Chapter 83 (Soup)

May 15th

According to the marching progress, Xiao Waiting's troops will arrive this morning.

To be exact, they arrived last night, but most people stayed outside the city to recuperate until this morning, when the chief commander led some officials into Kyoto.

Starting from outside the city gate, countless people came running over to watch.

In this era, war was a common occurrence, and a great victory meant that the people were safe and secure. Having experienced the tragic situation of being on the brink of war, everyone would cheer for the victor.

When Xingjun's team passed by them, many people would give them a lot of things. As the commander-in-chief, he still trampled on the commander-in-chief of Wuta and blackmailed many young people and smashed countless wallets.

The same was true for the other lieutenants behind him.

In addition to their wallets, this victory was so great that some people extravagantly threw popcorn and various candies at him. Yan Xiang felt a gust of wind coming at him, and he stretched out his hand and caught it, but it felt soft in his hand.

I was shocked at once. Could it be that someone threw away rotten vegetables?

When he looked carefully, he saw something light yellow, soft and with a sweet milky aroma in his hand.

Yan Xiang raised his eyebrows and was surprised. What a great thing!

He put it in his mouth directly. The taste was amazing. As a rough man, he had never eaten such delicious pastries. His eyes widened: "General, what is this? It's delicious! Is it made by Miss Yan?"

"I got one too. Do you want one, General? It's so big! There's something sweet inside. Girls and kids will definitely like it! We've only been gone for less than half a year, and there are so many new and fresh foods in Kyoto?"

The young man glanced at it calmly and said, "No need, I've eaten it before. It's a cake with jam inside. The red one is strawberry flavored, and the pink one is peach flavored..."

Yan Xiang and Lei Shan, who were filled with joy, were silent for a moment. Then they ate the sweet food in their mouths, but they tasted a sour taste.

So jealous!

Yan Xiang said even more sourly: "Miss Yan and I had a pretty good relationship before, I wonder if you still remember me? The general is really lucky, saving Miss Yan, so he can eat such delicious food every day."

Xiao Waiting curled his lips imperceptibly: "I don't like sweet things. I've only eaten this cake twice."

"Ah?" Yan Xiang was surprised, but also felt a little sympathetic.

Such delicious food, but I only ate it twice!

The next second, Xiao Waiting said, "The barbecue she made was delicious, sprinkled with all kinds of spices and condiments. I like it more. I used to eat it every now and then in the mansion, but I haven't eaten it since the war. I miss it a lot. I don't know what I'll have when I go back later?"

Yan Xiang: “…”

Even more sour!

I can be a picky eater!

Especially as a rough guy, he actually prefers the feeling of eating meat in big mouthfuls, so after hearing Xiao Huaiting's simple words, he began to miss the delicious food that Yan Qiushu made for him when he first met her.

Wucheng!

So many delicious foods!

Suddenly Yan Xiang remembered something, coughed lightly, and reminded him tactfully: "General, the girl you brought back from Wucheng this time, are you also going to bring her back to the Xiao Mansion?"

Xiao Waiting was about to nod.

Yan Xiang smiled and said, "I don't know if Miss Yan will be happy that a sister is here to accompany her."

Xiao Huaiting paused, and continued to ride forward with an expressionless face, but he tightened his hand holding the reins and ordered: "Take me to the palace in a while, and you take the person to the manor outside the capital. Do you know where it is?"

"I know, but I'm hungry..." Yan Xiang said vaguely.

Xiao Waiting said unhappily, "Let's go to the food court, where the salty food shop was before. Tell me your name."

Yan Xiang's eyes lit up and he rubbed his hands with excitement.

The whispered conversation between Xiao Huaiting and his two adjutants was drowned out by the overwhelming bustle and no one else could hear it.

The common people watched the troops disappear before their eyes, and could not help but sigh: "This General Xiao really has the power of his father, so powerful!"

"Yes, I think every time General Xiao came back, it was always a battle like this, but General Xiao was still more powerful, he broke through the Uta!"

"The Xiao family is mighty!"

Amid the roar, the troops marched across another street.

Amid the noise, a few children shouted: "Little uncle is awesome!!!"

The young man on horseback seemed to have heard it, and looked sharply in the direction of the sound, just in time to meet several heads on the second floor: a pretty girl, a little fat boy with food residue around his mouth, a cute little girl, and a silly-looking big boy.

The horses continued to move forward and soon passed each other. The young man's sight was obstructed and he withdrew his gaze. Considering that they were outside, he did not show any strange expression, but his starry eyes were still as dark and bright as ever.

Yan Qiushu was just watching the fun, but suddenly her gaze met his. She was stunned for a moment and didn't have time to look away.

Fortunately, the time was short.

She pursed her lips and stepped out of the window, with those eyes still clearly appearing in her mind.

Thinking back to the first time we met, the moment we opened the door, I was a young man who was not yet mature and strong but still had an outstanding demeanor. Time flies so fast, and a year has passed in the blink of an eye.

Wan'er still stretched her head to look at the dark silhouette, and said with regret: "I can't see it anymore."

Dong Dong took two steps back, holding an ice cream in one hand and garlic-flavored spareribs in the other, chewing them deliciously: "It's okay, let's go back and take a look."

Xiao Pingsong was so excited that his face turned red: "My little uncle is so awesome!"

Wan'er nodded vigorously, Dongdong followed suit, and Yan Qiushu thought about it and nodded as well.

The nearly half-year war had made him more mature. The youthfulness he had when he first met him was gone, and what remained was toughness and determination. He also lost weight, and his skin seemed to be much rougher.

I heard that there is a lot of sand and wind in Uta, there is little land suitable for planting, and the food is not good and the clothes are not warm.

Yan Qiushu pinched the jade pendant that was tied tightly around her waist. Three days ago, Xie Qingyun brought a matchmaker and betrothal gifts to the manor to propose marriage. However, because Xiao Huaiting came back today, the Xiao family came to pick her up early in the morning.

She said gently, "Okay, we should go back now. When your uncle comes back, it will be time for lunch."

"Okay." Wan'er withdrew her mind, still thinking about it.

Dongdong looked at the pile of food on the table and stood up anxiously to ask the nanny to clean it up: "Take it all with you, don't waste it!"

Yan Qiushu wondered: "Just let the nanny and the others eat it. When did you become so frugal?"

This child is not a spendthrift, but he shouldn't be so anxious as to specifically remind others not to waste anything and take everything back?

Dong Dong wiped his mouth, shrank his neck with guilt, and said seriously: "Because it tastes good, I don't want to waste it."

"You can't eat too much, or you won't be able to eat lunch later." Yan Qiushu reminded him, "Food won't taste as good when it's cold. Let Mammy help you eat."

Dong Dong felt a pain in his stomach, but he still nodded: "Okay, Mammy, you can eat it."

The nurse who served him amusedly secretly pinched the young master's hand and said, "I know."

She packed it up and held the oil-paper bag in her arms, but didn't eat it.

Dongdong smiled happily and followed behind with a skipping sound.

Actually, he doesn't want to be so stingy, but he is poor now, and he has to save the pocket money given by his grandmother. He can no longer eat whatever he wants like before. The more he can save, the better, otherwise he will have no snacks to eat!

Because his uncle thinks that since he has started practicing martial arts, he cannot be too fat as it is bad for his bones, so he needs to lose weight. Now no one in the mansion can cook for him at will, except for Sister Ashu. But Sister Ashu doesn't cook much spirit stones, mostly three meals a day.

Dongdong sighed deeply. The key point was that he still had to go to school. He could only go there for dinner every day. It was too miserable!

That’s right!

My uncle always comes back with a lot of money after the war. I wonder if he still has some this time?

My uncle is always generous!

Thinking of this, Dongdong walked faster.

Yan Qiushu and others returned to the mansion, but Xiao Huaiting had not returned yet.

As for such a major event as razing Wuta, the old emperor and his ministers naturally had to discuss how to deal with the people of Wuta, and they couldn't go back too early.

Yan Qiushu wanted to come back now because she was thinking about the soup in the house.

After saying goodbye to Dongdong and the others at the gate of the inner courtyard, she quickly returned to her own yard and went to the kitchen. Before she reached the kitchen, she smelled the aroma of garlic, which was also a bit sweet.

On the stove in the kitchen, there was a big black pot wrapped in red flames. Its round belly kept making gurgling sounds, and the fragrance came from the gaps in the lid.

Aunt Xu smiled and said, "Just when I was almost done with it, the girl came back."

Yan Qiushu pursed her lips and smiled: "Come back after you finish reading it. Is the water inside not boiled dry?"

"No!" Aunt Xu shook her head, opened the lid and took a look. The moment she opened it, hot air and fragrance came to her nose, filling the whole kitchen with fragrance: "There is still half a can left. Oh, it smells so good!"

"Isn't it fragrant? A lot of good things are added in it!" Shui Yu said with a smile and a teasing look.

They brought it here early in the morning, but there was not enough time to cook it at that time, so after bringing it here, it was sent to this yard and cooked for a long time. It was made into black chicken soup, and supplements such as ginseng were added.

Yan Qiushu glared at her and told the nanny to watch the fire and keep it low. She hurried out. It was better, but the person hadn't come back yet, so just leave it alone.

Shui Yu stuck out her tongue, feeling that she had talked Yan Qiushu away.

Madam Xu shook her head and smiled, "The girl is just embarrassed. Her face is red."

Shui Yu helped clean up the kitchen, washed her hands, and went into the house to accompany Yan Qiushu.

It was almost mid-noon when someone from the main courtyard came to invite Yan Qiushu to have dinner.

When Yan Qiushu arrived, everyone from the Xiao family had also arrived.

Including Xiao Huaiya, who almost never ate with them, they all sat next to Xiao Huaiwu. The two sisters were one talking loudly about how bravely she fought in battle and how she took the enemy's head directly, while the other was watching with a pair of watery almond eyes, her eyes widened from time to time in worry about the crisis, and she narrowed her eyes in smiles because of her sister's awesomeness.

She has a weak and vulnerable face, but if it weren't for the scar on her face, this girl might be even more heroic than Xiao Huaiwu.

Yan Qiushu thought about it, but then denied it. No, Xiao Huaiya still prefers beauty.

"Ashu, come and sit down." Mrs. Xiao waved with a smile. There was an empty seat to her right.

Sitting on the left is Xiao Waiting.

Yan Qiushu was startled, and immediately felt her cheeks getting hot and her back sweating. She quickly pretended that she saw nothing, walked over quickly and sat down, and greeted them one by one. When she came to Xiao Waiting, her smile became much more stiff: "Congratulations to General Xiao on his triumphant return."

"Thank you, Miss Shu." Xiao Huaiting nodded as usual, his cold and hard features softened a lot, but when he noticed the lame gait, he still asked, "What's wrong with your foot?"

The Xiao family members looked at each other tacitly and smiled.

Yan Qiushu explained softly: "I accidentally sprained it two days ago, and it's almost healed now."

"That's good." Xiao Huai Ting nodded without saying much.

Mrs. Xiao looked left and right, very satisfied. She no longer had that distressed expression on her face, and her voice was filled with joy: "Everyone is here, serve the food."

The maids and old women served the dishes one after another.

These are all relatively light but nourishing dishes.

Xiao Waiting had just returned from the war and his body had not eaten any oily food for a long time, so it was not appropriate to feed him directly now.

The food was served and everyone started eating.

There was no formal lunch at noon, so the family just had a casual meal, so the atmosphere was more casual, and they talked about family matters. Xiao Pingsong and Dongdong asked about the details of the war, and Wan'er was listening on the side. She was very into the role, sometimes panicked and sometimes happy, just like Xiao Huaiya just now.

Her mother covered her mouth and laughed secretly.

Thinking of Xiao Huaiya, Yan Qiushu, who had been concentrating on eating, looked over tentatively and found that the other person was right in front of her. She discovered that the other person had taken off his veil.

But the scar was different from what one would imagine. Although the scar on her cheek was obvious, it was not hideous. It was easily noticed due to the proliferation of scars, but overall, one could notice her overly beautiful facial features at a second glance.

Although she might still be a little uncomfortable with it, she would half-lower her head when eating, with her face slightly tilted to the side, and her left hand on her left cheek, as if she wanted to cover the scar, but it would occasionally reveal a little.

Yan Qiushu happened to see it when she was picking up food and her chopsticks were exposed. The other party seemed to have noticed it as well and panicked for a moment, and the food on the chopsticks fell into the plate.

Yan Qiushu was also a little panicked and quickly smiled at her.

Xiao Huaiya calmed himself down, forced a smile, and continued to pick up food, but he covered his face tightly with his left hand, no longer trying to block it.

Apart from this incident, the food was generally enjoyable.

Especially now that all members of the Xiao family except Shen Pingyu have returned, the family is reunited, and the happiness index has increased exponentially.

At the end of the meal, Shui Yu came over with her maids, and gave each of them a bowl of soup. The soup was slightly yellowish with brown, and the color was quite translucent, so you could see the wolfberries at the bottom. She smiled and said, "This is the soup that my daughter made early in the morning. The fourth young lady and the sixth young master must have worked hard recently, so they need to be nourished."

As soon as the words fell, everyone looked at Yan Qiushu subconsciously.

Yan Qiushu herself: “…………”

Shuiyu, what are you doing?!

She didn't let me say anything weird!

She just said that she would serve it when we were almost done eating. There wasn't much soup, just one bowl per person and half a bowl for a child. I'm sure they would be able to finish it. Didn't she always serve it like this in the past? Why did she say this now?

It's not that I'm angry, I'm just blushing.

Yan Qiushu took a deep breath, trying to maintain a normal appearance, and smiled: "Drink it quickly, I asked Doctor Tao for a tonic recipe for this soup. It's made with black chicken soup as the base, and I added a lot of medicinal herbs, including ginseng. It tastes pretty good."

Xiao Huaiwu raised her eyebrows, picked it up with a smile, blew on it, took a sip, tasted it carefully, looked at the "crowd" and said: "The soup made by Ah Shu is naturally the best, right?"

Mrs. Xiao smiled and became even happier.

Xiao Huaiqi and his wife looked at each other, then lowered their eyes and took a sip of their soup. Wow, it's really delicious.

Although there is a slight bitterness in the aroma, this bitterness does not affect the appetite at all. After swallowing, there is even a slight sweet aftertaste lingering between the lips and teeth.

Xiao Huaiya curled his lips and smiled, with a hint of cunning.

The three children also quickly took the bowl, blew it carefully, and then drank.

Siha!

Hot!

But it tastes good, the soup is salty, fragrant and delicious, with a slight bitterness that seems to soothe the excessive deliciousness. There is no meat in it, only soup and a few wolfberries at the bottom.

After drinking it in one gulp, even Dongdong, a kid who likes strong flavors and sweets, didn't think it tasted bad. After one gulp, he smacked his lips and quickly took a second sip, but it was only a little bit too hot.

The "people" being watched anxiously by Xiao Huaiwu, Xiao Huaiting, nodded calmly: "Miss Shu's craftsmanship is naturally beyond words."

After saying that, he picked up the bowl, but the soup, which was still steaming in the summer, was obviously very hot. However, he seemed to ignore the tolerance of his tongue and took a big gulp.

The hot soup directly touches the tongue, and the temperature is so high!

At this moment, Xiao Huaiting suddenly felt as if his tongue was not his own.

The Xiao family, who knew how hot the soup was, exclaimed: "!!!"