Full House Spring

Chapter 31 A blow to the head

Nanny Xie turned around and saw Xia Li staring at the window frame, but his eyes were unfocused, and he was obviously thinking about something else.

She coughed lightly and said angrily, "I was talking to you, where were you wandering off to?"

Xia Li turned her face to the side, her eyes curved, and she said softly:

"Grandma, I was just thinking that Manager Wang must have some hidden card in his hand since he dared to challenge the old lady. What do you think he knows?"

Aunt Xie's expression became serious, and she said in a calm tone:

"This is not something you, a child, should think about. If you want to escape slavery and leave the mansion in the future, then you should talk less, listen less, and watch less. The affairs of the Duke's Mansion involve a lot of things. The more you know, the more dangerous it is."

Xia Li's expression went blank for a moment, and grandma's advice was like a blow to the head.

She took it for granted. This was an ancient time without human rights. Xiao Fengxian was a living example. No matter how much you knew, protecting yourself was the most important thing.

There was a flash of pain in her eyes, and she pulled the corners of her mouth slightly, and said in a calm tone: "Don't worry, grandma, I'm not very curious and I don't have any cynical thoughts. I won't do anything rash."

Aunt Xie looked a little helpless. She sighed and said, "I like your intelligence, but sometimes I hope you're not so smart. I don't know whether this is a blessing or a curse."

Xia Li didn't want to make the atmosphere so solemn, she raised her eyebrows slightly and said with a bit of complacency: "Grandma, you are worrying too much. Of course, the smarter the better, so that you can enjoy happiness with me in the future."

Her childish face, eyes as bright as stars, and her agility reveal an indescribable wit and courage that make people happy when they see her.

Aunt Xie's expression unconsciously relaxed, and she said in a soft voice, "You only know how to make me happy. You come back at this hour to make milk tea. Is there something wrong?"

Xia Li said in a cheerful tone: "Xiangru invited a few of us sisters to have supper, just to get together and have fun. I will make some milk tea and bring your lotus cakes. I won't eat dinner with you."

Aunt Xie nodded gently, "Just go ahead. Do you want me to pick you up at night?"

Xia Li picked up the lotus cake on the table and put it into the food box, and refused:

"Don't bother grandma. Xiangru's house is not far away. We can just come back together. I am familiar with the territory of Leshou Hall. There are servants on duty everywhere. You don't have to be afraid to walk at night."

When Nanny Xie handled affairs in the mansion, she seemed ruthless, harsh and unbearable, but she was very open-minded and was willing to give Xia Li enough freedom as long as it did not touch the bottom line.

She gently warned, "Don't make a fuss too late, don't disturb the old lady, if there is any emergency, come to me to solve it. You are my only granddaughter, so don't be too polite when something happens."

Xia Li felt warm at heart after hearing this, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Grandma, I understand..."

Xiangru was very thoughtful. She informed Qiaohe a day in advance to give her enough time to prepare the food. Qiaohe was just a maid in the kitchen who cooked the food. She was under the supervision of her superiors and it was impossible for her to do whatever she wanted.

At this moment, the maids in the small kitchen were busy preparing dinner for the old lady. After Qiao He stewed the hot pot soup base, she returned to the stove to light the fire. Madam Lu, wearing a cloth towel on her head, was cooking with a spatula in her hand.

Qiaohe stuffed the firewood into the stove, and then unconsciously glanced at Madam Lu.

Since the Mid-Autumn Festival, Madam Lu's temperament has changed drastically. She no longer chats with others, loses her temper easily, and has never raised her hand to slap.

Logically speaking, Qiao He should be happy about Madam Lu's transformation, but she was a little nervous, perhaps because she was used to being beaten by her, or because she was afraid that she would have another big move.

Perhaps it was because Qiao He's gaze was too obvious. After Mrs. Lu put the stir-fried vegetables on the plate, she said in a low voice, "Turn down the heat. The vegetables are all served. Can't you see it?"

Qiao He shrank her neck and said honestly, "I'll put out the fire right away..."

Madam Lu wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, turned to look at the woman who was cutting vegetables on the chopping board, and raised her voice and said, "Madam Sun, let Qiaohe cut the chrysanthemum and lotus root."

After hearing this, the two of them were stunned. Mother Sun thought that Madam Lu was trying to make things difficult for Qiao He, and said hesitantly: "Qiao He's knife skills can't cut such delicate things, let me do it..."

Qiao He was a little confused. Madam Lu put the loop of the knot around her neck and tied it again. She said calmly, "She must have practiced it many times in private. You also taught her a lot. Let's see if she has the potential to be a chef today."

Qiao He may not be the most talented girl, but she is definitely the most hardworking. After seeing Xia Li's abilities, she consciously or unconsciously follows her example. She is no longer foolishly squatting in the corner waiting for opportunities, but will take the initiative to fight for them.

She pursed her lips and mustered up the courage to say, "If I can cut out the chrysanthemum and lotus root, can you teach me how to cook?"

Madam Lu raised her eyebrows slightly and said in an ambiguous tone, "You want to take me as your master? You know that once a teacher, you are a father for life. This is not a joke."

Qiao He never dared to expect too much in the past. It was rare that Madam Lu agreed today. She just wanted to seize the opportunity and give it a try. There was a determination in her eyes.

"Although I am young and have not read much, I know how to repay a favor. As long as you are willing to accept me as your disciple, I will definitely be filial to you."

After this period of exploration, Qiao He realized that the probability of successfully stealing skills was very small. If she wanted to have a bright future, she could only become an apprentice and learn the skills.

Madam Lu looked at her with scrutiny for a while, then raised the corners of her mouth slightly and said indifferently: "I will consider this matter. Cut the chrysanthemum and lotus root for me first."

Although Qiaohe was young, she was used to doing kitchen work. She stood up without hesitation and walked to the chopping board. She took the kitchen knife from Mother Sun's hand and started working.

She recalled Grandma Sun's steps, first peeling the lotus root skin, then slicing it from the bottom along the edge, and then arranging the cut parts on the plate. She concentrated on slicing the lotus root. Madam Lu reached out and picked up the lotus root slices to take a look. After she finished slicing a small section of lotus root, she spoke up, "Your lotus root slices are so thick that they can kill people. Does the arrangement look like chrysanthemums? If you make chrysanthemums stuffed with lotus roots and serve it on the table, will the old lady eat it?"

Qiao He's face turned pale and blue, and Grandma Sun tried to smooth things over by saying:
"It's very rare for Qiao He to be able to cut like this for the first time. She is still young and her hands are not strong enough. She just needs more practice..."

Madam Lu picked up the lotus root slices and took a bite, then said indifferently:
"I will never accept you as my apprentice at your level. Practice more. When you can cut better than Mother Sun, come back and find me."

Qiao He's eyes lit up, and she said solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, madam. I will not let you down."

Madam Lu sneered and said, "If you can't do it well, I won't accept it. There's nothing to be disappointed about. Whether it's good or bad depends on you..."

Mrs. Lu had lost hope of having children. Whether it was Zhao Daqiao's illegitimate child or Qiao He, they were all her plans for her retirement. Qiao He was not discouraged by Mrs. Lu's words. She had experienced so many setbacks that these trivial words were nothing. Mother Sun had a kind temper and was willing to teach her step by step. Qiao He studied very seriously.

As a result, when they had supper at night, there were several extra plates of lotus roots. Xiangru didn't know whether to laugh or cry and said, "Qiaohe, didn't I ask you to prepare a few more plates of meat? You didn't have to save money for me like this..."

Qiao He smiled innocently and said, "These lotus roots are free. They are left over from the kitchen and I use them to practice my knife skills. You can eat them if you can, and you can keep them if you can't finish them."

Xiangru nodded in understanding. At this time, all the maids had gone to rest. The autumn wind outside was bleak and a bit cold, so the hot pot was simply placed on the long table in the kitchen.

Xia Li brought the prepared milk tea and lotus cakes to the table. She smiled and said, "The hot pot hasn't boiled yet. You guys can try the lotus cakes and milk tea first."

Mai Dong couldn't wait to reach out and take it. She took a bite of the lotus crisp first and squinted her eyes happily. "The snacks at the old lady's place are really better. And the hot pot dishes are so rich. It would be great if I could eat like this every day."

Xia Li handed her the poured milk tea and said jokingly with a smile: "Our monthly allowance can't support such eating. It won't take long for you to become fat and bloated. Then you won't even be able to keep your job."

Mai Dong puffed his lips and said, "No way, I won't get fat no matter how much I eat."

Qiao He put the meat slices into the boiling hot pot and said in a brisk voice, "Then you are suitable to work in the small kitchen. Otherwise, you can discuss with the housekeeper and come here to keep me company."

Maidong frowned and thought seriously. Xiangru said unhappily, "You fool, what can you do in the small kitchen? Can you fry, cook, chop wood or fetch water? I'm afraid you'll be scolded by Madam Lu if you come here."

Qiao He smiled and said with emotion: "Mrs. Lu has changed a lot recently. She doesn't scold people as much anymore. Today she even tested my knife skills and said that if I can cut the chrysanthemum and lotus root beautifully, she will consider taking me as her apprentice."

Xiangru's eyes widened, "Ah~ There is such a good thing, you have finally come to an end after all the hardship, you should celebrate tonight."

Qiao He chuckled and said shyly, "It may not work yet. Just keep it to yourself. Xia Li, do you know what happened in Madam Lu's home? I always feel like she was upset."

Xia Li couldn't tell anyone about the Zhao family's affairs, so she said vaguely, "Don't worry about Madam Lu's family affairs. Just do whatever she says. If you really become her apprentice, you will have a backer. Your future... won't be too bad."

Qiao He also thought so. She said calmly, "Don't worry, I will definitely seize the opportunity... How do you feel about Xiang Ru being promoted to a second-class maid? What errands can she do?"

Xiangru drank a sip of milk tea. The sweet taste made her feel very happy. She said slowly, "I'm fine. With Xia Li's help, nothing will go wrong."

Mai Dong shouted excitedly: "The meat slices are cooked. If you don't eat them now, they will become old. Hurry up and start eating."

She was the one with the least ambition. Being well fed and well watered was her greatest happiness. Xia Li took the lead in picking up the chopsticks. "Then let's eat first. We can talk while we eat..."

The steaming hot pot, served with fresh ingredients and the dipping sauce prepared by Qiaohe, feels so comfortable in your mouth, as if all your worries have disappeared at this moment.

After supper, life had to go on. Xiangru's personality was unlike Xia Li's. She was gentle, obedient and sweet-talking. But in just a few days, she became familiar with Qiancao and the others, and she did her job more and more easily.

Xia Li worked hard for several days and finally finished the old lady's undergarment. After paying her respects in the morning, she held the dress in front of the old lady for her review. The off-white jacquard silk matched with the crabapple flower color looked elegant no matter how she looked at it.

The old lady spread out her clothes, touched the crabapple blossoms and exclaimed, "This work is so bright, it looks like a real flower."

After getting Madam Xie's approval, Xia Li brought the middle garment to the old lady for review. Madam Xie said, "The garment looks good, but I'm afraid it's not practical. This girl is young and not as thorough as Bai Shao. Try it on before the master goes to bed. If it doesn't fit, ask Bai Shao to make some changes."

Xia Li agreed, "Grandma is really thoughtful. If the old lady feels it doesn't fit, just ask Sister Bai Shao."

Bai Shao glared at her unhappily, "You little mischievous kid, you know how to order people around. You should take care of the work you have done yourself."

The old lady said cheerfully: "It doesn't matter if there are some small flaws. As long as it can be worn, it's fine. We should learn from it next time."

Xia Li smiled and said, "The old lady loves me the most. This undergarment is slightly different from the one made by Sister Bai Shao. You will know it after you try it yourself."

The old lady nodded slightly and was about to speak when Chan Yi came in carrying a plate of bright yellow persimmons. She said in a brisk voice:

"Old lady, the persimmons in our yard are big and thin-skinned. I picked a few a few days ago and kept them in my pocket. Now they are soft, sweet and perfect for eating. I brought them to you to try."

The old lady smiled and said, "It's already frost, so persimmons are edible. Are there many fruits this year?"

Chan Yi showed a hint of joy on her face. "The branches are bent down by the fruits, and the birds have eaten a lot of them. It's time to pick the fruits."

The old lady frowned slightly and said with a little worry: "Persimmons are very cold in nature. It would be a pity if we can't finish eating them after picking them."

Xia Li said cheerfully, "If you can't finish them, you can make frosted dried persimmons and eat them slowly after the heavy snow or the beginning of spring."

The old lady nodded continuously, "That's right, let's go pick persimmons and call all the brothers and sisters over to join in the fun."

Madam Xie hesitated a little, "The prince has just recovered, so why don't you let anyone go and call him?"

The old lady picked up the persimmon and said nonchalantly, "It's okay. The old lady was too scared. Lingchuan is a prince, not a girl. How can she be too restrained?"

Nanny Xie took the order and turned around to tell the little maid to run errands and pass on the message, while the old lady excitedly led the maids to the northwest corner of Leshou Hall.

I seldom go there in summer, but from afar I can see the persimmon trees with swaying green leaves and golden fruits. The fruits are like small lanterns, which are very pleasing to the eye.

Qiancao stretched her neck to look, and said cheerfully, "Look, old lady, isn't that a magpie eating persimmons?"

The warm autumn sun was blinding, and the persimmon leaves were swaying in the wind. The old lady squinted her eyes and said uncertainly:
"The tail looks like a magpie. I guess the persimmons on the top of the tree are ripe. The skin is thin and the flesh is tender. They melt in your mouth. Even magpies love the sweet taste."

Shi Mi supported the old lady's wrist and whispered softly, "Should we call a few servants to climb up the tree and pick the fruits?"

The old lady glanced at the persimmon tree and said in a calm tone, "Call him over, and bring a ladder so that it won't be inconvenient to climb the tree."

(End of this chapter)