While they were chatting, Shen Xuesong's mother Xu Suzhen came home.
When he saw Jiang Zhining, he was stunned at first, and then he greeted her warmly.
After a brief greeting with Shen Liqing, Jiang Zhining got down to business.
Walking into the kitchen and looking at the complete range of seasonings, Jiang Zhining once again felt that the Shen family in front of her might be the first family in the book.
She doesn't appear much in the text. I only vaguely remember that after Shen Anan started her business, she had a lot of interactions with the Shen family.
"I heard from Teacher Shen that the old lady likes to make Poria cocos cakes, so we will make Poria cocos and yam cakes today." Jiang Zhining said with a smile.
Shen Liqing was curious: "What is the difference between this Fuling cake and Fuling yam cake?"
"Poria cake can strengthen the spleen and stomach, dissipate dampness and promote diuresis, and calm the mind and nerves. Now it's winter, if we add yam, it will not only strengthen the spleen, but also dispel dampness."
After hearing this explanation, Shen Liqing said with admiration, "I didn't expect Zhining also understands dietary pharmacology."
"Because I thought about diet therapy before, I learned some." Jiang Zhining smiled. It can't be that she was afraid of getting sick and spending money, so she started with diet.
"Thank you for your hard work, Zhining." Shen Liqing smiled.
"Aunt, there's no need to be so formal."
"You are Xuesong's friend, and I see that you like me from the bottom of your heart. Why don't you call me aunt?" Shen Liqing said with a smile.
Jiang Zhining didn't think much about it and responded generously: "Okay, aunt."
Hearing the word "Auntie", Shen Liqing's smile deepened.
Shen Xuesong looked at her, feeling even more confused.
"Auntie, let's start." Jiang Zhining said as she rolled up her sleeves and prepared to start.
On the stove, Jiang Zhining took out the ingredients one by one: 60g dried yam, 20g poria cocos, 100g flour, 2 eggs, and appropriate amount of white sugar.
"The first step is to grind the dried yam and poria into powder, then mix them with the flour and sift them evenly."
Jiang Zhining was talking as she operated, while Shen Liqing and Xu Suzhen were learning together.
After completing the first step, Jiang Zhining continued: "Sieve and beat in the eggs, add an appropriate amount of water, stir into a batter, and then add a little sugar to taste."
Jiang Zhining cooks often and her movements are very smooth, but Shen Liqing rarely cooks and her hands are a little clumsy.
"Zhi Ning looks very virtuous." Shen Liqing praised.
Jiang Zhining was a little embarrassed: "Aunt, please don't praise me. Actually, I can only cook a little bit. I am useless in other aspects."
Xu Suzhen chuckled: "Who said that? Miss Jiang is also very good at business. I've been to that hot pot restaurant, the taste is really amazing."
Jiang Zhining smiled slightly. "I was just a bit lucky. Next, I need to grease the pan and pour in the batter. Fry over low heat until both sides are golden brown."
As she spoke, Jiang Zhining took a large spoon and pressed the dough in the pot.
Madam Shen and Shen Xuesong had been watching from the side. When they smelled the strong fragrance, Madam Shen sighed: "This looks simple, but I didn't expect the Poria cocos cake to be so delicious."
"Yes, actually making pastries is not difficult. As long as you spend some time and effort to study, you can learn a lot." While Jiang Zhining was speaking, she had already put the Poria Cocos and Yam Cake on a plate.
Madam Shen picked up the Poria Cocos and Yam Cake with her chopsticks, her eyes full of astonishment: "It's delicious."
"As long as the old lady likes it," Jiang Zhining said with a smile, "Next, let's learn how to make red bean cake."
Hearing the words "red bean cake", Shen Xuesong raised his head.
Seeing his reaction, Shen Liqing joked: “Xuesong also likes to eat red bean cakes.”
Shen Xuesong's cheeks flushed slightly: "Miss Jiang's red bean cake is delicious."
"Then Teacher Shen can also learn it. It's very simple." Jiang Zhining said and was about to continue.
As she spoke, Jiang Zhining took out red beans, flour, sugar, starch, and red dates.
As instructed before coming, the Shen family soaked the red beans overnight.
Put the red beans into the pot and cook until they are crushable. Then add half flour and half water-ground glutinous rice flour, and some sugar.
Then add water and make it into a batter.
When it looks almost done, pour it into a container, put red dates on top, and then put it into the pot to steam.
"After steaming for forty minutes, you can take it out and let it cool. It's delicious when it's hot, and it's also delicious when it's cold. Now that the weather is cold, you can leave it out until tomorrow. It has a unique flavor."
"Okay, we'll remember that." Shen Liqing said with a smile.
The servant came forward and poured a glass of water for Jiang Zhining: "Miss Jiang, please have some tea."
"Thank you." Jiang Zhining took the water.
While waiting for the red bean cake to be steamed, Shen Liqing suddenly said, "Xuesong, it's a bit cold in the house. Take Zhining to the yard to bask in the sun."
Jiang Zhining heard this and smiled lightly, "No need."
"The plum blossoms in the yard have just bloomed. Miss Jiang, let me take you to see them." Shen Xuesong said with a smile.
Hearing the word "plum blossom", Jiang Zhining's eyes flashed with surprise, and then she responded, "Okay, then I'll trouble Teacher Shen."
"It's my pleasure." Shen Xuesong said, making a gesture of invitation.
Jiang Zhining nodded politely and then took a step forward.
Looking at their backs, Shen Liqing sighed again: "They are really a perfect match."
"Miss Jiang is already married." Xu Suzhen reminded.
"Ah, yes, it's just not meant to be. Otherwise, I really like this kid. Besides, although Xuesong is very friendly to girls, I always feel that there is something different in the way he looks at Zhining."
Xu Suzhen didn't say anything, just looked at their backs.
Jiang Zhining came to the yard and saw the plum blossoms on the branches blooming in the cold wind.
Coming under the winter plum tree, Jiang Zhining closed her eyes and felt the rich fragrance of the flowers lingering in the cold wind.
Shen Xuesong looked at her profile, and the face in his dream appeared before his eyes.
Although the girl in the dream looked nothing like Jiang Zhining, their eyes were very similar.
The only difference was that there was more smile in Jiang Zhining's eyes.
The girl in the dream had a look of loneliness in her eyes.
Opening her eyes, Jiang Zhining smiled and said, "I like plum blossoms, but this is the first time I've seen real plum blossoms."
Shen Xuesong smiled faintly: "So Miss Jiang also likes plum blossoms."
"also?"
"I like winter plum blossoms, too." Shen Xuesong replied with a smile, "There's a poem about plum blossoms that I really like."
"Wind and rain send spring away, flying snow welcomes it. Even though the cliff is a hundred feet of ice, the flowers are still beautiful. Beauty does not compete with spring, but only announces its arrival. When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, she smiles among the bushes."
Jiang Zhining chanted casually.
Shen Xuesong's pupils widened slightly. This poem was exactly what the girl in his dream liked.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Zhining was puzzled: "Teacher Shen, what's wrong with you?"
Shen Xuesong looked at Jiang Zhining's face, as if he was looking through her eyes into the depths of her soul.
Jiang Zhining met his gaze, and that look made her a little nervous.
"Miss Jiang, have we met somewhere before?"
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