After taking the medicinal bath, she heated up a bowl of ginger soup and drank it, and finally she felt a little better.
Thinking that Lou Yunchun had been immersed in the wind and rain for a day and two nights, Xu Jiang made another pot of soup for him, then lit another charcoal fire and started to cook the windproof porridge.
As the name suggests, Fangfeng porridge is made with Fangfeng as the main ingredient, supplemented by ginger slices and green onions. After boiling water and removing the residue, add the japonica rice and stir and cook until thick.
This porridge is famous for its fragrance and is praised as "a bowl of Fangfeng porridge, and your mouth will be fragrant for seven days". In addition, Fangfeng porridge has the effect of dispersing wind, cold, dampness and arthritis. It is one of the most popular porridges among the health-preserving medicinal foods in Beijing.
Xu Jiang stirs and cooks the fried rice until it is mushy, and the fragrance permeates the air, making people feel relaxed.
After the porridge was cooked, she simmered it by the fire, then set up another pot, added water and put the steamer on it, and she was going to make steamed cakes.
To make steamed cakes, you naturally have to knead the dough first. Add a little salt and koji when kneading the dough to help it rise. Then take a little cooking oil, flour, salt, pepper, and Sichuan pepper powder to make the pastry. Then wash and chop the fresh green onions for later use.
After proofing, the dough needs to be kneaded several times before being rolled into a dough sheet. The sheet is then coated with oil and sprinkled with chopped green onions. The sheet is then folded over and divided into small pieces, which are then rolled into flower shapes and steamed.
After steaming, its shape expands and its color is pure white, which is very attractive. Its taste is full of scallion fragrance, soft and salty, which makes people addicted to it and put it into their mouths regardless of the heat.
Xu Jiang only ate one to fill her stomach, and waited for Lou Yunchun to come back to enjoy the rest together.
The clouds flew away and the rain dispersed, golden light broke through the fog, and a man and a horse, covered in mud and sand, galloped along the empty street, following the lingering sound of the waves.
The horse knew the way and did not need to be driven or led. It passed through the gate of the neighborhood with familiarity and turned into the more secluded alley.
Lou Yunchun saw the thin smoke covering the roof of the bookstore from afar. He thought of Xu Jiang waiting for him on the other side, and his heart and eyes couldn't help but feel hot.
The horse galloped to the tree in front of the bookstore. As soon as Lou Yunchun landed, he heard the corner door creak. The figure by the river was leaning against the door, looking at him with a smile and a reluctant look.
"You're back."
Lou Yunchun led the horse, like a tired bird returning to its nest, and walked quickly forward to lock Xu Jiang in his eyes.
Seeing that he hesitated, Xu Jiang moved forward and leaned into his arms, hugging him.
"I'm dirty."
"It's not dirty, it's clean." Xu Jiang put her ear to his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, and sighed, "You scared me to death. Why didn't you tell me when you went to Leyou Township?"
Lou Yunchun rubbed his face against hers and said, "It's easier to sleep on rainy days. I didn't want to disturb you."
"How can I sleep with such severe thunder and lightning?"
"Fear?"
"Yeah." As a child, Xu Jiang was particularly fearful. Every time there was a thunderstorm, she would clutch a pillow and pathetically crawl to her master's room for shelter. As she grew older, her master would have to get up several times during each thunderstorm to check on her. Later, she drifted alone, enduring countless thunderstorms. Although she was filled with fear, she was able to navigate them safely.
She was also afraid this time, but it was the fear of the aftermath. Thinking of Lou Yunchun helping to dredge the river in the thunderstorm, she felt a chill in her heart.
Lou Yunchun put his lips to her forehead and said soothingly, "Don't be afraid, I'll be here from now on."
Xu Jiang smiled and nodded, then reached out to wipe the mud off his face and said, "I've made a medicinal bath. Go soak it to ward off the cold. I've also made some Fangfeng porridge and steamed buns. Let's eat them together after you finish soaking."
Lou Yunchun nodded in agreement, but in his heart he felt that she could drive away the cold better than any medicinal bath, soup or meal.
Lou Yunchun went to bathe, and Xu Jiang pressed the water to wash the horse. She touched the horse's head and said gently, "You've worked hard."
The horse rubbed her palm gently.
The stubborn donkey held up his mane, which was almost pulled off by her, and snorted with a sullen face.
After Lou Yunchun finished his medicinal bath, he felt his energy flowed freely and his mind was refreshed. He stood in front of the kitchen door with his hair loose, watching Xu Jiang serve porridge. Xu Jiang looked up at him and smiled, then handed him the porridge.
He walked over, took the porridge and put it aside, then he pulled her into his arms and hugged her without any scruples.
Xu Jiang held the spoon in her hand and said with a smile, "Are you full just by hugging me?"
Lou Yunchun buried his head in her neck and took a deep breath, "No."
"Why don't you hurry up and serve..." the meal.
The 'rice' fell into someone's stomach.
Xu Jiang's hands went weak and the spoon almost fell to the ground, but Lou Yunchun caught both her hand and the spoon.
Lou Yunchun rolled a blush on her lips, and finally, he pecked her lightly and said with a smile, "Half full."
Xu Jiang stared at him in a daze.
He kissed the tip of her nose, took the spoon from her hand, and went to scoop the porridge with a cheerful look.
Xu Jiang turned around and stared at Lou Yunchun's back. After coming to her senses, her eyes curved into crescents.
In addition to the Fangfeng porridge and steamed buns, Xu Jiang also made a dish of radish with mushroom oil. Lou Yunchun devoured half a pot of porridge, four steamed buns, and half a plate of radish in one gulp. Xu Jiang was alarmed and said hurriedly, "Eat slowly, don't hurt yourself."
Only then did Lou Yunchun stop.
"You haven't eaten anything for two days and nights?"
"I ate half a steamed bun given by the villagers."
"Liu Yuan doesn't care?"
"I don't want to eat their food."
Xu Jiang was speechless, then asked, "I heard that some officials were trapped in Liuyuan. Did they not help to relocate the victims?"
"Liu Ciling sent people to shelter the victims outside of Liuyuan. He and other officials did not show up, but the merchants and scholars who stayed behind did a lot." Lou Yunchun paused for a moment before continuing, "Wu Qingye and the music troupe also helped a lot."
"These people are supported by the people and enjoy salaries from the court, yet they are worse off than the miserable people who have been reduced to working in the music academy and can't afford to care for themselves. How despicable!" Xu Jiang's expression was filled with indignation. Then, recalling the villagers' bitter complaints, she said to Lou Yunchun, "Today, I was outside Qixia Gate and heard the villagers talk about something."
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