All Hail Cousin Brother

351 Invitation from the Zhenguo Marquis Residence

Zhou Linghuai was amused by her expression. “This politician was demoted several times in his life. Wherever he goes, he can rule a place with food. In his life, he left behind 66 dishes named after him.”

Yu Youyao rested her chin on her hand. “Poor brother. He’s either on the way to save him or on the way to save him. He’s really pitiful to have such an unreliable brother to worry about!”

When Yu Shanxin heard this, he burst out laughing. “Haha, Eldest Sister, isn’t your focus crooked…”

Yu Shuang’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t we roast our own lamb spine later?”

Yu Lianyu and Yu Fangfei also looked forward to it.

Yu Youyao, who firmly believed that health started from young, objected. “The mutton is dry. It’s nourishing to eat in autumn and winter, and it’s good to clear the lungs in spring and summer to nourish the spleen. It’s easy to get internal heat after eating this. Why don’t we get the kitchen to make Dongpo pork?”

Although it was a little regretful, Yu Shuangbai and the others still gave up on this idea.

The maidservant brought over a copper basin. After Yu Youyao washed her hands a few times, she took out a wrapped Zongzi.

Yu Youyao was good at cooking, so she wrapped it well.

However, Yu Shuangbai and the others had wrapped Zongzi in a mess. “I originally thought that wrapping up Zongzi would be a simple matter. I didn’t expect it to be so difficult!”

Eating Zongzi was not difficult at all!

Yu Youyao smiled and said, “I’ll teach you.”

She carefully guided Yu Shuangbai and the others. The few of them learned seriously, so they had some fun doing it themselves.

Zhou Linghuai looked from the side and also took a Zongzi leaf. He folded it diagonally into a sharp corner and scooped some of the glutinous rice mixed with red beans, red dates, and lotus seeds into it. He folded the Zongzi leaf and wrapped it with Zongzi leaves.

Hence, an exquisite and beautiful Zongzi was completed.

Yu Shanxin clicked his tongue in surprise. “Cousin Zhou, you actually know how to wrap Zongzi. Have you done it before?”

Zhou Linghuai shook his head. “It’s my first time.”

Yu Youyao quickly took the Zongzi that her cousin had wrapped and looked at it carefully. “Cousin, you’re too amazing. This is the first time you wrapped it and it looked so good.” With that, she took a handkerchief and wrapped it around the Zongzi, placing it beside her. “The first Zongzi you wrapped in your life is mine.”

Zhou Linghuai chuckled. “If you like it, I’ll wrap a few more.”

In the past, just like Yu Shanyan, he had also said that a gentleman stayed away from the kitchen. He tilted his head to look at the little girl. With his fair fingers, he picked up a Zongzi leaf. The leaf had yet to be steamed, but he suddenly looked forward to the taste of the Zongzi she had personally wrapped. He also wanted to try this mortal fire.

Even though it was just a small Zongzi, he felt a little satisfied.

Yu Youyao smiled sweetly. “Okay!”

Zhou Linghuai wrapped a few Zongzi in a row.

Yu Shanxin did not fall behind either. He clumsily learned how to cook from Yu Shuangbai. One of them taught while the other learned while bickering. The atmosphere was very lively, infecting Yu Shanyan. He, who had always boasted that gentlemen stayed away from the kitchen, could not help but take a Zongzi leaf and ask Yu Lianyu for guidance.

Yu Fangfei’s eyes darted around and she saw the shy Yu Shanli. He was at a loss for what to do with the Zongzi leaf, so she quickly leaned over to teach him.

Everyone chatted and laughed. Even Old Madam Yu and Madam Yang, who were in the house, heard the commotion. When they came out, they couldn’t help but laugh in relief.

After wrapping the Zongzi, Yu Youyao instructed the small kitchen to steam them.

The group gathered and chatted. Yu Shuangbai said, “It’s 1pm now. There’s a dragon boat race in the moat. Big Sister, come and play with us!”

Yu Youyao shook her head. “Do I look like I can walk away?”

Madam Yang was locked up. Her grandmother was old and needed her to manage the family. How could she go out?!

Besides, she did not want to trouble Second Aunt too much.

Yu Shuangbai held Yu Youyao’s hand and said coquettishly, “Big Sister, let’s go. It’s a once-a-year event. It’ll be a pity not to watch it. Didn’t you like to watch the dragon boat race the most in the past? Don’t you still have Grandmother and Nanny Liu in the residence? It won’t affect anything if you leave for two to four hours. Besides, do you think I don’t know that you are very powerful? The servants listen to you. Even if you’re not in the residence, the servants can still do everything you instructed…”

Before Yu Youyao could speak.

Nanny Liu smiled and led an imposing maidservant into the courtyard.

It was Yao Huang, who was in front of Old Madam Song of the Zhenguo Marquis Residence.

Yao Huang arrived in front of Old Madam Yu. After bowing, she said, “Old Madam has specially ordered me to come and collect lunch for Old Madam.”

Qing Xiu stepped forward and took the wooden tray from Yao Huang’s hand. There were Zongzi, realgar wine, Qingtuan, and some ceremonial snacks. They were all the usual delicacies of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Old Madam Yu smiled until her eyes narrowed. “That old thing beat me to it every year.” After sighing, she said politely, “Help me thank your Old Madam.”

Yao Huang agreed and changed the topic. “There’s a dragon boat competition in the afternoon at the moat. Old Madam asked me to ask if Eldest Miss is free today and wants to go with the Zhenguo Marquis Residence to have fun. Third Miss has been making a fuss since yesterday and wants to watch the dragon boat race with Eldest Miss. If Eldest Miss goes, the residence will send a carriage to pick her up later. The family has already arranged it. I guarantee that she will be well taken care of.”

Her words were filled with great sincerity.

Old Madam Yu’s smile deepened. She turned to look at Yu Youyao. “Yao Yao, it’s a rare event every year. It’s good to go out and play together. You’ve already arranged everything at home. With Nanny Liu and Nanny Xu keeping an eye on things, nothing will go wrong. Your Grandmother Song has always been the most appropriate. I’ll be at ease if you go with the Zhenguo Marquis Residence.”

Previously, she had been worried about how to let Yao Yao go out to play.

Unexpectedly, Old Song had given her some help.

Zhou Linghuai frowned slightly and recalled the scene of Song Mingzhao and the little girl standing side by side at the door and talking on the eighth of April, during the Buddhist Festival.

The little girl was wearing a plain brocade dress, and Song Mingzhao was dressed in dark green. The two of them stood together, and the slight wind swept up each other’s clothes, creating a faint sense of affection. It was actually extremely dazzling.

Suddenly, he seemed to have the illusion that they were supposed to be like this.

It was inevitable that she would interact with Song Mingzhao when she went to watch the dragon boat race with the Zhenguo Marquis Residence. Zhou Linghuai couldn’t help but look at the little girl.

Would she agree to go?

Although he had drawn a “Dragon Boat Race” for the little girl, how could the liveliness of this painting on paper compare to seeing it personally?

He had always known that the little girl yearned for the commotion outside the residence. She had expressed several times that she wanted to go out and play. How could she not yearn for a grand event like the dragon boat race that only happened once a year?

It would be a lie to say that Yu Youyao was not tempted at all.

But!

Yu Youyao couldn’t help but glance at her cousin, feeling a little troubled.