Chapter 45 (Sour and spicy boneless chicken feet (Part 2)...)

Wan'er found the food a bit stimulating, and her lips turned slightly red due to the spiciness, but she was reluctant to throw it away. Instead, after she finished eating, she took a big sip of the milk tea held by her wet nurse.

Then he took a deep breath, letting the cold air cool his hot mouth.

Ah Heng was in a similar situation. He seldom ate such spicy food. The spiciness made his eyes well up with tears, his face turned red, and he kept swallowing his saliva. However, his eyes were still full of desire when he looked at the chicken feet.

It’s so delicious, I want to keep eating it!

Dongdong was already used to it. The spiciness of this food was much weaker than that of spicy strips. Apart from a slight numbness in his mouth, he licked his fingers before letting the nanny wipe them for him. He didn't forget to act coquettishly: "Sister Shu, I want to eat more!"

"Wait a minute, we'll be there soon!" Yan Qiushu soothed.

When Dongdong heard this, he knew it was impossible for the time being and could only give up with regret.

The group arrived at the main courtyard.

Mrs. Xiao's health looked much better. In the past, she only had some symptoms caused by her weak body, so she looked thin. Later, after she started eating, her spirits became much better. Now she is willing to take the initiative to eat, and usually eats like a normal person. Occasionally, when she comes across something delicious, she eats a little more. Her condition is better now.

The waxy yellow color on her face faded, and her cloudy eyes became clearer. She was no longer holding a cane in her hand, and was walking in the yard. The sun was shining brightly at that moment, and her two daughters-in-law and one daughter were also sitting here chatting.

When there was no one around, Mrs. Xiao's face was used to being expressionless and her lips were tightly pursed, so the sadness on her face did not decrease much.

But when a group of noisy children came into the yard.

Mrs. Xiao's lips relaxed a lot, her eyes softened, and her voice was especially gentle, for fear that a loud voice would scare the child: "Why did you little monkeys come here together?"

A few people greeted each other first, and Yan Qiushu stepped forward and said, "Aunt, Pingsong, Wan'er, Dongdong, and Ah Heng and I made some snacks yesterday. Now you can eat them. I specially sent them over for you to try."

As he spoke, Shui Xian took out the lunch box.

Previously, the boneless chicken feet were marinated in a large bowl, but when they were served to others, the chicken feet were taken out separately.

They were stacked up into a small hill on a plate. When they were taken out, the morning sunlight shone through them, giving the chicken feet an inexplicable golden hue, making the overall color even better.

The three women who were chatting quietly nearby also looked over. Xie Qingyun was surprised and asked, "It looks like the bones have been removed?"

"Yes, it's boneless, so it's easier to eat." Yan Qiushu smiled and nodded: "Aunt, Madam, Second Madam, Third Miss, try it and see how it tastes."

The maid brought over chopsticks, and several people took them, picking them up with curiosity and anticipation.

Mrs. Xiao has a strong taste and likes this kind of food. She only takes a look at it when she picks it up and puts it into her mouth without hesitation.

She is old and her teeth are not so good. She cannot chew hard things. But the chicken feet are just right for her, chewy, tasty, sour and spicy.

Mrs. Xiao ate with satisfaction, her eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded. Just as she was about to compliment him, she saw the children around her looking at her eagerly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "What's wrong? Do you want to eat?"

The children nodded hesitantly.

Of course I want to eat, but there are more things.

But Yan Qiushu hadn't spoken yet, so they didn't know how to speak either. She was small and her words were not very clear. What if they refused directly?

Mrs. Xiao didn't understand, so she asked someone to wipe their hands and let them eat directly.

The children ran over and gathered around to eat with gusto, but their eyes were fixed on Yan Qiushu.

"Mother, it must be... ahem!" Xie Qingyun had just finished one and was eating the second one. She wanted to say something, but was afraid that it would be rude if she hadn't finished the food in her mouth, so she chewed it quickly and anxiously, and almost got choked.

Song Mingdai handed over the tea.

Xie Qingyun drank it, and after she recovered, she said, "Excuse me." She straightened her face and looked at Yan Qiushu, "If my guess is correct, they should want to go out and play, right? Tonight is the 13th, and the day after tomorrow is the 15th. There are only two days for the Lantern Festival. It's so lively. Are you willing to miss it?"

Dong Dong chuckled, and seeing Yan Qiushu nodding with a smile, he nodded quickly: "Grandma, is it okay? Sister Shu said that we need your consent before we can do it."

"Of course." Mrs. Xiao responded readily.

Huh?

So easy?

Yan Qiushu didn't even have time to finish all the explanations she had prepared!

Madam Xiao noticed this and leisurely picked up another chicken claw. She finished her meal slowly before saying, "Your Highness Prince Chang has a lot of things to do in the palace, and there have been a lot of changes in the past five years. Naturally, he rarely cares about His Highness the Great Grandson. But our Xiao family is different. We have nothing but a lot of guards!"

That tone was inexplicably domineering.

Yan Qiushu smiled: "Aunt, you are so kind. But don't worry, for safety reasons, I will not let these little ones go out directly. I plan to get a carriage and set up a stall to give out some lantern riddles. If you answer correctly, you will get a box of popcorn..."

She shared her plan.

Mrs. Xiao was just listening casually at first, but then her expression became a little more lively. Xie Qingyun and the third lady Xiao Huaiyu also looked at her sideways and said, "This is a good idea."

"It sounds fun. I want to join in the fun."

Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "Everyone come together, it's more fun when there are more people, and then we'll see how many copies we can sell."

Xiao Pingsong also smiled and said, "Yes, mother, you come too. I have never done such a thing before. It would be best if you could help me solve the mystery..."

However, Song Mingdai suddenly put down her chopsticks, raised her cold eyes, scanned Yan Qiushu, and looked at her son, interrupting his sales pitch, and said in a low voice: "Pingsong, I let you play with toys for a few days during the New Year, but you are losing your ambition? A grand duke, you actually set up a street stall?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the originally harmonious atmosphere suddenly froze.

Xiao Pingsong was dumbfounded and looked at his mother, at a loss.

The eyes of the others were also filled with surprise, and Mrs. Xiao also looked unhappy.

Even though so many people were staring at her, Song Mingdai didn't look at them. She just lowered her eyes and said calmly, "I'm right. Pingsong is the eldest son of the Xiao family and will soon become an adult. My sixth brother often goes to war, so there must be a pillar in the family. Otherwise, if..."

She didn't say anything more at this point, and played with the handkerchief with her tender white fingertips, seemingly casually.

But in the case of the Xiao family, everyone understands what this means.

Madam Xiao's eyes darkened slightly, and she shouted, "How dare you!"

Song Mingdai's eyes trembled, and her thumb dug into her flesh tightly, but her face looked calm and calm: "I thought mother couldn't wait to call her daughter-in-law back just to cultivate Pingsong for us, so why shouldn't I tell her? If I don't tell her, it won't happen?"

Mrs. Xiao's face darkened completely, and she said, "Shut up! Say one more word?!"

There are some things that are her fault and cannot be mentioned, but this person offends her time and again.

Yan Qiushu was startled, but when she looked over, she saw Song Mingdai had a tense expression and her chin slightly raised, as if she was dissatisfied. However, she always felt it was inconsistent. In her mind, Song Mingdai with this face should not be like this!

Is it because she is too obsessed with looks? Is it a beautiful thought given by habit?

Song Mingdai's body seemed to have already stiffened, and she was about to continue to talk back.

Xie Qingyun pulled her sleeve, interrupted her, and asked in a deep voice: "Mingdai, do you really care about the position of Duke of Zhen?"

Song Mingdai said as a matter of course: "If you don't care about me, why did you come back? If you don't want me to worry about you, then give my father and brother some benefits first--"

"Mother, you clearly said you didn't want the position of Duke of Zhenguo!" Just as she was talking, Xiao Pingsong suddenly spoke, with confusion and slight anger on his honest face, staring at the person in front of him: "You said that you just want your child to live well, you lied!"

Yan Qiushu: “?”

Song Mingdai was interrupted, her expression was distorted, her fair face was suddenly stained with a bright red, and she looked at her son coldly: "Shut up!"

"Mom!" Xiao Pingsong stomped his feet in anger, his mind was in a mess.

"Puchi!" A light laugh broke the tense atmosphere. Those who looked unhappy looked over and saw Xie Qingyun's face, which was filled with laughter from the bottom of her heart. They all showed some doubts at the same time.

Only Dongdong, the youngest, was extremely nervous just now, thinking that grandma was going to be angry, but suddenly his aunt smiled.

His rough nerves immediately thought that this matter was not that serious, so he grinned and laughed: "Haha..."

Xie Qingyun suddenly laughed even more happily. Seeing that everyone was looking at her, she tried to restrain herself a little, then looked at the woman beside her and said with a smile: "Mingdai, if you keep deliberately irritating your mother like this, be careful that she will beat you up herself. Have you never been beaten up before? How about waiting for Lao Liu to come back next time and let him explain it to you?"

Song Mingdai: "..."

There was obvious silence in her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks did not disappear. She stood up suddenly and was about to leave.

But Xie Qingyun stopped him, and the latter raised his voice slightly: "Stop! You are not allowed to leave!"

Song Mingdai held her breath, then sat back, her pretty face as cold as ice.

Xie Qingyun then turned to look at the others: "Mingdai is not that kind of person. If you don't believe me, ask Pingsong. So we don't have to worry about her. Pingsong, have fun with Ashu tonight, and protect your brothers and sisters, okay?"

Xiao Pingsong, who was scolded by his mother, was originally stubborn and naive. But when he was comforted, his eyes turned red, his mouth pursed, and he nodded sullenly: "Yeah!"

"Be good, don't be angry. Your mother is stupid, don't worry about it." She came over and ruffled his hair tenderly.

Xiao Pingsong threw himself into his aunt's arms and cried softly, feeling aggrieved.

It was at this moment that Yan Qiushu noticed Song Mingdai's expression suddenly change. She looked like she was regretful and annoyed, and wanted to comfort her son but was concerned about the people around her. She hesitated to move, and the fingers that had been pretending to be nonchalantly playing with the handkerchief were twisted into a knot.

She pursed her lips, and when Xiao Pingsong felt better, she stepped forward and said, "Actually, I have an unwelcome request for coming here. We are planning to give lantern riddles, but unfortunately, I only know how to cook, so I would like to ask a few people to help. Each of you can give a few questions, and Dongdong and the others can also give a few questions, so that we can have a total of 100 questions and 100 servings of popcorn. Is that okay?"

Lantern puzzles can be word puzzles or they can be connected by a couplet. All types are acceptable. Yan Qiushu studied science and is not really good at it, but this group of people in front of her can definitely do it.

Xiao Huaiyu smiled and said jokingly, "No wonder they sent us delicious food. If we didn't help, would we still be able to eat the rest?"

"That's not necessarily true." Yan Qiushu also said with a smile.

Xiao Huaiyu: "Okay, I'll do it."

Xie Qingyun also showed some interest: "I'd like to make some suggestions, too. Madam Huang, could you please go get some paper and pen? Will mother come with you?"

Mrs. Xiao nodded modestly: "Yes."

Nanny Huang took the order and left. In addition to paper and pen, a table was also needed, and someone was asked to grind ink. The maids also got busy and soon made a large desk in the front yard.

Almost everyone held a pen, including Yan Qiushu.

Even though she can't come up with anything herself, she still has a lot of ideas in her head - she thinks very fast!

However, considering the limitations of the times, the ones she came up with were very simple and easy to guess.

Dongdong was also racking his brains, holding a pen in one hand and a chicken claw in the other, writing a word and taking a bite. Wan'er, who was beside him, moved to the other side with disgust: "Be careful, don't dirty my clothes."

Ah Heng said, "Wan'er, let me switch places with you."

"Thank you, Brother Heng!" Wan'er responded happily.

Yan Qiushu wrote a few and then gave up, turning to look at the only woman who hadn't moved. She sat aside with her back straight and her posture reserved, but because of that she seemed out of place.

She thought for a moment, then walked over and handed the pen to her: "Second Young Master's Madam, would you like to help write a few?"

Song Mingdai raised her eyes and looked at her.

Yan Qiushu tilted her head with a smile and handed the pen over again.

Seeing that she didn't answer, he blinked in confusion, his slightly childish face full of sincerity.

Song Mingdai lowered her eyes in disappointment and pursed her pink lips helplessly.

Just when Yan Qiushu thought it was definitely not going to work, she stood up, took the pen, and walked past her, not forgetting to emphasize in her clear and cold voice: "For the sake of the food, just write a few."