be pretty good.
Back in the yard, Yan Qiushu first kept the shrimp in water so that it could survive until the afternoon. If it died too early, it would not taste as fresh, and the rest did not need to be cooked for the time being.
There are only fourteen people in the two families, including half-grown children like Dongdong and Wan'er. It seems like a lot, but most of the dishes are prepared by the big kitchen. She only needs to cook one dish so that everyone can eat it, so she doesn't have to be busy.
At this time, Yan Qiushu took out her medical skills and ran to the doctor hired by the Xiao family to ask if she didn't understand anything.
When the doctor in the mansion saw her coming, he immediately felt a headache and covered his forehead: "Oh, my head is a little uncomfortable."
Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "Doctor Tao, you feel uncomfortable in your head. How about I give you acupuncture?"
Doctor Tao immediately sat up straight and scolded, "With your medical skills, you must never treat patients carelessly, especially with acupuncture. If you prick someone and make them unable to move, it will be the end!"
Yan Qiushu spread her hands shyly: "No, you're watching, aren't you?"
Doctor Tao had a headache: "Okay, what's the problem?"
Yan Qiushu immediately came over happily and asked, "You told me last time about the acupuncture point for stopping bleeding. How many times should I press it, and how hard should I use? I've forgotten again. Can you show me again?"
Doctor Tao: "...Honestly, you're not cut out for medical school. Look at your memory. It's such a simple subject, yet you forget it all in the blink of an eye."
Yan Qiushu lowered her head in guilt, she really was forgetful.
But she is also really interested in medicine, otherwise her golden finger would be wasted!
Doctor Tao sighed and said, "How about I teach you how to nourish yourself with food?"
Since I remember the recipes so well, the recipes for food supplements should be similar.
Yan Qiushu nodded: "That's fine, but medical theory must also be taught..."
After making trouble for Dr. Tao, Yan Qiushu left a lot of tuition fees, such as Dr. Tao's favorite biscuits, and then returned to her yard with light steps.
This time when she returned, she stayed where she was, looking at the large and small packages of gifts placed in the house.
Did I take the wrong path?
She stepped out and took another look. It was indeed the yard where she had lived for almost a year.
Aunt Xu came over and said with a smile, "The young lady is now a county lady. People who have some connection with the Xiao family have come to give gifts. In addition, the Prince of Jin also sent gifts, as well as the Prince of Shun..."
She mentioned a few people, and Yan Qiushu looked confused: "I don't know them!"
Even if it was the Fifth Prince, Prince Shun, she wouldn't even know him, okay?!
This is just giving gifts, too much money and nowhere to spend it?
Nanny Xu smiled helplessly and said, "After all, the connection is there. The young lady has made a great contribution this time and has been rewarded by His Majesty. Naturally, others must follow suit and give gifts. This is for His Majesty to see."
Yan Qiushu smiled strangely. So that's how it was. Then she felt at ease accepting it.
She walked over to the pile of gifts, picked up a small one, and was about to open it when she heard Nanny Xu say, "But Madam said that when they came here, they happened to hear that the mansion was going to hold a celebration banquet for the young lady and invited Prince Chang, so they also planned to come over tonight."
Yan Qiushu: "..."
She doesn't want to!
She didn't know them, and they were a group of people with higher status than her, so she might have to smile apologetically when the time came.
Yan Qiushu curled her lips, put down the gift with a lack of interest, and was about to lie down on the couch.
Aunt Xu followed behind and said, "By the way, Young Master Dongdong also sent a message back saying that his classmate also wants to come. He missed the party a few days ago because of Potato and insisted on coming this time. He agreed."
Yan Qiushu:!!!
She sat up in shock and slapped her forehead!
This can't be lying down.
You have to work hard.
These kids are her future key customers!
After they finish their meal and return home satisfied, it shouldn't be long before her farm stay sees its first customer, right?!
Yan Qiushu stood up and said, "Let's go to the kitchen and cook something."
Shui Yu followed happily, her increasingly round face covered with an expectant smile: "Okay, okay, girl, what are we going to do?"
Yan Qiushu originally wanted to make some fried food, but with so many people, it would be too troublesome to fry a little bit. She touched her chin, thought for a moment, and decisively came to the conclusion: "Let's make... a three-juice stew!"
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