Chapter 168: Shuran's Gift
Chapter 168: Shuran's Gift
Upon hearing this, Aunt Qiu struggled to contain her amusement and gently suggested, "Why don't we slaughter a sheep and send the whole animal instead?"
Sending only the leg of the sheep carried a hint of sarcasm and mockery.
Although, that might have been exactly what the Princess Consort intended.
However, if she truly expressed her true feelings, who knows what people would whisper behind her back.
Madame He, upon hearing this, also considered this possibility and gently advised, "I agree that sending the whole sheep would be better. I will also arrange for someone to send a whole sheep, and we can do it together."
Everyone had good intentions, and while Princess Consort Qi did want to make a statement, she ultimately had to consider the reputation of the princely mansion. With a slight nod, she reluctantly agreed, "You're right."
With both families deciding to send sheep, the matter was quickly dropped, and they continued to enjoy their vegetarian meal in peace.
The evening vegetarian meal...
Was fresh and vibrant.
The monks had spent the entire afternoon foraging for wild vegetables, and after careful preparation, they finally brought them to the table.
Some were stir-fried after being blanched.
Others were cold dishes after blanching.
However, due to various considerations, the variety of seasonings that could be used was limited.
Most of the time, the dishes retained the natural flavors of the ingredients.
While the usual vegetables were edible, the wild vegetables, no matter how they were prepared, had a lingering bitter aftertaste. Some of the wild vegetables were particularly bitter, and even after thorough treatment, there was still a hint of bitterness that couldn't be eliminated.
Commoners might consider these gifts from nature, freely available in the mountains and forests as long as one was willing to put in the effort.
However, for the nobles accustomed to fine cuisine, the taste of these wild vegetables was relatively mediocre.
Tasting them occasionally could be considered a rustic delight.
But eating them regularly would be hard to bear.
Princess Consort Qi took a few cautious bites and found the cold dish slightly bitter, so she stopped eating it.
Madame He, on the other hand, was more adaptable. Her main focus was on sincerity, and she seemed determined to eat whatever was served, as long as it wasn't feces.
In comparison, Su Su seemed much calmer and more natural about the situation.
For the Su Su of the past, these wild vegetables had sometimes been an unattainable luxury.
The tastiest wild vegetables were often snatched away by adults, and even when they were abundant in spring, there was fierce competition due to the large number of people.
Some families even sent their entire households out to forage, naturally aiming to collect as much as possible.
If they had leftovers, they could even dry them for consumption during the seasons when vegetables were scarce.
Su Su rarely got to enjoy the best picks and often had to settle for vegetables with a less desirable taste, some of which were even slightly toxic.
The vegetables prepared by the monks today were naturally the most delicious, fresh, and tender wild vegetables.
Recently, Su Su had been eating and sleeping well.
However, she hadn't completely forgotten the hardships of her past.
These wild vegetables were actually quite enjoyable for her.
They were crisp and tender, making them especially delicious with rice!
Watching Su Su eat until her cheeks were puffed out, her face radiating satisfaction, Princess Consort Qi felt a twinge of heartache.
In her eyes, seeing her little cousin relish bitter-tasting vegetables that weren't particularly delicious, she wondered what kind of life Su Su must have led before.
She mustn't think about it.
The mere thought of it stirred up murderous intent!
Once they finished offering incense and returned to the mansion, if the Prince still hadn't returned, Princess Consort Qi intended to send someone to bring him back!
As for the coal mining project in Qingzhou, she would make arrangements immediately.
Shuran reached out and gently took Su Su's hand. "Su Su, would you like some candy?"
Shuran had poor health, but no one restricted her diet, except for the foods that were considered detrimental to her condition. Candy and dried fruits were provided to her by the doctors, but in limited quantities.
Shuran treasured these treats and rarely indulged. The bitter medicine she took left a lingering taste, and the sweetness of candy or dried fruit helped alleviate the bitterness.
Despite her reluctance to indulge, she wanted to share this treat with Su Su, a sister she had grown fond of.
"Do you want some, Su Su?" Shuran asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Su Su was well-behaved and politely refused, shaking her head. "No, thank you, Sister. I have some, too!"
The young girl cherished her possessions. The fragrant aroma of the candy made her mouth water, but she refrained from indulging. She wanted to save it for those moments when she truly desired it and couldn't bear to wait any longer.
"I mustn't eat it yet!" she thought. "If I eat too much, my teeth will rot!"
So, she endured, waiting for the perfect moment to savor the treat.
Seeing Su Su's refusal, Shuran felt a twinge of disappointment. She rarely sought to make friends or bond with siblings, and now that she had found someone she liked, she wanted to share all her favorite things with Su Su.
She thought about what she could offer and finally reached for the earrings she was wearing. They were made of fine jade, and although they were crafted from leftover material from a bracelet, she adored them. She had chosen to wear them today as they were her favorite.
Shuran hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit reluctant to part with them. But then, she plucked the earrings off and held them out to Su Su. "Here, sister. These are my favorite earrings. I want you to have them, and I hope they bring you joy."
Shuran's health issues were evident as she struggled to catch her breath after speaking for a while.
Madame He, standing by, felt a surge of anxiety seeing her daughter's labored breathing. However, she forced herself to remain calm, especially since the female doctor was with them.
"She's fine," Madame He reassured herself. "There's no sign of discomfort. I mustn't panic!"
Su Su, upon receiving the gift, shook her head shyly and glanced at her mother.
Queen Qi, with a gentle smile, looked at her daughter and asked, "Do you like it, Su Su?"
It was just a pair of earrings, and with the harmonious relationship between the two families, there would be no issue accepting them.
Su Su hadn't pierced her ears yet, but she noticed that her mother, Queen Qi, as well as her sisters, all wore earrings. She felt a twinge of envy seeing their ears adorned with pretty trinkets. She didn't know how painful the process of piercing one's ears was and only associated it with the delightful jingling sounds the earrings made.
Su Su, feeling a bit embarrassed and with a hint of red on her earlobes, lowered her head and whispered, "Mother, I like them a little."
(End of Chapter)
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