Chapter 241: Boring Boiled Beef Fillet
Xue Changcheng felt that someone was following him again, so he turned around and went to Su's house. Thinking of Yang Si Niang who had just entered, he stopped and sighed several times before leaving.
After not seeing each other for a long time, the two young girls shouted and jumped for joy when they met, and both praised each other for growing taller and more beautiful.
Su Ruojin didn't believe it. "I grow vegetables in the mountains and they are exposed to the sun every day. How could they be so white and tall?"
"Really, Ajin, I'm telling the truth." Yang Birong reached out to pinch her watery face, but she dodged.
Su Ruojin pulled her to sit down and said, "Tell me how you feel about getting engaged soon."
Yang Si Niang, who was smiling just now, smiled less and sat down as her best friend asked. "Ajin..."
"Hmm?" Su Ruojin pulled the chair next to her and sat down. "What's the matter, Arong?"
A hint of sadness appeared in the girl's eyes, "It would be nice if I never grew up."
"How is that possible?" She also wanted to never grow up? Wouldn't that mean she would become an old witch? Su Ruojin reached out and touched her shoulder, "Are you worried about something?"
Yang Si Niang lowered her head and pouted her lips, and it was obvious that she was unhappy.
"I came back to be someone you can talk to." Su Ruojin patted the little girl gently to comfort her unhappy heart.
"Ajin!" Yang Birong suddenly turned around and hugged Su Ruojin, sobbing, "I don't want to get married anymore."
"What's the matter?" Su Ruojin wanted to pull the girl away and ask her what happened, but the girl hugged her tightly and didn't let her look at her tear-filled eyes. She just cried without answering her, and her crying became louder and louder, and finally turned into a howling cry.
Su Ruojin reached out and patted her on the back. Seeing that she was sad, he was not in a hurry and waited for her to vent her emotions.
After half a minute, the little girl was tired of crying and stopped sobbing, "Ajin...Ajin, I want to become a nun."
"nonsense."
"real."
Su Ruojin tried to pull the young lady aside again, but this time, she pushed her away. She stared at the young girl's red and swollen eyes and asked, "Is your cousin not treating you well?"
Yang Si Niang lowered her head and pursed her lips, but said nothing.
Silence is the best answer.
Su Ruojin asked, "Why did he treat you badly? Does your mother know?"
When it comes to Madam Yang, Yang Si Niang suddenly becomes indifferent.
Su Ruojin waited quietly for her to talk.
In silence, the little girl sighed deeply, "My mother had a quarrel with my father, so she went back to her parents' home. I also went back to Duke Zheng's mansion with my mother to stay for a while. I originally thought that I could have more contact with my cousin and strengthen our relationship, but I didn't expect..."
Yang Si Niang lowered her head again.
Su Ruojin heard the little girl's sobs.
"Arong..." She reached out and hugged the little girl, "If you don't want to get married, I'll go find Madam Yang and we'll cancel this marriage."
Yang Si Niang pushed Su Ruojin away and said, "This is a marriage arranged by the adults. Even if my cousin likes his mother's cousin, my grandfather, uncle and mother don't agree, so he can't marry that cousin."
What? She already has someone she likes, and Su Ruojin doesn't know how to persuade her.
It was very normal in ancient times for a cousin to marry a cousin, especially for wealthy families who were willing to marry within the same circle in order to share resources and benefits. As a modern person, Su Ruojin certainly knew very well what it meant for cousins to get married.
But if the Yang family and Zheng Mansion are willing, then that is not something that a small neighbor like her can worry about.
Su Ruojin could actually understand what Mrs. Yang was worried about. For her, by marrying her daughter back to her parents' home, Yang Si Niang would no longer have to adjust to an unfamiliar environment, making her marriage life smoother.
But now, after hearing what Yang Si Niang said, Su Ruojin couldn't help it. "Before, you said that your cousin didn't like you very much when he was a child. I thought that maybe we were all children at that time and didn't understand anything. But now, you know that your cousin likes someone else. Do you still want to get married? Why don't you tell your mother to cancel this marriage?"
"I..." Yang Si Niang was just a little girl, what could she understand? "Grandmother, aunt, mother, they all said that love between boys and girls is nothing, marriage must be of equal status, there is no marriage between my cousin and her cousin, and the relationship between them will slowly fade away as time goes by."
Su Ruojin: ...
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Yang Si Niang raised her eyes and said, "If I don't marry my cousin, my father will send me to the palace."
What?
Why was each piece of news more explosive than the last? Su Ruojin's pupils grew larger due to the shock.
"Is this why you don't want to get married and want to become a nun?"
She was obviously only thirteen years old, still at an age of innocence and naivety, but Su Ruojin discovered that Yang Si Niang no longer had the bright look of a young girl on her face, and her whole person had become lifeless.
If I were really sent to the cannibalistic palace by Lord Yang, it would be better to get engaged to my cousin first. At least, that is Madam Yang's family.
"Ajin, growing up is so boring."
This is the second time the little girl has said this.
Su Ruojin felt vaguely uneasy and took her hand. "It's been so long, and I haven't met Madam Yang yet. I don't know how our milk tea shop is doing. Let's go and ask your mother about the current situation of the shop."
Perhaps because she had confided her inner distress to her best friend, Yang Si Niang did not act as if nothing had happened and was indifferent as she did when she came. Instead, she stood up in a bad mood and said, "These days, my mother has been very busy with my engagement. I wonder if you can ask about the shop."
Su Ruojin's question about the shop was just an excuse. She just wanted to meet Madam Yang to fight for an opportunity for Yang Si Niang, or something... In fact, she didn't know what she could do for her best friend.
Lord Yang is now the Tong Pingzhangshi, which means prime minister. He is a second-rank official and a core figure in the court who holds real power. He is truly second to the emperor and above everyone else.
Yang had already moved to a new residence, and lived near the imperial city, just one street away from Prince Jin's mansion.
Su Ruojin regretted it the moment she got off the carriage. She knew that Lord Yang had been promoted, but she had completely forgotten about the change of residence.
Seeing her best friend standing still at the door, Yang Si Niang said, "In fact, my mother and I didn't stay here for a few days."
Su Ruojin turned to look at her.
"My mother thought my father's position was too...so she took me to live in the mansion of Duke Zheng for more than a month. If my grandfather hadn't persuaded my mother, she wouldn't have come back."
Yang Jingzi's official career was bloody, treacherous, and cruel. Except for those who were attached to him, everyone in the entire Bianliang city lived in fear.
Su Ruojin and Yang Siniang entered the Prime Minister's Mansion.
The Prime Minister's Mansion is as big as the Prince of Jin's Mansion that I have visited before. It is magnificent, with flying eaves, brackets, pavilions and towers, all of which are luxurious and exquisite, which makes people admire.
Sure enough, Madam Yang was very busy, but when she saw Madam Su Er coming, she still asked the stewards and maids in the hall to go down first.
A thirteen-year-old girl was specially entertained.
"Ajin... come and see me." Mrs. Yang saw that she was very friendly, so she reached out and pulled her to the chair beside her with a smile on her face.
Su Ruojin bowed first, then sat down properly and greeted with a smile.
Madam Yang held the little girl and praised her endlessly, praising her from head to toe, from her parents to the smile on her face, and she made Su Ruojin blush, "Aunt, if you praise me again, I'll have to find a hole to crawl into."
"Haha..." Mrs. Yang laughed from the bottom of her heart. The serious face she saw when she came in just now seemed to be an illusion.
Su Ruojin laughed along with her.
Mrs. Yang laughed until her heart was broken. "Ah Jin, don't go home tonight. Just stay in the same room with Ah Rong."
Su Ruojin smiled and said to Yang Siniang beside her, "Arong, I want to drink milk tea. Please make me a cup yourself."
"Okay." Yang Si Niang didn't know that her best friend had sent her away.
Madam Yang watched her daughter being sent away with a smile on her face. Her eyes fell on Su Erniang and she thought to herself, if I had such a smart daughter, I wouldn't need her to worry about anything.
The young lady had her own opinion, so Madam Yang didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Ah Jin, do you have something to tell me?"
Su Ruojin repeated the words three times in her mouth before she spoke, "Aunt, Arong is simple-minded. Maybe her cousin is not a good match."
"I know."
This one sentence blocked Su Ruojin, and for a moment, she didn't know how to continue.
The young lady's doubts were all in her eyes. Madam Yang sighed, "It was for Arong's good before, and it's even better for Arong now. Ajin, can you understand?"
Although she could understand, she still fought for Arong, "What about someone else?"
"Who to marry?" Madam Yang closed her eyes and shook her head. "Marrying my nephew has always been a matter of course. If she doesn't marry the Duke of Zheng's mansion, who else can she marry? Is there anyone more noble than His Majesty?"
Yes, who dares to compete with the emperor for a woman? But even the emperor cannot separate other people's "childhood sweethearts".
Su Ruojin: ...
silence.
No one spoke.
Finally, it was Madam Yang who broke the silence, "It's just an engagement party."
Well?
Su Ruojin's eyes lit up when she heard this, "Aunt, you mean..."
Mrs. Yang acted as if she hadn't said anything before, "Don't go home tonight, just have dinner at my house."
Su Ruojin smiled and refused, "I have guests to entertain tonight, so I won't bother you. I'll come early for Arong's engagement party the day after tomorrow."
"Okay, I'll have someone take you back."
"No... Auntie, just do your thing."
Su Ruojin politely refused. Madam Yang watched the youngster leave the hall and looked at her back with a dejected look on her face. No matter whether she was a small official in Beijing or a county magistrate outside, the life of the Su family always made people feel very happy.
Why hasn't she met a man as family-oriented as Lord Su?
Su Ruojin drank the milk tea prepared by Yang Si Niang. She vaguely felt that Madam Yang had her own plans. She looked at the little girl again. Although she was worried, nothing had happened to her, so she felt much better now.
She said, "Arong, just listen to your mother. She won't harm you."
"I know." Yang Si Niang said, "So I can only say that I want to be a nun."
Everyone has his or her own life, and at every confusing crossroads, you need to make your own choice.
Su Ruojin held her hands and said, "Believe me, everything will be fine."
"Yeah." Yang Si Niang nodded, "After telling you, I feel much better."
That's good.
It was getting late, so Su Ruojin went home.
At the door, he was about to see where Uncle Hua was, but he saw Zhao Lan's carriage and ran over in surprise, "Why are you here?"
Zhao Lan glared at her in dissatisfaction. "You're really good at accompanying people to their homes."
Su Ruojin giggled, moved closer to him, and deliberately bumped into him, "Young Prince Zhao, don't be so stingy. From now on, when you chat with your friends, I won't keep track of the time."
Zhao Lan: ...I still have to thank you? He almost reached out and pinched someone's nose, but seeing that he was outside, he couldn't help it and deliberately put on a stern face, "Let's go."
Su Ruojin got on his carriage and went home.
Su Dalang and Su Anzhi also returned home, along with Fan Yanjia, Xue Wulang and Xue Lingchuan, whom they hadn't seen for a long time.
"Long time no see, Jin."
"It's been a long time since we last met. Young Master Fan and Wu Lang, you haven't had dinner yet, right?"
Xue Lingchuan smiled.
Fan Yanjia said bluntly, "I heard from Dalang that you returned to Beijing, so I saved my stomach for your delicious food!"
You’re welcome. Young Master Fan is still a foodie.
Su Ruojin raised her eyebrows. "Okay, you're right. Brother Jin happened to bring two pounds of beef tenderloin. Today I'll make a good dish for you guys to gain weight in autumn - boiled beef tenderloin."
Main ingredients: beef tenderloin, auxiliary ingredients: bean sprouts, lotus root slices, lettuce, eggs, etc.
Seasonings: onion, ginger, starch, etc., of course the most important one is chili.
First, clean the side dishes, add a little oil to the pan and heat it up, add the side dishes and fry until cooked, then place them on the plate as a base; then fry the dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, etc. over low heat until fragrant, and set aside;
Wash the beef, remove the tendons, cut into slices, and season with salt, cooking wine, starch, and egg white;
Heat oil in a pan, add garlic cloves, chopped green onion and ginger, stir-fry until fragrant, add water and bring to a boil, add beef tenderloin and cook until done, pour over vegetables on the plate, sprinkle with chopped green onions and pour hot oil on top.
After a few sizzling sounds, the aroma filled the entire kitchen.
Several boys, both young and old, were drooling as they gathered around the delicious beef fillet.
Mao Ya quickly brought the big bowl of soup to the table.
Boiled beef tenderloin alone was not enough, so Su Ruojin also prepared a duck blood vermicelli stew, steamed crabs, cabbage and tofu, twice-cooked pork, wood ear, radish and squid soup, shrimp and egg stew, and cucumber with mashed garlic.
On a September evening, the oil lamps were just beginning to light.
A group of people gathered around a table full of food, and they couldn't wait to start eating.
Zhao Lan glanced at the two guys who followed Su Dalang to eat. One of them stared at the table with bright eyes, while the other smiled shyly and retracted his gaze. The first one to pick up his chopsticks put the first bite into the bowl in front of the young lady.
"Ajin, thank you for your hard work!"
"Thank you, Brother Jin." Su Ruojin picked it up and put it in her mouth. The beef was tender and refreshing, with a strong spicy flavor. She was very satisfied. In two words - delicious.
When Fan Yanjia saw Zhao Lan picking up his chopsticks, he immediately followed suit. The first bite was really spicy, but the meat was also very tender, with the spicy flavor wrapped in the tenderness. He kept eating, the delicious taste could not be stopped.
"Delicious." Fan Yanjia couldn't help but give a thumbs up while eating. It was really strange. His mother's restaurant also had this dish, but it was not as delicious as the one made by Ajin.
A table of young people followed the trend and ate up all the dishes.
Fan Yanjia rubbed his belly, "Ajin, why?"
"What why?"
"Why is it that the dishes you cook are always better than those made by the chef?"
Su Ruojin smiled complacently, "I won't tell you."
Well, Fan Yanjia was just asking casually, and he didn't mind. He was full and satisfied, "Ajin, you don't know how worried everyone in the capital is these days. We don't even dare to go out at will in the Imperial College."
People are arrested almost every day, and it seems like there are endless people to be arrested.
Even the son of the vice minister feels insecure, what about ordinary people in the capital?
Su Ruojin said, "If it weren't for Brother Jin's ingredients, we wouldn't be able to eat such delicious dishes today."
Fan Yanjia was smart and quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Zijin. I'll treat you to a meal next time."
Zhao Lan sneered. Every time he said "next time", he invited me that time!
Fan Yanjia smiled awkwardly, "I promise this time."
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