Tled by Serena Love

Unedited

Chapter 16: Crystal Clear Soup Dumplings

After Xie Xun had eaten enough, he went back to the study room to read a book. The two of them weren't considered a couple or friends when they got along. They could barely count as a meal partner, but it is kind that Jiang Shuyao warmly invited Xie Xun to eat.

Jiang Shuyao was quite excited after calculating the days. Xie Xun had eaten a few of her meals, promising her a small request is not too much.

She ate too much this time, and sitting was uncomfortable, so she ran to the kitchen to prepare tomorrow's breakfast. This way the food can digest while she’s standing.

The Chinese breakfast culture is colorful and splendid, the Northern and Southern habits are mostly different, but there are also delicious foods that unify the North and South, such as steamed buns.

When it comes to the types of steamed buns, there is no end to the list. Looking at the front of the steamed bun shop, the densely packed variety on the sign is enough to dazzle people. Preserved vegetable meat buns, marinated meat buns, beef and vermicelli buns, red bean paste buns, custard buns... But Jiang Shuyao's favorite is Xiaolongbao or soup dumplings.

When making soup dumplings, the skin and stuffing are all exquisite. Making dough, raising the  dough, and kneading the dough, every process must be paid attention carefully. The stuffing is the same. The meat filling should be made from pork leg with the right fat ratio. Ginger and green onion should be chopped finely, and the stuffing should be stirred in one direction, so that the meat filling will taste perfect. 

The most important one is the making of the gelatin. Pig skin is beaten and chopped, marinated in seasonings, and then boiled with the chicken broth slowly boiled over a small fire. After cooling, this soup becomes frozen. Dice it and stir it together with the meat, the steamed dumplings will have the so-called "soup". 

This is where the essence lies. When eating soup dumplings, use chopsticks to pierce the thin layer of skin, or take a bite directly to the mouth. The hot and delicious soup will overflow instantly, making the tip of the tongue slightly tingling. The eater had to blow again and again, and then carefully sucked away the soup. 

When Jiang Shuyao finally made the fillings, it was already late. 

After she turned off the fire, and walked out of the kitchen, Xie Xun at the other end of the yard also opened the door. 

When the two saw each other, they were a little surprised. The courtyard is quiet, with the yarn-like moonlights, sprinkled on the ground like dreams and illusions, giving the courtyard a tranquil and calm atmosphere.

Xie Xun took the lead to break the embarrassment and said, "It's so late, still making food?"

Jiang Shuyao nodded, "Preparing for tomorrow's breakfast."

Xie Xun could not find other words. He nodded, indicating that he understood.

The two looked at each other in silence, Jiang Shuyao had nothing to say, and she was about to turn back to the east wing.

Xie Xun thought that it was late at night so she probably didn't see him nodding just now. Maybe she thought he didn't respond, which would be rude.

Seeing that she was about to leave, he was anxious and said, "Thank you for your hard work." He almost bit his tongue after he finished speaking.

Jiang Shuyao turned to look at him, opened her eyes slightly, her expression was a little surprised.

Xie Xun's ears are red.

The two of them are far away, talking inexplicably across the huge courtyard. This scene was really funny.

Jiang Shuyao was amused, tilted her head, and smiled, "You are working hard. You are still reading until it's so late."

Xie Xun heard the smile in her voice, and subconsciously squeezed the wooden door with his hand.

The moonlight was dim, and Xie Xun couldn't see her expression clearly, but could imagine her clear and bright eyes slightly bent, and a smile appeared in her eyes.

"It's not hard, cough... Reading is not hard." He didn't know why he became so clumsy, and added embarrassingly, "I don't feel tired because it is interesting." 

Jiang Shuyao agreed, "I also like to cook, so I don't find cooking is hard."

Xie Xun became curious about her words for some reason. Obviously they have nothing to say to each other, but he has a lot of questions to ask her, such as why she likes to cook, and did she often cook when she was in the boudoir.

Before he could ask, Jiang Shuyao interrupted his thoughts.

"By the way, tomorrow I am going to steam some soup dumplings, do you want to eat it?"

Xie Xun was taken aback, his ears became redder. He nodded and replied, "Yeah."

"I'll go to the main kitchen to steam some tomorrow. I will let the maid bring it here."

"Okay."

Now there is nothing else to say, so Jiang Shuyao turned back to the room.

Xie Xun was left alone standing in place, thinking about his inexplicable performance just now. Suddenly he raised his head and looked at the bright crescent moon resentfully.

He blamed the moonlight for misleading him.

＊

Early the next morning, Jiang Shuyao invited the maids to the main kitchen with great fanfare.

The dumplings are already wrapped, so they just need to be steamed.

Jiang Shuyao didn't need to do it himself, so she hurried to the main hall after explaining carefully.

After a while, the aroma of the steamed dumplings overflowed from the basket, and after the lid was lifted, the crystal-clear small dumplings made people salivate.

Everyone was envious when thinking that the third lady would have left a bamboo basket with these dumplings for the four maids. It seems that there is nothing wrong with following the third lady, although she is not favored, but she is left alone in her yard for a leisurely life. There is not much difference with the other two ladies.

When Jiang Shuyao came to the main hall, Xu-shi unexpectedly took the initiative to talk to her.

After Xie Pei's trouble yesterday, Xu-shi was unavoidably concerned, and asked, "Did you make breakfast today?"

Jiang Shuyao obviously did.

Xu-shi continued to ask, "Is it still tofu pudding like yesterday?"

"Of course not." Jiang Shuyao smiled slightly, "I have to change the trick. After all, I'm here to please the old madam."

Xu-shi's face stiffened slightly. She didn't expect joy, but she was disappointed a lot.

She remembered yesterday's breakfast, and she was curious and cannot forget the sweet tofu puddings. Because she didn't eat it, she craved it even more.

The maid drew the curtains, and the three of them entered the hall and saluted together.

Seeing Jiang Shuyao's figure, the old madam pressed her temples with a headache.

This daughter-in-law, she doesn't care if she treats her coldly. Might as well leave her alone and worry about herself. But she is not a cruel mother-in-law who can use any means to bully her daughter-in-law, so she can't do anything about it.

Forget it, the old lady thought to herself, and said abruptly that Jiang Shuyao does not have to give morning greetings in the future.

Although Jiang Shuyao was puzzled, she still agreed. Of course it is best if she does not have to wake up early, and to please the old lady is not worse than this morning meal.

When it was time for breakfast, Jiang Shuyao's maid came up again, and this time they directly brought the steaming basket.

The old madam was a little disdainful when she saw this. Would the dumplings have anything special?

It turns out that it does.

Uncovering the lid of the bamboo basket, the white mist raised up. After the mist dissipated, everyone saw the neatly folded dumplings.

The dumplings are small, exquisite and translucent, with a crystal-clear skin. They are so thin that people can vaguely see the meat and the jiggling soup inside.

"There is soup in these steamed dumplings. Mother, be careful not to scald. You can poke the skin of the dumplings with chopsticks first, and wait for the soup to cool slightly before eating." Jiang Shuyao stood beside the old lady and served her dish, "But it's better to bite around it. It tastes delicious when you bite the skin off with your mouth. The soup is fragrant and hot. Take care to take a sip slowly so that you won't get burnt."

Her description is really tempting, even Xu-shi, who had just eaten breakfast, heard it and felt a little greedy.

The old madam, still keeping her indifferent face, gracefully picked up a dumpling to her bowl.

The skin of the soup dumpling is extremely thin and soft, but it is tough enough not to break. When it was clamped by the chopsticks, the soup inside the dumpling swayed, as if it would burst in the next second.

The old madam remembered Jiang Shuyao's words and ate carefully. First, she bit off the thin and tough translucent dumpling skin, and the hot soup flowed into her mouth. She shrank because of the heat, and subconsciously blew indecently at the dumplings . As a result, the temperature of the soup flowing into her mouth is just right.

The soup is extremely fresh and delicate, and the old madam's appetite was lifted after tasting the soup, and she couldn't wait to swallow the whole dumplings.

The dumplings are exquisitely made, and it is the right size just for one bite.

The hot dumpling's skin is thin and tender, and there is still some soup in it, so the fresh soup will overflow the mouth with the bite.

The tender and juicy meat, the slightly elastic and tender thin skin, every bite is enjoyable.

The soup dumpling was too small, and the old madam only realized that she swallowed it without chewing it a few times. There is still a hot scent in her mouth, and the gluttons in her stomach were completely hooked up.

This soup dumpling is not only a delicious, but also exquisite.

The old madam ate half a basket of soup dumplings in one breath before she suddenly recovered.

She ate too fast and too much.

She put down her chopsticks uncomfortably and drank porridge to hide her embarrassment.

But even though she hesitated, she still cannot resist the temptation of delicious food. She ate a basket of soup dumplings cleanly, and did not move her chopsticks to the pickles that she usually ate daily.

After eating, she doesn't have the face to continue to treat Jiang Shuyao coldly. She smiled at Jiang Shuyao, "I haven't eaten such a satisfying breakfast in a long time. It is thanks to your filial piety."

Jiang Shuyao took advantage of this opportunity and flattered her, "If Mother likes it, how about daughter-in-law often come here to cook breakfast for Mother?"

How could the old madam agree? First, she does not want to see Jiang Shuyao every day. Second, if a daughter-in-law occasionally cooks for her mother-in-law, it is filial. But doing it every day means her mother-in-law is viciously grinding her daughter-in-law. This good little lady is not here to be a cook. If Countess Xiangyang and Noble Consort Lin hear about this and make a fuss, Duke Xie's mansion will have no face.

The old madam hurriedly refused and said mildly, "No, it's enough for you to have this filial piety in your heart." After hearing this, Xu-shi couldn't help but glance at Jiang Shuyao a few more times. This younger sister-in-law can really catch the old lady's weakness. Maybe she isn't as naive and stupid as she seems?

The main hall was full of joy, but Xie Xun didn't feel well.

Jiang Shuyao reminded the old madam to pay attention to the hot soup when eating soup dumplings, and also reminded her maids to be careful when eating, but she forgot to remind Xie Xun.

Xie Xun was hungry when he woke up early in the morning, and he saw that these soup dumplings were small and crystal-like, and looked very good. Naturally, Xie Xun didn't pay attention and just stuffed it in his mouth... and then he suffered.

Although his tongue was burned red, he still wiped out all the soup dumplings, which made the burns of his tongue more serious.

He was working in the East Palace and did not dare to touch tea the whole morning. When it came to lunch time, he didn't want to endure eating the cold and boring meal, which aroused Lin Cheng's incomparable sympathy.

Bo Yuan's appetite is getting worse day by day. How annoying is this daughter of the Jiang family? It makes him feel so worried.

Lin Cheng thought this way and was also losing his appetite, so he put down his chopsticks.

Xie Xun was quite comforted when he saw this.

Lin Cheng also couldn't eat the food here. It seems that the food did not taste well these few days, it is definitely not because he is picky.

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