The next day, Xu Jiang prepared a soup and rice for Mrs. Lin. First, sauté the pickled mustard greens, ginger, and garlic until fragrant, then add water and simmer until the sour flavor of the pickled mustard greens is released. Then, filter out the residue, skim off the oil, and leave only the broth.
Add soybean curd, pork liver, day lily, dried mushroom slices, and a boiled pigeon egg and simmer. When the dish is 70% cooked, add cooked rice and a pinch of salt. Simmer until the broth thickens. Finally, add a few young sunflower leaves, blanch briefly, and remove from heat.
Pickled mustard greens are appetizing and remove fishy smells, soybean yellow rolls enhance flavor, pork liver nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen, and pigeon eggs are warming and tonic. Each has its own effect, and when melted in one pot, it is both nourishing and easy to digest, which is very suitable for Mrs. Lin.
The morning glow was surrounded by mist, and the light frost was gathered in gauze. A thin figure, carrying a lunch box, emerged from the morning light and walked lightly to Nanshan Academy.
The neighbors were still fast asleep, but poetry was being recited in the school. Xu Jiang lowered his footsteps and walked through the courtyard to the backyard.
Lin Hongchu had also gotten up and was making a fire in the yard to boil medicine. When she saw her coming, she went to greet her and took the food box from her hand.
"Is Auntie awake?"
"Not yet. Mother has been feeling very sleepy lately. I guess she needs to sleep for a while." Lin Hongchu asked curiously, "What did you do today?"
"The soup and rice are hot now. It's perfect for Auntie when she wakes up. If you can't finish it, keep it in boiling water and serve it whenever you want." After saying that, Xu Jiang asked, "Did you vomit last night?"
Lin Hongchu replied, "I haven't vomited anymore."
"That's good. Let's try this soup and rice today. Eat small meals frequently to see if I can digest it."
"Okay, I'll make a note of that."
After explaining everything, Xu Jiang smiled and asked, "Have you finished writing the letter to Yanyan?"
"I've finished writing it. I'll go get it right away." Lin Hongchu put down the lunch box and went to her room to get the letter. After a while, she returned and handed the letter to Xu Jiang. She said solemnly, "Sister, please give it to Zeng Zhui and ask him to pass it on for me."
Xu Jiang looked at the words 'Yan Yan' written on the envelope and said with a smile, "Don't worry. When Zeng Zhui comes to Sili, I'll ask him to take it to Yuan's mansion."
Lin Hongchu added, "Thank him for me."
"I understand." Xu Jiang pinched her face and asked, "I won't delay you from making the medicine. I'll go to the door and wait for Lu Zhen."
"How do you know he hasn't come yet?"
"Silly girl, how long has the gate been open? He lives in Shoukangfang, how could he come so early?"
Lin Hongchu patted his head and said, "I forgot. Sister, go quickly. I'll make medicine for mother."
"Remember to let Auntie eat soup and rice first and then take medicine."
"That's for sure."
After instructing the little girl, Xu Jiang went to the door to wait for Lu Zhen. Not long after, Uncle Cao came on horseback to bring him here.
Lu Zhen saw Xu Jiang from afar and waved to her, saying happily, "Sister."
"Here I come."
"Are you waiting for me, sister?"
"Um."
Xu Jiang came forward and lifted him down from the horse, straightened his clothes, and said to him, "Hurry up and go in. Morning reading has begun."
"Okay." Lu Zhen took only two steps with his book box on his back when he suddenly stopped, turned around, bowed to Xu Jiang, and said, "Thank you, sister." Then he ran into the school with his short legs.
A little old-fashioned.
Uncle Cao dismounted and asked, "Master, why are you here so early?"
"I came to bring some food to my aunt, and thought if I ran into you, I'd ask for your help."
"Master, you are so thoughtful." Uncle Cao also knew about Madam Lin's illness and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He added, "Master, if you need my help with anything, just tell me."
"It's not a big deal. I just need to go back to the restaurant. Let's talk while we walk."
"good."
The two of them then went to Huailiu Lane together.
On the way, Xu Jiang explained to Uncle Cao how she wanted to expand the donkey shed. As Lou Yunchun had said, upon hearing this, Uncle Cao wanted to put down his work and build the shed for Xu Jiang first. She persuaded him to stop and only asked him to go to the market to draw a rough plan.
Cao Shu drew a detailed sketch, marking the dimensions, the positions of the mortise and tenon joints, and the wood and tools to be used. Then he went to the backyard and told Xu Jiang how to expand the wall and how to drive the piles. He even dug out some wood ash and marked the points for driving the piles.
"Does the boss understand?"
"I understand." Uncle Cao explained it so thoroughly that even Lou Yunchun felt that she understood it.
"To buy materials, go to the East Market and find Xu San. Show him the drawings and he'll know what to buy."
"Good." Speaking of which, it has been a while since I last saw Xu San. "How are Brother Xu San and Achan doing lately?"
"It's all good. After the New Year, Xu San wants to learn carpentry from me. After he finishes his studies, he will come to work with us."
"This is a good thing. Having a skill will allow you to live a stable life."
"Who says it isn't?"
After a few more pleasantries, Uncle Cao took his leave. He still had a lot of work to do, and he had to finish it before the Lunar New Year so that his client and his family could have a good New Year. Especially since they had a new baby this year, he wanted to finish the work early so he could spend more time with his grandson.
After seeing Cao Shu off, Xu Jiang happened to see a vendor selling breakfast. She bought a bowl of oil tea and two candies and ate them back at the shop. She had been busy working before daybreak, but she herself hadn't had a chance to eat.
After breakfast, she had to sweep, burn incense, make tea, and edit the county annals. Two days ago, Wu Qingchuang sent word that he would come today to discuss the engraving. After all, he was a customer, so she had to prepare some tea, snacks, and treat him. It would be a shame to neglect him.
Uncle Cao said that he had a lot of work to do, and when it came down to it, she also had a lot of work to do. In the past, with Lin Hongchu around, she could relax and be lazy, but now she has to do everything herself and has no time to rest.
She slurped down her breakfast and began to sweep the house, tidying it up inside and out. She also put out some fruits and cakes before burning incense, making tea, and beginning to annotate the county annals.
The incense was burned, and the tea was brewed with Ziyang tea, both purchased with Lou Yunchun at the West Market last time. Xu Jiang, immersed in the aroma of the tea, was absorbed in annotating the county annals, while Yue Nu dozed off on her lap, a warm and peaceful atmosphere.
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