In that case, Meng Yao decided to make more, one for Zhao Dahe, one each for Dajiang and his wife, one for Zhao Xiaoshu, and one each for Li Chang’an and Li Changning.
Fair and square, let’s see how you still bicker over this.
To welcome Meng Zhu and her children, Meng Yao prepared the lunch personally.
Since it’s not advisable to use a knife during the New Year, all the dishes were made from ingredients prepared in the previous month.
The Four Joy Meatballs and braised pork were directly steamed, with a thick sauce drizzled on top, perfect in color, aroma, and taste.
Various vegetable dumplings were braised and sweet and sour.
The simmered bone broth was reheated with some mung bean sprouts and tofu, making it both nutritious and refreshing.
In addition, Meng Yao made some desserts, red bean and white jade rolls, and water chestnut cake.
When Meng Zhu was invited for the meal, she was genuinely shocked.
It turned out, what the nephews had said before wasn’t exaggerating their sister’s skills.
Meng Zhu even thought their descriptions didn’t do it justice.
After all, she found this meal tastier than what the chef at Man Xiang Lou in Fengyang Town made.
Meng Yao served Meng Zhu a bowl of soup, "Sister, don’t just eat meat, be careful of getting sick of it."
"With your skills, how could I ever get sick of it?" Meng Zhu took a sip of soup and continued to enjoy her meal.
Compared to Meng Zhu, her two children ate more modestly. However, they didn’t slow down with their chopsticks either.
Of course, the most elegant eaters were undoubtedly Zhao Xiaohua and Qin Zheng.
For every bite they took, others would have four or five.
Although Meng Yao prepared plenty, thinking there would be leftovers.
In the end, even the soup was finished.
Meng Zhu still looked unsatisfied!
"Sister, do you usually eat this much at home?" Meng Yao asked.
Meng Zhu gave Meng Yao a playful glare, "If I always ate , I’d turn into a pig, wouldn’t I? It’s just because what you make is too delicious! Your culinary skills have truly skyrocketed!"
"Maybe I just suddenly picked it up?" Meng Yao said with a smile.
"Who knows? If everyone was like you, restaurants would be out of business," Meng Zhu said.
Zhao Dahe calmly tidied up the dishes, surprising Meng Zhu a bit.
"How can Dahe do this kind of work? He’s a scholar; it’s beneath his dignity."
"Don’t scholars need to eat and drink too?" Meng Yao chuckled, "I don’t want to spoil him into a worthless person who’s all talk and no action. This little work doesn’t tire anyone. Plus, it’s for his own good in the future. Imagine, when he gets married, his wife cooks, and he washes dishes. Wouldn’t his wife be happy, thinking she’s married a good man? This could help enhance their relationship."
Meng Zhu blinked; although she’d never heard this reasoning before, it suddenly made a lot of sense to her!
When she goes back, should she establish a clear division of labor with Li Baixia?
Also, if Chang’an were also as considerate, wouldn’t he find a wife soon?
"Chang’an, why don’t you hurry and help your cousin?" Meng Zhu instructed Li Chang’an.
Even though he hadn’t done it before, Li Chang’an obediently followed Zhao Dahe to help out.
It’s expected for Zhao Dahe to work, but Li Chang’an is a guest. Meng Yao felt bad letting him help. Besides, there wasn’t much work to begin with. If Li Chang’an helped, would Zhao Dahe just stand around?
"Chang’an, you sit down, your cousin can handle it by himself. No need for you to help. It’s New Year, and whoever visits is a guest; it’s not right to let guests do chores," Meng Yao quickly stopped him.
"It’s nothing, Aunt. If even Dahe, a scholar, is doing it, of course, I can. Besides, my mother told me that visiting Aunt’s house is just like being at home; no one is a guest in their own home!" Li Chang’an said with a wide grin.
What can I say, Li Chang’an’s voice was incredibly pleasant to listen to, and combined with his always calm and composed tone, it made everyone feel very comfortable.
"Sister, you’ve raised Chang’an really well," Meng Yao remarked.
"Only you think so! He’s always been slow to act from childhood to now; at times, it drives me crazy. It’s strange really, both your brother-in-law and I have such quick tempers, yet we have two children, and both are so laid-back," Meng Zhu sighed, "I even suspect, if the sky were falling, they wouldn’t be worried."
"Staying calm in the face of danger is a good trait," Meng Yao said.
"I still prefer Dahe and Xiaohua’s temperament, so lively," Meng Zhu replied.
"Auntie, I also think my temperament is good, but my mother always says I’m too restless and can’t stay calm," Zhao Xiaohua said, clinging to Meng Zhu’s arm and acting spoiled.
"At your age, you should be lively; don’t listen to your mother," Meng Zhu said playfully.
"With Aunt backing you up, I won’t say anything more. Aunt dotes on you all the time, so now that she’s here, shouldn’t you show her some filial piety? Go brew some Digestive Tea for your aunt!" Meng Yao said disdainfully.
Meng Zhu had eaten too much meat, and Meng Yao was worried she might feel uncomfortable later.
"Alright!" Zhao Xiaohua readily agreed.
Li Changning stood up, "I’ll go help Sister Xiaohua."
"No need for the Digestive Tea, I didn’t eat that much," Meng Zhu commented, "Don’t keep the kids busy."
Meng Yao laughed, "Come on, sister, I’ll accompany you for a stroll in the courtyard."
In the kitchen, Li Changning curiously watched Zhao Xiaohua prepare the Digestive Tea ingredients, "Xiaohua, why did you leave out the hawthorn?"
"Aunt is pregnant now, so she absolutely can’t have hawthorn. Excess hawthorn can induce miscarriage," Zhao Xiaohua said with utmost seriousness.
Li Changning made a soft ’ah’ sound, "Then, under my mother’s condition, what else should she avoid? Xiaohua, could you tell me, so I can keep an eye out?"
Thus, Zhao Xiaohua, while tending the fire, meticulously explained everything that should be avoided during pregnancy, things that should not be over-consumed or inhaled, and what activities to stay away from, as well as daily precautions.
In the end, Li Changning’s face was full of admiration, "Xiaohua, you’re really amazing."
Zhao Xiaohua loved hearing compliments, her mouth curved into a smile, dimples appearing on her cheeks, "My mom taught me all of this. She said I’m naturally talented in medicine, it’s God rewarding me with a profession. In the future, my medical skills will definitely be very advanced."
Li Changning smiled gently, her voice soft, "Yes, they definitely will."
"Cousin, have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?" Zhao Xiaohua asked Li Changning.
Li Changning was taken aback, what to do in the future?
She was twelve this year, and her mother said that by fourteen, they would probably decide on her marriage, then when she came of age, she’d be married.
After marriage, she would bear children and take care of the household.
Li Changning slowly talked about her future plans, Zhao Xiaohua looked very serious, "But that’s not what you want to do, Cousin! My mom said that a woman’s path isn’t limited to marriage and childbearing. Cousin, think carefully about what you truly want to do?"
What does she want to do?
Li Changning squinted her eyes. Every time her brother went out with her father, she felt envious.
So, sometimes she wished, ’if only she were a boy.’
A woman’s path isn’t limited to marriage. Does that mean she could also go out and see the world with her father and brother?