Chapter 547: Zhao Shi tempted Fu Bao to stay in Beijing with delicious food
Soon, the nanny beside Zhao came to report that lunch was ready.
Wan Yirou took Fubao to Zhao's yard. Zhao's yard was separated from Wan Yirou's yard by a small garden and was not too far away. They walked and enjoyed the scenery along the way.
Wan Yirou introduced Fubao to many flowers that Fubao had never heard of, which really broadened Fubao's horizons.
When the two men arrived at Zhao's yard, servants were filing in, each carrying a dish with a lid on it so they couldn't see what was inside. Now that the weather was cold, the dishes would get cold if they were brought from the big kitchen without a lid.
"Fubao, come quickly."
When Zhao saw Fubao appear at the door of the warm room, she immediately waved to him.
Fubao called out sweetly, "Aunt." Then he let go of Wan Yirou's hand and rushed towards Zhao.
Zhao caught Fubao, took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat off his forehead.
"Look at you, why are you sweating so much?"
Zhao wanted to ask someone to change Fubao's clothes, but she thought that there was no such a young child in the house, nor such small clothes, so she had to give up. However, she ordered someone to bring hot water immediately to wash Fubao.
"Fubao, sit next to your aunt and take a look at these dishes. Do they suit your taste?"
After Zhao finished speaking, the servants opened the lids one by one.
Wan Yirou sat down on the other side of Fubao. There were only three of them, and more than ten dishes were served, which showed how much Zhao loved Fubao.
"Aunt, are we just the three of us having dinner?"
Fubao raised his head and glanced at the people around him, and saw that the old women and maids were standing with their heads bowed, waiting to serve their master.
"Yes, there are only three women in the backyard now." Zhao explained with a smile.
"Oh, I thought everyone was eating together."
Zhao glanced at the servants around her and said with a smile, "They won't eat with us. They will eat the leftovers we have later."
Only then did Fubao realize that the servants of wealthy families were not good at all and had to eat other people's leftovers. However, when she saw a maid lift a lid, revealing a plate of brightly colored meat, all of Fubao's thoughts immediately disappeared and she stared at the food.
"Wow, what kind of meat is this?"
Fubao saw three large pieces of meat on the plate, tied with ropes. However, the meat looked so appetizing that Fubao kept swallowing his saliva.
"This is Dongpo pork? How is it? Doesn't it look good?" Zhao smiled as she looked at Fubao and thought the child was so adorable.
Fubao nodded vigorously. It was not just good, it was absolutely great.
Then another lid was opened, revealing a plate of braised pork with lush green leaves underneath. The green leaves set off the rich and red sauce of the braised pork, making Fubao's stomach growl.
Fubao looked at Zhao awkwardly, then laughed to ease the embarrassment.
"Are you hungry, Fubao? Let's eat."
The maid immediately walked to Fubao, picked up a piece of Dongpo pork with chopsticks and put it on her plate, and then picked up a piece of braised pork and put it on the plate.
Although Fubao wanted to eat immediately, her good upbringing made her look at Zhao, because at home, if Old Mrs. Wan didn't pick up her chopsticks, no one else would.
So Fubao developed the habit of moving only when she saw her elders moving in any situation.
Fubao watched eagerly as Zhao elegantly picked up a pair of jade chopsticks, gently picked up a vegetable and put it into her mouth. Then she quickly picked up the chopsticks and reached for the Dongpo pork in front of her.
Fubao's eating manners were not bad and made people very hungry. With Fubao accompanying them for dinner, Zhao and Wan Yirou both ate half a bowl of rice more, especially Wan Yirou, who usually ate half a bowl of rice. But today, maybe it was because she had exercised too much, was in a good mood, and had Fubao as her companion, she actually ate an extra bowl of rice than usual.
Zhao and her servants were very happy.
When eating out, wealthy families pay attention to "the best food, the finest meat", but they are not allowed to eat too much, and usually they eat until they are 70% to 80% full.
However, both Zhao and Wan Yirou had experienced the hardship of exile, and they knew what it felt like to lack food. After returning from the border, Zhao had always advocated frugality and no waste. No leftovers were allowed in the house. Usually, she and Wan Yirou would have four dishes and one soup for their meals. Today, in order to entertain Fubao and Wan Laoer, she went to the kitchen and asked them to add a few more dishes.
Wan Yirou had damaged her stomach due to overeating. Her stomach had not been in good condition since she came back from the border, as she had been brought up in a well-educated family with a fine diet. The sudden change in environment caused her to become much weaker. Normally, when others would only eat until they were 70% or 80% full, she could only eat 50% and could not finish her meal.
Zhao had been taking care of her body, but even after taking so many medicines, her condition showed no improvement.
But when Fubao came, Wan Yirou's appetite was actually opened up. Zhao's eyes were filled with tears. She was so worried about her daughter having a good health.
Women in the back house, especially the mistress, have a harder life than others. Wan Yirou will definitely be the mistress of the house when she gets married. She has to take care of the household affairs and have children. Without a healthy body, how many years can she waste in the back house?
It was because Zhao understood too well the hardships of the women in the imperial harem and did not want to see her die before her that she was anxious to take care of Wan Yirou's body. After all, she was about to reach marriage age, and even if she loved her and allowed her to stay for two more years, she would still have to get married eventually.
"Fubao, is the food at my aunt's house delicious?"
Zhao watched Fubao holding a soup bowl and drinking a large bowl of fish soup, his little belly was obviously bulging.
Fubao put down the bowl, took out the handkerchief he carried with him and wiped his mouth, then put the handkerchief back into his arms, and then smiled and replied: "Aunt, your food is the best I have ever eaten. Thank you for treating me today."
"Then would you like to stay at our house? There are so many delicious foods every day. If you get tired of them, Auntie will change the cook."
Zhao tried her best to persuade Fubao to stay.
Fubao was a little conflicted. He lowered his head and clasped his little fingers, not knowing how to make a decision.
"Aunt, I need to think about it and ask my dad. And I definitely need to go home first. I miss my mom and grandma, and sister Guihua. They must miss Fubao too."
When Zhao saw that Fubao did not directly refuse, it meant that this matter was very feasible.
"Okay, you go home first, and then bring your mother, your grandmother, and your sister Guihua to the capital to play, so that they can see the prosperity of the capital, okay? Then we can all live in the Duke's Mansion, and we can talk lively like we did when we were at the border."
Zhao also missed her life at the border. Although life was hard and the environment was not very good at that time, that time was full of peace and tranquility.
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