Chapter 112: Freeloading
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The servant flattered brainlessly. “Fortunately, you are far-sighted and didn’t let the county magistrate scheme against you!”
What he didn’t know was that County Magistrate Shen was really there for a free meal.
That morning, Xiaoxiao chased her father and brothers into the house to sleep. Ning Fengnian was originally unwilling and forced his eyelids open, saying that he wanted to go to the fields to prepare for the planting of seedlings. Xiaoxiao sighed and said, “Father, don’t forget that we still have guests at noon. You can’t entertain them like this, right?” Only then did he obediently enter the house and lie down.
The three of them were very sleepy. They basically fell asleep the moment they touched the pillow. Xiaoxiao left thick rice porridge in the pot for them and stir-fried a portion of cabbage and hairy beans. She cut a plate of pickled cucumbers before sauntering out.
The Shen Family understood their family’s situation and insisted on preparing the ingredients themselves. Xiaoxiao did not stand on ceremony with them and reported the list to Shen Tianci to bring back. The ingredients were all common, but she was confident that she could make a delicacy that the Shen Family had never heard of or seen before.
The broth had been simmered with firewood yesterday. After removing the foam, the impurities were then absorbed by chicken puree. Then, it was as clear as water, making Ning Erlang gasp in amazement.
Xiaoxiao asked her brothers to help cut a few tender cabbages while she carried the basket on her back. She carried the bucket and fishing rod to catch prawns and fish. Fresh prawns were the most delicious. No matter what they were made into, it would leave a lasting aftertaste. Shen Tianci had been thinking about the pan-fried mushroom stuffed shrimps for a long time. She refused to let him eat it today, in case he was satisfied again. That kid was picky.
After exchanging for a set of rice seeds, she only had 400 points left, but she did not show any mercy. She could not save on bait. She put one into the bamboo basket and stuffed it into the seaweed to catch prawns. She used the other to fish and prepare to make spicy boiled fish at night.
Shen Tianci said that his father liked spicy food and his mother liked sweet food. He did not know how much of a headache it was for his chef to serve these two people with completely different tastes.
Xiaoxiao let the Shen Family buy the meat, eggs, chickens, and ducks. The vegetables, fish, and prawns were still fresher and more tender when she had prepared them herself. Xiaoxiao slowly went into the river. While waiting, she saw Rong Yan and the others carrying bows and arrows into the mountain, so she waved and greeted them.
In the end, the Little Master turned around and covered his mouth to yawn.
Xiaoxiao stuck the fishing rod into the ground and ran over. “You didn’t sleep well?”
She did not expect the thieves to affect the neighboring house. She only thought that Rong Yan and the others were preparing to enter the mountain, so they did not rest well. She sighed. “Why do you have to enter the mountain today? I even wanted to invite you to eat together.”
Rong Yan left on purpose. Every time they “entered the mountains”, they were just taking the opportunity to do something unknown. Of course, part of the reason was that he felt that it was not time to see County Magistrate Shen yet.
He naturally wouldn’t tell Xiaoxiao this. He only said, “The weather has been good recently and there’s a lot of prey in the mountains. Perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to catch a wild boar or something. I’ll send some to your family then.”
Xiaoxiao never rejected ingredients that came knocking on her door. “Alright, I’ll make delicious food for you.”
Then, she suddenly thought of something. “Ah, wait for me here for a while. I’ll go back and get something.”
Rong Yan thought that she had forgotten something when she went out. Unexpectedly, Xiaoxiao stuffed a few jars into their hands when she rushed back. “Here, these are the barbecue ingredients you ate before. The mountains are not like your home, and it’s inconvenient to eat and drink. Later, no matter if you have hot dry rations or roasted game, sprinkle some on it. It will taste better.”
“These are the premixed soup ingredients. 1 didn’t add chili. No matter what soup you boil later, sprinkle a few spoonfuls according to your taste. There’s no need to add anything else.”
Yun Yi and the others were so touched that they almost cried. Although they did not really go hunting, Miss Ning’s condiments were more pleasing to them than anything else, especially such simple and convenient things that anyone could use.
Hearing her advice, Rong Yan also felt the sleepiness accumulated from insomnia dissipate bit by bit.
Xiaoxiao looked at the obvious shadows on his fair face and couldn’t help but remind him again, “Take good care of yourself when you’re outside..”
