There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 19 Unwavering Love

While Granny Zhou was preparing lunch, Li Shuchen inspected all six rooms from beginning to end.

One room is the kitchen, and the other is a storage room for farm tools, seeds, and other items.

There are also four rooms, each capable of accommodating approximately four people.

After finishing lunch, Li Shuchen took some chili peppers, radishes, and potatoes—all freshly picked and very fresh; he must really know how to eat.

I took some soybeans from the storeroom, took some motion sickness medicine, and then headed back.

On the way back, the carriage traveled slowly, and Li Shuchen kept thinking about what vegetables would be best to plant. Thanks to the medicine he was taking, he didn't experience motion sickness anymore.

It was almost 5 pm when we got back to the inn.

Li Shuchen glanced at the time; Xiao'er should be finishing her exams soon.

Li Shuchen: "Grape, go buy meat."

Li Shuchen brought grapes to the South Market, where a meat vendor...

Li Shuchen looked at the ribs and said, "Boss, four pounds of ribs, please."

He then pointed to the side and said, "I'll take these two pig's trotters too. How much is it in total?"

Butcher: "It'll be 250 coins in total, but you can give me 240."

Li Shuchen: "Grapes, give me the money."

Grape paid for the meat and smiled as she held it, saying, "Miss bought so much meat today!"

Li Shuchen: "Let's all have some nourishment today."

Back home, Li Shuchen washed her hands and prepared to cook.

Kitchen ingredients preparation: pork ribs, pig's trotters, green and red bell peppers, potatoes, radishes, soybeans

First, cut the pork ribs into pieces about 5 centimeters in size, and cut the two pig trotters into eight pieces. Then blanch them in boiling water with scallions and ginger.

After blanching, rinse the pig's trotters with warm water, then put them into a pot.

Add the braising spices and water, then simmer.

In a separate pot, pour in oil, add rock sugar, and caramelize it over low heat. It's crucial to keep the heat low.

Once the color turns brownish-red and small bubbles appear, add 3 pounds of pork ribs and stir-fry quickly to coat them evenly with the color.

Add hot water (adding cold water will make it tough), then add rock sugar and balsamic vinegar, about 4 tablespoons of rock sugar and 4 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, and simmer.

Cut the radish into small pieces, put it into a clay pot along with the remaining 1 pound of pork ribs, add water, and simmer.

焖米

After finishing these tasks, it's time to add soybeans to the pig's trotters pot and simmer for another half hour.

The ribs need to reduce the sauce. Turn up the heat and cook until the sauce is almost gone. Add salt, then remove from heat. The ribs should have a bright red color and a perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Cut green and red bell peppers and potatoes into strips. Heat oil in a wok, add the bell peppers and stir-fry. Then add the potato strips and stir-fry evenly. Add balsamic vinegar and finally season with salt.

The pig's trotters are almost done; add salt and remove from heat.

Add some goji berries to the pork rib soup as a garnish.

Li Shuchen: "Grape, I've come to check the fire. Go see if Xiao'er is back yet."

Grape stood up and brushed the ash off her clothes: "Yes, Miss."

As soon as Li Lingxiao entered the house, she smelled the aroma of food and went straight to the kitchen, where she happened to run into Grape, who was coming out.

Grape: "Young Master is back. Miss is waiting for you."

Li Lingxiao: "Hmm"

Upon hearing Li Lingxiao's voice, Li Shuchen said, "You're back. Wash your hands and serve the dishes."

Upon hearing this, Li Lingxiao obediently picked up the ribs. However, he couldn't understand why he had been learning to cook from his older sister recently, and that he had cooked all the meals for her when she wasn't living at home.

Even though he and his older sister follow the same cooking steps, why doesn't his food taste as good as hers?

Li Lingxiao kept carrying dishes back and forth on the table, thinking it over, but finally gave up. He figured his older sister was just a genius, and he'd need to practice constantly to reach her culinary level.

What Li Lingxiao didn't know was that Li Shuchen's cooking skills weren't innate; she had honed them gradually since childhood.

Soon, all the dishes were served, and everyone was in place.

Tonight's menu: Sweet and sour pork ribs, braised pork trotters with soybeans, hot and sour shredded potatoes, radish and pork rib soup, rice.

Master Li sat down and asked, "Why are the meat dishes so plentiful tonight?"

Madam Li playfully slapped Mr. Li: "You didn't know? Xiao'er went to Ruhai Academy for the entrance exam today! Of course, we have to celebrate!"

Mrs. Li placed a piece of pork rib in Li Lingxiao's bowl.

Madam Li: "Here, Xiao'er, have a piece of pork rib. Are you tired from the exam?"

Li Lingxiao: "Mom, I'm not tired."

Master Li then glared at Li Lingxiao, but Li Lingxiao pretended not to see it.

Then he looked at his wife pitifully, almost saying, "I want one too!"

Then Mrs. Li placed another piece of spare rib into Mr. Li's bowl.

Only then did Master Li happily begin eating the ribs.

Li Shuchen watched this scene, utterly speechless, truly unable to bear it.

Seeing Madam Li eating ribs, Li Shuchen said, "Mother, eat more pig's trotters; they're good for your skin and complexion."

Upon hearing this, Master Li quickly and eagerly placed a piece on Madam Li's plate, saying, "Madam, please eat more."

Li Shuchen was already used to it.

Li Shuchen picked up his teacup: "Let's celebrate together that Xiao'er has successfully passed the entrance exam for Ruhai Academy."

Mr. Li, Mrs. Li, and Li Lingxiao all raised their teacups and clinked them together.

Li Shuchen: "Drink"

"Drink" *3

After Mrs. Li and Mr. Li finished eating, they left. Li Lingxiao finished her meal and sat obediently on the stool, watching Li Shuchen.

Noticing Li Lingxiao's gaze, Li Shuchen spoke while eating.

"Xiao'er, is there something you want to tell me?"

Li Lingxiao: "Aren't you going to ask me how my exam went?"

Li Shuchen put down his chopsticks: "It doesn't matter how Xiao'er does on the exam. If she doesn't get in this time, she can try again next time."

Li Shuchen patted Li Lingxiao on the shoulder: "Don't be afraid."

Li Lingxiao felt much relieved after hearing this; he was afraid that if he didn't do well on the exam, he would disappoint his older sister.

Hearing her older sister's words, she felt much relieved and happily said to Li Shuchen, "Okay, goodnight, older sister."

Li Shuchen: Goodnight

I slept soundly through the night, and as I stretched in the morning, Grape came running in, all excited.

"Miss, there are many southerners selling things in the West Market today. Let's go take a look."

Li Shuchen: "Sure."

She happened to be looking to buy some seeds, so she wanted to see if they had any.

After washing up and having a meal, I took the grapes to the West Market.

People come and go in an endless stream.

The West Market is so lively! They have everything. Li Shuchen, with his sharp eyes, spotted candied hawthorns from afar. He hadn't had them in a while and was really craving them.

Li Shuchen pointed ahead: "Candied hawthorn, quick, catch up with him!"

That vendor walked away way too fast.

Li Shuchen and Grape were panting heavily from running.

Li Shuchen: "Boss, two skewers of candied hawthorn, please."

The candied hawthorn vendor: "Ten coins in total, please take it."

Li Shuchen took the two strings of candied hawthorns and handed one string to Grape.

Li Shuchen: "Eat"

Grape happily accepted it: "Thank you, Miss."

Grape took a bite, her eyes narrowing: "Delicious! Sweet and sour. Miss is so kind, she makes sure I have everything."

Li Shuchen thought for a moment and then said, "They certainly have the food, but they don't have the brains."

Grape thought for a moment what she meant, then widened her eyes: "Miss, are you saying I'm stupid?"

Li Shuchen took a bite of the candied hawthorn and mumbled, "Looks like I'm not too stupid after all."

"Selling seeds! All kinds of vegetable seeds!" a man dressed as a southerner called out.

Li Shuchen strode forward: "Hello, may I ask what kinds of seeds you have?"