Braised pork meat and Steamed Rice

Chapter 28

Su Ying entered the kitchen and decided to have braised pork and rice for dinner deciding to leave the pheasant for another day. Swiftly getting ready the pork meat she remembered the offal but decided to render the pork meat first to get lard. She got the pork belly and chopped it into smaller pieces to increase surface area then washed the pot and placed it inside and put it on the fire for it to heat up.

After a few minutes the fat began heating up under low heat and melting she then got the cheese cloth and started straining it to remove impurities then the rendered lard was now allowed to cool and solidify to be ready for cooking uses. After that she now moved on to handling the pig offal and lean meat and bones to start cooking. The children was done bathing so she called them to give them some lard remnants and the munched on it happily their lips turning oily. Shaking her head she also handed to her cheap husband who had entered the kitchen at some point silently observing her.

Xiao Shan looked at the woman giving some lard in surprise and after hesitating he took it and eat too. It was indeed delicious and his lips curled into a smile before quickly disappearing as he looked at the harmonious scene in front of him he had always wished for his resolve grew stronger. Su Ying washed the lean meat and bones and put it into the pot and then began handling the pig offal which made instinctively crinkling their nose at the smell. Observing their reaction she explained to them

"This is good stuff but you don't wash it the right way. After I'm done washing it and preparing it you're going to love it"

Smiling she looked at their skeptical looks before shooing them out of the kitchen. Only Xiao Shan remained motionless looking at her with raised eyebrows seeing that she decided to ignore him as she continued what she was doing while he looked intently at her. The people of this era only rinsed it which didn't completely eliminate the smell so she used salt, ginger and garlic and scrubbed it thoroughly before briefly blanching it ensuring the smell was gone and then simmered the bone to make it tender before she started cooking.

Su Ying wanted to prepare braised pork meat with steamed rice and the pig offal as side dish so she started marinating it immediately. Using the soy sauce and ginger and garlic she marinated the meat before browning the pork to create a rich crust. They ginger and garlic and scallions was chopped and put in the pot and the broth was added then she left it to simmer over low heat before turning to face Xiao Shan.

"Do you have anything you want to ask me"

Looking at the man whose eyes seemed to have soften she felt dazed. He was indeed handsome but dangerous unfortunately he wasn't hers. Xiao Shan looked at how the woman handled the food and both her knife skills left him amazed this was a skill even the royal chefs couldn't compare to. Clearing his throat he asked her

"Where did you learn your knife skills"

"I taught myself"

"...."

It was a lame excuse that even her didn't believe but luckily the man didn't ask her any further and the remained silent watching the pot simmer. The aroma was already oozing out making her appetite rise even though she didn't have the chance to add the spring water due to his watchful eyes. After the pork meat was done she got the rice washed it and the started steaming it and soon the meal was done so she scooped it out and served.

Xiao Shan carried the food to the dinning room and laid it out on the table as they waited for her to join them. They had obediently washed their hands as they waited the food to be served so immediately Su Ying sat down Xiao Shan began eating and they're all followed suit. Fortunately there was not much difference so they braised pork meat was delicious as they savoured the taste. Su Ying restrained herself remembering her weight and finished quickly before going into the kitchen to scoop out again and then went into her room to get the cloth she bought and came back to the room.

"I have to go to sister Fei's house to give her some food and also give her this clothes make for you both since winter is approaching you need more clothes".

The father and son duo watched her in surprise as it was expected knowing they had money and she bought it for them. Xiao Shan felt uncomfortable since she bought nothing for him making him feel excluded just as he was thinking she interrupted with her question

"By the way Xiao Shan I bought yours but I don't know if you mind waiting for me to see it or give it sister Fei?"

"I can wait".

Xiao Shan replied immediately not giving her a chance to change her mind. He lowered his head to hide the joy in his eyes feeling warm inside that she bought him clothes and even considered his opinion before wanting to give it out for sewing. Su Ying looked at the man in front of her feeling he was behaving strangely but didn't know how ignoring him she strode off to Qui Fei's house.

Walking a few minutes she arrived at the house and knocked. A few seconds an old woman opened door and recognizing her looked at her in confusion. Su Ying searched her memory and remembered that this woman was sister Fei's mother in law the Shi Duo's grandmother and she politely greeted her before stating her purpose. Seeing was indeed believing as her polite and thoughtful demeanor made Mrs Zhen Mei know that she had truly changed as for why she had no idea. She called out to her daughter in law while she conversed with Su Ying feeling more happy with her attitude.

Qui Fei came out and saw her mother in law chatting happily with Su Ying who smiled at her. As she approached them Su Ying handed over the food to her and the clothes

"Sister Fei here is the cloth I told you about. I want you to sew a cloth like what I drew on the ground here and I will pay you twenty copper coins for each. Also accept this food as I just finished cooking now"

Both mother in law stared at her dumbfounded as she gave them the food and drew a complicated but beautiful design on the floor and explained how it should be done. More shocking was the twenty copper coins per cloth which was a lot of money. It should be know that such cloth didn't cost anything as every household daughter was taught embroidery so who would pay such amount to have their clothes sewn for them.

"No... I simply can't accept such money after all we're neighbors. If you insist on paying me then five copper coins for all is good"

They daughter and mother in law refused to take such an amount. Su Ying felt satisfied seeing their honest behavior feeling more assured of her thought.

"Sister Fei don't worry by the time you're done doing this you will understand why I insisted".

The design she drew was a modern design of children cloth consisting of a shirt and shorts to be worn during the days and a cardigan during the night for cold. Although it was strange she was not afraid because this world was a parallel world that didn't exist in real life. She would be the first to start the trend making money in no time.

Hearing her decision they could only accept as they watched her head back to her house.

Sighing Zhen Mei muttered

"Such a good kid she has really changed you have to be friends with her as something tells me she will make it".

"Yes mother. She really has changed"

Mrs Zhen Mei didn't know that her casual decision would lead her family into riches and endless glory as they both went inside.