The Princess of Northern Land
Chapter 433: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (3)_1

Chapter 433: Chapter 433: In Trouble with the Top-Notch (3)_1

Because the Lin family was kind and never harsh on their servants, the purchased servants also treated their masters genuinely. As a result, the way they talked in daily life was as casual as amongst their own people.

"What are Brother Wu and the oldest brother busy with?" Lin Ziyin asked again.

"Harvesting wheat is over, and the beans in the field are at their tenderest. Those nasty green worms are creating havoc, so they are busy catching these pests in the bean field these days." Zige answered, huffily.

"Pests in the bean field?" Lin Ziyin asked further.

"Yes, they are fat from feeding on the beans, just seeing them makes one angry." Zige answered.

"Hong Ying, hurry, go to the field and let them know, any pests they catch, send them over. Don’t waste a single one," Lin Ziyin said.

"Bean pests are disgusting, they are usually used to feed the ducks. What do you want these pests for?" Guo Huiniang asked with a chuckle. She knew her younger sister-in-law always had unconventional ideas, but she couldn’t figure out anything good with bean pests.

"Lun Luo, go get Master Hui Zhen from Ding’an Temple. Tell him there’s something good." Lin Ziyin was being mysterious, and did not explain what she was going to do with the bean pests. Instead, she sent people around her to do things.

"You aren’t thinking of eating bean pests, are you?" Zige looked at Lin Ziyin in disbelief.

"Exactly, today at lunch we are having bean pests." Lin Ziyin answered with a laugh.

"Ziyin." Zige looked at her in horror. "Are you trying to make us sick?"

"Don’t worry, the bean pests I prepare will be very clean, and I assure you’d want to eat them again once you’ve tasted them," Lin Ziyin stood up. "I will go and take a look."

"We’re really eating bean pests?" Just the thought of the long, wriggling bean pests made Zige’s hair stand on end.

Guo Huiniang, who used to spend her days in the fields, wasn’t so averse to bean pests, but she also had never eaten them before. "Ziyin always has many ideas, if she says it’s tasty, the flavor surely won’t be bad."

Lin Ziyin was serious about this. Seeing the many bean pests brought over from the fields, her eyes lit up. This was wonderful, she could finally satisfy her craving.

Bean pests, called "doudan" in some modern places, due to their high protein content, were always priced high, sometimes even unavailable despite wanting them. She once had it in Northern Suzhou; a small pot along with vegetables cost over a thousand.

However, the taste was really delicious; Lin Ziyin could never forget that flavor till now.

The kitchen staff, looking at the wriggling bean pests in the pot, was unable to hide their discomfort. They had never attempted to prepare these things before.

"Today, invite the children from the school to come for lunch too." Lin Ziyin instructed while efficiently immersing the cleaned bean pests in boiling water to scald them.

"Crush them with a rolling pin." She directed the process.

Many hands make light work, and soon, the meat of doudan was squeezed out, basin by basin.

Lin Ziyin kept a basin for her own household, planning to use the rest in the cafeteria.

Since others didn’t know how to prepare it, she decided to demonstrate herself. In fact, the method of cooking bean pests was simple; the key was in the chili and other ingredients. However, too much of these could mask the flavor of the bean pests, so she definitely could not use MSG or heavy spices. After frying scallions and ginger, Lin Ziyin added water directly. When the water boiled, she added the meat of the bean pests and simmered it with a small fire, finally adding leafy greens to blanch, salt, and pepper.

"Make sure to add a lot of oil." Lin Ziyin reminded them at the end.

Everyone in the kitchen agreed, but they were uncertain, fearing the workers would refuse to eat these pests when they came over.