When it was time to hold the lamp, Gu Xiyan and Liu Mei'er went to greet Mrs. Wei together, and then had dinner in Mrs. Wei's house.

During the banquet, Mrs. Wei had been carefully observing Gu Xiyan, and after the two left, Bao Niang accompanied Mrs. Wei out of Huaiyuan, and the two walked unhurriedly in the long alley full of people.

"How?" Mrs. Wei asked lightly.

Bao Niang whispered: "The manners are very elegant, the conversation is also decent, and there is a faint sense of flying... That is, it doesn't look like a girl who is constrained by everyone's rules, and it doesn't look like it was trained in the Qin Mansion of the Chu Pavilion... I can't say it either! ”

Mrs. Wei stood still, and her eyes looked to the northeast corner.

"Can you tell the person with the letter in detail?"

In the northeast corner, Guiyuan is there!

Bao Niang was a little frightened in her heart, and whispered: "I have confessed." Miss Wei will arrive in time for the 24th of the year. ”

Mrs. Wei nodded: "You arrange the arrangement." ”

"Don't worry!" Bao Niang promised, "I do things, when do I make a mistake." ”

Madame Wei smiled as bright as the scorching sun.

Early the next morning, Gu Xiyan and Liu Mei'er went to greet Mrs. Wei together, and Mrs. Wei left the two of them for breakfast. After the meal, Mrs. Wei went out of Huaiyuan accompanied by Bao Niang, and Gu Xiyan asked curiously, "Where is Madame going?" ”

Liu Mei'er said: "My aunt will take a walk in Gongshun Courtyard every day after dinner. "It's a good habit to be healthy!

Liu Mei'er led Gu Xiyan to push open the corner door at the junction of the main house and the east wing. Behind the door is a verandah about ten meters long, on the left side of the verandah is a small garden, on the right side is a high pink wall, and at the end of the verandah is a hidden corner door. Liu Mei'er pointed to the corner door and said, "Behind that is the small kitchen of Huaiyuan." ”

The two of them entered the corner gate of the void, which was a rather large courtyard. Three bungalows with red brick floors and a thick tree planted in the corner. There was a well under the tree with a railing around it, and it was cleaned up. Two women were sitting on the railing in front of the well, picking vegetables and whispering.

Qiu Gui, who was following the two of them, called out sweetly, "Mrs. Chen", and the two women turned their heads together, greeted them, and said with a smile: "I heard that Miss Liu was here yesterday, and I was about to go to say hello to the girl." I didn't expect the girl to come. ”

Liu Mei'er showed a reserved smile: "Is Mama Wang here?" ”

One of them hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll call you." With that, he got up and flashed into the bungalow. The other had to go into the house to move the stool: "Miss Liu, it's not windy today, just sit in the yard." There was a smell of smoke in the house, so as not to smoke the girl. ”

Liu Mei'er really didn't want to enter the house, and said with a smile: "Then there is Mrs. Lao Li." ”

Mama Li's figure had just disappeared at the door of the bungalow. Mrs. Chen had already greeted a thin woman in her fifties.

Liu Mei'er smiled and shouted, "Mama Wang." ”

The wrinkles on the woman's face were stretched: "It turned out to be Miss Liu, Mrs. Wang is here to greet you!" As he spoke, he bent his knees and blessed Liu Mei'er.

Liu Mei'er smiled and accepted her salute, pointed at Gu Xiyan and said, "Mama Wang, this is my cousin Miss Gu, I want to borrow your kitchen." ”

Mama Wang was stunned. A little embarrassed: "Here, it's better to say hello to Aunt Bao..."

Liu Mei'er smiled: "My sister Gu wants to cook a few dishes for my aunt to taste... Aunt Bao knows, it doesn't mean that Aunt knows, so what's the fun at all! ”

Mama Wang smiled: "Yes." The girls can look at it, and they just make it. ”

Liu Meier was very satisfied with Mama Wang's upper way, and gave Qiu Gui a look. Qiu Gui took out two small pieces of broken silver from his arms and handed them to Mama Wang: "It's cold. Sell wine to a few mothers-in-law. ”

Mama Wang accepted it unceremoniously and thanked Liu Mei'er with a smile. Then he led Gu Xiyan into the bungalow.

It turns out that this bungalow is the kitchenette of Huaiyuan.

Gu Xiyan was surprised.

The stove is clean, the dishes in the kitchen are arranged in different categories, and the bamboo baskets and other things are neatly put together according to different sizes... There is no dirt and mess in the impression. She couldn't help but rub her hand lightly on the stove, and then twisted her fingers lightly.

There is not a single grease stain.

At this moment, Gu Xiyan suddenly felt that a gaze was on her, she turned her head suddenly, but saw Mama Wang turning her head away as if she was avoiding.

Gu Xiyan's heart moved.

A man who has been with Mrs. Wei for more than thirty years, a man who can keep the kitchen so clean...

She didn't believe that Mama Wang was really as Liu Meier said, she was a "person with no roots and no bars in her mouth." ”

Liu Mei'er may not be too interested in the things in this kitchen, she stood in front of the threshold and said with a smile: "What kind of food do you want, just tell Mama Wang directly." ”

Gu Xiyan smiled and bent her knees to salute Mama Wang: "There is Mama Lao!" ”

Mama Wang hurriedly returned the salute and said with a smile: "What does the girl want?" ”

Gu Xiyan asked with a smile: "I don't know if Mama has preserved eggs and salt duck eggs here." ”

The corners of Mama Wang's mouth were slightly dry, and she didn't ask Gu Xiyan what she wanted to cook, and directly instructed Mrs. Li: "Prepare for the girl quickly." ”

Mrs. Li responded, and took two preserved eggs and five salt duck eggs according to Gu Xiyan's request.

Liu Mei'er stood at the door of the kitchen with a smile, and Mama Wang accompanied her to gossip: "The girl is coming back from Hongtai, how is it, do you see our master?" ”

Liu Mei'er's face turned crimson: "What nonsense are you talking about?" I just took my aunt's order to send it to my grandfather! Mama Wang giggled.

Liu Mei'er was annoyed: "You are talking nonsense." I'll let my aunt drive you away!" ”

Mama Wang was busy with a smiling face: "Don't, don't, don't, look at my mouth..."

Over there, Mrs. Li had already lit the stove, but Gu Xiyan instructed her: "Go to the steamer!" ”

Talking to Liu Mei'er, Mama Wang couldn't help but turn her head.

The corners of Gu Xiyan's mouth curled slightly.

Looks like. You're still paying attention to what I'm doing!

Mrs. Li frowned slightly: "On the steamer? ”

Gu Xiyan said pointedly: "Thousands of people and thousands of directions, mother-in-law just do it." ”

Mrs. Li's eyes turned to Mama Wang, who was talking to Liu Mei'er. He nodded slightly.

Soon, Mrs. Li found a steamer and came out.

Gu Xiyan made a pre-dinner snack that is very common in the eyes of modern people.

Steam the salt duck eggs in a few portions, make a small hole in the top of the duck eggs, and then chop the preserved eggs and stuff them into them, so that the egg whites in the duck eggs can flow out. Finally, the salt duck eggs stuffed with preserved eggs are steamed in the basket, and the knife is unwound after the basket is released.

The only difference between the finished dish and the ordinary salted duck eggs is that the egg whites become preserved eggs.

Mama Wang was moved.

When the salt duck eggs are steamed, it should be appropriate, when the yolk is a little solidified and the egg white is not completely solidified. This is to be the cause of fire; After the basket is steamed, the knife is relieved, the force is light, the eggshell cannot be broken, the force is heavy, and the eggshell is easy to break; The eggshell is knocked out, and the knife must be fast, accurate and stable, and it is cut straight down and the oblique force is returned, which. It's about knife skills...

She couldn't help but stop talking, and her attention was all focused on the finished dishes that Gu Xiyan placed on the white porcelain plate.

Gu Xiyan remained silent, brought the small dish to Liu Mei'er and Mama Wang, and said with a smile: "Wash your hands and make soup, please taste it first." ”

Mama Wang's eyes flashed, and she put one in her mouth.

"How?" Gu Xiyan said with a smile.

It has the oiliness of salted egg yolk and the opening flavor of preserved eggs.

"What a coincidence!" Mama Wang said thoughtfully.

"I'll try one too!" Liu Meier smiled. I also put one in my mouth, "Well, it tastes really good." Now I'm sure you're really good at cooking. ”

Gu Xiyan humbly asked Mama Wang: "Look, how about using this early tomorrow?" ”

Mama Wang smiled and said, "Madame must be happy when she eats it." ”

Gu Xiyan said: "I want to make a soup for Mrs. for dinner, Mama Wang." Do you think it's okay? ”

Mama Wang smiled: "That's very good. ”

The two immediately discussed making a chicken soup.

Gu Xiyan decided to make Cantonese-style clear chicken soup.

It takes about half a day.

That means. Gu Xiyan would spend most of the day in the kitchen.

There is a place for women, how can you be stupid. Naturally chatting...

This is Gu Xiyan's main dish today.

After killing the chicken, Gu Xiyan gave the chicken flying water, and then quickly rinsed it with cold water.

Mama Wang is a master of cooking, and said hesitantly: "Miss Gu, in this way, the chicken is not easy to scatter, and Madame likes to eat stewed ones..."

In order to attract her attention, Gu Xiyan smiled and said, "This is for us to eat... Madame, don't use that! The raw materials of the stewed soup can be fished out to make sweet and sour vegetables... Today I will stew soup for my wife, and I will also make you a sweet and sour chicken nugget... Let's try my craft. ”

Mama Wang was really attracted by her topic and discussed cooking skills with her.

The two looked like they hated each other, and finally Gu Xiyan successfully turned the topic to the kitchen: "... Mama is a neat person at first glance, looking at how well the kitchen is cleaned up, I think of Mama's level, and I still have to learn! ”

Mama Wang smiled modestly: "It's just that you are diligent with your hands and feet!" ”

Gu Xiyan said with a smile: "I heard Miss Liu say that there are four kitchens in this Gongshun Courtyard, and now there is only the Huaiyuan kitchen. If Mama wasn't skilled, how could you and I get together today. Speaking of which, this is also fate! There's just one more thing, want to ask Mama? ”

Mama Wang grinned widely, but her hand hanging down on the side of her skirt was tightly clenched into a fist: "Girl, may I ask?" ”

The corner of Gu Xiyan's eyes gently swept over Mama Wang's hand, and said with a smile: "I don't know what Mama is best at cooking?" ”

Mama Wang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and her smile became gentle: "I cook big dishes compared to the long meal." ”

"I'm also a longer cooker." Gu Xiyan showed a disappointed look, "It would be nice if there was a chef who cooks side dishes or appetizers, so you can ask for advice." ”

"The girl is too demanding!" Mama Wang pointed to the chicken soup stewed on the small charcoal stove and said, "I think with the girl's hand, any occasion can be deserved." ”

Gu Xiyan's expression was gloomy: "Mama doesn't know." I'm sending people under the fence now... Something has to come out on top, or else..."

Mama Wang smiled, didn't make a sound, quickly changed the topic, and discussed the skills of making soup with Gu Xiyan.

In the evening, Mrs. Wei drank a bowl of clear soup like water, and she praised it: "Is Wang Sanmei researching new recipes again?" This soup is so chic! ”

Bao Niang said in a low voice: "Today, Miss Liu took Miss Gu to the small kitchen, and Wang Sanmei said that Miss Gu made it herself..."

Mrs. Wei was stunned: "Just made soup?" ”

Bao Niang nodded: "Yes." I've been talking to Wang Sanmei about cooking. ”

Mrs. Wei nodded.

Bao Niang hesitated: "If Miss Gu goes to the small kitchen again..."

Mrs. Wei smiled: "What are you all weak about? ”