The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 725 - 724 - Leek Boxes

Chapter 725: 724 Chapter Leek Boxes

Song Chongjin nodded, no longer asking further, but directly inquired, "What happened today? How did mother end up clashing with that maid who sold herself to bury her father?"

Wang Yongzhu still felt a surge of anger when it came up.

After recounting the incident, she explained, "You see, if mother hadn’t said those words, the girl who sold herself to bury her father wouldn’t have thought about clinging to Ninth Master Lee. Mother just couldn’t stand it, so she stepped in to help Ninth Young Master. Unexpectedly, that girl turned out to be rather perceptive; knowing Ninth Young Master is not someone to mess with and after listening to mother’s few words of advice, she clung on even more!"

Earlier, Old Granny Zhang mentioned something about how that maid got twisted ideas after listening to a few outdoor opera performances.

It reminded her of those novels she had read before and the dramas she followed, where there is always some young lady who can’t contain her sense of justice upon seeing a girl who sold herself to bury her father or is about to be forcibly sold to a brothel.

The young lady would then spend a great deal of money to bring the girl home, not allowing her to serve as a maid, but rather treating her as a sister, living and eating together, raising her just like a little lady.

And then they both set their sights on some scholar; the young lady is extremely fond of him, and the maid is just as enamored.

Either the young lady dies shortly after marrying the scholar, leaving arrangements for her maid sister to marry her husband,

Or it turns out that the scholar and the maid are a match made in heaven, with the scholar only pretending to like the young lady for some ulterior motive.

Then, after using the young lady, he discards her with a kick, elopes with the maid, especially if the scholar can become an important official, and the maid could even become Lady Grant, soaring to great heights.

In contrast, that young lady ends up in a tragic state!

Especially considering that the young lady’s family doted on the maid more than on their own daughter.

It’s simply ridiculous!

How could such untrustworthy family members, who care less for their own flesh and blood and favor an outsider, even exist?

And people actually believe in this?

Wang Yongzhu, thinking of that maid who sold herself to bury her father still harboring such aspirations, couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Song Chongjin also thought of this and couldn’t help but smile, "Even if we brought that maid home, wanting mother to dote on her, I’m afraid the maid could only wait for her next life, to be reborn from mother’s womb, before that might even be possible!"

Her mother-in-law was such a figure in her heart that even all her uncles combined couldn’t compare with one of her own wife’s fingers.

The two shared a laugh, and the matter passed by.

Nobody really took that maid to heart after all.

Song Chongjin helped knead the dough, then rolled out the dough skins, while Wang Yongzhu had already prepared the filling.

The first harvest of spring’s chives, so tender they seemed to weep juice, finely chopped and deliciously aromatic.

Oil was placed in the pan, and eggs that had been beaten earlier were slid in, scrambled soft, then scooped out to cool down on the side.

Hot water was then used to soften the vermicelli before chopping it into small segments.

Ginger and garlic mince, among other things, were all placed in a bowl, drizzled with sesame oil, slippery and fragrant, stirred to blend evenly.

They were then wrapped and set aside.

A thin layer of oil was placed in the pan, and the prepared chive, egg, and vermicelli pockets were placed inside, slowly pan-fried over low heat.

Soon, the aroma of chives and eggs filled the air in the kitchen, attracting even Old Granny Zhang from inside the house.

After finishing a pan, Wang Yongzhu picked one out for Old Granny Zhang to taste.

Old Granny Zhang took a bite, and the flavor was so fresh and delicious, with the juice from the chives enveloping the eggs and vermicelli, refreshing and appetizing, it seemed her tongue might just swallow itself in delight.

A pan came out, you tasted one, I tasted one, and soon they were all gone.

Old Granny Zhang simply didn’t bother returning to her room. Watching Wang Yongzhu fry another pan, she learned the method and scoffed at Wang Yongzhu’s slow speed.

So she took over, cooking much faster with her years of experience dominating the kitchen.

The family continued frying and eating, their stomachs filling without them realizing it.

Wang Yongzhu miscalculated the amount, frying too many, now seeing the leftover chive pockets and realizing they definitely wouldn’t taste good the next day.

"Might as well give a few to the neighbors as well, it’s a nice gesture," Wang Yongzhu suggested.

"My girl is right, it’s hardly worth anything. Send a plate over to Madam Gu across the way, and another to Scholar Gu," Old Granny Zhang immediately arranged.

Wang Yongzhu and Song Chongjin carried out a plate.

Wang Yongzhu headed to Madam Gu’s, while Song Chongjin went to the front courtyard.

Upon knocking on Madam Gu’s door, her two sons, who had long recognized Wang Yongzhu as the aunt from across the street who often brought food, rushed forward when they saw the steaming, fragrant plate in her hands, sweetly calling her Aunt Wang while shouting for their mother inside the house.

Madam Gu came out and, upon seeing it was Wang Yongzhu with more food, her face broke into a broad smile, "You’re too kind, bringing over delicious treats to our little monkeys so frequently. It’s really quite embarrassing for us."

Wang Yongzhu replied politely, "It’s just a little something homemade, a fresh idea really. I’m glad you like it."

She said this as she passed the plate over.

Madam Gu hurriedly took the plate, "Well then, not to be shy, I’ll accept it graciously. My dear, please wait a moment while I free up a bowl."

With that, she went to the kitchen and came back shortly after.

The bowl was empty, but Madam Gu had a small jar in her hand, "I pickled some vegetables a few days ago, and they’re just perfect today. Take a jar home with you. If you like it, you can come back for more later on."

Wang Yongzhu accepted without demur, thanked her, and took her leave to go home.

Upon reaching the door, she saw no sign of Song Chongjin.

In the front courtyard, the plate in Song Chongjin’s hands had already been taken away.

Gu Zikai, upon hearing that Wang Yongzhu had made the food, couldn’t resist trying one on the spot.

Once he took a bite, the hot filling of chives, egg, and glass noodles burst out. It was fortunate that the chive pastry had cooled off a bit during delivery; freshly out of the pan, it would probably have burned his tongue.

Even so, it was still hot, and according to the education Gu Zikai had received, one should never eat things that are too hot or too cold.

But at that moment, even with the heat making his face twitch, he couldn’t bear to spit it out.

After swallowing one, he couldn’t keep the rest down.

Lang Hao stood by, dumbfounded, watching his young master devour the chive pastries. Were they really that delicious? The savory fragrance wafting through the air made him involuntarily swallow.

Thinking that, since his master usually ate in moderation, he would definitely try some of the leftovers to see how tasty they were.

But he watched as his usually restrained master finished off an entire plate of chive pastries, leaving him feeling thoroughly dismayed.

Especially when his own master seemed still unsatisfied, he even went so far as to say, "Brother Song, your sister-in-law’s cooking skills are truly excellent. These chive pastries leave such a lingering taste, I simply can’t get enough!"

Song Chongjin tugged at the corner of his mouth, "I’m glad you like them, Brother Gu! I must be on my way now!"

Gu Zikai wanted to say something more but couldn’t help himself.

Lang Hao, considering himself the confidant of his young master and always eager to anticipate his needs, made it his duty to satisfy them.

Since his master seemed to still want more, he was determined to see that his master enjoyed himself.

He immediately spoke up, "Young Master Song, I see my master really loves these chive pastries. I wonder if it might be possible for Lady Wang to make some more tomorrow—"

"Lang Hao! Step back!" Gu Zikai hastily scolded.

He turned to apologize to Song Chongjin, "Excuse the rudeness of my servant, I hope you won’t take offense, Brother Song!"

Song Chongjin’s face was composed, showing neither pleasure nor anger, he simply stood up, picked up the plate, and prepared to take his leave.

Gu Zikai’s eyes flitted with panic and discomfiture.

He wanted to say something, yet he couldn’t find the right words.

Just then, a figure came bursting in with great haste.