It was the season for bamboo shoots to sprout, and the farm manager delivered two large cartloads of fresh wild vegetables.
In the main courtyard, there were several baskets containing bamboo shoots, wild garlic, and water celery.
Finely chop the garlic and celery, mix the garlic with pure pork filling, and cook a pot of dumplings.
Celery is mixed with lamb leg meat, some fried chili oil is added, and then it is pan-fried to make spicy pancakes.
Grandma Sun instructed Fuling to only take the tips of the bamboo shoots from the two baskets, wash them clean, and then soak them in salt water for half a day.
Drain the soaked bamboo shoots and squeeze out the excess water. Heat oil in a pan, sauté ginger slices until fragrant, add the bamboo shoot tips, stir-fry briefly, and then quickly reduce the heat to low.
Then cook over low heat until one side is slightly golden brown, then flip it over.
After the aroma is released, add salt water, sugar, soy sauce, a few drops of sesame oil, cover and simmer for a while.
After cooking, add a few drops of sesame oil, and it's ready to eat. If you can't finish it, put it in a clean, dry earthenware jar and it will last for ten days or so.
Wang Yan picked up a large chopstick and ate two bowls of rice. The dish was savory, sweet, and salty—truly a delicious and satisfying meal.
Grandma Sun gave her a big bowl of bamboo shoots, and Wang Yan took the bowl and went to find her older brother and sister.
Upon arriving at Moyuan Courtyard, Granny Zheng was guarding the gate, while Granny Shi was taking a break today.
Wang Yan wasn't familiar with her, so she smiled awkwardly, took out a few coins, and Granny Zheng quickly put them into her purse.
As luck would have it, I ran into Liu Xiang'er as soon as I entered the courtyard.
She picked up a comb, leaned against the door, and absentmindedly combed her hair. When she saw Wang Yan, she gave a cold sneer.
"The mistress's courtyard allows maids to run around freely? You didn't sneak out, did you? You're so well-behaved?"
It's no wonder she questioned it; generally, apart from the second-class maids who came out to fetch meals every day, the other maids, even the senior maids, didn't run around every day.
Wang Yan seemed to come over frequently to deliver things, but what she didn't understand was that Wang Yan was indeed different.
Because they have Granny Sun, an "old lady," around, going out is just a matter of a word; there's no need for them to go through all that trouble.
Wang Yan stopped in her tracks when she heard her speak, and chuckled softly.
"Since you have such doubts, I will report to Sister Qingqian when I get back. I will ask her properly and then explain to you what the rules are."
"You..." Liu Xiang'er was cut off and was about to turn on her and start cursing when Wang Ying came over from the backyard.
Upon seeing Wang Ying, Liu Xiang'er composed herself, turned around, and strode back into the house.
"Why do I hear what sounds like you two talking? Did she do something to you?" Wang Ying asked her, frowning with concern.
"No, that's not true. I brought you a bowl of braised bamboo shoots. It's so fragrant and delicious. Go and invite Sister Fangli and the others to join us."
Wang Ying nodded, "Okay, we've all been helping the Third Young Master hang his books out to dry in the backyard today. He's not home, so we can't afford to neglect our work."
So I went to the backyard and called them all back, even Xingzi was drying books in the backyard.
A group of people went to Wang Ying's house for a meal in a lively atmosphere. As soon as they entered, they saw Chun'er sitting inside.
Fangli smiled. "Wasn't this girl supposed to be resting today? Why didn't she go home?"
Wang Ying also called out to her, inviting her to come and have something to eat. Chun'er only said that she had come back to get something, but she didn't want to eat.
Wang Yan didn't want to leave with her, so she waited a while longer before saying goodbye to her sister, emptying the dishes, and taking the empty bowl back. She left, but everyone else continued eating.
Hongye was carrying a pot of tea when she passed by the side room. Fangli happened to be sitting by the window, so she called her in.
"Come in and have a cup of tea. Have you received your meal for today?"
Hongye nodded, lifted the water jug in her hand, indicating that she would first deliver the water to Xiang'er's room.
A short while later, she came with her own rice bowl.
Xingzi shared half of her food with her; their meals had already been divided up. She had already eaten half of it, but Hongye hadn't touched a single bite.
"The young lady said she doesn't like other teas and wants to drink Xueping plum leaf tea, so I had to brew some tea for her first, which is why it was delayed."
"Pah! A pig's nose stuck with a scallion, what a pretentious act. I don't know where he learned this affected airs from."
Back when we were all at home, we drank plain water, let alone tea.
Hongye smiled. Unlike Chun'er, who was so muddle-headed, she had thoroughly understood Liu Xiang'er's temperament before starting her job in the courtyard.
She knew what kind of person Liu Xiang'er was, but as a third-class maid, she certainly couldn't afford to throw a tantrum at her.
Fangli took a sip of cucumber soup, glanced at her, and asked cryptically, "Did you find anything else that needs serving you, Miss? Do you have enough money? Are you generous with your rewards?"
Hongye shook her head, finding nothing amiss, let alone any collusion with outsiders or the use of money to harm others.
Fangli pursed her lips, feeling a little uneasy. It had been several months, and she still hadn't found a single clue.
Apart from Xingzi, who was younger, the other two Fangli in the room did not hide anything. Although it was not explicitly stated, they both knew what it meant.
Manjing patted Fangli's hand and put another piece of braised bamboo shoots on her plate. "Let's eat first. It'll be easier to get things done once you're full."
Fang Li smiled and composed herself. Actually, she didn't know what would happen even if she found out who was doing the evil behind the scenes.
As a servant, she knew perfectly well that no one would stand up for her. But she simply couldn't swallow this insult.
Let's wait and see, we need to find out more before we talk about anything else.
If it really was Liu Xiang'er who did this harmful thing, her master wouldn't punish her, but she herself wouldn't forgive her either.
Fangli has climbed her way up from a lowly servant, and her family is certainly not to be trifled with. They will definitely make her pay for this debt!
Liu Xiang'er was already disliked, and when she saw Hongye going over to eat, she didn't dare to openly argue with Fangli.
When she returned, she pulled Hongye aside and asked her questions in detail. Hongye picked out some trivial conversation topics and answered her one by one.
After asking them questions, I heard them eating fresh vegetables, and that competitive spirit of theirs came back.
He pulled a wad of cash from his vanity case and said, “I haven’t had any taste in my mouth these past few days. Go to the kitchen and have them make me a couple of dishes.”
Hongye took the money, turned around and ran to the main kitchen. The old woman cooking there even asked with a smile which master it was for.
Hongye returned to the Third Young Master's courtyard.
"Didn't the Third Young Master go to the country estate? Did Fangli order it? Then we can't let you use the plates that the masters use."
"You silly girl, you can't even speak clearly. If you use the wrong word, even Fangli will suffer the consequences."
Hongye was extremely embarrassed. Logically speaking, Liu Xiang'er was still a maid, and she shouldn't be using her master's bowls and plates to serve food.
But she instructed Hongye to make sure to tell the kitchen maid that she was using the master's bowls and plates. If the third young master were still in the courtyard and could use them, that would be fine. But what they were doing now was definitely against the rules.
When the old woman heard it was a girl, she was stunned for a moment before realizing it was a maidservant.
Her voice immediately turned somber. "Please forgive me, young lady, but this is a rule set by Steward Rong. We old women can't make that decision."
If we really do something reckless and violate the rules, we'll probably get in trouble and be punished.
Hongye's face turned pale with anxiety. If she took it back and it wasn't the correct version, who knew what kind of trouble Xiang'er would cause her?
As luck would have it, Hanqiao, who was serving Aunt Yang, happened to overhear this farce.
The third young master caused this huge mess because of his inappropriate words and actions. He had just been punished and sent away when the maid in the courtyard dared to act like this.
Hanqiao didn't even bother to bring her food; she first scolded Hongye, telling her to follow the rules.
Without even taking the food box, he hurried back to the courtyard and told Aunt Yang the whole story in detail.
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