Hua Zhi already had an idea about her trip to the south, so she began to prepare for it after returning home. The Hua family naturally didn't want her to go out, but apart from expressing it implicitly, they couldn't say more. Even Zhu gritted her teeth and swallowed all opposition.
After handing over the household affairs to Fourth Aunt, Hua Zhi said, "Yingchun and Nianqiu will stay at home. Fourth Aunt, you should make good use of them."
"Don't worry, I know what's going on." Mrs. Wu looked thinner and a little depressed, but she forced herself to ask, "Do we have to go this time?"
"You have to go. The Hua family is far from enough now. The branches have their own businesses. You just need to pay more attention to them. If they don't come to ask you, you don't have to worry about it. As for Hua Qin's matter, I was not at home when she got married. Although I have given one share, the Hua family still has to pay another share. How to pay and how much to pay are all decided by you, Fourth Aunt. When you deal with things, you should bring Second Sister and the others with you. I see that they have made a lot of progress now. I plan to let them take over these chores in the future."
More than improving, they all seemed like different people. With the best leading the way, who wouldn't want to become better? Mrs. Wu agreed with a smile.
Yingchun reported at the door, "Miss, Tang Yong wants to see you."
Tang Yong? Hua Zhi's heart skipped a beat. "Bring him in quickly."
Tang Yong entered the room carrying a bamboo basket, bowed with his eyes downcast, and said, "My humble servant greets you, young lady."
"Hurry up." Hua Zhi looked at the basket beside him, "Is there any good news?"
"Yes." Tang Yong lifted the cloth on the basket, revealing a basket of tender mushrooms inside. Although they were just the most common oyster mushrooms, this showed that her improved method was feasible, and it was only a matter of time before other varieties of mushrooms would grow.
Tang Yong carefully took out the oyster mushrooms on top and put them on the ground, and Hua Zhi discovered that there were chicken leg mushrooms underneath.
"Mushrooms have already grown a little earlier, but I didn't report back because I saw that the growth was not up to your expectations. This batch of small ones looks good, so I sent it over."
Hua Zhi couldn't help but stand up, picked up the oyster mushroom and put it to her nose to smell it. It was this smell. She pressed the chicken leg mushroom again. It was very good, not empty. She glanced at the leaking pot, turned around and smiled at Wu, "Let Fourth Aunt have a taste today."
Mrs. Wu just thought that she asked the kitchen staff to do it, but she didn't expect that she actually went to the kitchen by herself. She was stunned and hurriedly followed her.
Rolling up her sleeves and tightening them, Hua Zhi motioned to Lan Qiao to watch carefully. She picked the oyster mushrooms one by one, tore them into small pieces and soaked them in water. Then she washed the chicken leg mushrooms and cut them into pieces. She found some green onions, ginger, garlic and a few green peppers and cut them. When she saw tofu in the basket, she took out the tofu and sliced it into slices. Finally, she made a dish of stir-fried chicken leg mushrooms with green peppers and a dish of stewed oyster mushrooms with tofu. She was still in mourning, otherwise it would have tasted better if she had put some meat in.
At this point, Mrs. Wu didn't know whether she should be surprised that Zhi'er could cook or that the two dishes were so delicious. Her movements were so skillful, which showed that it was not her first time.
"Fourth Aunt, try it." Hua Zhi filled a small bowl and handed it over. She had already tasted it first. She didn't know if it was because of the water and soil, but the taste was much better than the world she had lived in before. When there was a lot left, she could make it into powder and put it in dishes to enhance the flavor. Yes, she could ask someone to make some first and take it with her when she goes to the north.
Wu took a few bites in a row. The fresh and smooth taste made her not only finish the small portion, but also drink the soup. Just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted by another voice, "It smells so good, Huahua, why didn't you call me when you had something delicious!"
This dog's nose, Hua Zhi laughed, and hurriedly packed a portion and handed it to her, laughing at her: "Aren't you all squatting on the sandbox? Why don't you move?"
"The fragrance affects my thinking. If I don't satisfy my appetite first, I will lose to Xiaoliu." As she spoke, Shaoyao blew on it and put it into her mouth. Her mouth was greasy and her eyes were shining. "It's delicious, Huahua, it's delicious."
"I don't like it." Glancing at her, Hua Zhi filled another bowl and handed it to the Sixth Prince who followed in. She did not force the Sixth Prince to go to the clan school. Since he was interested in the sand table, there would be no harm in studying it more.
It was the first time in the life of Sixth Prince Gu Chengqian that he ate in the kitchen with a bowl in his hand. He felt both fresh and comfortable. He imitated Sister Shaoyao, blew on the bowl and put it into his mouth, then nodded at Hua Zhi, and his eyes expressed two words: delicious!
The fact that it was recognized by foodies and the prince showed that it tasted really good. Hua Zhi was in a good mood and asked Yingchun to share the rest, and even Tang Yong got a small portion.
In the short distance from the kitchen to the study, Hua Zhi had already made a long list of menus. She wrote them all down and noted the cooking methods. She packed them together with the remaining mushrooms and asked Xu Ying to send them to Fudong.
She only had a small amount of it and was not planning to sell it right away, so it would be a good idea to give it to Fu Dong to practice on.
"Is there any more on the farm?"
"Yes, there are still about 20 kilograms. The young man and the elders estimate that we should be able to have a small harvest in half a month."
"Very good, you can send all the remaining ones to the dining hall."
"yes."
"There should be a large amount of mushrooms produced later, so we must not relax. If I hadn't sent you a message, all the mushrooms produced later, except for the shiitake mushrooms that should be sent here, should be sent to the vegetarian restaurant."
"Yes, I will take care of it."
"Thank you for your hard work." Hua Zhi's tone slowed down a bit. "I heard that you have been engaged to Chen Ma's daughter, and the wedding date is set for next month. You can set up a new house on the farm and let her go with you. You and your wife will manage the farm for me."
This was a great surprise for Tang Yong, and he kowtowed to express his gratitude. His fiancée was serving the Second Madam, and she had already inquired about it, saying that the Second Madam had no intention of letting her go. He originally thought that they would have to live in both places after they got married, but he didn't expect that the eldest lady would fulfill his wish. For a moment, he didn't know how to thank her.
After Tang Yong left with many thanks, Hua Zhi instructed: "When they get married, send a gift privately in my name."
Yingchun agreed. They knew Tang Yong well, and her parents were both at home, so they were not worried that he would do anything weird.
"The weather should be good by the time they deliver the mushrooms. You can have someone wash the mushrooms, dry them, and grind them into powder. Remember to dry them thoroughly, otherwise they won't last long."
"yes."
"If the quantity is large, you can send one portion to the vegetarian restaurant. If the quantity is small, keep all of it. I will take it to the north."
"Yes, I'll remember that." Yingchun held back and asked, "Can't I go with you? If we go by water, we don't need to ride a horse. I won't hold you back."
"I will let Baochun follow me. You have to stay. Yingchun, you are my chief steward. You need to take charge of all matters in the mansion. The Hua family is my base camp. I can only feel at ease when you are at home. Just like the sand table simulation, I charge in the front just to protect my rear. The front can throw away their weapons and armor and then counterattack. But if there is a problem with the base camp, I will lose everything. Do you understand?"
Yingchun nodded with red eyes and bit her lip, "I will definitely keep it for you."
PS: The next chapter will be in the evening, I hope there will be no problems, I’m scared.