Chapter 17 17. Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs
The aunt and sister-in-law returned to Shenjiacun before noon.
Dozens of kilograms of rice and noodles were brought back on a bullock cart. It was not tiring at all to pay two extra copper coins.
The iron lumps held by Cheng Xi also occupied a place. She took them from the blacksmith shop while her sister-in-law went to the embroidery workshop to work, and the other four were placed in the space. inside.
Along the way, Shen Xingqi looked at this thing called a "stove" with curiosity.
"Sister-in-law, why don't you use a brazier when burning charcoal in winter?"
"Burning charcoal in a brazier can easily cause carbon monoxide poisoning. You will suffocate yourself to death."
"It turns out that you need to open the window when using a brazier. Afraid of being held back?”
“Yes.”
“But what’s the difference between this stove and a brazier?”
"The stove seals the burning charcoal fire inside, and only needs to install an iron sheet to guide the air after the burning charcoal fire out."
In addition to the iron stove, Cheng Xi also customized several custom-made charcoal fires with a diameter of about ten centimeters. of iron sheet.
Thanks to the ancient people's skill in blacksmithing, otherwise this conduit would not have been made. However, iron sheets conduct heat easily, and an insulator needs to be tied around the outside of the iron pipe to avoid burns.
The two got off the bullock cart and headed home, and found that many people were whispering around the Shen family.
Through the crowd, Cheng Xi saw a luxurious car.
The carriage is wrapped in silk on all sides, and the gold-inlaid windows are covered by a curtain of light blue crepe, with a faint flow of light. A piece of emerald green jade pendant hangs from the long tassels on both sides of the curtain.
One word, trench!
No wonder it attracted most of the women in Shenjia Village. Even she, who was accustomed to pomp and circumstance in her previous life, couldn't help but sigh that it was inhumane!
"The Xingluo family is back? There is a guest at your house!"
"He is a handsome young master, he looks very impressive!"
"That's right, there is a boy following behind him. He is a young man from a rich family."
A luxurious carriage, a handsome young man from a rich family, she is familiar with this configuration!
Is it that scumbag with pinkeye?
It’s impossible to think about it carefully. If her memory is correct, the carriage named Zhou is not so showy!
“Have any of the aunts had lunch?”
"Ah, yes, there is still porridge in my pot!"
Cheng Xi sent everyone away with a smile. When he stepped into the house, he saw a sapphire blue figure jumping up and down around Shen Xingluo who was working.
“Xingluo Xingluo, it turns out you often play in the mud at home!”
“It looks like that.”
“How do you open this door? What is it for? Hey, what is it? Oh my God, garlic grows in the ground!
"."
Where does this naivety come from!
"Husband, are there guests at home?"
Cheng Xi asked sideways, with the words "Who is this fool" written clearly on his face.
Shen Xingluo was so annoyed that his veins were throbbing, and he wanted to slap the red brick in his hand on the opponent's forehead.
"Sister-in-law! You are Xing Luo's bride, aren't you?"
Xiao Zhenzhen adjusted her sapphire blue dress, put her hands together and gave her a standard scholar's gift.
"My Excellency, Qin Zheng, is Xing Luo's classmate and friend. I came here to visit you today."
"Master Qin."
Cheng Xizheng was wondering why he came here at this time, He himself explained everything to me.
"After I passed the provincial examination, I took a boat to go south. When I learned about Xing Luo's accident, I rushed back immediately. I didn't know that the two of you were getting married. I asked my sister-in-law not to be offended."
After saying that, he gave Shen Xing Luo a sad look. .
"We have been classmates for three years, but you didn't send me a wedding invitation for such a big event like getting married? I missed the most important day!"
Everyone: "."
< br>What do you mean you missed the most important day?
Don't say this nonsense.
Cheng Xi pointed to the kitchen, "You guys chat, I'll cook?"
"Thank you, madam."
Shen Xingluo stuffed the bricks into Qin Zheng's arms, "Help with the work."
"But I can't do it?"
"I can't study."
***
In the kitchen, Shen Xingqi is responsible for helping cook.
Cheng Xi learned about Qin Zheng’s family background from her mouth. The Qin family was an imperial merchant, the richest man in the Yan Dynasty, and had a daughter who was a concubine in the palace. The family was rich and powerful.
Qin Zheng is the only son of the youngest son of the head of the Qin family. The next head of the family is his uncle, and Qin Zheng's father took over several shops in Lin'an Mansion.
“So Qin Zheng is a direct descendant of the Qin family, but he has no inheritance rights?”
“Yes.”
“How is his study?”
“ Mr. Qin is the leading candidate for this provincial examination!”
"!"
Is he still a roll king?
Cheng Xi was shocked!
"But I heard from my brother that Mr. Qin had no intention of joining the court as an official. After the provincial examination, he went south and never came back on the day when the examination was released."
Cheng Xi was stunned, this was still the case. A scroll king who is indifferent to fame and fortune.
The lunch meal was very rich because of the guests.
Braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, salt-baked shredded chicken, two stir-fried vegetables, winter melon pork ribs soup, all are made by Cheng Xi. Due to the addition of oyster sauce in the space, they are delicious and fragrant.
Even the Shen brothers and sisters have only eaten braised pork and stir-fried vegetables.
"What does it smell like? It smells so good!"
Qin Zheng was very energetic after finishing his work. He sat in the living room and looked forward to it.
"Xing Luo, your family hired a chef from Lin'an Mansion?"
"No, no, the best restaurants don't smell this good!"
Shen Xingluo said nothing, stood up and walked towards the kitchen And go.
Cheng Xi was ladling winter melon soup with a large spoon when he saw him coming over and stuffing it into the soup.
"Serve the food."
"."
"What are you standing there for?"
In the hot air, the pear dimples on Cheng Xi's cheeks were clearly visible. Shen Xingluo's black eyes stared quietly for a moment before suddenly smiling.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"It's good to know that I'm working hard. Remember to clean up the yard this afternoon."
"Okay."
The six dishes were quickly served on the table, with a combination of meat and vegetables, each with an attractive color, and the air was filled with a strong aroma, which hit your nose without having to smell it carefully.
Even Qin Zheng, who has seen a lot of things in the world, couldn't help but swallow his saliva and his stomach growled.
“It smells so good~What is this?”
“Braised pork.”
This was said by Shen Xingluo.
Since there was a sister to be married at home and it was difficult to see outsiders, Cheng Xi took Shen Xingqi to set up a new table in the small living room and divided all the dishes into two portions.
There were only two people left in the main hall, plus a boy standing behind Qin Zheng.
The male host, who had no wife by his side for the first time, felt a little uncomfortable at this time. He glanced at the classmate opposite him, with a hint of disgust in his deep black eyes.
"Xing Luo, you have no meat at home? How can you cook with bones."
"You don't have to eat it."
Qin Zheng took one bite of the braised pork and was captivated by the unique taste. Seeing Shen Xingluo take away a piece of ribs, he hurriedly stretched out his chopsticks.
Don’t allow partial eating!
The next second, the special taste of sweet and sour attacks the taste buds.
“!!!”
"Medium sweet and sour, not greasy or greasy, rich and delicate taste. Is this actually a bone?"
Qin Zheng felt like he was not feeling well.
Family members, about the imperial examination system:
In history, the imperial examination system was started in the Sui Dynasty. In the early Tang Dynasty, there was indeed a rule that "businessmen are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination", but since the Song Dynasty, there is no longer a restriction on family origin. , and in the Qing Dynasty, there were many businessmen buying official positions, and it was extremely popular.
As for the fictitious dynasties, it all depends on the author's setting.
(End of this chapter)