146 Thunder Chestnut
Seeing that it was almost noon, Yu Niaoniao announced that class was over.
Everyone cupped their hands and bade her farewell.
As she walked out of the morgue, her tense nerves relaxed. She secretly heaved a sigh of relief. She was finally out of that eerie place!
She went to the Mirror House first and took all the remaining candied hawthorns.
Xiao Juan put down the dossier and asked.
“How was your class today?”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Pretty good.”
Xiao Juan carefully observed her expression and was relieved to see that she was still as carefree as ever.
“That’s good.”
Yu Niaoniao walked briskly to the dining hall.
Pan Dafu did not see his teacher yesterday and missed her very much. When he saw her coming, his fair and fat face immediately beamed.
He hurried forward and called enthusiastically.
“Teacher, I heard that His Highness went to give you a betrothal gift yesterday. Congratulations!”
The others in the kitchen surrounded her and congratulated her.
Yu Niaoniao distributed the candied fruits in her hand to everyone.
“It’s made of hawthorn and sugar. Try it.”
Everyone was very curious about this novel treat and could not wait to take a bite. It was sour, sweet, and delicious.
Pan Dafu was even more impressed.
“Teacher’s culinary skills are indeed impressive. You can make such delicious food with just hawthorn and sugar. I’m impressed.”
Yu Niaoniao waved her hand. “Don’t say that. I didn’t create this food. I learned it by chance. If you like it, I can tell you the method and you can go back and make it yourself.”
Hearing this, everyone was overjoyed.
In this day and age, no matter what profession it was, they would not easily teach their secret recipes to outsiders. It was simply rare to see someone like Yu Niaoniao who did not hide anything.
Everyone’s attitude towards her naturally became more respectful and humble.
Pan Dafu patted the cushion on the recliner. “Please sit, Teacher. I’ll make you some tea.”
Yu Niaoniao had been standing all morning and was indeed tired.
But she didn’t want to rest yet.
She had to find something to do to distract herself from thinking about the corpses.
This was the bad thing about having a good memory. Whether it was good or bad, she could not forget it.
Yu Niaoniao glanced over and saw a basket of chestnuts by the wall. An idea immediately formed in her mind.
She spoke to Pan Dafu.
“Take those chestnuts and wash them.”
“Alright!”
Usually, Pan Dafu would leave such small matters like washing vegetables to his disciples or the chefs.
But it was different now. Pan Dafu had no intention of handing the job over to anyone else. He rolled up his sleeves and carried the basket to the well.
Yu Niaoniao chose two pieces of mutton, washed them, and cut them into pieces. She put cold water in the pot and cooked it with onions, ginger, and cooking wine.
When the liquid boiled, she brushed away the froth with a soup spoon, before reducing the heat and covered the pot to let the broth simmer slowly.
Pan Dafu returned with the washed chestnuts.
“What’s next, Teacher?”
Yu Niaoniao picked up the kitchen knife and made a cross on the chestnut.
“Like this. Make an opening for the chestnuts so we can peel off their shells later.”
Pan Dafu understood and immediately picked up a kitchen knife to help her cut the chestnuts.
With his help, the basket of chestnuts was quickly cut.
Yu Niaoniao brushed the surface of the chestnut with oil and poured it into the pot to stir-fry.
Soon, the chestnuts exploded one after another, emitting crackling sounds.
Pan Dafu said, “I once heard my father say that this is called thunder chestnut. Because it makes a sound when fried, it’s like thunder in the sky.”
After saying that, he didn’t forget to look like he was asking for praise.
Yu Niaoniao thought to herself that this was just ordinary stir-fried chestnut. How could he quote the classics?
But she managed to maintain her teacher’s posture and nodded slightly. “Yes, you’re right.”