Chapter 1491: New Year [8]
Chapter 1491: Chapter 1491: New Year [8]
Erqing looked at Siqing with disdain and scolded, "Stand straight, wipe your mouth, are you starving? You can’t resist when you smell the aroma."
Siqing and the others were trained in the way of assassins, and upon hearing this quickly stood upright, lowered their heads slightly, and dared not speak. But she was still young, unable to resist the aroma of ham, so she sneaked a glance into the kitchen.
Erqing: "..."
You’re done for, unable to resist even ham. After the New Year, you’ll probably have to be singled out for training!
Gu Jinli wanted to laugh as she watched, "Come over here, I’ve stewed two big pots of ham with tofu and ham with chicken, enough for us all."
"Thank you, madam!" Siqing ran over joyfully, first saluting Gu Jinli and Nanny Tao, then going to serve herself some ham stew.
Yes, Siqing loves meat too, and doesn’t want to eat tofu at all.
"Xiao Ji, are the jars ready? Go get them, fill them with the ham and chicken and ham and tofu stew. Later, we’ll send some to Ji Zhenniang, Aunt Niu, and their families," Gu Jinli instructed. "Make sure to send extra ham and tofu stew to Sister-in-law Zhang’s family, her Brother Yi is still sick, and could use something light."
"The jars have been washed long ago, and I even scalded them with boiling water, I’ll go fetch them now." Xiao Ji said, quickly bringing two baskets of jars, dividing the food as Gu Jinli instructed.
Gu Jinli only sends food to familiar families; for families like Company Commander Cao and Company Commander Jin who didn’t bring their wives, she doesn’t send anything. Uncle Mu Tong will deliver New Year’s gifts to them tomorrow on the first day of the year.
Xiao Ji said, "Madam, you can rest first, we’ll go deliver it."
Gu Jinli nodded, "Alright, you go ahead."
Xiao Ji, Erqing, and Ye Jingzi each carried a large food box, delivering them to the Niu Family, Xie Family, and Zhang Family.
When Mrs. Kuang saw Ye Jingzi, she came to greet her from afar, "Oh, Miss Ye, have you brought good things for my family?"
Without asking what was delivered, as long as there was a good deal, she immediately took it over, opened it and— a fragrant aroma wafted out.
"What is this? Why does it smell so good?" Mrs. Kuang was surprised, directly grabbed two pieces of meat and stuffed them into her mouth, her eyes widened, and she mumbled while chewing, "Delicious, tasty! What is this?"
Ye Jingzi, seeing Mrs. Kuang with her hands covered in oil, was at a loss for words, "These are some dishes made by the madam, sent for Mrs. Niu to taste—wishing your family health during New Year’s Eve. I have other work to do, I must take my leave now."
Han Sansong’s mother came rushing over and grabbed Ye Jingzi, smiling, "Miss Ye, why leave so soon? Stay for a meal with us, my Sansong is cutting meat now, he’ll come over soon."
The undertone of her words, coupled with her eager eyes—it’s almost like she’s proposing Ye Jingzi as her Sansong’s bride!
Ye Jingzi felt awkward; she helped Aunt Xiong with external affairs and knew Lady Han feared her son dying on the battlefield, so she scoured every camp along the way to inquire about young, pretty, robust girls who could bear children—she appeared desperate for a daughter-in-law.
Ye Jingzi smiled stiffly, "Aunt Han, I need to deliver food to Chief Commander Yao’s family. It’s getting late, I must finish and return for dinner with my brother."
Han Sansong’s mother responded, "You’re quite a lady doctor, why are you doing such menial work?"
And she immediately turned to Han Sansong, who was still cutting meat, and shouted, "Sansong, Sansong, you unlucky boy! Come here, Miss Ye has work for you!"
Ye Jingzi was dumbfounded; can it truly be like this?
Luckily, Han Sansong was dependable. Knowing that if he went, it could ruin the young lady’s reputation, he shouted, "Mother, I’m busy here. If there’s any work, you go do it for me!"
Han Sansong’s mother: "..."
You rascal, how can mother help you marry and have children?!
"Miss Ye, wait for me, I’ll go and come back—don’t leave." saying this, she let go of Ye Jingzi’s hand and took off towards Han Sansong with burning firewood.
Ye Jingzi, seeing this, hurried to escape—not leaving would be foolish.
Although Lady Han and Mrs. Han both had the surname Han, Mrs. Han was far more reasonable. She received the food Erqing delivered and even returned a gift.
Yet, after seeing the food sent by Erqing, Mrs. Han was astonished, "I didn’t expect the Gu Family to have such wealth, to even afford ham... no, wait."
Mrs. Han looked at the differently colored crystal cakes, thinking that the ham probably wasn’t bought by the Gu Family.
"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with the food delivered? It all looks like good stuff." Company Commander Zhang trusted Qin San Lang and was the first to grab chopsticks, eating several bites of the delivered food. "It tastes wonderful, very flavorful and fresh. The crystal cake tastes good too—the flavors vary with each color."
And while saying this, noticing that the little ones, Sister Yu and Brother Yi, looked up eagerly at him—he smiled, served Sister Yu two pieces of red and green crystal cake, and scooped half a bowl of ham and tofu stew for Brother Yi, handing them over: "Have a taste first, don’t eat too much, we’ll have dinner soon."
The little ones were overjoyed, took the bowls and chopsticks, and grinned, "Thanks, dad!"
After speaking, they cradled their bowls, eating what they liked.
Seeing Mrs. Han still in a daze, Company Commander Zhang shook his head and held her hand, smiling, "Sese, don’t overthink things, Brother Qin and his wife are reliable."
Mrs. Han looked up at him, "It’s not that I don’t trust Brother Qin and his wife; it’s just that the Gu Family truly seems to have hidden depths... to have a manor in such a place, and they can make Futai Building’s crystal cake and can even bring out such a delicacy as ham."
"Ham with tofu, ham with chicken, ham slices—these three dishes, I heard were sent to our family, the Niu family, and the Xie family. That must take a lot of ham? I think the ham wasn’t bought by the Gu Family, but made by them. Husband, do you think I’m right?"
Looking at his wife’s serious inquiry, Company Commander Zhang laughed heartily.
Mrs. Han frowned, "Why are you laughing? I’m discussing serious matters with you."
Company Commander Zhang sighed, "Sese, haven’t I told you? Don’t always think about such matters. Why ponder them? These are affairs of the Qin and Gu families; we just need to know Brother Qin and his wife won’t harm us."
Mrs. Han listened, felt a blush creep up her face, and said, "Sorry, husband, I always like to think of people negatively."
Company Commander Zhang said, "It’s alright, just gradually change that habit."
Mrs. Han, having grown up in the Capital and being the only heir of Guang Cheng Marquis Mansion, was often plotted against since childhood, thus forming a habit of deeply thinking over any matters, fearing that shallow thoughts would fall into someone else’s trap.
"Come, taste this ham and tofu stew, it’s quite delicious—your favorite flavor." Company Commander Zhang served Mrs. Han half a bowl of ham and tofu stew.
After tasting it, Mrs. Han was indeed amazed, smiling at Company Commander Zhang, "It’s delicious."
However, Mrs. Han’s favorite was the bean sprout dish.
"These bean sprouts are presumably made from beans, but how did Qin’s sister-in-law manage to make them? During the cold winter months, having a white radish is considered good enough, yet she can make such fresh green vegetables."
Company Commander Zhang smiled, "Why are you pondering these things again? No need, eat more if you like it. Afterward, I’ll go ask Brother Qin for some."
Mrs. Han listened, felt embarrassed, shook her head, and refrained from further thinking.