Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 60
Tled by Serena Love
Unedited
Chapter 60: Fried Chicken
"Second sister-in-law?" Jiang Shuyao's voice sounded in Zhou-shi's ear.
Zhou-shi returned to her senses and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Shuyao folded the letter and said solemnly, "Didn't you say you want to learn cooking yesterday? After thinking about it overnight, do you still want to learn?"
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Thinking of the impulse in her heart when she accidentally saw Lin-shi's letter, Zhou-shi replied without hesitation, "Of course."
"Do you want to learn some little tips or learn how to cook?"
Zhou-shi replied, "I will take this seriously. Whether you study martial arts or cooking, you can't just learn random skills."
Jiang Shuyao smiled, "Well. Then I will start over from the basics."
Zhou-shi nodded excitedly. Then she suddenly calmed down and said, "It is always necessary to pay for an apprenticeship. Third sister-in-law, do you think a land deed is enough? I can't learn your craft for nothing." Jiang Shuyao came from a wealthy family, and she does not need her little silver. Zhou-shi is a little nervous.
Jiang Shuyao was slightly stunned when she heard the words and said, "How can I ask for your apprenticeship fee?"
She held Zhou-shi's hand and looked at the light in her eyes that she had never seen before, and said softly, "Second sister-in-law, if learning cooking can make you happy, this is much more valuable than money. Just use this as my thank you gift."
Zhou-shi looked at her without speaking.
Jiang Shuyao was a little embarrassed. Thinking that she was never this gentle before, maybe she would think she is hypocritical.
She was about to withdraw her hand, but Zhou-shi grasped her and pulled her into her arms.
Zhou-shi held her and assured her with full spirit, "Don't worry, third sister-in-law, I will definitely study cooking properly, and I will never waste your effort. If I fail to learn, I, Zhou Ruoying, will write my name upside down!"
Jiang Shuyao was stunned by her loud voice and patted her on the back, "That's not necessary. The main reason for learning is to be happy. If we fail to learn, we can't force it."
She tried to escape from Zhou-shi's arms but was pressed again by Zhou-shi's force.
"Second sister-in-law?"
Zhou-shi was silent for a few seconds and then added softly, "Sister, you are so kind, thank you."
Obviously, it was only a short sentence, but Jiang Shuyao felt sour when she heard it, put her arm around her, and patted her back lightly.
Zhou-shi eased her emotions and released her hands, "Okay, let's start learning!" She took her crutches and asked, "What should I learn first?"
"Well, let's learn knife skills first, although you do not lack any chef, but the process of practicing knife skills can let you better understand the ingredients—"
Before she finished speaking, Zhou-shi had already stood up on her crutches and limped to the kitchen, "I will start practicing now!"
Jiang Shuyao hurriedly chased after her, "Slow down, don't fall!"
In one afternoon, Zhou-shi tossed all the dishes in her small kitchen. This look that can't be stopped as soon as the motivation comes up is very similar to Mrs. Xiangyang.
After Jiang Shuyao returned to the third branch at night, Zhou-shi was still practicing her knife skills in her small kitchen.
Xie Lang wandered outside the courtyard, but he did not step inside after for a long time.
The maid passed by, saw him, and quickly saluted him respectfully.
"How about Madam's injury?" Xie Lang asked.
He has a handsome face, bathed in the moonlight as if he was a fairy fallen from the sky.
The maid did not dare to look up, "Answering to the Lord, the lady's injury is much better. But Madam is unwilling to lie down and properly raise her body. She has to walk and stand up every day, and the doctor can't persuade her."
Xie Lang heard this with a gentle smile on his face. With nostalgia, he sighed, "She has such a personality."
His smile froze when he thought of the estrangement between the two. So he asked, "Is she still not letting me see her?"
The maid lowered her head and replied nervously, "Yes." Xie Lang is the owner of the second branch. No one would dare to stop him if he wanted to enter the yard.
Xie Lang was silent for a while, looked at the bright moon hanging high, and asked, "What is she doing now?"
He thought he would hear the same answer as in the previous few days, reading a book or sitting in front of the window to admire the moon, but the maid hesitated, "...Madam is practicing her sword skills in the small kitchen."
Xie Lang was stunned but did not react, "The kitchen?"
The maid nodded.
Xie Lang thought that Jiang Shuyao often came to the second branch to visit Zhou-shi lately. He guessed that this matter was related to her.
But he would never have thought that Zhou-shi wanted to learn how to cook. She was only practicing swords before she was out of her boudoir.
"I'll take a look." Xie Lang struggled but still planning to take a look at Zhou-shi quietly.
The small kitchen was brightly lit, and before Xie Lang reached the door, he heard a sharp "chop chop chop chop" sound.
He walked quietly to the door and heard Zhou-shi's broken thoughts, "This level of sword skill can't trouble me, hahaha."
He hadn't heard her voice in such a bright and hearty tone for many years, and he was momentarily in a trance.
Zhou-shi was happily cutting the vegetables, but she glanced and saw a black shadow on the door frame at the corner of her eyes. She subconsciously becomes vigilant, "Who!"
Xie Lang returned to his senses, took a step forward, and said, "It's me."
Seeing his figure appear at the door, Zhou-shi was stunned.
Xie Lang saw her crutches supporting her body at first sight and couldn't help but persuade her, "You are still injured, so you shouldn't stand for long."
His gentleness never changed. Zhou-shi's heart trembled. It's like this again. It's always like this.
The moment seems to return to every time she was sad or angry countless times before. When she complained to Xie Lang, she was caught off guard by his gentleness. No matter how many times he stung her, she kept her thoughts in an instant for fear of scaring him and being rejected by him.
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Xie Lang saw her staring straight at him, and tentatively took a half step forward, "Ruoying--"
Before he finished speaking, Zhou-shi suddenly moved.
A sharp knife light glided across the arc in the air and slammed into the pumpkin in the basket on the table not far away.
"Don't call me that." She said coldly.
Xie Lang was dumbfounded. He stopped, looked at the kitchen knife thrown on the pumpkin, and looked at Zhou-shi's expression.
They had been married for many years, but this was the first time he saw Zhou-shi's cold face.
He didn't know how to react for a while, "I..."
Zhou-shi did not look at him anymore, walked over to pull the kitchen knife from the pumpkin, and said in an extremely plain tone, "The courtyard is so big, why bother to come to me? I just nest in the small kitchen and the east wing. Wouldn't it be nice to keep the peace?"
Xie Lang twitched in his heart. Looking at her strange expression, listening to her cold tone, a sense of panic suddenly rose in his heart.
"Sorry, I am not—" He wanted to explain, to reconcile, and to make some concessions, but Zhou-shi didn't want to listen.
She squeezed the handle of the knife impatiently and glanced at him, "You can go." As if he said one more thing, the kitchen knife in her hand would not be thrown on the pumpkin anymore.
Xie Lang's jade-like mask was shattered. He was frowning and anxious, but Zhou-shi's attitude was obvious. If he spoke again, it would only annoy her.
Zhou-shi walked back to the kitchen counter without stopping after she spoke, unwilling to give him an extra glance.
Facing this Zhou-shi, Xie Lang was so embarrassed for the first time. He stopped talking and walked away doubtfully.
Before long, there was a sharp chopping sound in the kitchen again.
Between the crisp sound, Zhou-shi whispered and complained, "It's really delaying my time. I will be disappointed tomorrow if I don't improve after a day of practice. Hey, I'm so bored. I'm not going to cut vegetables anymore. I guess this is enough."
Xie Lang stood at the door of the kitchen and looked down slightly. Listening to her words, he suddenly smiled.
He laughed because of her sharpness and cuteness and also because of his own ridiculousness.
＊
"Did you bring it?" Someone asked in the dark.
"I have it." The other person replied.
"Take it out and let me inspect the goods."
"Can you believe me? It's definitely a good one."
"Okay," the female said, "Let's go in and talk."
"...Will we be too sneaky like this?" Xie Xun asked in a low voice.
Jiang Shuyao watched the surroundings vigilantly, jumped over the window sill, and replied, "How can you be sneaky when you eat?"
Xie Xun followed her into the large kitchen and closed the window, "I always feel that this is not the right thing to do. How do I feel a guilty conscience when I just eat and drink at home."
Jiang Shuyao said, "Your mother was applying the family law. She stared at me, and I pleaded guilty. But in the end, I was still tossing and eating. Isn't it right to have a guilty conscience?"
She patted Xie Xun, "Hurry up and take out the wine for me to test."
Xie Xun reluctantly took out the wine pouch and handed it to her, "This is from the best wine shop in Beijing."
The grandmother sent by the old madam was strict. Not only she sealed her kitchen, but she also locked her wine cellar.
She pulled out the plug and sniffed, "Well, it's really good."
"Why do you love wine so much?" Xie Xun complained.
"I don't like to drink that much, but tonight's supper must be paired with wine."
"What do we have for supper?" Xie Xun was led off the topic.
Jiang Shuyao took the ingredients and seasonings she brought out of the food box, "Fried chicken."
Xie Xun was familiar with placing candles and burning firewood. Jiang Shuyao was not idle either. She set the pot and poured some oil. After the oil was hot, she poured the marinated chicken wings and drumsticks into the pot.
With a "swipe and pull" movement, the oily smell came out after the chicken wings and drumsticks were in the pot for a while.
The fried food's aroma is very heavy, and it is obviously oily that should have made people feel sick, but instead, it makes people swallow.
After frying the chicken legs and wings, she removed them from the pot and placed them aside to drain the oil. Then she poured out the excess oil and added some seasoning to make the sauce.
After the sweet chili sauce is boiling and the aroma starts to bubble, she threw half of the chicken legs and chicken wings into the pot, let the sauce fully coat the chicken wings, and finally sprinkle with sesame seeds as soon as it comes out of the pot.
After cooking the fried chicken, Jiang Shuyao looked at the iron pan and said, "What about this pan?"
Xie Xun thought about it. "It doesn't matter. I'll let Zhi Yan come to deal with it later."
So the two of them sneaked out of the main kitchen with their fried chicken in the food containers.
To avoid people's eyes and ears, the two ran to a small garden not far from the main kitchen and found an empty land behind the rockery to sit down. There is a small pond in front of them. It has a wide view and reflection of the bright moon on the pond's surface, with the nice breeze coming, giving a sense of comfort.
Jiang Shuyao took out the food box and directly picked up the chicken wings.
The surface of the chicken wings is crispy, and it makes a sound when you bite it. After the outer skin is broken, a rush of heat emerges from the inside, and the delicious chicken juice flows to the tip of her tongue, instantly awakening the taste buds.
The chicken inside the fried chicken is extremely tender and juicy, and the steam and heat are all firmly locked by the crispy outer skin. The gravy is oozed out with one bite, which completely neutralizes the oily taste of the outer skin, and the more you chew together, the more fragrant it becomes.
After she chewed off the spicy skin and ate the tender chicken, she didn't forget the sticky meat on the bones. You must take one end of the chicken bone, gnaw it carefully, and finally gnaw the other end. Even the crispy bones are delicious.
The fried chicken has two flavors, one is spiced with chili powder, salt, and pepper, and the other is with sweet and spicy sauce.
Xie Xun didn't want to use his hands initially, but it was really troublesome to eat with chopsticks, so he gave up and used his hands.
He picked up a piece of chicken wings covered with sweet and spicy sauce. The brown-red sauce glowed under the moonlight, and the white sesame seeds were particularly conspicuous. The heat had not yet dissipated, and it smelled spicy and sweet, and the taste was very novel.
The sauce was boiled very thick, not too watery or wet at all. It tightly wrapped the fried chicken, and his mouth is full of sweet and spicy flavor. It was sweet but not greasy, spicy but not choking.
Even if it is coated with sauce, the fried chicken's skin is still crispy, and it still crunchy when chewed, and the skin is also delicious enough to eat.
Because of the strong taste of the outer skin, the chicken's freshness is more prominent. With a bite of the gravy, the tender chicken slips off the bones with a light touch. With the sweet and spicy skin, the pure freshness and the rich layers of sweetness and spicy are combined, making people unable to stop.
Swallow the fried chicken and sip the wine. The slightly spicy flavor dilutes the complex taste in the mouth. The light fruity flavor is very greasy, the sweetness is refreshing, and the flavor is fresh and long-lasting.
A few bites of fried chicken and a sip of wine are very enjoyable.
The two ate quietly, and soon the fried chicken was cleaned up, and there was no wine left.
Jiang Shuyao wiped her fingers, looked at the chicken bones and the empty wine bag, and sighed.
Xie Xun drank some wine, relaxed a lot, and said with emotion, "This is great."
Jiang Shuyao also sighed with emotion, "Yes, we are quite compatible in eating." Not only do they have the same taste, but they can also be silly for supper together.
Xie Xun nodded and looked at the beautiful moon and said, "It would be nice always do this in the future."
The moon is gentle, and the wind is very light. When it comes to the words "always" and "future," it is inevitable that there is a vaguely romantic tone.
Jiang Shuyao turned her head and said with a smile, "This is no good. You will get fat if you keep eating like this."
Xie Xun also turned his head and stared at her. The facial features were a little soft under the moonlight, and even the eyes were tender with wine.
Jiang Shuyao's ears suddenly became hot, her heartbeat quickened, and she quickly avoided his sight.
Then she heard Xie Xun's magnetic voice in her ears saying, "I basically practice martial arts and swords every day. It's hard to get fat. But you, all day—"
Jiang Shuyao: ?!
All the embarrassment and heartbeat disappeared in an instant. Jiang Shuyao turned her head and stared at Xie Xun viciously.
Xie Xun hurriedly shut up and almost choked.
Jiang Shuyao glared, "What about me?"
Xie Xun realized that he had made a mistake. He was drunk, a little slow, and hesitated with his words, "You..."
Jiang Shuyao grinds her teeth, "Do you want to say that I will be fat?"
Xie Xun: "I...I didn't say that."
Jiang Shuyao: "Humph"
She stood up and said viciously, "Sleep by yourself tonight!" Then she left in a huff.
Xie Xun quickly caught up with her while carrying the food box. "It's me who was wrong."
"Go away!"
"...You, you won't be fat."
"Yo, can a gentleman lie?"
"......I'm wrong."
"Humph!"
...
One by one, the voices gradually melted into the summer night's breeze.
[T/N: These few chapters are one of my favorite part of the novel. So I'm rushing to finish the "supper ninja" part so you can expect more chapters this week. Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ]
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