Mrs. Lin was so busy coaxing this one and that that in the end the three of them couldn't hold back and started laughing.
Lin Hongchu handed the chicken soup to her. She took it and smelled it. She felt the fragrance was so fresh, so she took a sip. Then she drank the whole bowl of chicken soup one spoonful after another.
Lin Hongchu stared at her intently, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she had no intention of vomiting.
After finishing a bowl of soup, her spleen and stomach did not feel upset at all. Madam Lin patted her chest and said to Xu Jiang, "This soup looks light, but it tastes really good. It must have taken a lot of thought."
This chicken and ginger stew is first roasted in wine and then stewed twice. The first stew removes the fishy smell and excess fat. Once the smell and fat are mostly gone, remove the chicken and add water to stew again. When the chicken is 80% cooked, add the wild ginseng and simmer over low heat until the chicken's freshness and the ginseng's aroma are fully released. This stew creates a warming and nourishing soup that is ideal for patients.
The method is not complicated, but you need to pay attention to the heat, especially if it is your first time. If the heat is too high, the chicken soup will be tasteless, and if the heat is too low, the greasy smell will not be removed.
Xu Jiang was afraid that Madam Lin would find it troublesome, so she laughed and said, "How much effort does it take to make a soup? I'm not a hoe."
Mrs. Lin immediately burst into laughter.
Hearing this, Lin Hongchu couldn't help but pat her and said, "Sister, you just love to make fun of me. I won't pay any attention to you." After that, she snatched the bowl from Mrs. Lin's hand and walked out angrily amid the laughter of the two.
Xu Jiang talked with Mrs. Lin for a while.
Mrs. Lin drank the chicken soup and felt sleepy. Her eyelids drooped and she fell silent while talking. Xu Jiang carefully helped her to bed and waited until she fell asleep before tiptoeing out.
Lin Hongchu was guarding the stove. When she saw her mother come out, she stood up and looked into the room. Seeing that her mother had fallen asleep, she took Xu Jiang's hand and walked away, asking, "Sister, are you leaving?"
"Yes." Xu Jiang instructed, "I think Auntie enjoyed the chicken soup. When she wakes up later, let her drink another bowl. After she finishes it, give her the medicine, otherwise the medicine will ruin her appetite and she will lose her appetite."
"I can save myself that." Lin Hongchu listened to her careful instructions and felt her panic-stricken heart calm down a lot. Then she hugged her and said gratefully, "Sister, thank you."
Xu Jiang patted her back, pinched her face, and said with a smile, "Since you call me sister, please don't talk nonsense." Then she heard the sound of the cloud board outside, so she asked, "Has Lu Zhen come to school yet?"
Lin Hongchu nodded and replied, "Yes, my father originally said that he could start school after the new year, but he couldn't wait, so my father let him audit the class first."
This is Lu Zhen's personality. "I'll go check on him."
"Go ahead, the second room on the left after you enter the door." Lin Hongchu pointed at her.
Xu Jiang came to the front yard and happened to meet Master Lin. Master Lin was followed by a little tail, who was Lu Zhen.
She didn't have to look for it.
Master Lin had heard the noise earlier and knew she was coming, so he was not surprised.
"Are you leaving?"
"Well, I have to go to Mr. Yuan's house."
Lu Zhen was very surprised to see her. He ran to her and was about to hug her, but suddenly he remembered that he was in school, so he stopped abruptly and looked at her eagerly.
Xu Jiang smiled at him and asked softly, "How is it like going to school?"
A big smile appeared on Lu Zhen's face, "Okay."
There were people to accompany him in his studies in the private school, so he was not lonely. Since he was the youngest and well-behaved, the students liked to tease him and were considerate and caring towards him. He soon fell in love with this place.
Master Lin was a little worried. "He follows me around all day, asking questions like a dog, tripping me up."
Xu Jiang laughed grimly, "You'll have more to complain about in the future."
Although Master Lin spoke with disdain, his tone revealed fondness. Xu Jiang knew that Master Lin was satisfied with this student, so she felt relieved.
Thinking that Master Lin and Lu Zhen would have to teach soon, Xu Jiang didn't want to interrupt them any further. She patted Lu Zhen on the shoulder and reminded him, "You must listen to the master in the academy, understand?"
Lu Zhen nodded heavily, "I understand."
"Master, I will leave first."
"Go ahead."
"Sister, take care." Lu Zhen waved to her. After seeing her leave, he followed Master Lin with a clacking step and went to Bajizhai.
After leaving the school, Xu Jiang rode a donkey to Yuan's house.
On the days when he didn't have a day off, Yuan Zuzhi was at the Imperial College supervising students and was not at home. Xu Jiang came to the door and said she was looking for Yuan Yanyan. The servant recognized her and immediately sent someone in to inform her.
Soon a maid emerged from the corner gate. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a pretty face and a calm demeanor. She bowed upon seeing Xu Jiang and then said, "Madam, please follow me."
The servant hurried forward to take Xu Jiang's donkey and led it into the stable. Xu Jiang took the return gift and went into the courtyard through the corner gate with the maid.
The Yuan residence was as ancient and cool as ever. Xu Jiang looked toward the plum garden. The red plum blossoms had already fallen from the branches, leaving only bare branches. The sight of them inevitably gave rise to a sense of desolation.
"Madam, please come this way." The maid was a man of few words. Xu Jiang was afraid of offending her, so she did not speak to her. She just walked with her to the backyard in silence.
When they reached the second gate, there were two little maids waiting there. When they saw them coming, they came out and took Xu Jiang in.
The maid handed Xu Jiang to them and then said goodbye and left.
The inner courtyard of Yuan's mansion is more lively than the outer courtyard. Firstly, there are more maids and servants, and the noise is loud. Secondly, the furnishings are bright and compact, with many green gauze and colorful silks, which look dazzling.
The two little maids chattered all the way and took Xu Jiang to a warm room. One of the little maids went to report first, and only brought Xu Jiang in after she heard what was said.
Upon entering the room, Xu Jiang saw Yuan Yanyan lying in a rocking chair, her face almost completely buried in the fur blanket. Madam Yuan was sitting nearby, feeding her fruits and vegetables. Upon seeing Xu Jiang enter, she quickly stood up and pulled her over.
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