Chapter 406: Chapter 210: Examination_2
In the outer room, Lady Zhou sat upright on a chair, with Lian Xiuxiu, Lady Gu, Lady He, Lady Zhang, Lady Zhao, Lady Chiang, Lian Duoduo, Lian Yeye, and Lian Yaya standing beside and behind her. Zhao Xiue stood in front of Lady Zhou with hands hanging down.
The scene was quite solemn, and just as Lian Manman stepped through the door, she paused.
When Lady Zhang saw Lian Manman come in, she hurriedly gestured with her eyes. Lian Manman tiptoed over, running a short distance, called out "Nanny," and then moved to stand beside Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhou didn’t lose her temper or scold Lian Manman.
"Jizong’s wife, do you have any specialties in cooking?" Lady Zhou asked Zhao Xiue.
Zhao Xiue stole a glance at Lady He and saw that Lady He was smiling happily, giving her no hints.
"At home, I just make some homestyle dishes; I wouldn’t dare to claim I have any specialties," Zhao Xiue said.
"Is that so? Then just stir-fry two dishes," Lady Zhou thought for a moment and then said, "Fry some shredded potatoes and some dried tofu."
Lian Xiuxiu promptly brought out a basin of cleaned, peeled potatoes, as well as a piece of meat and two catties of dried tofu, placing them on the chopping board. Lady He took an apron and helped Zhao Xiue tie it around her waist. The apron was spotted with oil stains—a clear indication of usage by Lady He.
Everyone watched Zhao Xiue.
Zhao Xiue didn’t get stage fright. She approached the chopping board and picked up the knife to first slice potatoes, then shred them. Her movements were swift and decisive, the potato shreds very fine.
A hint of a smile appeared on Lady Zhou’s face as she glanced back at Lady Zhang.
Lady Zhang was somewhat perplexed.
After Zhao Xiue finished with the potatoes, she cut the dried tofu. Her hands were skilled, and she diced the square tofu into small triangles, each cut uniform in shape. Lady Zhang nodded in approval, and even though Lian Manman didn’t understand, she could tell from Lady Zhang’s expression that Zhao Xiue’s knife skills were good and that she was meticulous in cooking.
Zhao Xiue then cut the meat into fine shreds before standing up straight.
"Eldest daughter-in-law, you go light the fire; Jizong’s wife, you handle the wok," Lady Zhou delegated.
In a farmstead, daughters-in-law cooking highly valued handling both the stove and the cooking. Lady Zhou’s arrangement was intentionally putting Lady Gu down while showing favor to Zhao Xiue.
Lady Gu bowed her head and went to start the fire. Once the wok was heated up, Zhao Xiue poured oil into it.
Lady Zhou frowned slightly; Zhao Xiue had poured too much oil, more than double the usual amount the Lian Family used for frying potatoes. However, it was the new daughter-in-law’s first day, and moreover, she was the wife of her grandson, so Lady Zhou held back and said nothing.
Zhao Xiue continued by stir-frying the meat shreds, added the potato shreds, and stir-fried them together. Her actions were clean and efficient. A basin of meat and potato shreds came out of the wok, fragrant and inviting.
Zhao Xiue then proceeded to stir-fry the dried tofu.
"You all finish the remaining two dishes, and then we can have dinner," Lady Zhou’s tone softened when addressing the wife of her grandson. "Back when Jizong’s wife had just married in, I asked her what her specialty was, and she said it was making pancakes. Tomorrow, we’ll have Jizong’s wife make us some pancakes," she added.
Zhao Xiue lifted her eyelids, looked at Lady Chiang, and couldn’t help but bite her lip. Before coming from the town, she had specifically inquired to Erlang about Lady Chiang’s past circumstances, but Erlang hadn’t told her these details.
Lady Zhou stood up and went back to her room as she spoke.
Lian Manman and Lady Zhang came out of the Upper Room, ready to start cooking.
"Mom, what do you think?" Back in the West Wing Room, Lian Manman asked Lady Zhang.
"What can I say? If you ask me, Erlang’s wife is pretty capable. That knife skill, and the way she stir-fries, clearly shows she’s experienced and quite particular," Lady Zhang thought for a moment and then said, "But there’s one thing, I’m afraid the Old Zhao family may be living beyond their means. She’s used to squandering; just look at the oil she poured. Your grandma’s face darkened on the spot. And that piece of meat, it was enough for two dishes, yet Erlang’s wife tossed it all into the potato strips."
"I somehow feel she did it on purpose," Lian Manman cocked her head, "I think Sister-in-law Xiu E is pretty sharp. Not to mention spilling the oil, but that piece of meat, she should have realized it was for two dishes. If she was unsure, she should’ve asked, right?"
"A new bride, they all want to show their best. You saying she deliberately made a bad impression? That’s hardly possible, she’s not stupid," Lady Zhang said.
"She’s not stupid, maybe she has some other plan in mind," Lian Manman said.
"Never mind others; we should get cooking too," Lady Zhang said.
"Mom, I’ll go get the firewood," Lian Manman said as she walked outside.
The firewood was stored in the passageway next to the main gate, where Erlang’s horse carriage had been parked on the other side. Erlang, Sanlang, Si Lang, and Liulang were all gathered around the carriage chatting.
"Erlang, this carriage is so impressive, is it from your wife’s family? Can I take a ride in it?" Si Lang asked Erlang, trying to ingratiate himself.
"Ride what ride, we’re about to eat," Erlang prevented Si Lang from climbing into the carriage.
"Erlang, why be so stingy? I just want to sit in it, I won’t ruin your carriage. Besides, the carriage is from your wife’s family; you can use it whenever you want in the future," Si Lang said.
"If it were your sister-in-law’s family’s carriage, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. This isn’t from your sister-in-law’s family," Erlang looked toward the Upper Room and said quietly, "This carriage is borrowed, and it’s very expensive; it can’t get damaged at all."
"Borrowed? From whom?" Sanlang asked.
"From Zhou’s Pawnshop. They have a son who’s an arrest officer in the county town, and their family is particularly close to your sister-in-law’s family. Riding this carriage into the county town doesn’t even cost money," Erlang explained.
Zhou Family, arrest officer? Lian Manman’s hands, reaching for the firewood, paused mid-air.
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Recommended completed book by Ruoyan: "The Brocade Screen Chronicles," a light house fight farmland tale, full of family drama and intrigue within a large household.
Book ID: 1771214
There’s a direct link below, click to go straight there.
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Today’s update is 12,000 words, I’m so sleepy I can hardly keep my eyes open, in need of some pink encouragement ing. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
