Su Xuerong searched through the dried goods and ingredients she had prepared before boarding the ship, selected a few items, and went to the kitchen below the cabin for guests.
However, in the kitchen that was set aside for guests, there were seven or eight stoves scattered haphazardly, each with a cook busy at the fire.
Xiuchun finally managed to get the steward to find a corner with a stove and start a fire.
Li also hurried over to help.
Su Xuerong had already changed into a dirt-resistant coarse linen dress, her black hair was tied into a simple bun, and her sleeves were rolled up.
The weather has gotten hotter lately, so she's planning to make some light food.
Take out some of the dried lily bulbs that I bought in Zhenjiang and soak them. Then grind the other part into powder and knead it with wheat flour. Let it rest, roll it into a thin sheet, cut it into thin strips, and cook it in boiling water to make soup dumplings.
They bought a hen on the boat, cleaned and plucked it, then boiled it with sesame oil and salt. After it was cooked, they cut it into small pieces, added scallions and peppers, and finally drizzled a layer of sauce on top.
Add the soup dumplings directly to the chicken broth, soak them, then mix the lily bulbs (cut into thin strips) with the chicken and fry them in oil.
Finally, peel the bottle gourd, cut it into two-inch squares, steam it until tender, and eat it directly with dipping sauce.
"master!"
Ming Shu opened Xiao Yuan's cabin door, carried in a food box, and winked, "Guess what this is?"
Xiao Yuan was staring at a military treatise in his hand, and said impatiently, "Stop bothering me!"
Ming Shu was startled and hurriedly said, "Xiu Chun just brought this over, saying it was food that Madam Su made for you..."
Xiao Yuan's previously agitated mood instantly calmed down. He looked up at the food box in the man's hand and asked calmly, "What is this?"
Ming Shu chuckled to himself and opened the food box: "This is lily noodles, which nourish the blood and replenish qi; this is golden chicken, which is nourishing and can cure bloating; this is Lantian jade, which dispels all worries and delusions!"
Xiao Yuan frowned as he looked at the soup noodles, cold chicken, and steamed bottle gourd in front of him: "Is this a nourishing medicinal diet?"
These are just ordinary dishes, but the names are described in an exaggerated way.
Ming Shu said in a serious tone, "Xiu Chun said that Madam Su cooked it herself."
Xiao Yuan sneered: "Made just for me?"
"No, that's not it... She made some for her family too." Ming Shu didn't dare say that not only did everyone in the Su family get a share, but even the guards got a share.
Xiao Yuan felt a little uncomfortable, but he still picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of chicken with sauce. Just as he was about to put it in his mouth, Ming Shu stopped him.
He then took out a wine pot from the food box and poured him a cup: "Lady Su specifically instructed that the golden chicken must be paired with warm white wine in order to truly appreciate the flavor of the chicken."
Xiao Yuan was skeptical, but he put the chicken piece in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and then took a small sip of baijiu (Chinese liquor).
Akira looked at him expectantly: "How is it?"
Xiao Yuan felt the aroma of the liquor in his mouth mix with the pure fragrance of the chicken.
But he said indifferently, "So-so!"
Akira's cheeks twitched a few times.
With a mouth like that, it's no wonder no woman would like him!
Xiao Yuan tasted the seemingly ordinary lily noodles again, and only after chewing carefully did he taste the delicate fragrance of lilies in the soup.
As for the steamed bottle gourd, it's not very flavorful on its own, but the sauce is incredibly delicious.
At first glance, the steamed, translucent, snow-white bottle gourd does resemble Lantian jade somewhat.
"Strange how they know how to create a buzz!" Xiao Yuan said again.
Akira couldn't help but roll his eyes.
He was clearly enjoying his food, but he didn't utter a single word of praise. He deserves a beating!
In the following days, Su Xuerong would occasionally prepare some snacks, all of which were light-flavored medicinal dishes.
After eating it for several days, Xiao Yuan gradually felt that the depression that had been weighing on his heart had lessened considerably.
The passenger ship sailed south with the wind and arrived at the Yuhang Water Gate of Hangzhou City on the eighth day.
Gray tiles and white walls, misty rain in Jiangnan.
Every part of the city before me exudes the delicate and exquisite charm unique to the water towns of Jiangnan.
Su Xuerong stood on the dock, gazing at the city before her, and a huge weight was finally lifted from her heart.
This will be the starting point of her new life.
Just then, Akira rushed over, holding an umbrella.
“Madam Su, my master thanks you for taking care of us along the way. This house was originally vacant. If you don’t mind, you can rent it temporarily and move out when you find a better house in the future.”
Looking at the property deed Ming Shu handed her, Su Xue Rong hesitated for a moment before accepting it: "How should the rent be paid?"
"Miss Su, you can go and check out the house first before giving me the money."
Su Xuerong thought for a moment: "Once my family settles down, where will I find you?"
Ming Shu said, "When the time comes, my wife should go to the first house on the east side of Xiuyi Lane."
Su Xuerong nodded: "Okay, please thank Mr. Ge for me. I will definitely visit him to express my gratitude in person later."
Accepting this house would save my family from hardship after they settled in, and it would also help Ling Qingxue repay a favor.
And there is no reason to refuse.
All of the Su family's belongings were loaded onto the carriage, and Su Xuerong also carried Yuan'er onto the carriage, which then headed towards the outside of the dock.
At this moment, a luxurious carriage passed by the Su family's carriage and slowly drove into the dock. The surrounding people quickly made way for it.
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing the beautiful face of a young girl.
She looked around, then suddenly waved joyfully in a certain direction: "Cousin..."
Xiao Yuan was slowly walking out of the cabin when he heard the shout and frowned.
Liu Qiao'er immediately lifted her skirt and ran down from the carriage, holding an umbrella as she ran to Xiao Yuan, her pretty face full of excitement: "Cousin, you must be tired from your journey."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com