Chapter 284 - Chapter 284: Chapter 292: The More Difficult It Gets (1/2)

Chapter 284: Chapter 292: The More Difficult It Gets

Aunt Li saw Su Wenyue frown and thought she was displeased. After all, Madam indeed did not enjoy eating this. She couldn’t stand the medicinal taste in it, feeling it ruined perfectly good food—especially during and after her confinement; due to the doctor’s orders, Madam became even more averse, declaring she’d never touch this disgusting thing again.

“Madam,” Aunt Li said, nervously urging her, “Master specifically instructed me before he left to make sure you eat. He said it doesn’t matter how much you eat, it’s always beneficial in some way, and he also had the kitchen use less medicinal materials, so the taste isn’t as strong. Would you please try it?”

“Alright, serve me half a bowl,” Su Wenyue complied.

Aunt Li hadn’t expected Madam to be so amenable. Originally thinking she’d have to persuade her at length, she was taken aback but quickly served Su Wenyue half a bowl of soup, managing a rare smile on her stiff face, although perhaps it would’ve been better not to smile—it was quite frightening.

Whether it was the perception of Han Yu’s good intentions or the fact that less medicinal materials were used, Su Wenyue still did not find the medicinal meal very appetizing, but it was tolerable enough for her to eat. She asked Aunt Li for another small bowl and slowly finished it, thinking that having eaten so much, Han Yu would surely praise her upon his return. It had always been like this. Perhaps it was because of her petite stature that made her look younger, Han Yu liked to coddle her like a child. Although Su Wenyue felt it was a bit wrong, she still enjoyed it.

Seeing Su Wenyue eat so much was already an excellent situation. Aunt Li, noticing that Madam had stopped eating, did not urge her further and had the leftovers taken away.

“Madam, would you like to eat something else? The kitchen also has prepared Bird’s Nest Porridge and soup dumplings, as well as a few cakes.”

Having just eaten the medicinal meal, Su Wenyue lost her appetite and was not interested in Bird’s Nest Porridge or soup dumplings: “Bring me two plates of cakes. For noon, don’t make anything greasy; just stir-fry a few refreshing dishes for me and steam a sea bass. That will be all, and also, stir-fry me some Sour Bamboo Shoots with Meat Slices.”

Su Wenyue suddenly craved something sour and crispy, so she thought of sour bamboo shoots, uncertain whether the kitchen could make them, as bamboo shoots were not commonly seen on the dining table at this time due to most being clueless about how to prepare them. Eating a few slices often led to heartburn, especially in the countryside, where the dishes contained little fat, making it even more uncomfortable.

“Pass on my instructions to the kitchen and ask if they know how to make Sour Bamboo Shoots with Meat Slices. If they don’t, let them come and ask me.”

Aunt Li accepted the order and left, and Su Wenyue, having nothing to do at the moment, resumed her study of the ancient embroidery book. Last time, she had learned just the basics from the book, which had greatly advanced her skills. If she could fully grasp the techniques, Su Wenyue was somewhat excited about the level her embroidery craft might reach. When a craft achieves a certain level, what is produced is not merely an object, but an artistic state that offers spiritual pleasure and fulfillment.

“Madam,” Su Wenyue was puzzled over a certain embroidery technique in the ancient book when Shu Qin led the cook in.