The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Shen Cao's mind, and she frowned as she looked at Shen Wan.

Could it be that her sister likes Shen Yu'an?

Seeing Shen Cao's expression, Shen Wan knew that her older sister had misunderstood her meaning.

She quickly explained, "Sister, what are you thinking? I've always considered Brother Shen my brother."

Shen Cao felt a little regretful upon hearing this.

"I also want to be as amazing as Brother Shen, and make lots and lots of money," Shen Wan said, gesturing with her hands.

"How old are you? What do you want to do with so much money?" Shen Cao asked, holding Shen Wan's hand.

"Is it because you think your parents aren't giving you enough money to spend?"

Shen Wan shook her head. "No."

She placed her hand on her chin and thought carefully, "When my older sister was earning money, she was only a year older than I am now."

"As for what I need to do with all that money, I don't know."

"But I think money is a good thing, the more the better."

"Hehe." After saying that, she grinned foolishly at Shen Cao.

Shen Cao nodded. "Wan'er is right about one thing: money is indeed a good thing."

"Since you want to learn from your cousin, I'll ask him when I bring him chestnut cakes today."

"By the way, hasn't Qing'er written home in a long time?" Shen Cao suddenly thought of Shen Qing, who was far away at the border.

It seems that ever since she left with Ji Lingfeng last time, she has been writing at least two letters home every month.

However, it had been more than a month since I last received a letter from him.

Shen Wan also remembered this and felt somewhat worried.

"Sister, do you think Qing'er will be alright?"

Shen Cao shook her head. "Don't worry, with his small frame, even if he goes to the border, he won't be able to go to the battlefield."

Shen Qing, who was training far away at the border, suddenly sneezed.

He still had injuries on his face.

Shen Cao is right, it really isn't Shen Qing's place to go to the battlefield.

A few days ago, the enemy launched a surprise attack on one of their garrisons, and Shen Qing happened to be there.

This was the first time Shen Qing had encountered something like this. Fortunately, he had a foundation in martial arts and had been well-fed and clothed for the past two years, so he was quite robust for his age.

The enemy raid consisted of only about twenty men, and they were not prepared to kill anyone; they were just testing the waters.

Shen Qinghe's garrison commanders quickly drove the people away.

Shen Qing only suffered minor injuries.

As for replying to the letter, Shen Qing only realized how important regular training and practice were after the ambush.

He's been so focused on practicing his skills these past few days that he's forgotten about it.

……

"Sister Cao'er, where did you all go so early in the morning?" Wanyue had secretly slipped out of the palace early in the morning.

To everyone's surprise, Shen Cao was not there when they arrived at the Shen family's residence.

"I'm going to buy some delicious food." Shen Cao picked up the basket in her hand.

"I'll make you chestnut cake and chicken soup today."

Upon hearing that it was delicious, Wanyue immediately cheered up.

"Then I'll help you too."

After saying that, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to get to work.

Her actions successfully made the two of them laugh.

I still remember when she first went to Shen's restaurant, she was so elegant, she looked like a princess. Now, if you didn't know her, you would never guess that she was a princess who never lifted a finger.

Shen Cao remembered that she had once asked Wan Yue that, given her status, she didn't need to go into the kitchen at all, and didn't even need to learn.

Wanyue replied, "Sister, aren't you also a princess? You don't need to do these things either, so why are you doing them?"

"Of course it's because I like it."

"Wanyue is the same. I like being with you. When I'm with you and watch you do it, I want to do it too."

"I also enjoy doing it with you."

She smiled and took her two younger sisters' hands as they entered the kitchen.

She enjoys cooking for her family, and seeing them eat happily makes her happy too.

Now that people enjoy doing things with her, she is naturally very happy.

"Sister Wan'er, this is for you." Wanyue handed Shen Wan a delicate little box.

"Wow!" Shen Wan exclaimed in surprise after opening it, "It's that hairpin."

Wanyue smiled and took the hairpin out of the box, then put it on her.

“I saw that you liked it last time, so after I went back, I took my hairpin and asked someone to make one exactly the same for you.”

“My mother gave me the one, and since it wasn’t appropriate to give it to you, I made one for you instead.”

"Sister Wanyue, you're so kind." Shen Wan smiled and hugged Wanyue.

……

Chestnut cake is actually very simple to make, but it's very time-consuming.

The first troublesome thing is to make a cross-shaped cut on the surface of each chestnut.

Three people, each with a small knife, quickly sliced ​​up a small basket of chestnuts.

Shen Cao washed the chestnuts that had been scored and put them into a pot to boil.

Pour the cooked chestnuts into cold water to cool them down.

Then peel out all the chestnut meat.

"So sweet!" Wanyue put the first peeled chestnut into her mouth.

Chestnuts that have been rinsed in cold water are easy to peel, and she deftly peeled another one and put it into Shen Cao's mouth.

The three of them ate chestnuts and nodded in satisfaction.

The chestnuts I bought today were great; they were especially sweet.

Peeled chestnuts are pounded into a paste using a stone mortar and pestle.

Then, she took a clean pot and poured in white sugar, cold water, milk, and glutinous rice flour. Since the chestnuts were already sweet, Shen Cao only added a little white sugar.

Add water and cook, stirring constantly, until the glutinous rice flour is fully cooked.

At this point, the entire kitchen was filled with the smell of milk.

Shen Wan and Wan Yue stood on either side of Shen Cao, looking at the contents of the pot, and both licked their lips.

Shen Cao picked up a spoon and scooped a spoonful for the two of them, letting them taste whether it was cooked or not.

It's really just to satisfy the cravings of the two little gluttons.

They both took a bite and nodded enthusiastically, "This is already delicious!"

Seeing that it was cooked, Shen Cao poured in the freshly pounded chestnut paste and stirred it thoroughly.

The previously thick chestnut puree was poured into the pot, which was still very hot. As Shen Cao continued to stir it, the chestnut puree gradually became silky smooth.

However, as the moisture evaporates, it begins to become sticky again.

Seeing that the consistency was about right, Shen Cao took the pot off the stove.

She took out the filling she had just prepared, salted egg yolk and pork floss filling.

First, divide the filling into equal portions and roll them into balls.

Then divide the cooled chestnut puree into equal portions, each slightly larger than the filling.

Flatten the chestnut puree balls, put in the filling, wrap them up, and then press them into a mold to shape them. The delicious chestnut cake is ready.

Shen Cao only made a small portion of the chestnut cakes with fillings; the rest were unfilled.

She thought the chestnuts tasted delicious on their own.

The finished chestnut cake is golden yellow, and when you smell it, you can smell the strong chestnut flavor, along with a faint milky taste.

After Shen Wan and Wan Yue each ate four pieces, Shen Cao stopped them from eating any more.

"You can only eat four pieces a day. Eating too many chestnut cakes can cause bloating. We still have dinner to eat later, unless you don't want to eat dinner."

Wanyue, who was reaching for the next piece of chestnut cake, quickly withdrew her hand. There was something even more delicious waiting for her at dinner tonight.

Chestnut cake, we'll eat it tomorrow!