Chapter 696 - Chapter 696: Imperial Feast
Chapter 696: Imperial Feast
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Shen Qiuhui was stunned when he heard his son’s words. It simply meant Shen Mohen enjoyed living at his aunt’s place. The former looked at his son’s expression and felt he was much better than before.
‘It seems he has a great life here.’
Shen Qiuhui patted his son’s shoulder and said, “It looks like you love this place enough to spend the New Year here.”
Shen Mohen knew his father would scold him if he did not return for the New Year. On the contrary, Shen Qiuhui was delighted that his son had spent the holidays with Shen Qiuhua.
Therefore, he would not reprimand his son nor be angry or dissatisfied. Shen Qiuhui was thrilled that his son got to know Shen Qiuhua.
“Of course I did!” Shen Mohen replied, “I ate and slept well here, especially since it’s so festive. I now understand why you always think of Aunt Qiuhua.”
Shen Mohen might not have understood his father and aunt’s kinship in the past. After staying at the Su family’s house for a while, he finally understood what a true sense of kinship was about.
He enjoyed the warmth and liveliness of his aunt’s house, especially since Shen Qiuhua was kind, gentle, and passionate about her family.
‘If I had a sister like Aunt Qiuhua, I’d miss her too.’
Kinship like this was rare for a prominent family, especially a large one, These days, most prominent families schemed against each other, only considering benefits between each other. It was exhausting to live in such an environment.
However, Shen Mohen did not feel that way when staying at his aunt’s house. He felt relaxed and welcomed instead.
Shen Qiuhui’s heart was full of warmth, saying, “It’s good that you understand.’
He could not explain certain things to his son. Still, his son finally understood kinship, making Shen Qiuhua feel gratified.
While the father-son duo chatted, Su Wenwu and Su Bingland had a good impression of Shen Qiuhui. Although the man looked dignified, his expression was kind and gentle.
Moreover, he came bearing plenty of gifts when he visited. He brought expensive gifts that he had chosen with care.
Since the Su family had an important guest, Su Binglan decided to cook dinner.
Shen Mohen became excited when he realized his cousin would prepare dinner. His eyes lit up as he said, “Father, you’re in luck tonight. Cousin Binglan will cook dinner for us. Her cooking skills are unparalleled. It’s a privilege to eat Cousin Binglan’s cooking.”
Shen Mohen could not stop bragging about his cousin’s cooking.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiuhui grew even more puzzled. After all, his son had never praised anyone like that.
‘Mohen has always been a picky eater. The food must be delicious since he speaks so highly of Binglan’s cooking.
Shen Qiuhui could not wait to try the food.
After talking to his father, Shen Mohen followed Su Binglan to help in the kitchen. Su Binglan said, “Since Uncle Qiuhui is here, we should prepare more dishes.’
“I’ll help you,” Shen Mohen said enthusiastically.
He was no longer as clueless in the kitchen as before. He could cut vegetables and even cook simple meals now. Shen Mohen did not think he needed to avoid the kitchen like most men did.
‘When I participate in cooking, I’d feel incredibly accomplished when eating.’
Su Binglan noticed Shen Mohen’s expression and smiled, saying, “All right, you can start the fire then.”
Shen Mohen said, “l can also help cut the vegetables if you want, Cousin Binglan.
“That’s okay; I can ask Jin’an to cut them. His knife skills are exceptional.”
Shen Mohen looked at Luo Jin’an. The former could only agree. After all, Luo Jin’an possessed impressive martial arts skills, and his knife skills were even better.
Luo Jin’an cut the vegetables neatly. Even the thickness of each cut would be consistent. Moreover, he worked quickly, as if painting a work of art. Of course, Shen Mohen also knew his cousin-in-law was the legendary Wei
Jin’an.
He did not expect Luo Jin’an to only be good at martial arts and leading troops to war—he was also excellent at cutting vegetables.
Shen Mohen wanted to showcase his knife skills but could only sigh and rub his nose before Luo Jin’an. The former said, “All right, I’ll start the fire.”
While Su Fengmao and his wife chatted with Shen Qiuhui in the hall, Su Wenzhe and Liu Yinyin went to the kitchen to help Su Binglan.
Many recipes flashed through Su Binglan’s mind as she planned to make more dishes tonight. After some thought, she knew what to make. She told Su
Wenzhe, “Big Brother, please get me a lamb leg and a few radishes.”
‘Lamb leg and radishes?’
Su Wenzhe was slightly puzzled, asking, “What are you cooking, Sister? I don’t remember you using lamb legs in your previous dishes.”
Su Binglan’s eyes glittered as she said, “There’s a dish I want to make from the Manchu Han Imperial Feast. It’s roasted lamb leg with radish.” Su Wenzhe happily said, ‘E lt must be delicious then.”
Liu Yinyin urged him, “Hurry and gather what your sister needs.”
“I’ll go right away.” Su Wenzhe ran out to gather the ingredients.
The house had a cellar and a warehouse. The family typically used the cellar to store some meat during the winter so that it would last longer. They had stored the lamb legs for the New Year.
Su Wenxiu and Su Wenwu looked at their sister with anticipation. Meanwhile, Su Binglan had grown accustomed to their gazes. They always looked at her that way whenever she cooked something new.
She thought they were not looking at her. Instead, they were only thinking about the food. Still, she was delighted to cook for her family as she enjoyed the process.
Su Wenwu felt energized, saying, “Sister, just tell me what else you need to prepare, and I’ll help.”
Su Binglan looked at him and said, “l also want to make braised pork with preserved vegetables. I need a pork belly and some preserved vegetables for the dish. Could you bring me a pound of pork belly?”
“Okay, I’ll get it,” Su Wenwu readily replied. He had never eaten braised pork, so he was excited to taste it. Since Su Binglan had said it would contain pork belly, he knew what it could taste like.
Su Binglan had not even cooked the food yet, but Su Wenwu was already hungry just thinking about it. The former also wanted to make braised
chestnut chicken wings.
The dish required chicken wings, so Liu Yinyin went to get them for her sister-in-law. Su Binglan also prepared to make fried loofah with eggs, which was a simple side dish.
Knowing she would make this dish, Luo Jin’an helped to cut the loofah and beat the eggs. It was also more efficient for Su Binglan if she made that dish first.
Soon, she finished cooking the fried loofah with eggs. Even her simplest side dishes were delicious..