When several people were lowering their heads to eat, a small carrot head came in at the door and his eyes were locked to Jiang Shuyao after a glance. "Third Aunt!"
Jiang Shuyao looked up, facing a pair of big black eyes.
The first branch gave birth to twin boys, one fat and one thin. One lively and active, but the other was quiet and introverted. The fat one pulled Jiang Shuyao's sleeves while the thin one hid behind him and peek.
Jiang Shuyao couldn't remember their names, so she rubbed the little fatty's round head and said, "It's you."
The little fatty acted familiar with her, and laughed to show his big white teeth, "Yes, it's time for fourth brother to drink his medicinal meal."
It turns out that the soup was simmered for the little thin man.
After the little fatty finished speaking, he immediately cut into the topic he cared about, "Auntie, what are you eating? It smells so delicious."
There were a few pieces of thick fried egg left, and it was not cold yet. Jiang Shuyao took a piece and handed it to little fatty, "Do you want to try it?"
The thick fried egg was beautiful in color. The golden color was mixed with orange-red chopped carrot and green onion, which was attractive to children.
The little fatty took a big bite. He hadn't eaten food with this taste before. When he ate a new food, he felt like his life was complete and said, "It's delicious, it's delicious. Can you give me another bite?"
Jiang Shuyao fed him another one.
The little fatty ate happily without forgetting his brother. He pulled the little thin man out from behind him, "Fourth brother, do you want to try?"
The little thin man raised his eyes timidly and looked at Jiang Shuyao, his clear black eyes were full of curiosity, and he nodded.
Jiang Shuyao's heart melted immediately, and she bent down to feed him. He took a small bite like a little kitten, and chewed slowly, which made Jiang Shuyao a little nervous.
"Is it delicious?" The little fatty asked beside him.
The little thin man nodded slowly, and Jiang Shuyao let out a sigh of relief.
The little fatty had a talent for talking like a chatterbox, and he introduced themselves, "Fourth brother likes sweets, maybe because he drinks too much bitter medicine. He has a bad appetite and could only eat small amount, so he is much thinner than me."
After the twins came in, the maids cleaned up the dishes and just stood there. The twins' maids also followed them into the kitchen, opened the lid to check the heat, and saw that the medicated food had not been simmered, so she stood aside to wait.
Jiang Shuyao thought that the eldest lady was in charge of the house. Later she should go to the first branch to talk to her about having a small kitchen, so she stayed in the main kitchen and waited for the medicinal meal with the boys.
Seeing the little chubby boy, she suddenly thought of a quick and easy snack. Anyway, she was idle, it is better to try something.
Jiang Shuyao took the sun-dried corn on the cob from a corner of the kitchen, peeled the kernels and threw it into the pot. She quickly closed the lid, the pot made a muffled sound. She set up another clean iron pot, and poured oil and sugar into the cold pot. She ordered the kitchen girl to make a medium-high fire. The sugar melted and changed color quickly, and it gradually turned brown. She can pull some strings with chopsticks, so the caramel was ready.
The little fatty probed his head curiously, and a big maid came forward and dragged him away, fearing that the iron pan would explode.
She was not the only one who was scared, everyone also more or less moved far away.
Although Jiang Shuyao just showed her talent, in the eyes of her servants she was still an unreliable person.
The iron pot was heavy, so Jiang Shuyao shakes the pot in a circular motion to ensure that the corn kernels were evenly heated and covered with caramel.
The crackling sound diminished. After a while, there was basically no sound of corn popping anymore. Jiang Shuyao took the iron pot away from the stove. After simmering for a few seconds, she opened the lid under the suspicious eyes of the crowd.
Most of the corn kernels were popped, and the white popcorns were wrapped in crystal clear caramel icing, which looked sweet and delicious.
Jiang Shuyao took one and put it in her mouth. The caramel icing had not cooled yet, the skin was not crisp enough, but the sweetness was enough. In general, it was more successful than she expected.
After she opened the lid, the sweet scent was overflowing in the kitchen. Seeing that she picked up one and tasted it, the little fatty finally couldn't help it. He broke free from the maid and ran towards Jiang Shuyao. He couldn't wait and ask, "How is it? "
Jiang Shuyao handily fed him one. The two got acquainted with each other and he had a cheerful personality. Today was the first time they met, but they were already like siblings who had known each other for a long time.
The little fatty stuffed the popcorn into his mouth, and the icing on the outer layer was now a little bit cooler, giving it a slightly crisp taste after a bite. The popcorn was soft and sweet. The rich sweetness of caramel did not cover the aroma of the corn itself. The sweetness was strong but not greasy, and the slightly bitter fragrance of the caramel just neutralized the sweetness.
"Yeah~" The little fatty opened his eyes, and he loved it more for the novelty than the taste, "Delicious."
He beckoned to his brother, wanting to share the delicacy with him.
Jiang Shuyao took a big bowl and poured all the popcorn in, and handed it to the little thin man. The little thin man gave her a timid look, but still cannot resist his curiosity about popcorn and took the big bowl.
By coincidence, the medicated food was ready, so Jiang Shuyao took the little fatty's hand and said, "Let's go, just eat as you go."
The group of people walked toward the main house mightily.
The thin boy had a bad appetite, but he ate popcorn with relish, and kept putting it in his mouth. By the time he got to the main house, the popcorn was already halved.
The yard was lively, and a row of stewards and nannies stood in front of the house. On the desk of the eldest lady, Xu-shi's, accounts books were spread.
When Jiang Shuyao saw this, she was embarrassed to disturb her. She wanted to find another time to find Xu -shi , but Xu -shi stopped her first.
"Third sister-in-law." Xu -shi closed the account book, with an eager smile on her face. She stood up and greeted her in a few steps.
She waved her hand to disperse her servants, and ordered tea and snacks. The warm hospitality made Jiang Shuyao felt dizzy.
Xu -shi was a dozen years older than Jiang Shuyao, but she treated Jiang Shuyao as if she was a close little sister. Jiang Shuyao even began to wonder if this was the first formal conversation between the two.
"Sister-in-law, if your side is busy, I will come later." Jiang Shuyao said.
"You just came, just say it." Xu -shi smiled and shook her head, holding Jiang Shuyao to let her sit down, "Is there anything wrong, so third sister-in-law is looking for me?"
Xu -shi 's face looked kind, but she kept wondering about the purpose of Jiang Shuyao's trip. Why was she ran to her without going to her mother-in-law and not accompanying her husband on the first day of the wedding?
After a few thoughts, she thought of Jiang Shuyao's current situation, and felt a little disdainful.
She guessed that Xie Xun hid from her. She was not crying in the house and came out with a shy face. It seems that she was really thick-faced as the rumors say.
Jiang Shuyao didn't know what Xu -shi 's thoughts in her heart. She was a bit embarrassed at first, but she didn't expect that Xu -shi 's hospitality was so enthusiastic, and the unfamiliar feelings had disappeared. While she praised Xu -shi in her heart, she tasted the snack Xu -shi pushed to her.
The mung bean cake was sweet and delicate, melted in the mouth, and had a slight sweetness. It was very suitable for tea.
After taking a few bites, she wiped her fingers clean, and then she remembered the business.
"By the way, Sister-in-law, I came to discuss with you about the small kitchen."
Xu -shi was despising her way of eating when she suddenly heard her speak, and she was stunned, "What?"
Jiang Shuyao thought that Xu -shi was kind and generous, and she openly said her thoughts without any politeness, "I think the third branch's small kitchen has always been empty and not used. Now I am married and want to clean up the small kitchen."
Xu -shi frowned slightly, but quickly regained her generous smile, "If you want to eat something, just tell the main kitchen to do it." Once the small kitchen was cleaned up, they have to allocate manpower, and there are also monthly expenses. The matter was not easy.
Jiang Shuyao naturally didn't understand Xu -shi 's concerns, "The main kitchen is too far away, and it's inconvenient to go back and forth. I like to toss some food, going to the main kitchen is a hassle."
Xu -shi hadn't dealt with anyone like Jiang Shuyao before, a woman who just said anything in her mind. She was going to roll her eyes inwardly, but she still had to keep a gentle smile, "This... might make sister-in-law dissatisfied, if you really want to open a small kitchen, the monthly expenses..."
She dragged her voice out, hoping Jiang Shuyao would understand.
Jiang Shuyao was leaning her sinful hand toward the chestnut cake, and shook her hand in a dismissive tone, "It's okay, I have money." She didn't plan to let Xu -shi give her money.
"Uh." Xu -shi 's words got stuck in her throat.
A few years ago, the second branch opened a small kitchen, but she and the second young madam, Zhou -shi , fought back and forth several times. In the end, the old madam made a decision on the small kitchen rule.
She thought that Jiang Shuyao must also come to her to ask for money, but she didn't expect that she actually planned to pay for it herself.
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Jiang Shuyao had a modern thought, so she can't spend other people's money on food and drink. Seeing Xu -shi 's utter astonishment, she suddenly became worried. She swallowed the chestnut cakes, turned around and asked Bai Zhi, "Do I have enough money?"
"To answer to madam, of course it is enough. But it's just for a small kitchen, the cost is not worth mentioning." Bai Zhi grew up watching Mrs. Xiangyang and the other seven concubines since her childhood. It can be said that she was a top student in the maids youth class. Naturally, she can see Xu -shi 's contempt for Jiang Shuyao.
As a maid entrusted with this important task, she was familiar with the people in the houses of Duke Xie's mansion. Xu -shi 's father was a well-known minister of the Qing dynasty. She herself was also a well-known talented woman in Beijing. She married Duke Xie's house based on these two titles. However, what was the use of a good title, compared to a wealthy Lin's family, they are just a bunch of poor ghosts.
Xu -shi 's smile stiffened when she heard Bai Zhi's words.
After married to Duke Xie's mansion, she can be described as conscientious and hardworking, but she was walking on thin ice. For fear that she did not do a good job and provoked others to look down on her, she strictly controlled the cost of food and clothing, and had never made a mistake. However, she had also been criticized for being petty.
Jiang Shuyao didn't think that it would be a good thing to ask money from the public fund, but... how come it sounds so annoying?
Jiang Shuyao didn't see Xu -shi 's stiff smile at all, and said cheerfully, "That's good. Sister-in-law, can you please introduce me to the steward, and find me some skilled masons. I want to remodel the kitchen. In addition, I want to follow my father's house to buy vegetables, fruits, and grains. Please ask the steward to discuss with Bai Zhi."
Xu -shi nodded and asked the maid to call the steward. Jiang Shuyao didn't understand this things either, so after Bai Zhi has discussed with the steward, she got up and left.
She didn't expect things to go so smoothly. When she was sent away by Xu -shi , she sighed and grabbed her sleeve and said, "Sister-in-law, you are so kind." Who said that it would be difficult for sisters-in-law to get along with each other? Wasn't she doing well?
Xu -shi quietly put away her hand calmly, smiled and said, "Sister-in-law is polite."
Jiang Shuyao was still enthusiastic, "Then I will go first. I will often come to sister-in-law to visit. Will sister-in-law dislike it?"
Xu -shi thought of the two plates of snacks that had been emptied just now, tried to keep her smile unchanged, and shook her head gently and said, "Don't dislike it."
Jiang Shuyao smiled and left, turning back and waved to her as she walked.
Xu -shi stood under the eaves and watched her, looking at Jiang Shuyao's bright and brilliant smiling face, the more she looked at it, the more she became heartbroken.
Looking at it, she noticed that two small spots suddenly emerged from the side, one wide and one narrow, walking far behind Jiang Shuyao.
She blinked and looked carefully, aren't those two children her twin sons? Why did they run away with Jiang Shuyao?
She looked back at the maid in surprise, but the maid couldn't figure it out either. She quickly ordered someone to follow.
The two of them couldn't figure it out, and so did Jiang Shuyao.
She looked at the two small dumplings next to her, and wondered, "Why are you following me?"
The little fatty tugged at her sleeve and said, "I want to play with third aunt."
Jiang Shuyao didn't know what she did that made the little fatty like her, probably because... she looks good?
She rubbed her chin and was thinking, but the sleeve of her other hand was pulled. She looked down to see the little thin man.
"I want to eat sweets." His voice was very small, but his big eyes were lingering.
Jiang Shuyao was stunned for a while before remembering that the "sweets" that the little man mentioned should be the popcorn.
"Did you finish that bowl just now?" The little thin man nodded.
"Well...then you can't eat more, children can't digest if they eat too much." In fact, she didn't understand too much, anyway, children should eat less snacks.
The little thin man nodded aggrievedly, and continued to walk towards the third branch's yard holding Jiang Shuyao's sleeve.
When she arrived in the yard, Jiang Shuyao has no time to supervise them, and devoted herself to the renovation of the small kitchen.
She didn't mean to avoid suspicion. She gave both descriptions and drawings, so that the craftsman could built a bread kiln outside the small kitchen and she can used it as a simple oven.
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The two small carrot heads watched the excitement with relish, and they looked like they were making trouble. Jiang Shuyao quickly stopped them and made a lot of noise. Finally, a pair of cat ears were built above the bread kiln.
As the setting sun went down, Xie Xun returned home and stepped into the main courtyard subconsciously. It was only then he saw the busy maids on the corridor that he realized that he was married.
He had originally planned to turn around and leave, but the maids saluted him one after another, causing Jiang Shuyao who was eating dinner to look at him.
It was embarrassing now. He did not want to leave nor stay. When he was looking at Jiang Shuyao, a childish voice broke the embarrassment.
"Third Uncle!"
Xie Xun discovered that there were two small dumplings sitting opposite the long table in the house.
He sighed with relief. With these two little nephews, he didn't have to face Jiang Shuyao alone.
He walked towards the two of them, "Ah Zhao, Ah Yao, are you here to find Third Uncle?"
He asked this, but he already had an answer in his heart.
Ah Zhao (the little fat man) usually sticks to him. This time he should have come to him especially, but it was a pity that he left the house to avoid Jiang Shuyao, so they can only find Jiang Shuyao.
Xie Xun was feeling guilty and helpless. He opened his arms to Xie Zhao, waiting for the little fatty to jump into his arms as usual and made him lift him high.
...Then his arms were stiff after waiting for a few seconds.
Xie Zhao glanced at him without any response. He swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "No." Then he couldn't care to say one more word, and hurriedly picked up his chopsticks to eat.
Standing a dozen steps away from the main room, Xie Xun feels for the first time in his life what it is like to be ignored.
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[TL's note: The "- shi" behind the name, i.e. Xu -shi or Zhao -shi , refers to her family's name before she got married. Xu -shi means she was from Xu family, Zhao -shi means that she was from Zhao family. MC would be referred to as Jiang -shi by others. It is a common way of referring to a married woman.]
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