Chapter 28 While drunk, Wu's mother forgot about the main kitchen and earnestly advised her daughter…
Just as Wu's mother forgot about the matter in the main kitchen and was trying to persuade her daughter to change her mind, Qiuyue and Sulan, with worried expressions, left the main kitchen separately.
Aside from Wu's mother, the two of them are now in the most awkward position in the kitchen.
Qiuyue and Sulan originally learned cooking from Mama Wu and were proper candidates for becoming cooks.
But now, with Su Zhihan's sudden rise to prominence, the two who were learning cooking from Wu's mother are in a particularly awkward position.
If the two of them were talented or had connections, they would definitely seek help from their families and find another place to learn cooking skills.
The reason the two followed Wu Mama, who only cooked for third-class maids and servants, was because they had no money, no power, and their talents were mediocre.
Qiu Yue wiped away her tears and walked home, feeling that her future was bleak. She went home and complained for a bit, but her mother stuffed her with food and drink and led her out: "You silly girl, you can be quite clever when you're being silly. Last time you knew to go and apologize to Cao Daya in private."
"You're both smart and stupid."
“What happened last time is in the past. It was Wu Mama’s idea.” Qiu Yue’s mother was carrying one copy of the document and told Qiu Yue to carry the other. She was about to take her daughter to find Cao Mama: “I’ll take you there and ask Cao Mama to say a few good words to Su Niangzi. Cao Mama and Su Niangzi have a good relationship. She will definitely be able to help you get through this safely.”
“Mother, there’s no need to flatter Han’er.” Qiu Yue lowered her head, glanced at what she was holding, feeling both happy and distressed: “She’s not very capable, she can’t teach me anything, it’s better to save it for my little sister than to give it to her…”
Her parents were just third-class servants, and the money they had saved was only enough to send one person to work in the courtyard.
The younger sister who works at the brothel gives a lot of her monthly salary to the manager, so she doesn't get much back and still has to rely on her family for help.
Her father and mother told her that once her younger sister was promoted to the third or second class, she would have more face and they could teach her to work in the small kitchen.
“You silly girl, you and your sister both came from your mother’s womb. I love her, and I love you too.”
Qiuyue's mother glanced at her silly daughter, poked her forehead with her finger, and said, "She's the head cook now, you have to respect her. How can you keep saying she's incompetent?"
"Besides, Madam Su is really incompetent, and Mama Wu is unwilling to lend a hand. Isn't this just the time for you to step up?" Qiu Yue's mother thought it was a good opportunity. The young Madam Su was easier to fool than the cunning and calculating Mama Wu.
She led her daughter all the way to Cao Mama's house. When Cao Mama saw Qiuyue and her daughter arrive, she knew what they were thinking.
Madam Cao did not make things difficult for them. She simply picked up the wine and food and led the two towards the Jiang family's house, saying, "Han'er is kind-hearted and not one of those mean-spirited, petty, or vengeful people. I don't think she will mistreat Qiuyue."
"Come on, come on, I'll take you there."
"What are you afraid of... afraid that Granny Wu will see you, Qiuyue? Hey, hey, don't be afraid, she's busy. She's been making a ruckus in the house ever since she got home."
Cao's mother waved her hand, saying that she had just returned when she heard Wu's mother wailing in the house.
To put it bluntly, the sound was like a death knell, making her heart pound.
Those who knew her knew that Aunt Wu had lost her job, but those who didn't thought she had lost her life.
After complaining a bit about Wu Mama, Cao Mama enthusiastically led the people to the Jiang family's courtyard, knocked on the door, and called out, "Is Han-jie here?"
When Wang's wife, who was washing vegetables at the door, saw Cao's mother leading people to look for Su Zhihan, she immediately perked up and glanced at the commotion out of the corner of her eye.
A moment later, the Jiang family's gate creaked open.
Su Zhihan peeked out from inside: "Aunt Cao is looking for me... Qiuyue? And who is this...?"
Qiuyue's mother smiled broadly: "You must be Madam Su? You are truly a remarkable young woman. I am Qiuyue's mother, and my surname is also Jiang. In fact, we are from the same clan as Madam Jiang!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhenniang also stepped forward. She glanced at the wife of the king who was peeking in their direction, and pulled Su Zhihan aside to make way for her: "What are you all doing standing outside? Come inside and sit down."
As the group filed into the Jiang family's house, Wang's wife could no longer control her expression. The cabbage she was holding fell into the water basin with a splash, creating a large spray of water.
Su...Niang...zi
Lady Su? Lady Su!?
The maids in the manor were young and had little status, so people would usually call them by their names or as "Miss So-and-so".
When a maidservant is promoted to third or second class, or when she is older, the maidservants and servants who belong to her will address her as "Niangzi" (娘子).
If a woman is promoted to a first-class head maid, all the servants and maids in the mansion will address her as "Miss So-and-so".
Therefore, in the Marquis's residence, different titles represented different statuses.
Although Wang's wife didn't recognize Qiuyue and Sulan, judging from their age, they were both a bit older than Han'er, so normally she should just call them Han'er, not Su Niangzi...
Moreover, Wang's wife noticed the wine and food the three of them were carrying, clearly indicating that they had come to give gifts to Han'er!
How old is Han Jie'er? Isn't she just a lowly maid in the manor? How come someone is sending her gifts now?
Wang's wife's mind was in a mess, and she didn't react until the Jiang family's gate opened again.
She hurriedly piled the cabbage into a basin, washed it clean, and carried it into the house, all the while straining her ears to try and overhear some conversation.
Wang's wife didn't hear any conversation and secretly regretted it, then lowered her head and went into the house. Seeing this, Wang Dabao ran up to her: "Mom, Mom, what are we having for dinner today?"
"Let's have cabbage and pork soup."
"It's cabbage and pork soup again... I want roast chicken!" Wang Dabao pouted, plopped down on the ground, and was about to yell at the top of his lungs.
"Your grandma isn't here, so crying won't help."
"We'll go buy it once your grandma gets her monthly allowance." Ever since Granny Wang started working diligently instead of sneaking home to see her grandson every day, Wang's daughter-in-law finally had the opportunity to discipline her son, making Wang Dabao less spoiled than before.
She ignored her son's crying and poured out the loose coins from the earthenware jar, counting them over and over again until she found only twenty copper coins.
With this little money, how much meat can you buy?
Her husband only gave the family fifty copper coins last month, and since her mother-in-law took leave last month, she only brought home one hundred and fifty copper coins...
Two hundred copper coins, it will take a month...
Even if they ate all three meals from the manor, it was still incredibly difficult to endure.
While Wang's wife was worrying about how difficult the days would be, Jiang Zhenniang was delighted with the things that Qiuyue and her mother had brought.
Although it consists of simple drinks and dishes, and not particularly valuable, its significance is different.
Even though she had just learned about her daughter's promotion, it couldn't stop Jiang Zhenniang from being overjoyed again. She first put the two strings of cash that Qiu Yueniang had given her into the box, then picked up a roast chicken and two ounces of wine, intending to heat them up and have a drink with her daughter to celebrate.
While Jiang Zhenniang was preparing food, Su Zhihan was also busy. She took out some of the pitted hawthorns from the afternoon, washed them twice, and poured them into an earthenware pot. She added coarse salt, rock sugar, and maltose, as well as juice squeezed from a tooth-sour tangerine.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer.
Soon, the sweet and sour aroma of hawthorn wafted from the pot, quietly wafting into the noses of the mother and daughter. That tangy smell instantly whetted their appetites.
Before long, the rich aroma of roast chicken filled the room, unceremoniously invading half of the room, mingling with the sweet and sour scent of hawthorn, each trying to outdo the other.
Once the broth in the pot becomes thick and sticky, the roasted chicken and drinks over there are also ready to be heated.
Jiang Zhenniang reached out, twisted and tore off a large chicken leg, and handed it to her daughter: "Han'er, try this big chicken leg."
Su Zhihan turned off the stove: "Mother, wait a minute."
She took two rags and draped them over the edge of the earthenware pot, then carried the scalding hot pot to the cold outdoors.
The weather is cold these days, and every morning when Su Zhihan wakes up, she can see a thin layer of frost on the flowers and plants. The temperature is just right for cooling down the earthenware pot, making it a natural refrigerator.
Immediately afterwards, Su Zhihan closed the door, then slipped into the warm room, squeezed next to Jiang Zhenniang, and took the big chicken leg.
The freshly roasted chicken leg is piping hot. One bite reveals a crispy yet tender skin, oily but not greasy, and juicy, flavorful chicken meat that is both salty and sweet.
Su Zhihan quickly devoured a large chicken leg, and then, ignoring Jiang Zhenniang's advice, drank a cup of hot wine.
The wine was extremely spicy; the moment it was swallowed, it felt like a flame raging in her heart, the heat shooting upwards, causing Su Zhihan's cheeks to flush quickly and her head to spin.
"Sigh...are you drunk?"
"I'm not drunk at all," Su Zhihan retorted, her face flushed. As soon as she finished speaking, she yawned, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Only drunkards claim they're not drunk."
Jiang Zhenniang glanced at her daughter and poured herself another cup of hot wine: "Look at your face, you've turned so red after just one cup."
"This body is only twelve or thirteen years old, and has never even drunk alcohol before!" Su Zhihan glared at Jiang Zhenniang defiantly, pouting and complaining, "When I turn eighteen... no! sixteen, I guarantee I'll be able to drink more than Mother!"
"Then it's a date."
"When you turn sixteen, we'll have a competition again, mother and son!"
"Okay," Su Zhihan agreed without hesitation. She leaned on the table, burying her head in her arms, muttering, "When the time comes..."
"At that time?"
"We must have moved to the best house by now..."
"..." Jiang Zhenniang rested her chin on her hand, a smile playing on her lips, as she looked at her drunken daughter. Su Zhihan mumbled, her voice growing softer and softer: "The whole family drinks together."
Jiang Zhenniang looked at her daughter, who was fast asleep with her mouth slightly open, and couldn't help but chuckle. She put down what she was holding, picked up her sleeping daughter, and carried her to the kang (a heated brick bed) in the room.
She boiled water, washed her daughter's face and feet, and finally wrapped Su Zhihan tightly in a quilt.
Jiang Zhenniang sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), gazing at her daughter's rosy cheeks, and after a long while sighed softly, "The whole family..."
A sharp pain pierced her heart.
Jiang Zhenniang shook her head, putting all her worries behind her.
She was taught that life was now better than it had been in the past. Jiang Zhenniang had no desires, and did not want a big house or a big yard. She only wanted her daughter and herself to be safe and sound.
If, three years from now, ten years from now, or even decades from now, the mother and daughter can sit in the same room and talk like this, that would be the best thing ever.
After washing up, Jiang Zhenniang also went to rest.
The next morning, Su Zhihan woke up with a headache. She groaned and held her head, secretly sighing: "I was a good drinker in my past life, but now I'm a one-cup wonder!"
By the way, she didn't say anything yesterday, did she?
With a dizzy head, Su Zhihan put on her coat and prepared to go outside to wash up.
It wasn't until she pushed open the door and kicked the earthenware pot that she remembered the food she had left outside yesterday: "Ah! My hawthorns!"
Looking at the earthenware pot again, Su Zhihan felt even more heartbroken: "Ah! My pot!"
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