Embroidered Phoenix Chronicle

Two days later, Old Master He went to the city to visit his sister. Besides bringing four kinds of gifts, he also brought two large fish. He said with a grin, "I heard him talk about those fish balls when he went back. I really think to myself, your brother has only ever loved eating fish all his life. Now my teeth are no good, and my eyesight is no good either. They stewed the fish until it was mushy and gave it to me. You can imagine, even the bones are soft. How can the meat have any flavor? It's not good! Ask that girl to make some fish balls for me to try, and teach me how to make them, okay?"

The old lady wasn't stupid; she understood her brother's intentions perfectly. She said to her son, who had come to keep her uncle company, "Wouldn't this be too much trouble for Miss Qi? Who knows if she'll be willing to share this method?"

"Why don't we call the eldest son over and have him talk to Fengxian? Let Fengxian ask her if she's willing. The seventh young lady is always kind-hearted; it shouldn't be a problem!" Master Liu replied. Liu Ye'er is, after all, a guest, so we must be courteous. A servant can get things done with just a word. Old Master Xu nodded in agreement. Master Liu went downstairs to instruct someone to invite the eldest son and his wife, and to tell the kitchen to prepare a high-class banquet to be sent to the old lady's room.

Ruihong and his wife arrived quickly. They went in first to pay their respects to their maternal uncle, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then came out to listen to their father's instructions.

Master Liu sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) in the west room, ordering his wife and son to sit on it as well. Fengxian insisted on refusing, so he reluctantly made her sit on a small stool on the floor, with his eldest son also sitting beside her. Master Liu had always valued Fengxian. Although Fengxian wasn't close to the Huo family, Master Liu still used their in-law relationship to cultivate a close relationship with the Huo family in the capital, thus gaining entry into officialdom. He not only established himself in the capital but also amassed a considerable fortune.

"Boss, how's your wife? Did she hurt herself in that fall yesterday?"

"Dad, she's alright. She didn't hurt herself yesterday. I grabbed her and she fell on me. She was mainly angry and a little frightened, so she was a bit restless. Xiao Qi gave her some pearl powder and some hot soup noodles. She calmed down. This morning she ate boiled eggs, stir-fried minced meat with tofu skin, mixed cabbage hearts, a bowl of fish ball porridge, and a steamed bun. She's fine now!"

Actually, seeing her radiant complexion, Master Liu knew she was alright, but he still had to say a few polite words. "Hong-ge'er, why don't you ask for leave from school first? Those kids in your household are only twelve or thirteen, what do they know? Seventh Miss is also a child, you are the pillar of the family. Third son's marriage should also be prepared, your mother can't manage alone, and I'm busy with both the shop and the house, I really can't take care of everything, and we also need to make plans for the new land we bought in the countryside!"

"Yes, daddy."

"Your uncle wants to try the fish balls Xiaoqi made. Fengxian, I'm really too embarrassed to ask, could you..."

"Father-in-law, we've finished eating. The old man wanted a bowl of fish ball porridge, but there wasn't any available. This stuff doesn't keep well at all. If he wants some, we'll have to send someone to buy fish first. It's very troublesome to make, and I'm afraid it won't be ready by noon!"

"Your uncle brought fish! I just don't know if Miss Seven will be willing to share her cooking skills?"

"Father, as long as there's fish, everything's fine. Making this doesn't require any special skills; you can learn it in no time. Cui Cui made it yesterday. Xiao Qi doesn't treasure this skill, let alone Uncle want it; there's no problem at all!"

"Alright! Hong-ge, take the fish and help your wife back!" Master Liu patted the table happily. "Fengxian, your sister is a straightforward person, so I won't pretend. She was wronged yesterday, but she still came over for lunch today. I won't apologize, so as not to make her feel uncomfortable!"

"Father, you're too kind! It was Yu-ge who overstepped his bounds yesterday, what does it have to do with you, Father? Xiao-qi hit Mother's guest, it's good enough that she wasn't punished. Let her make the fish balls for us today! If she dares to disobey, have Fengxian beat her up!" Master Liu could no longer maintain his strict fatherly image and burst into laughter.

Cui Cui cleaned the fish, and Liu Lian deftly removed the fish bones and peeled off the skin. She then soaked the meat in water. Cui Cui cleaned the cutting board and tidied up the trash. Liu Lian then chopped scallions and ginger. Cui Cui then brought over a bowl of cool boiled water. The master and servant worked together seamlessly. Liu Lian didn't even say a word. Feng Xian couldn't help but admire them inwardly.

Cui Cui scooped out the fish meat and first pounded it with the back of a knife, then carefully removed the fish bones to make soup. Afterwards, mistress and servant sat down and meticulously chopped the fish meat. Feng Xian suddenly understood why this once wild and unruly little rascal had suddenly transformed into an excellent maid. He had thought it was Liu Ye'er's good fortune, but it turned out that Cui Cui was even luckier. This wasn't mistress and servant; they were clearly sisters!

The old lady and Old Master He came to watch them make fish balls. Fengxian and Liuye quickly stood up and bowed, while Cuicui also hurriedly put down her knife and kowtowed. Old Master He laughed heartily, took out a handful of coins and handed them to Cuicui, "Good girl, you've worked hard. Take these and buy some melon seeds to eat." Cuicui looked at Liulian, and seeing her nod slightly, she reached out and took the coins, smiling sweetly, "Thank you, Old Master!"

"Look how sweet your tongue is! When the old master has some free time, he'll find you a good son-in-law!" Cui Cui blushed deeply and ran off to chop fish, making everyone laugh heartily. Old Master He stroked his beard, surveying the small kitchen, which was impeccably clean and organized. He nodded in approval. "Seventh Miss, how do you make these dumplings? Could you teach me?"

Liu Lian bowed and said, "Grandpa, this is very easy to make. All you need is a fresh, large fish. Clean it thoroughly, fillet it, remove the bones, peel off the skin, soak the meat to remove the blood, then pound and mince it into a paste, squeeze out the meatballs, and cook them. Blanch the fish skin, rinse it in cold water, and make a cold salad. Use the fish bones to make soup. Nothing is wasted!"

"Hmm, hmm! Good!" Old Master He nodded repeatedly. "You're so clever! You won't laugh at this old man for being greedy, will you?"

"Grandpa, you're too kind. This dish was taught to me by my godfather. It's meant for the elderly, pregnant women, or patients. It's nourishing and not greasy, perfect for you and Grandma! Thanks to you, we can also satisfy our cravings! Look at these pea sprouts, it was Cui Cui who came up with the idea. Your money was well worth it!"

"Really?" To be honest, the old man had been farming all his life and growing vegetables for decades. He didn't care much for pea sprouts, tender spinach, or fresh cucumbers—they weren't meat! But he still chimed in, "Then I'll eat a few more bites later and earn more! Young lady, you're so lucky in your old age to have such a beautiful little darling at home. You'll probably eat half a bowl more of rice!"

"Isn't that right? Let's go out first. The room is so small, we can't even turn around!" The two old people said, and Xiao Wu'er was fine.

The two elderly people sat down and chatted with Fengxian over tea. The old man was clearly very satisfied with Liu Ye'er; in a way, they were a match made in heaven! Everyone else was extremely satisfied except for Liu Ye'er, but it seemed that her opinion didn't matter, even though it was her marriage!