As soon as Aunt Li approached, she smiled and said to Min Yueqing, "After hearing what Madam said, everyone said that Madam is a fairy descended from heaven. Not only is she as beautiful as an angel, but she is also as kind as a bodhisattva. She is truly one of a kind in the world."
This was the first time Min Yueqing had heard such exaggerated praise in person, and she was a little amused and exasperated. She quickly interrupted, saying, "You're too kind. Go and serve the food. You should eat while it's hot."
Aunt Li then took the plate from her grandson and used a spoon to scoop some meat from each of the two large serving bowls on the table. However, she was prepared to take the plate away herself, leaving the large serving bowls on the table. Moreover, she only took away the less desirable parts of the meat, leaving the good parts behind.
Min Yueqing guessed correctly; they did indeed serve all the meat on the table. It's natural to serve guests plenty of meat dishes to make it look presentable. They left some of the vegetables in the kitchen.
Seeing that Aunt Li was putting on very little show and was clearly still being polite, Min Yueqing called out "Azhu".
Seeing this, Azhu walked over to Aunt Li's side, exchanged a few pleasantries with a smile, and took the spoon from her hand very naturally while Aunt Li was distracted. He then scooped several spoonfuls into each of the two vegetable bowls, filling the two large plates next to Aunt Li's hand to overflowing.
Aunt Li and Old Li were about to decline, but Amei, who came over, persuaded them to leave. Azhu then handed a plate to each of the two teenagers standing nearby.
The two boys were bewildered when a large plate was placed in their hands, the aroma of meat wafting straight to their heads.
Ah Zhu said with a smile, "You all help Grandma take it over and go eat too, you don't need to stand here."
The two boys felt a little embarrassed looking at the pretty older sister's smile, and almost unconsciously listened to Ah Zhu's advice, taking the plates and going out.
Min Yueqing and the others then began to eat dinner. They had only eaten some pastries and dried meat on the bus at noon, which was just to fill their stomachs. When they saw the steaming dumplings on the table, they all had a great appetite.
Pei Ji picked up a dumpling and took a bite. She found the taste to be very unique, a filling that had never been made in the manor before. After swallowing the dumpling, she immediately turned to look at Min Yueqing, her cute dimples sparkling as she said, "Mother, these shepherd's purse dumplings are quite fragrant. We've never made them at home before."
Min Yueqing was even faster, having already finished two dumplings. Hearing this, she slightly curled the corners of her mouth and said, "This is wild shepherd's purse that has just grown on the mountain. I'm afraid the steward in charge of purchasing in the manor can't buy it, nor would he even think of buying it."
Stone didn't understand, so he asked, "This vegetable is delicious, why don't you want to buy it? In the past, in our village, everyone would carry baskets to pick it every spring and autumn."
Min Yueqing smiled without saying a word.
How could the stewards possibly charge a price for such wild vegetables? If they wanted to line their own pockets, they would naturally buy the most expensive vegetables so that they could claim more when reporting the expenses back to the mansion, and more of it would end up in their own slush funds.
Pei Ji and Shi Tou looked at Min Yueqing blankly, not understanding why she only smiled and didn't say anything. It was A Zhu who couldn't help but explain it to them.
Azhu and the others grew up in this environment and were well aware of all the big and small things happening among the servants of the Earl's mansion. However, since their young lady didn't manage the household, they just watched the show.
Pei Ji and Shi Tou then understood.
Without someone pointing it out, no matter how intelligent Pei Ji was, he would never have thought of this. His upbringing meant that he was still a naive and clueless child.
Stone's upbringing made him even more baffled as to why anyone would choose to buy expensive vegetables instead of cheap and delicious ones. Of course, he had to be honest, the vegetables in the manor were also delicious, but he now realized that the vegetables they grew so much in their yard were actually so expensive!
Stone was filled with disbelief, but that didn't stop him from eating. He thought the dumplings were delicious, and the meat in the dish—which he didn't know what it was—was also delicious and very fresh.
Min Yueqing smiled as she watched the two children's completely different reactions while eating the venison. The dishes cooked on the wood-fired stove had a unique and special aroma.
In the side courtyard, Mao Mao was eating without looking up from his bowl. There were two plates of meat on the table today, and the portions were quite large. Mao Mao got two large pieces of venison and a piece of pork rib, as well as a spoonful of hazel mushrooms. The hazel mushrooms had been stewed with the venison all afternoon and had absorbed a lot of the broth, making them fresh and fragrant.
"Sister, the mushrooms taste just as good as meat today. The mushrooms before were never as delicious as today's," Mao Mao said between bites. "I wish all mushrooms could be made like this from now on."
Xiuxiu turned her head and glared at her younger brother, only then noticing that his face was covered in oil. She was both annoyed and amused, saying, "You should wipe your face; you've eaten your way up to look like a little cat."
Mao Mao chuckled and wiped his sleeve a couple of times. Xiu Xiu's face immediately showed an even more miserable expression. She looked at her brother's greasy sleeve with disdain and ordered without hesitation, "You wash this shirt yourself today."
Mao Mao, always carefree, said nonchalantly, "Okay, just call me when you're doing laundry. Sis, hurry up and eat. Who knows how long it will take to make this much meat again next time."
Although his family often cooks meat dishes in the village, the portion is always limited. With so many people in the family, he only gets a small piece in his bowl.
Xiuxiu said, "Isn't this all thanks to Madam? If it weren't for Madam and the young master coming, Grandma wouldn't have made so much delicious food. And Madam is so kind; she even had Grandpa and Grandma share so much meat and vegetables with us."
Mao Mao nodded repeatedly as he listened, and then said, "Not only is the lady beautiful, but she is also so kind-hearted. I really wish she could live here every day."
Xiuxiu observed even more. Just now, when the lady walked into the light, Xiuxiu immediately noticed the lady's exquisite clothes, the bright and colorful fabric, and the delicate patterns on the fabric, all of which broadened Xiuxiu's horizons.
What captivated her even more was the lady's elegant and natural demeanor; every move she made exuded nobility.
The other women clearly shared her sentiments. Xiuxiu had just overheard them talking about the clothes and accessories of the lady and the young master, not even missing the style and material of their shoes.
After a day of carriage travel, Min Yueqing and the others quickly fetched water after dinner and washed themselves from head to toe, finally feeling completely relaxed.
It was getting late, so Amei and the other woman made up the bedding and changed the bedding in the main bedroom. Shitou stayed in the west wing room, which was close to the main room. After settling in, everyone prepared to rest.
Min Yueqing thought to herself: Let you get a good night's sleep and recharge your energy. Anyway, I've already made clear arrangements for your training the next day.
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