Be myself
Liu Zaixi prepared to make some simple dishes, such as mapo tofu and mouth-watering chicken.
Qiu Wuji dealt with a few people in the hall.
Within an incense stick of time after Liu Zaixi left, no one spoke except Jiang Zhiyi's occasional words. Qiu Wuji would not talk to someone he didn't like. Qiu Sheng's face was solemn and he didn't say anything. Jin Manyue had just been humiliated by Liu Zaixi and was in a state of withdrawal.
Jiang Zhiyi wanted to take the initiative to liven up the atmosphere, but no one was willing to agree, so she simply kept silent.
The scene began to become weird. The four people sat together, just staring elsewhere, not even looking into each other's eyes.
I don’t know how long it took, but Qiu Sheng actually took the initiative to speak.
"How are the people from Xi'er?"
Qiu Sheng rarely understood Qiu Wuji, so he took the initiative to change the topic to Liu Zaixi. However, this topic might only interest Qiu Wuji, as Jiang Zhiyi and Jin Manyue didn't even want to listen.
This was the first time Qiu Wuji took the initiative to talk so much to Qiu Sheng. Although it was still very little compared to the lengthy speeches of ordinary people, it was one of the few interactions between father and son.
"She's funny and nice."
Qiu Sheng may have realized that mentioning Liu Zai Xi made Qiu Wu Ji feel good, so he took the initiative to lead the topic to Liu Zai Xi.
"I heard your princess opened a restaurant, and it's famous for its spicy food."
"Yes, her spicy restaurant. The name sounds very interesting, it's called..."
Liu Zai Xi was in the kitchen and always felt his nose itchy.
Liu Zaixi kept working with his hands. He first cut the tofu into cubes of even size, and then blanched it in water. This would remove the bean smell and make the fried tofu less likely to fall apart.
Then chop the ginger and garlic into small pieces, and start stir-frying the minced meat.
Heat the pan with cold oil, add the minced pork, stir-fry until the minced meat changes color, then add the bean paste, minced ginger and garlic, and chili powder and stir-fry until fragrant to stimulate the aroma. The aroma of the minced meat is sublimated at this moment, and the aroma in the kitchen spreads out. The palace maids smell the smell and start whispering. Some say that Liu Zai Xi's cooking skills are good, while others say that Liu Zai Xi is just a commoner.
Liu Zaixi didn't care about the chatter, she only cared about the tofu in front of her.
After the minced meat is fried, add an appropriate amount of water. With a "sizzle", billowing white smoke rises and the fragrance drifts into the distance.
Then add soy sauce and a pinch of sugar to season. After mixing everything well, add the blanched tofu and push carefully to allow the aroma to fully blend into the tofu. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn to low heat and cover the pot. Let the tofu fully absorb the soup, just like applying a facial mask.
After about half an incense stick, open the lid. At this time, you need to thicken the sauce so that each piece of tofu is fully wrapped. Finally, sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve.
The tofu was served on a valuable plate, but Liu Zaixi thought that the tofu he made was far more valuable than the plate. Each piece of tofu was oily, and the minced meat decorated the tofu like flowers scattered by fairies. The two complemented each other, enriching the taste and stimulating the taste buds.
Next is the mouth-watering chicken, which is not difficult to make.
First, prepare fresh chicken legs, put them in cold water, add the three ingredients to remove fishy smell, and start cooking.
After boiling, skim off the foam on the surface and continue cooking. When it is almost done, poke the chicken leg with chopsticks. If no blood comes out, it means it is cooked. You can take out the chicken leg. Generally speaking, soaking it in ice water is the best way, but Liu Zai Xi thought that it would be difficult to get ice in ancient times, so he thought it would be okay to skip this step, but the chicken skin might not be as crispy and chewy.
The key to mouth-watering chicken lies in the soul sauce. Prepare a bowl, add minced garlic, minced ginger, vinegar, light soy sauce, sugar and salt, stir and wait for the sugar and salt to blend in, add the important chili oil, and finally sprinkle with white sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, chopped green onions and coriander, and the sauce is ready.
Finally, combine the sauce with the chicken, cut the chicken legs into appropriate sizes, arrange them neatly on the plate, and then pour the soul sauce over them.
Liu Zai Xi made a few simple spicy dishes, but they were not that spicy, at most slightly spicy. Mainly because he was worried that Qiu Sheng would not be used to them. Liu Zai Xi did not consider Jin Manyue and Jiang Zhiyi.
It was almost time. Liu Zaixi asked someone to bring the dishes over, and he washed his hands and prepared to eat.
"I'm back~" Liu Zai Xi jumped into the hall. The four people's eyes were focused on Liu Zai Xi, and Liu Zai Xi shivered suddenly.
Qiu Wuji saw Liu Zaixi shivering and immediately stood up and took Liu Zaixi's hand, "Are you feeling cold?"
Qiu Sheng: "The weather has indeed turned colder. It's hard for Xi'er."
Liu Zaixi waved his hand carelessly: "Nothing, Father, please try it quickly. The food will not taste good if it gets cold."
After working so hard for so long, I would be lying if I wasn’t hungry. Liu Zai Xi finished the whole table by himself and felt a great sense of accomplishment.
To be honest, both Qiu and his son were very happy with their meal. Qiu Wuji finally picked up his chopsticks, and Liu Zaixi was very satisfied. However, no matter how delicious a dish is, if it is seen by someone who hates you, they will think that it is poisoned.
Jin Manyue and Jiang Zhiyi hardly ate anything. Looking at the family having fun, the two of them seemed to be out of the matter and had nothing to do with it.
Liu Zai Xi will not try to please the two of them. Eat it or not. I don’t cook for you.
Jin Manyue suddenly spoke up, "Miss Liu, it's better for you to cook less. Although this is the fate of every woman in her life, since you've already married the prince, it's better for you to learn how to be a qualified wife and stay out of the spotlight."
Liu Zai Xi was not angry. Instead, he smiled and looked at Jin Manyue quietly. His eyes were obviously calm, but Jin Manyue saw the sarcasm for no reason.
"I cook spicy food because I like it. It's not for anyone else, not for the prince, but just for myself. I feel relieved when I hear Miss Jin say that."
Jin Manyue was puzzled: "What are you worried about?"
Liu Zaixi slammed the table and laughed: "Hahahahaha." Then he wiped away the tears of laughter and said innocently: "Don't worry, I'm not as pathetic as you~"
"You!" Jin Manyue clasped her hands tightly, her lips almost bitten off, but she couldn't fight back.
No one present blamed Liu Zaixi because she was not at fault.
Qiu Wuji curled his lips and smiled. It seemed that his princess was not as weak as he had imagined.
Jiang Zhiyi did not help Jin Manyue, and Qiu Sheng did not say anything, so what could she do?
Jin Manyue had tripped herself up and was so angry that she had lost all her appetite, but she was unwilling to leave, so she could only sit aside and no one paid any attention to her.
Jiang Zhiyi felt that Liu Zaixi was not easy to deal with, and Qiu Sheng didn't seem to dislike this daughter-in-law who suddenly appeared. He decided to take a long-term view, but for now it would be better to establish a good relationship with Liu Zaixi.
"Xi'er is just like Ah Ji said, very interesting, and her cooking skills are also excellent. Why don't you come to the palace to accompany me when you have time, and teach me how to cook."
When Qiu Wuji heard this, he pinched the back of Liu Zaixi's hand under the table.
Liu Zaixi received instructions. It seems that this Huifei is not easy to mess with. It is better not to offend her and keep a distance.
"If Concubine Hui wishes to learn, I welcome you. However, the prince and I have just gotten married, so..."
Jiang Zhiyi was a smart man, and immediately followed Liu Zaixi's words and said, "Yes, yes, the emperor and I also have this moment, so let's talk about it when we have time."
The dinner ended in apparent harmony.
At dusk, Liu Zai Xi was taken away hand in hand by Qiu Wu Ji in full view of everyone.
Liu Zai Xi forced a smile, but she felt like Qiu Wu Ji was taking advantage of her.
After getting on the carriage, Liu Zaixi collapsed as soon as he sat down, "I never want to go to the palace again. It's too tiring."
Qiu Wuji sat by the stream, holding the willow tree. His movements were natural, as if he had done it a thousand times.
"There will be plenty of opportunities to enter the palace in the future."
"Ah——" Liu Zai Xi was full of resentment.
It was still too boring in the carriage. Although Liu Zai Xi didn't want to talk much with Qiu Wu Ji, he couldn't stand the loneliness.
"You have a bad relationship with your father? But I think he's quite easygoing."
"Because you are very similar to my mother's personality." Qiu Wuji held his head and looked at the window.
"My mother likes spicy food, so I follow her. She also liked to stir things up in the kitchen in the past."
Liu Zaixi turned Qiu Wuji's head and said seriously, "Call me mom."
"?"
"Hahaha, just kidding. Who is that Concubine Hui? Isn't she your mother?"
Qiu Wuji noticed Liu Zaixi's little movements: "No, she is my stepmother. My mother died a long time ago."
Liu Zaixi stopped laughing and apologized to Qiu Wuji: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made such a joke about your mother."
Qiu Wuji wasn't sad, nor was he angry. "Since you say that, you have to compensate me."
Liu Zai Xi pouted and thought about it, thinking it shouldn't be a big deal, so she nodded and agreed.
"I want to eat with you from now on. To put it simply, I want to eat the food you cook."
“…”
"Don't you think your request is too much? I don't want to cook for a stinky man. If I do that, I will become a housewife."
Qiu Wuji awakened his skill of pretending to be pitiful: "Well, it's just that I used to eat the food my mother made, so I miss it a little bit."
Liu Zaixi compromised: "Okay, okay, I agree."
"You obviously owe me something, why do you make it seem like I'm bullying you?"
Qiu Wuji showed a triumphant smile.
Liu Zaixi only realized at this moment that he had been tricked and said angrily: "You really are good at pretending."
“Thank you.”
"I didn't praise you."
The two of them were arguing, one talking back and forth. Liu Zai Xi seemed to have forgotten that she had decided not to talk to Qiu Wuji if she could, but they still got along well.
Qiu Wuji did not force the title of princess on Liu Zaixi. She can still be herself, run her shop, and be with her friends. Qiu Wuji just hopes that there will be a me in your future.
*
As night fell, Liu Zaixi was tired, so today's meal was prepared by the palace.
Liu Zai Xi originally wanted to eat with Xiao Zhu and the others, but Xiao Zhu couldn't eat spicy food for the time being, Liu Mubai had gone somewhere, and Han Yi was too obedient, so in the end he ended up eating with Qiu Wuji.
"Hey, so your father and everyone else in the mansion, except the cook and Han Yi, don't know that you like spicy food?"
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