Chapter 502 A Dream of Youth 34
Xie Wangzhi and Chen were both helpless; why were these two children so greedy?
Xie Ning took a skewer, stuck a piece of dried tofu in it, and ate it. The tofu was soaked in the soup, making it exceptionally fragrant, soft, and flavorful.
Xie Qi particularly liked duck gizzards, and Chen Shi liked them too. "The taste is still the same as before. I just saw that woman in the car and she looked familiar. I think she is Aunt Jiang who has been selling braised food at Xixianqiao for many years. Her family has been selling braised food for decades. It is clean and delicious."
Duck gizzards and chicken feet and offal are inexpensive, but their meat is firm, chewy, and flavorful without being greasy, making them popular with people of all ages. However, they are troublesome to prepare and can have a fishy smell if not handled properly.
The Jiang family's braised dishes are different. They buy fresh duck, rub it with salt, dry it in the sun, and then braise it. The duck is left in the braising liquid overnight to fully absorb the flavor.
When she first arrived in the prefectural city, she had planned to find some time to buy a few pounds to satisfy her craving, but unexpectedly, she ran into it at the entrance of the alley.
Xie Ning started eating the duck gizzard, finding it crispy and extremely fragrant.
Xie Qi couldn't wait to share the big pork knuckle with Xie Wangzhi.
Although he thought it was delicious, Xie Wangzhi still said, "This pork knuckle is flavorful, but it's not as good as the braised pork knuckle that my stepmother makes. That soft and chewy texture is my favorite."
"I love it too." Xie puffed out his cheeks, his words slightly mumbled.
Madam Chen scolded, "You two just want to eat it. Tomorrow I'll have Yan Niang pick out a lean pork knuckle and cook it for you."
"Mother, I want to eat steamed pork ribs with glutinous rice again." Xie Ning looked on longingly. She had eaten it once and couldn't forget it. It was really delicious!
"Okay, okay, I'll do them all!"
Although no one in the family went to work, they still had a source of income, enough to cover the cost of food, since both Chen and Xie Wangzhi received dividends from the Chen family shop.
Happy times are always short-lived. After Meimei finished eating the braised food, Xie Qi was taken to the study to read. Look at her little shoulders, they were slumped down, clearly she was feeling a little bitter.
Xie Ning walked with a cheerful pace. Although the book she was reading was an early childhood education book, she was very interested in it. It included a series of everyday terms such as astronomy, geography, culture, food, systems, and utensils.
After all, the names for the same thing are different in ancient and modern times.
Moreover, when Xie Wangzhi taught her these things, he not only taught her what they were and what they were called, but also extended the lessons with related stories. Xie Ning really enjoyed listening to those little stories.
Today we'll be telling the stories of the River God Yanghou, the Fire God Huilu, and the Sea God Hairuo.
Xie Qi, who was punctuating the story, glanced at Xie Ning, who was listening to the story with great interest, and sighed inwardly. He also loved listening to stories when he was young, but as he grew older, he learned more and more stories, and they were not based on his interests, but only for the purpose of passing exams, which made him feel a bit miserable.
Bao'er is so lucky to not have to take exams.
But for Xie Ning and other women, taking exams was a source of happiness, because it meant that their gender was not discriminated against, restricted, or oppressed.
However, living in a feudal society, there are some rules that she cannot break at will. Moreover, her body is still so small, and she has the will but not the strength. Nevertheless, she is already thinking about her future.
The dynasty valued literature and had many talented women. So, if her family circumstances allowed, she was able to read and write. But no matter how talented she was, it was very difficult for her to achieve fame and success in the imperial examinations like men.
There is absolutely no precedent for this.
If a woman is determined to realize her ambitions, especially to participate in politics, she will usually do so through her husband or son.
Xie Ning had been thinking about how she should pave a path for herself and for other women.
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