Chapter 318
Chapter 318
Fat Chef was immensely strong. He carried three round watermelons on his back and a bundle of cornstalks in his arms.
Zuozuo Youyou and Heiwa, who had made a rare return from the army camp, carried baskets in their mouths. The baskets were filled with fresh corn.
Jiang Yunsui and Ji Yang carried several ears as well.
As soon as they returned, they began slicing watermelons and boiling corn.
Before cutting the watermelon, Fat Chef carefully washed the knife to make sure no odor remained on it.
Otherwise, the smell from the cleaver would taint the watermelon and make it unpleasant.
“The watermelon is cut. Send some to the Young Master and the old madams.”
“We just boil this?”
He held up an ear of corn as he asked.
Jiang Yunsui nodded. “Mm-hmm. Boiled corn is delicious. You can boil the corn silk in water and drink that too. It tastes sweet.”
She nibbled a slice of watermelon and handed Fat Chef one as well.
The watermelons she had specially tended were indeed delicious. Each bite overflowed with juice. They were lightly sweet and pleasantly grainy, and best of all, every bite was packed with flesh. It was enormously satisfying.
Anyone who was not particular could simply swallow the tiny watermelon seeds.
Now that they had no shortage of watermelon seeds, Fat Chef could not be bothered to spit them out either.
The corn cooked quickly.
A powerful aroma spread through the room.
Unable to wait, Fat Chef lifted the lid. The aroma billowed out with the white steam, growing even richer.
“It smells wonderful…”
Everyone in the kitchen shared the same thought.
Even the servants tending the fire craned their necks toward the stove.
Fat Chef burst into laughter.
“Who would have thought this thing could smell so good? It must taste excellent.”
He rubbed his hands together, then plunged one broad hand into the still-scalding water and fished out an ear of corn.
This was waxy corn, which Jiang Yunsui had deliberately reserved for planting here.
She had brought back only a few waxy corn seeds from the valley where the Phoenix-Mimic Bird lived, because there had been only one plant.
That one ear had borne around thirty sparsely scattered kernels.
After one planting produced more seed, they had finally opened a vegetable plot at Ji Yan’an’s residence this year specifically for corn.
They also grew watermelons and strawberries there.
There was not enough land at Jiang Yunsui’s residence, so she had claimed a large stretch of open ground at Ji Yan’an’s.
It had once been a training ground. After falling into disuse, it had become her vegetable garden.
“Here. You and I will have the first taste.”
Fat Chef took out three ears. After letting them cool briefly, he stuffed one into Jiang Yunsui’s hands and another into Ji Yang’s.
He could hardly make Ji Yang stand there and watch.
She was a young mistress too.
“Take out the rest and let them cool. Divide them among the masters. If any are left, everyone in the kitchen can have some.”
Everyone brightened at his words.
As head cook, Fat Chef was generous and loyal. Within the rules, he was very good at securing small benefits for those under him.
Ji Yan’an knew about it, and it was no serious matter.
Since Fat Chef had arrived, the kitchen actually spent considerably less than before.
He was not embezzling anything. Even if he skimmed a little, it could only be a tiny amount, hardly worth disputing. What was wrong with getting his own people a few benefits?
After carefully dividing the large pot of corn, seven ears remained.
He distributed them among the kitchen staff.
Huohuo flew over as well, crying out for corn.
The other animals, which had been eating watermelon, smelled the corn and demanded some too.
There would not be enough if they joined in.
So Jiang Yunsui waved her little hand.
“We’ll go pick some more.”
All the corn from the previous year had been saved as seed, so they had planted quite a lot.
Jiang Yunsui took the animals to harvest more corn.
Huohuo and the two chickens liked it best. They did not even need it cooked and happily ate it raw.
Meanwhile, the others in the Ji Mansion also received boiled corn from the kitchen.
“This is so tender and chewy, and sweet too. It has such a distinctive fragrance.”
“It smells wonderful. It truly is delicious.”
No one disliked the cooked waxy corn.
Even Old Madam Ji ate two ears in one sitting.
“This is called corn? Very good.”
“Who would have thought Mobei had so many treasures? Many of these things can’t even be found in the Capital City.”
“This cold melon is delicious too. I hear it’s unique to Beizhen City and Little Yunsui grew it herself.”
“Even the Capital City doesn’t have cold melons this tasty.”
As for sending tribute, the dog emperor could dream on. He did not deserve any.
This was also the first time the Ji women had tasted cold melons grown by Jiang Yunsui.
And their first time seeing corn.
Both suited their tastes perfectly.
“Little Yunsui is incredible. She’s still so young, yet she can already earn money through her own ability.”
Second Aunt’s eyes darted about. “Where do you think that girl got so many unusual things? Yan’an must have helped her. This…”
Eldest Aunt rolled her eyes. “Yan’an already explained it clearly. Little Yunsui cultivated these things herself. So what if she’s young? She has the ability.”
Youngest Aunt added with pointed sarcasm, “Second Sister-in-law, have you set your sights on something else? Then you’ll have plenty to covet. Yunsui has all sorts of good things. Covet them all and see whether anyone pays you any attention.”
The two women mocked her until her expression stiffened.
“You… why are you both talking about me? I only thought…”
Youngest Aunt chuckled. “Spare us what you think. Nothing good ever comes of it. You act as if you’re so clever.”
In truth, she was astonishingly stupid.
Apart from a pretty face, she had nothing to recommend her.
Second Uncle had been captivated by that face. Only after marrying her did he discover she had no ability, wanted and fought for everything, never knew how to win it, and wore every supposedly clever thought plainly on her face. She was a beautiful fool.
Someone like her was easy enough to handle, but a fool’s sudden inspirations could be extraordinarily irritating.
And she had them often.
It was laughable. The moment she opened her mouth, everyone knew what she meant to do, yet she believed herself tremendously clever.
The younger women below either raised their round fans or lifted teacups to hide their smiles.
Second Aunt looked aggrieved and humiliated.
“Good afternoon, Grandmother, Eldest Aunt, Youngest Aunt, Sister-in-law, Sister Rongyi, Sister Huanyi, and Sister Nan’er!”
Jiang Yunsui and Ji Yang trotted in from outside. The instant she entered, Jiang Yunsui sweetly greeted everyone in turn.
Everyone except Second Aunt.
Second Aunt was furious.
“You…”
Before she could speak, Jiang Yunsui suddenly gave a little cry.
“Oh, Second Aunt, you’re here too! Sorry. I’m little and my eyes are little, so I didn’t see you. You’re the elder, so you won’t argue with a little child like me, right?”
Her sweet little voice delivered words that made Second Aunt seethe.
Jiang Yunsui huffed twice. Don’t think I don’t know you always say bad things about me.
Little Mushroom held grudges!
Ji Yang obediently greeted all the elders as well.
“Grandmother, did you like the corn and cold melon? I grew them both!”
“We loved them. Come here, Little Yunsui.”
Jiang Yunsui walked over, and the elderly woman gave her a box of silver peanuts.
“Take these. They aren’t worth much. Use them to reward the servants.”
Jiang Yunsui did not refuse. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
Ji Yang received some too. The elderly woman showed no favoritism.