Chapter 184 Fried Yuanxiao
Lin Yuesha asked the old painter to include the plaques in the painting, so that the hot and sour noodles stall had a more down-to-earth feel compared to the Lantern Festival.
"Does Miss have any other requests?"
The old man chose a quiet spot, and his young servant immediately prepared writing materials such as pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.
"there is none left."
Lin Yuesha only demanded authenticity; no matter how detailed the portrait, it could not compare to a modern photograph, and Daqi did not have such a thing.
The stalls on East Street and West Street were packed with people, with long queues in front of some stalls. People were craning their necks and waiting, some sniffing and drooling as they lingered.
Food is the most important thing for people. From ancient times to the present, there are always foodies everywhere.
Lin Yuesha also loves to eat, and she loves to create food even more. Every time she makes a delicious dish and is praised by others, she feels a sense of satisfaction from the bottom of her heart.
People who love to eat are more passionate about life.
"Little girl, why are you back?"
Amidst the hustle and bustle, Mrs. Chen looked up and saw her daughter soliciting business at the stall. She waved her hand and said, "Miss Qianlu, please help. We have enough people at home. You go and play with Miss Zhang."
After learning the whole story, Mrs. Chen was happy for the Zhang family, but she couldn't help but worry about her daughter.
Previously, her daughter had a bad reputation in Linjia Village, and the villagers subconsciously kept their distance from her. The only person of similar age around her was Chen's niece, Chen Xiaohua.
Upon arriving in town, Lin Yuesha finally made some close female friends, and they seemed more outgoing than before. However, it wasn't long before they had to part ways again.
All good things must come to an end. Before a woman gets married, she can enjoy a few days of comfort. But once she is married, she has to serve her husband and in-laws. How can she have any free time?
Mrs. Chen thought about it a lot, so she sent her daughter out for a stroll.
"Mother, I'll go in a bit."
While the old gentleman was painting, Lin Yuesha would occasionally move around and help her parents collect the money.
As expected of Zhang Qing'er's head maid, Qianlu has a good memory. Even when several people at the table ordered different toppings for their hot and sour noodles, she remained calm and never made a mistake.
"Go."
After thinking for a moment, Madam Chen handed Lin Yuesha a purse containing twenty taels of silver.
She was making change at home, and carrying a box of copper coins and loose silver, she casually put them into a purse.
Since we're going to go shopping, we can't be stingy. The sisters are about to part ways, so according to etiquette, we should give each other something presentable as a memento.
Lin Yuesha wanted to refuse, but considering that she was short of money, she accepted it.
"Mother, consider this money as a loan, and I will make it up to you in the future."
Chen managed everything at home and outside. Her eldest brother said that their father didn't have any money on him, so how could she take so much at once?
"What nonsense are you talking about? The family earns money because of your ideas. I only contribute some physical labor."
Ms. Chen was very generous with money when it came to her daughter, and didn't care at all.
The snowflakes stopped, the full moon rose, and the streets were filled with noise and bustle.
The old gentleman's painting skills were superb; his brushstrokes were as fluid as a dragon in flight. In less than half an hour, he had already finished painting.
Lin Yuesha placed the portrait in the scroll and thanked them repeatedly. The portrait of everyday life in the city was exactly what she wanted.
"Where's my older brother?"
Lin Yuesha was about to leave the stall when she realized she had overlooked her stepson; she hadn't seen him since.
"Your uncle's stall is also quite busy, and there isn't enough hot water for washing dishes, so your older brother went to deliver water."
Seeing that she was busy, Madam Chen chased Xiao Qi away, saying that scholars should be meeting with their classmates at this time, not being confined to the stall.
"Yes, Mother, I'm going to find Sister Qing'er and Sister Baozhu."
Lin Yuesha held the silver coins, pondering what to give Zhang Qing'er as a farewell gift.
Actually, she had already planned to make some snacks for Zhang Qing'er to eat on the go and pass the time, but the snacks would be gone once they were eaten and wouldn't stay.
"Sister Yue Sha, over here, over here!"
In the crowd, Zhang Qing'er waved, and Lin Yuesha noticed her fur cloak first.
At this moment, Zhang Qing'er was in front of a stall, rubbing her hands together and looking ahead.
"Sister Qing'er, what would you like to eat?"
There was plenty of food at the lantern festival, with stalls lined up one after another. Lin Yuesha had eaten her fill and was now feeling hungry.
"Of course we have to eat glutinous rice balls on the Lantern Festival."
Zhang Qing'er pointed to the customers sitting around the stall in front of her and said with a smile, "The shop also makes sweet fermented rice balls. A bowl of them will warm you up."
However, Zhang Qing'er's goal was not the traditional boiled glutinous rice balls; she preferred fried glutinous rice balls.
"Fried glutinous rice balls are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with fillings that melt in your mouth—that's what makes them delicious!"
There are several kinds of fillings for Yuanxiao (sweet rice balls), including the traditional five-nut filling, black sesame filling, white sugar filling, and savory pork filling.
The oil in the wok was steaming hot, obscuring the vendor's expression. He skillfully tossed the large strainer, then poured the glutinous rice balls into a large wooden bowl.
Should we add sauce?
After asking the questions, the stall owner introduced his exclusive secret sauces, including sour and spicy, as well as sweet bean sauce, totaling four or five kinds.
There are hidden masters among ordinary people. Lin Yuesha watched with longing as Zhang Qing'er generously bought three portions and brushed each with a different sauce.
"The three of us shared the skewers and took turns eating them. That way, we could all taste them."
After Zhang Qing'er finished speaking, she used a long bamboo skewer to pick up a fried glutinous rice ball, blew on it, and couldn't wait to put it in her mouth.
"Mmm...delicious, it smells so good!"
With one bite, the melted filling was about to spill out, and Zhang Qing'er quickly caught it with her mouth, swallowing it all in one gulp, nodding repeatedly.
She always has an extraordinary passion for food.
Lin Yuesha rubbed her belly and quickly joined in. Compared to the two of them wolfing down their food, Jiang Baozhu was much more refined.
The three walked and looked around, with Jiang Baozhu's inseparable maid Xiaoxi by their side. Xiaoxi loved watching the excitement and couldn't resist stopping when she saw someone selling candied hawthorns.
A loud "bang" startled Lin Yuesha, who was caught off guard. Zhang Qing'er, standing next to her, covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister Yuesha, you don't seem like a coward. Look, that old man is making popcorn."
Immediately after the noise, cheers erupted from the children.
Lin Yuesha looked closely and saw that there was indeed a popcorn machine next to the stall. The equipment was similar to modern ones, with a cloth bag underneath. When you stepped on it, the bag was full of snow-white popcorn.
Next to the stall, an old lady was frying rice candy, which cost one coin and was very popular with the children.
"I couldn't hold back anymore."
Zhang Qing'er stood behind the little child in line, completely disregarding her embarrassment. She managed to buy the last piece and was about to take a bite to experience that feeling of satisfaction when the little child behind her, who had gone home empty-handed, burst into tears from the longing.
Lin Yuesha was speechless. Was this really necessary?
"Little brother, would you like some?"
Zhang Qing'er teased the little boy without any pressure, and the little boy nodded hesitantly; of course he wanted to eat it.
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