Chapter 75 (Three-juice stew (Part 1)...)
As Xie Qingyun teased, Madam Xiao also said slowly: "You said before that you were rescued from the bandits by Lao Liu, so I guessed that there happened to be a girl from the Yan family in Wucheng."
Xiao Huaiyu smiled and said, "Although Ah Shu's behavior is very casual on weekdays, when she meets someone, you can still see her style when she is polite. Some things are engraved in the bones. Apart from anything else, the Yan family is still very good in etiquette."
It was hot when they came in. Xiao Huaiqi carried a fan with him. After dinner, he fanned himself gently and said, "But I do think I missed something. Ah Shu is such a good cook. I haven't heard that Miss Yan is good at cooking."
Yan Qiushu: “…”
She really didn't expect it, but it was also her fault for being careless.
After all, her living environment was once so safe, and it was really difficult for her to disguise herself from head to toe. Even this vest fell off really quickly!
Mrs. Xiao saw that she was so embarrassed that she almost buried her face under the table, so she comforted her, "Don't pay attention to him. Your cooking skills are your business, and it is thanks to your cooking skills that our Xiao family is in its current state."
Although it seemed that Yan Qiushu did not do much, in fact, everything changed after she came to the Xiao family.
For example, herself, Dongdong, Pingyu, Waner...
As long as people's hearts are not dead, everything will turn around.
Yan Qiushu calmed down a little and smiled shyly: "Thanks to you for taking me in, otherwise I don't know how I can survive in this world alone."
Xie Qingyun smiled gently and said, "Yesterday the imperial edict came down, bestowing you with the title of Xiangjun. Ah Shu, we want to hold a celebration banquet for you. We can invite Prince Chang and his family to have a meal together. How about that?"
"Sure, you're the only people I know here. It would be great to have dinner together." Yan Qiushu readily agreed.
"What delicious food do you want to eat now?" A soft voice with a hint of smile sounded.
Yan Qiushu turned around subconsciously and saw Xiao Huaiya being carried towards her by four maids.
The injury on her leg had not fully healed yet, and she wanted to walk such a short distance by herself. Mrs. Xiao was reluctant to let her go, fearing that she would get more injured, so she made a small sedan chair for her and had several strong maids carry her over.
She was still wearing a veil, but her delicate features looked much brighter than before. As soon as she came in, her almond-shaped eyes stared at the bowl of noodles with fried bean paste on the table that had not been put away yet. She twitched her nose, and then said nothing, just looking at Yan Qiushu.
Needless to say, the delicious food must have been brought by her.
Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled: "You have it."
She asked Shui Xian to take out the portion left in the lunch box.
Xiao Huaiya smiled a little embarrassedly, but still took it, and let someone help him to the side hall to eat.
The maids came forward to collect the dishes and chopsticks from the table. Several people returned to the chairs on both sides of the table. As soon as they sat down, a maid came to report: "The young lady of the Song family is here, and she said she is here to give a gift to the Lord of De'an."
Mrs. Xiao's smile froze and she looked at Song Mingdai deeply.
Song Mingdai quickly lowered her head and dared not say a word.
Madam Xiao calmed down her expression and said calmly, "Please let her in."
The maid hurried over to call someone, and soon, a woman about thirty years old, dressed elegantly, walked in, with the nanny behind her holding a red gift box in her hands.
As soon as she came in, she smiled and said, "Mrs. Xiao has been getting more and more energetic recently!"
Then they bowed very naturally, including Yan Qiushu.
She is now a county lady, and all women officials have to pay respect to her.
Yan Qiushu did not move but nodded in acceptance, which made the smile on the face of Mrs. Liu, the eldest son of the Song family, fade a lot.
However, Mrs. Xiao's face did not warm up, her eyebrows and eyes were still cold: "What is the matter with your visit this time?"
Liu smiled brightly: "What's the matter? I just heard about the good things done by the Lord of De'an. We are relatives, so I came here to congratulate you. The Song family is poor, and the gift is ordinary. I hope the Lord of De'an will not dislike it."
As she spoke, she turned to Yan Qiushu, took the gift from the nanny, and personally delivered it to Yan Qiushu.
Yan Qiushu subconsciously looked at Mrs. Xiao. In the Xiao family, she also subconsciously regarded Mrs. Xiao as her elder. Whether to accept the gift or not, she had to seek her consent.
Mrs. Xiao was also used to it and nodded at her.
Only then did Yan Qiushu accept it and thank her.
"Thank you for what? It's my duty." Liu waved her hand, exchanged a few words with the other members of the Xiao family, and then looked at Song Mingdai to hint.
However, the person who was hinted at didn't even raise his eyelids. He lowered his eyes and blew on the hot tea in front of him without responding.
Liu was filled with resentment, thinking that her sister-in-law was just as dull and inflexible as her mother-in-law. It was no wonder that her mother-in-law was not liked by her father-in-law. The second son of the Xiao family was really blind to fall in love with her sister-in-law.
But she really had something to do this time. Since the last time, the Song family no longer mentioned dragging the Xiao family onto the boat of the Sixth Prince Xuan Wang, but she still hoped that Xuan Wang would let her son go to the Imperial Academy!
If she could go to school there and be taught by those great teachers of the Great Zhou, and make friends with some children of powerful families, her son would definitely have a bright future. Her father-in-law and husband are useless, and she can only rely on the Xiao family. Unfortunately, the Xiao family is stingy. Even though they are relatives, they still give her an official position as small as a sesame seed, which doesn't bring any benefits, so they are unwilling to help her anymore.
She had to handle this matter by herself, so when she heard that the girls in the Xiao family had been treated well by the Xiao family and were given the title of county ladies, she took the initiative to offer to send gifts to the Xiao family and take the opportunity to see what was going on with this sister-in-law.
Seeing that no one else was willing to let the two sisters-in-law be alone together, Liu gritted her teeth and said bravely, "Aunt, my sister-in-law has been away with Pingsong for several months. My parents-in-law miss her very much, and I have some personal words to say to my sister-in-law."
She thought that since this was the case, Mrs. Xiao would definitely go with the flow and let her and her sister-in-law go to the second brother's yard.
However, just as she finished speaking, Mrs. Xiao asked with interest, "Is there anything we cannot listen to?"
"Nothing." Liu smiled awkwardly.
Mrs. Xiao said slowly, "But is it about persuading my Xiao family to join a certain prince?"
Liu took a deep breath and looked at the person in front of her in shock. She stared at him with trembling lips and almost fell to the ground with her legs going weak.
The next second she looked at Song Mingdai, and this time she was really angry!
Is this sister-in-law sick? !
Tell your mother-in-law about this?
Madam Xiao sneered: "You Song family members don't hold high positions, but you have a lot of power!"
Liu's face turned pale and she shook her head quickly, saying, "No, no! Aunt, you are worrying too much. It's just some private talk."
Xiao Huaiqi smiled and said, "Madam Song, it seems that your husband has not been taught a lesson enough before. He actually dares to set his sights on my Xiao family?"
Liu shuddered and was supported by the nanny to avoid falling. She looked at him in surprise. After a few breaths, she remembered that a few months ago, her husband was beaten up together with her brother-in-law, and their faces were bruised and swollen. When she asked about it, her husband hesitated. She thought that the other party went to the music house to fight over a woman, and she was angry for several days.
Now that I think about it, I was actually scolded by the Xiao family. No wonder he never mentioned my sister-in-law again.
She thought her husband had given up, but she didn't expect that he was too scared to do it because he was beaten!
Liu was completely discouraged. She gave up the struggle and knelt on the ground. "It was my idea to come here today. It has nothing to do with my husband. My husband told me not to mention it again after that incident. I just don't want to let it go. Please don't blame my husband!"
Xiao Huaiqi originally wanted to knock it again.
There is no need to take further action. The Song family has not done anything evil. The last lesson was enough. There is no need to hold on to it.
But the woman who had been silent all this time suddenly stood up and went over to help her sister-in-law up.
Liu made up her mind, stood up, and walked out with her strength, saying eagerly: "Mingdai, it's not that I want to bully you. You also know that your parents and your brother are useless. I don't want my son to be a minor official who does nothing in the future, so I hope to take this opportunity to help my family climb up a level. If you can get along with your mother-in-law..."
Song Mingdai had a blank expression on her face. She waited until the person reached the gate of the yard before she pushed him away.
Liu was pushed and staggered. She looked at her in confusion, not knowing what was wrong with her sister-in-law.
But Song Mingdai said coldly: "That's enough! When I first returned home, I told my parents clearly that they raised me and I have repaid them all. Don't think about anything else, let alone use the Xiao family to get anything. If you don't want your son to follow your husband's old path, let him study hard. There is no such thing as a free lunch. That's all I have to say. Get out!"
"I..." Liu still wanted to pull her aside and talk to her, the marriage with the Xiao family must not be broken off!
But in fact, Song Mingdai had no feelings for the Song family a long time ago. She went back there just because she wanted her son to be safe. When she got married, the dowry given by the Xiao family would be enough to repay her several times, not to mention the gifts they sent back during the holidays.
Even so, when it comes to profit, the Song family will still sell her and the Xiao family without thinking.
It’s good that it’s broken now, so that no one can take advantage of the Xiao family by using the Song family.
She shook off her sister-in-law's hand and walked away without looking back.
Xiao Pingsong, who had just heard the news and rushed over, was overjoyed when he saw this scene. When he ran into the yard, he bumped into his aunt at the door, then hesitantly approached his mother and said, "Mom, you weren't bullied, were you?"
Song Mingdai felt warm in her heart and shook her head: "Nothing."
"Pingsong! Hmm——" When Liu saw her nephew, her eyes lit up.
However, as soon as she shouted, her mouth was covered by the Xiao family's nanny and she was dragged away. The Second Young Master's wife didn't recognize this marriage, so why not drag her away quickly!
After discussing the details of the upcoming banquet in Mrs. Xiao's yard, Yan Qiushu went to the kitchen to see what she could cook for dinner later in the evening.
Although all the dishes were prepared by the chef of the Xiao Mansion, she still had to cook something, because the guests from the Chang Palace would certainly have to bring gifts. The Xiao Mansion would not really spend no money to hold a banquet for her, and she couldn't give money to the Xiao family, so she could just give them some food.
As soon as Yan Qiushu arrived at the kitchen, the steward stood up and said, "I have seen the Lord!"
"Manager Zhang, please don't be like this. I'm not used to it." Yan Qiushu rubbed her arms. She was not used to suddenly changing from an ordinary person to a member of the upper class in this society.
Although they had been quite polite to her before, they had never been so respectful.
Manager Zhang smiled and relaxed a little: "You are too polite, Mr. Xiangjun. By the way, the farm has just sent a lot of fresh mushrooms, fish and shrimps. Do you need anything?"
Yan Qiushu nodded, and came to the place where the ingredients were placed, holding a basket in her hand, and said unceremoniously: "There are quite a lot of shrimps here, give me a basket."
"Okay." Manager Zhang nodded and let her put it on.
Yan Qiushu also took a lot of corn, carrots, a large piece of beef and a piece of pork, but it was not enough. She said, "Could you please buy some chicken wings? Not too little, fill a basket."
"Okay, I'll make a note of it." Manager Zhang responded.
Yan Qiushu looked around again and saw that there was nothing else, so she took some homemade sauce from the chef in the big kitchen.
She likes to cook the dishes she learned in her previous life, but in this world, many dishes are new to them. As chefs, they frequently encounter new things, and they also start to think about new things.
This sauce is quite similar to the bean paste from the previous life. It is often used when cooking. Yan Qiushu likes it very much. The one in the kitchen happened to be almost used up, so she took it away.
Now that she had gotten all the food, it was time for her to go back.
There is one advantage of getting food here. You don’t have to pay for it, you can just take it and go. It’s quite nice.
Yan Qiushu found it funny just thinking about it.
If it stays like this in the future, it would actually be pretty good.
Back in the yard, Yan Qiushu first kept the shrimps in water so that they could survive until the afternoon. If they died too early, they would not taste so fresh, and there was no need to cook the rest for the time being.
There are only fourteen people in the two families, including half-grown children like Dongdong and Wan'er. It seems a lot, but the big kitchen is responsible for most of the dishes. She only needs to cook one dish so that they can all eat, so she doesn't have to be busy.
At this time, Yan Qiushu took out her medical skills and ran to Xiao Jiayang's doctor to ask if she had any questions.
When the doctor in the mansion saw her coming, he immediately had a headache and covered his forehead: "Oh, my head is a little uncomfortable."
Yan Qiushu smiled and said, "Doctor Tao, you feel uncomfortable in your head. How about I give you a try?"
Doctor Tao immediately sat up straight and reprimanded: "With your medical skills, you must never treat patients carelessly, especially with acupuncture. If you inject a needle into a place that makes the patient unable to move, then it will be the end!"
Yan Qiushu shyly spread her hands and said, "No, you are watching over me, aren't you?"
Doctor Tao had a headache: "Okay, what's the problem?"
Yan Qiushu immediately went over happily and asked, "The acupuncture points you told me last time to stop bleeding, how many times should I press them, and how hard should I press them? I forgot it again, can you show me again?"
Doctor Tao: "...To be honest, you are not cut out to be a doctor. Look at your memory. You forgot such a simple acupuncture point in the blink of an eye."
Yan Qiushu lowered her head with a guilty conscience, she really forgets easily.
But she is also really interested in medicine, otherwise her golden finger would be wasted!
Doctor Tao sighed and said, "How about I teach you how to eat tonic food?"
Since I remember the recipes so well, the recipes for dietary supplements should be similar.
Yan Qiushu nodded: "Okay, but I have to teach you medical knowledge as well..."
After tormenting Dr. Tao, Yan Qiushu left a lot of tuition fees, such as Dr. Tao's favorite biscuits, and then returned to her own yard with light steps.
This time when she returned, she stayed where she was, looking at the large and small packages of gifts placed in the house.
Did I take the wrong turn?
She stepped out and took another look. It was indeed the yard where she had lived for almost a year.
Nanny Xu came over and said with a smile: "The young lady is now a county lady. People who have some relationship with the Xiao family have come to give gifts. In addition, the Prince of Jin also sent gifts, and so did the Prince of Shun..."
She mentioned a few people, and Yan Qiushu looked confused: "I don't know them!"
Even if it was the fifth prince, Prince Shun, she didn't even know him, okay?!
This is just a gift, too much money and nowhere to spend it?
Nanny Xu smiled helplessly and said, "It all comes down to that. The young lady has made a great contribution this time and has been rewarded by His Majesty. Naturally, others have to follow suit and give gifts. This is for His Majesty to see."
Yan Qiushu smiled strangely. So that was the case. Then she felt at ease accepting it.
She walked to the pile of gifts, picked up a small gift, and was about to open it when she heard Nanny Xu say, "But Madam said that when they came here, they heard that the mansion was going to hold a celebration banquet for the young lady and invited Prince Chang, so they also planned to come here in the evening."
Yan Qiushu: “…”
She doesn't want to!
She didn't know them, and they were a group of people of higher status than her. She might even have to apologize later.
Yan Qiushu curled her lips, put down the gift with a lack of interest, and was about to lie down on the couch.
Nanny Xu followed behind and said, "By the way, Master Dongdong also sent a message back saying that his classmate also wanted to come. He missed the gathering a few days ago because of Potato, and he wanted to come this time, and he agreed."
Yan Qiushu:!!!
She sat up in shock and slapped her forehead!
This is no place to lie down.
Have to do it well.
These children will be her key customers in the future!
After they finish their meal and return home satisfied, it shouldn’t be long before her farm stay receives its first customer, right? !
Yan Qiushu stood up and said, "Let's go to the kitchen to cook first."
Shui Xuan followed happily, with an expectant smile on her increasingly round face: "Okay, okay, girl, what shall we do?"
Yan Qiushu originally wanted to make some fried food, but with so many people, it would be too troublesome to fry a little bit. She touched her chin, thought for a moment, and came to a decisive conclusion: "Let's make... three-juice stew!"