102: Someone’s Coming (4 updates)
The children weren’t entirely clueless; they saw that several new sheds had been built alongside the house, all filled with firewood. They understood that Xie Zhinuan’s supply of firewood was really quite substantial.
“Besides crabs, do you need anything else?” a boy couldn’t help but ask.
Xie Zhinuan thought carefully, “Sure, small fish and shrimp. Once the rice harvest is over, you can also go catch loaches and eels in the fields. I’ll pay you for those too!”
The mute boy looked at Xie Zhinuan, and a smile suddenly brightened his originally pale face, filling his eyes of despair with hope.
Catching loaches and eels was something he and his brothers were quite skilled at.
However, although loaches and eels were meaty, there wasn’t much meat on them, and they didn’t taste good when cooked due to their strong fishy smell.
He knew where to find crabs better…
And he could proudly bring his younger brothers and sisters to meet Sister Zhinuan, letting her see them.
“Alright, it’s getting late. You all head back,” Xie Zhinuan waved her hand.
She still needed to prepare dinner for the noble young master across the way.
Yuanbao had delivered vegetables for her so that she could make a nice dinner and have a good meal to nourish herself.
The children left happily, at least feeling that crab picking could be more profitable, and they returned home joyfully.
The mute boy trailed at the back, looking at Xie Zhinuan hesitantly for a long while before slowly making his way home.
Xie Zhinuan watched the children leave, then spoke up after some thought, “Silly Girl, fetch some water and clean the Mule Cart. We’ll go to town tomorrow morning to have a look!”
She wondered whether to cook something to sell, but on such a hot day…
Xie Zhinuan was somewhat hesitant again.
Silly Girl responded quickly and began to clean the cart, which hadn’t been used since they bought it.
Xie Zhinuan then went to prepare dinner.
Looking at the vegetables Yuanbao had brought, there was a neat arrangement of chicken, duck, fish, and meat.
Duck in soup, minced chicken stewed, braised pork ribs, steamed fish, mixed cucumber salad, stir-fried greens, served with white rice.
Xie Zhinuan suddenly realized that the young master across the street seemed to enjoy these few dishes; she was too lazy to cook anything else.
“…”
She slightly raised an eyebrow.
Thinking about marinating some chicken and duck meat tomorrow as a treat for herself.
She busied herself preparing the food with several small stoves burning at once.
She then went to the backyard to pick some mint, chopped it up, and fried it with eggs.
By the time she finished cooking and packed the bowls and plates into a basket, Yuanbao was already waiting at the door.
Drenched in sweat, Xie Zhinuan said, “Xie Miss, you’ve worked hard!” Yuanbao expressed her sincere gratitude.
She couldn’t help but inhale deeply.
A rich scent of Leng Zhuxiang, crisp and refreshing, seemed to emanate from Xie Zhinuan herself.
“You’re welcome!” Xie Zhinuan gestured with her hand.
Signaling Yuanbao to hurry, she was ready to go have dinner.
Li Hengyi really liked the meals Xie Zhinuan prepared and was not picky at all.
After Yuanbao brought the food back, he started eating and even overate.
The air was filled with a strong scent of Leng Zhuxiang. Standing in the yard, Li Hengyi gazed towards Xie Zhinuan’s home.
What kind of girl was she exactly?
“Yuanbao!”
“Yes, my lord?” Yuanbao looked up from the food.
“Go ask her what incense she uses. Bring some over!”
“…”
Yuanbao, holding chopsticks, said, “My lord, Miss Xie doesn’t seem to use incense!”
“She doesn’t?” Li Hengyi frowned.
If she didn’t use any, then the fragrance was naturally emanating from her person. How should one cultivate oneself to let the scent diffuse from the body?
After dinner, Xie Zhinuan took Silly Girl to water the backyard vegetable garden.
“Let’s make some steamed meat with rice flour tomorrow!”
They planned to buy some green beans and cowpeas in town the next day. If anyone was selling taro, they could buy some, and ask villagers for some shelled edamame. Coating the edamame in rice flour and steaming them would make for a delicious meal.
A horse-drawn carriage stopped at the gate, and a man disembarked, calling into the gate, “Hello, is anyone there?”
Chapter 104