Tled by Serena Love

Unedited

Chapter 41: Big Dumplings

The next day, after Jiang Shuyao greeted the old madam, Xu-shi stopped her when she left Shouning Hall.

"Third sister-in-law." Xu-shi is thirty-two this year, but the years did not leave too many marks on her face.

Xu-shi is seldom taking the initiative to speak to Jiang Shuyao. Jiang Shuyao was slightly surprised and stopped walking to look at her.

Xu-shi smiled softly as always, "Could I please ask third sister-in-law to go to our courtyard for a chat?"

Jiang Shuyao hesitated for a moment and nodded in response.

As a maid drew on the curtain, Zhou-shi came out of the hall. She listened to the conversation between the two and frowned.

Zhou-shi's temperament matches her appearance very well, with bold eyebrows, aggressive and straightforward. However, she has to wear a virtuous and upright attire and try to look like Xu-shi. One word that describes it was "nondescript."

"First sister-in-law, third sister-in-law." She raised one eyebrow. "Since when did you two get so close?"

Xu-shi's expression did not change, and she replied gently and softly, "We must work hard to get closer to one another."

Zhou-shi gave a disdainful "humph" and laughed, ignoring the presence of Jiang Shuyao, and said directly, "Keep pretending, you and I have never been close."

Xu-shi said, "You don't have to be like this, second sister-in-law." She didn't want to care about Zhou-shi.

Zhou-shi felt like her fist has hit cotton, and she felt bored and aggrieved, but after so many years, she had become accustomed to feeling this way. She glared at Xu-shi, then stared at Jiang Shuyao a few times. She curled her lips weirdly, and left in a hurry.

"Her temperament is like this. She is covered with thorns. Just get used to it." Xu-shi said while leading Jiang Shuyao to her courtyard.

Jiang Shuyao never thought that Xu-shi is the kind of person who would say that other people are bad and looked at her strangely.

Xu-shi knew what she was thinking and didn't want to explain. The two arrived at the first branch's courtyard in silence.

Jiang Shuyao sat down and watched Xu-shi leisurely pouring a cup of tea for her. She finally couldn't help herself and asked, "Is there anything wrong so that sister-in-law is calling me?"

Xu-shi's gentle smile turned a little unnatural. She let out a sigh of relief and said, "My third sister-in-law is very straightforward so that I won't circle around anymore. I don't want to conceal it. I want to ask my third sister-in-law to clarify something. But before that, I should apologize to you."

"Huh?" Jiang Shuyao was staring at the various pastries on the table. She was taken aback when she heard these words and took her gaze away from the pastries.

"Sister-in-law, what does this mean?" She apologized to her for no reason, which made her feel that Xu-shi wanted her to do something big.

Xu-shi's expression was a little embarrassed, "I used to be prejudiced against my third sister-in-law and deliberately alienated you. I even tried to keep my two children away from your courtyard. Later I gradually realized that I was selfish and narrow-minded."

In the beginning, Lord Xiangyang had somehow deliberately moved the queen to let Jiang Shuyao and Xie Xun marry. If the queen gave the marriage edict, it would not be so easy to get a divorce. So Xie Xun had no choice but to bite the bullet and rush to propose to Jiang Shuyao before the edict come. As the eldest sister-in-law, Xu-shi was very picky about Jiang Shuyao, a younger sister-in-law with a bad reputation.

But after she married into the mansion, Jiang Shuyao was not as absurd as the rumors, and she got along well with Xie Xun. Her estrangement and fussy behavior made her appear mean. Additionally, Jiang Shuyao was very fond of the two children and did not treat Xie Zhao and Xie Yao badly regardless of her actions. Comparing the two of them, she was the one with a bad temper.

"Why did my sister-in-law say this?" Jiang Shuyao was a little slow in interpersonal communication and did not notice Xu-shi's alienation.

Xu-shi clan was even more ashamed when she heard the words, and once again sincerely explained her mind and apologized to Jiang Shuyao.

Jiang Shuyao was a little dumbfounded. She quietly turned her head to look at Bai Zhi, but she saw a raised eyebrows on Bai Zhi's face.

It seems that what Xu-shi said is true, and she is the only one who did not notice?

Seeing Xu-shi's more remorse and gentle appearance made Jiang Shuyao very uncomfortable, so she interrupted her, "Sister-in-law, just tell me straight."

Xu-shi pulled the handkerchief tighter and explained a little eagerly, "My third sister-in-law have misunderstood. Even if I have nothing to ask you, I will still apologize to you."

"Uh, I didn't mean that..." Before Jiang Shuyao's words were finished, a small meatball flew from a distance and hit her.

"Third aunts!" Xie Zhao hugged her arm and asked in surprise, "Why are you here?"

"Ah Zhao!" Xu-shi scolded him.

In front of Xu-shi, Xie Zhao didn't dare to be too lively. He let go of Jiang Shuyao's arm in an aggrieved manner and salute respectfully, "Mother, third aunt."

After he finished the salute, Xie Yao rushed over. He was walking so quickly that he was a little out of breath.

He followed to salute them as well. Xu-shi nodded and asked the nanny next to him, "Why are they here?"

"Responding to Madam, there was something urgent at the teacher's house, and he just handed out a letter to ask for leave."

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Xu-shi said, "If the teacher is not with you, just review the book yourself. Don't be lazy."

"I heard the maid said that third aunt came, so I brought fourth younger brother here." Xie Zhao pulled Jiang Shuyao's sleeve.

Jiang Shuyao said in a slightly embarrassed manner, "That... I wonder what sister-in-law wanted to say?"

Only then did Xu-shi think of the business. She put aside the matter of disciplining her sons and said to the nanny, "Take them down to wipe their face."

After sending away the two little guys, Xu-shi said, "What I'm asking was related to Ah Yao. You must have heard about him. Ah Yao has been weak and sick since he was young, and his appetite is extremely bad. I heard someone say that he liked the meals made by my sister-in-law, so I shyly came to ask my sister-in-law for some recipes."

Jiang Shuyao was silent.

Xu-shi knew that her words sounded a little shameless, and her tone became more ashamed, "I understand if my sister-in-law disagree. Please feel free to ask anything if my younger siblings have any requests, and I will do my best to satisfy them."

Jiang Shuyao felt helpless, "No, I just don't think there is anything special about my recipe."

She carefully recalled Xie Yao's favorite meals and remembered that he didn't seem to be a picky eater.

"Sister-in-law has worked hard on Ah Yao's meals for so many years. You must have a good cook and a doctor. I don't think I can give any recipes that would satisfy sister-in-law."

Seeing her serious tone, Xu-shi couldn't help but be stunned. After a long while, she fell in frustration and drooped her head, "It's because I didn't consider it properly. I hope my third sister-in-law doesn't mind."

"But I have some thoughts. It's still early noon. Why don't you let me borrow your kitchen?" said Jiang Shuyao.

Xu-shi's head suddenly looked up, with an unconcealable surprise in her eyes, "Okay, okay, thank you."

She followed Jiang Shuyao into the kitchen.

Jiang Shuyao swept around in the kitchen and picked up a piece of hind leg meat, "Let's eat dumplings at noon today."

"Dumplings?" Duke Xie's mansion does not usually eat dumplings, which are usually only used as one of many New Year foods.

"Well, although the season is not right, you can eat delicious food anytime." Jiang Shuyao rolled up her cuffs and said, "The most important thing is that making dumplings is fun."

Dumplings have existed in ancient times. According to legend, they were originally called 'Jiao'er". Zhang Zhongjing invented them to treat cold. They have been passed down as "dumplings" over time.

But the source is not important, it's just delicious.

Xu-shi had never cooked before. At most, she would make soup, but she only came to the kitchen and stirred it as if she was cooking herself. Seeing Jiang Shuyao's big battle, she couldn't help but shocked.

Regardless of what she is thinking, Jiang Shuyao is in her home court when she arrives in the kitchen.

After washing her hands, she began to make dough. She is skilled, and her hands were also fast. In a short while, she kneaded dough with a moderate toughness and covered it with wet gauze.

Xu-shi watched her, and when Jiang Shuyao picked up two kitchen knives and started to chop the stuffing, she finally found the opportunity to speak, "Sister-in-law, it's better to let the servant do this kind of thing."

Jiang Shuyao "banged" the kitchen knife into the chopping board and asked, "Why do you think I like to cook?"

"Uh..." Xu-shi looked at the two sharp-edged kitchen knives while racking her brains to answer.

Jiang Shuyao asked this to test her. Seeing that Xu-shi's expression looks like facing an enemy, she felt very helpless. "Because I think cooking by myself made me very happy."

"This matter sounds very mysterious, but from the processing of the ingredients to the proportioning of the seasonings. When every step is handled by oneself, and the ingredients made will also contain their own hearts. This may be what everyone often says, 'The food you cook is the most fragrant.' "

From a young age, Xu-shi's family has a strict upbringing to be generous and decent. She is seldom expressing her thoughts on her face, but at this moment, her face showed a dazed look.

"Let's put it this way, have you ever cooked your own food?"

Xu-shi shook her head.

"Then has your mother cooked for you?"

Xu-shi shook her head again.

Jiang Shuyao was speechless and asked, "What about your nanny?"

Xu-shi recalled carefully and replied, "Yes, when I was sick as a child, my nanny made porridge for me."

It was too long ago, and Jiang Shuyao couldn't ask anything, so she gave up and said directly, "When I was sick when I was young, my mother would cook for me. But she doesn't know how to make delicate delicacies, mostly just plain rice porridge. Or steamed eggs. Steamed eggs only need to be stirred, salted, and steamed in the pot. White rice porridge is even simpler. Just set a little bit of chopped vegetable leaves, add a little salt, and drop a few drops of sesame oil. But to me, these are the most delicious food in the world."

"When I grew up, I always thought about the meals I ate when I was sick, but nothing have the taste of what I had back then. Even when I went to the best porridge shop, I couldn't get what I wanted. Only when I returned home and ate my mother's porridge that she made personally can give me peace of mind."

Xu-shi listened quietly, seemingly understand.

"So the porridge I made is not the most delicious in the world, probably because Ah Yao watched me cooking and saw what he wanted, so he had the peace of mind." After she said this, Jiang Shuyao suddenly picked up the knife and began to chop the meat without giving any reaction time to Xu-shi.

Xu-shi clan was startled and silently stepped back.

The chopping process can air the pork slightly, which improves the umami taste and retains the texture of the pork itself. It will not be as soft as a machine-grinded pork.

For the meat, choose the pork belly with an equal amount of fat and lean meat. Chop the tender white fat and bright red lean meat slowly. The meat filling will be thick, tender, and not tough.

Jiang Shuyao picked a cabbage that had lost moisture in the corner of the kitchen, chopped it, and squeezed out the moisture to prevent the meat from getting too watery and affecting the taste.

Mincing meat will not make you sore if you master the skill, and the process of chopping is very decompressive spiritually. It's just a bit noisy.

The noise attracted Xie Zhao and Xie Yao, who was in the study room. They took a peek at the kitchen door and saw Xu-shi standing inside. They were very disappointed and winked at the other party and planned to retreat.

Jiang Shuyao just finished chopping the stuffing and was seasoning it. When she took the sesame oil jar, two small figures floated in the corner of her eyes and she quickly stopped them.

When Xie Zhao heard Jiang Shuyao call his name, he stopped and turned to look at Xu-shi carefully.

Unexpectedly, Xu-shi did not blame them for being playful, only smiled at them.

Xie Zhao became bold. He ran into the kitchen when he saw this. Xie Yao couldn't hold him back, and he pursed his lips helplessly.

"Third aunts, what are you making, is it delicious?"

"Dumplings." Jiang Shuyao said, "Hurry up and wash your hands. Let's make dumplings together."

When Xie Zhao heard this, he ran to wash his hands, leaving Xie Yao standing next to the kitchen door, neither entering nor retreating.

"Ah Yao also go." Jiang Shuyao said.

Xie Yao did not leave immediately, but first looked at Xu-shi.

"Go." Xu-shi nodded.

Xie Yao then left slowly.

When they came back, Jiang Shuyao had already finished the dough neatly. Rolling pin rolled like flowers in her hand. The dough was rolled into a thin circle with some press and turn, one by one flying out from under her hand.

After Jiang Shuyao made the dumpling wrappers, the only thing left is folding the dumplings.

She asked the maid to fetch four stools, and several people sat down directly in the kitchen to make dumplings.

Jiang Shuyao spread the dumpling wrapper in the palm of her hand, picking up a tuft of meat filling and placing it in the center. Then she dipped her fingers in water and drawing a circle on the edge of the dumpling wrapper, and then she pinched and flipped her fingers, and a plump dumpling was done.

Xu-shi followed her movements and wrapped one. Her hands were rusty, and the dumplings she made were similar to the one Xie Zhao made.

She was a little embarrassed, but Jiang Shuyao certainly wouldn't laugh at her. She patiently slowed down and taught her.

Xie Zhao is making dumplings for the first time in his life. It's like discovering the new world, and he wished to make dumplings like buns.

Xie Yao sat quietly next to Jiang Shuyao, studying her movement carefully without blinking. His studies' results were quite visible, and the dumplings he made were regular and looked decent after a few moments.

Xu-shi was still a little uncomfortable at the beginning. Later, after hearing Xie Zhao and Jiang Shuyao's happily talking, her body gradually relaxed, and the dumplings in her hands became more and more beautiful. Later, she could make good-looking dumplings without squeezing.

Xie Zhao also wanted to make more dumplings, but Jiang Shuyao held him down, "You can eat the ones that you made yourself."

Xie Zhao looked at his dumplings, then at Jiang Shuyao's, and gave up.

Xie Yao was slow to fold dumplings. He scooped the stuffing carefully for a long time. This is too much, this is too little, measuring carefully with a serious face.

Hearing Jiang Shuyao's words, he counted his dumplings' size, fearing that he made too many dumplings to eat.

After he counted and he decided that they were not too many, his bright eyes are smiling.

Xie Zhao couldn't harm any dumplings anymore, so he came to pester Jiang Shuyao. He acted like a baby and stretched out his hands to make trouble. Finally, he was successfully subdued by Jiang Shuyao threat to wipe flour on his face.

After the dumpling-making spree, the cook hurriedly came forward to clean up the mess.

Dumpling dipping sauce has different tastes. Some people like to eat it with vinegar. Some people like to add dark soy sauce, sesame oil, mashed garlic, or ginger juice. Some people even like to add a spoonful of spicy oil.

She made several flavored dips, and when the dumplings were out of the pot, the maid brought them all to the table, just in time for lunch.

The dumplings that just came out are white and fat, with thin skins and thick fillings. Each bowl has six or seven dumplings. The skins are slippery, steaming, and there is a salty fragrance.

Jiang Shuyao sprinkled it with chopped green onion and let the maid serve the soup. Each person has a bowl.

"Let's eat." Jiang Shuyao said, "Look at which flavor of seasoning suits your taste, and scoop out it to your bowl yourself."

Xu-shi was a little awkward at first, embarrassed to move her chopsticks, but the awkwardness disappeared when she saw her two sons immediately start to move.

She picked up a dumpling. The skin of the dumpling was slippery and almost slipped out of the chopsticks. Fortunately, the dumpling was so stuffed that it was easy to hold.

She had never eaten such big dumplings. Now she looked at the white dumplings between her chopsticks. She smelled the garlic scent in the seasoning in front of her, and she was suddenly hungry.

She took a bowl of seasoning, roll the dumplings into it to wrap the skin with the light brown sauce, and dip it in sesame oil until it become mottled.

Xu-shi picked up the dumplings, opening her mouth slightly to blow. Otherwise, the big round dumplings would burn the corners of her mouth.

After blowing off the heat, she took a bite of the dumpling, the heat dissipated in her mouth, and her mouth was full of the scent of pork and the scent of cabbage.

The minced meat has a thick, delicate and chewy texture. After a little chewing, the hot and fragrant water splashes in her mouth. It is not known whether it is cabbage juice or gravy.

The sauce is salty, the soy sauce has a mellow sweetness, the garlic is spicy but not irritating, and the sesame oil has a light taste, which greatly enhances the umami taste of the meat filling.

After swallowing the dumplings, the moist and savory taste in her mouth lasted for a long time, and the tip of her tongue was slightly numb.

Because she watched Jiang Shuyao make it and participated in the folding, Xu-shi felt that the dumplings were extremely delicious. She couldn't wait to swallow the remaining half of the dumplings into her abdomen without having to blow the heat again.

Xie Yao is no better than Xu-shi. His appetite is small, and the big white dumplings wrapped by Jiang Shuyao are really big for him.

He gripped the dumplings tightly, dipped them in a little vinegar, and took them to his mouth. He preferred the original flavor of the dumplings.

The dumplings' skin is very slippery, soft, and chewy, but it is delicious to eat.

He stopped to blow for a while. When he bite open the dumplings, the heat rushed out.

The dumplings were full of moisture and were delicious and delicate. The meat filling is thick, but the meat filling is very soft and smooth because of the fatty and lean meat chopped finely.

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The vinegar dip enhanced the savory flavor of the dumplings. Compared with the complex flavors of other dipping materials, the dumplings only have a slight vinegar aroma. After swallowing the soft fillings, it seems that his whole body is soaked in warm water.

After eating a big dumpling, he showed a triumphant smile on his face. He did not hesitate to clamp another big dumpling, not at all like a sickly child.

Xie Zhao also ate excitedly, stuffed the big dumpling in his bulging cheeks in one bite, and he squinted happily while chewing.

He swallowed the dumplings without chewing carefully, and the tender dumplings slipped along his throat, which gave him a sense of joy.

After swallowing the dumplings, he had another refreshing soup with the green onions fragrance, satisfying.

Xu-shi seldom ate at the same table with the two children. Looking at her children eating like this, her appetite improved a lot. She kept chewing the smooth and tender dumplings and watched them eating.

When she saw Xie Yao had the sixth one, her eyes rounded in surprise, and she looked at Jiang Shuyao.

Jiang Shuyao was not surprised, and she looked at Xu-shi in doubt, "Is there something wrong?"

Xu-shi smiled at her. Looking back, she finally understood the meaning of Jiang Shuyao's words.

In addition to the taste of food, it turns out that there is also this feeling.

Participating in it for the first time today, she finally understood why Xie Yao liked Jiang Shuyao so much. Who could not like this kind of warm and peaceful person?

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