Proofread by Claire.KK
The next day, Li Hongmei told this story to Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baozhu while they were selling cold jelly in town and the other two were amused as well.
Xiao Baozhu asked, “Ma, how do you know that they were elder and third aunts who slipped in and drank the pot-cleaning water?”
“Who else can they be? Your grandpa had eaten the pork leg that night and your elder and third uncles are men. They wouldn’t do such things. Those boys like Baocheng have been studying in private school, learning those Confucius books so they wouldn’t sneak into other’s kitchen to steal things. So only your elder and third aunts are suspected. Besides…”
“Besides?” asked Ye Xiaoxian smilingly.
“After I found someone have slipped into our kitchen, I went to your elder aunt’s room, staying there to eavesdrop for a while and heard that your elder uncle said that she deserved to have loose bowels as she was gluttonous!”
“hahaha…” Ye Xiaoxian and Xiao Baozhu started to chuckle again.
When it reached noon, Housekeeper Liu came over to find Ye Xiaoxian again, asking her to cook lunch for Miss Liu.
While they were chatting on their way, Ye Xiaoxian understood that Miss Liu’s name was Liu Qianqian and she was sixteen years old.
Liu Qianqian didn’t have any appetite as usual. In the face of various food like buns or pancakes cooked at her home, she couldn’t eat anything and only drank a tiny bit of rice milk.
Housekeeper Liu asked Ye Xiaoxian what kind of ingredients she needed for today’s meal. YH gave it a quick think and said, “Just get me some fish and ginger with cucumbers and wooden ear. Um, and vinegar, garlic, sesame oil and some chili if you can find some.”
“chili?” Housekeeper Liu looked puzzled.
Ye Xiaoxian just realized that chili had not been popular as a vegetable or spice in this dynasty since they were mainly for being appreciated like a plant. She then added, “I mean pepper. If you see anyone have it planted, pick up some and it can be used to cook dishes.”
…
Ye Xiaoxian made a sliced fish porridge in the Lius’ kitchen. This is a Cantonese dish, which is appetizing and quenching thirst and very suitable for people who have lost their appetite.
When the porridge was cooked, Ye Xiaoxian made a cucumber salad and a wooden ear salad with some pepper sprinkled on the top. When the dishes are done, Auntie Wong fetched them to serve in to her miss.
Just like yesterday, while Liu Qianqian was eating, Ye Xiaoxian waited outside. If Liu Qianqian didn’t eat, Ye Xiaoxian had to cook other different dishes.
No one expected that not long after Auntie Wong went in, she came out and called out to Ye Xiaoxian, “Ms. Ye, come in for a while. Our miss wants to talk with you.”
Ye Xiaoxian felt a bit surprise and went in after hesitating for a second.
This time Liu Qianqian looked much better than yesterday. Her hair had been combed and she was in a more formal outfit. The whole person looked much healthier than last time and she was much more polite to Ye Xiaoxian this time.
“Ms. Ye, I heard that you’ve already married?” Liu Qianqian was seated in the front of a round table, asking while sipping her porridge.
Ye Xiaoxian nodded, “Yes.”
“You look very young. I don’t think you’re older than me so why did you get married? Where does your husband come from? Does he treat you well?” Liu Qianqian suddenly asked Ye Xiaoxian a series of questions as if she was investigating her background.
When talking about her husband, what happened in the river last night suddenly came across Ye Xiaoxian’s mind. Her heart slightly fluttered.
Liu Qianqian suddenly lost her appetite and she put down her spoon. “look at how shy you are. Your husband must care for you very much. Uh, every girl has found her perfect husband but why can’t I?”
Ye Xiaoxian paused and suddenly realized that Liu Qianqian was still in her lovelorn period and she could bear to hear others being in love.
In order to let Liu Qianqian eat her food, Ye Xiaoxian suddenly sighed
“What are you sighing for? Haven’t you had your perfect husband? So why did you sigh?” asked Liu Qianqian sulkily.