Chapter 25: Working at the Zhu Residence

Xie Jiu’er caught up with him, panting. “Why are you being a hero? This silver can ease your journey, but if we want to live well, we need our own abilities.  A mere five taels won’t guarantee our family’s livelihood for life.”

Xiao Jinyu clutched the silver, speechless.  He didn’t know if he would live or die on this journey, so he wanted to leave them more money.

Xie Jiu’er recovered her breath. “Brother Xiao, live well. You were seriously injured; you must have faced great difficulties. But people must look forward, find ways to survive, live well, and anger those who dislike you. Live well, and get revenge on those who harmed you.”

She turned and left decisively. Xiao Jinyu watched her receding figure, sighed, and thought, yes!  He had won most of the Dazhun Dynasty; why should he endure and yield? Those who don’t want him to live can just die themselves.

With a plan in mind, the long road no longer seemed hopeless and lonely. Xiao Jinyu faced the biting winter wind and walked east, ready to fight and reclaim what was rightfully his.

The next day was Xie Jiu’er’s first day working at the Zhu residence. Madam Zhu was delighted to see her. “I was worried that only Aunt Zhang could prepare breakfast, but you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t dare to be late for Madam’s work. What does Madam usually eat for breakfast? I’ll prepare it now.” Xie Jiu’er washed her hands and asked.

Madam Zhu, pleased with her neat appearance and immediate handwashing, nodded. “Anything is fine.  Your clothes are quite stylish.”

Xie Jiu’er looked down at her clothes. “It’s thanks to Madam.  Without the fabric you gave me, no matter how stylish my designs, I couldn’t have made this.”

Madam Zhu smiled. “You’re so sweet. I’ll leave the kitchen to you.”

Xie Jiu’er turned. “The breakfast will be ready soon. Madam, please rest for a moment.”

She peeled and diced several pears, soaked and cleaned the cloud ear fungus, cutting it into small pieces and simmering it with the pears.  She roasted several red dates until fragrant, tearing them into small pieces and adding them to the pot with goji berries and rock sugar.  When the soup turned slightly yellow, she added two spoonfuls of honey.

She boiled water for noodles and quickly made seven or eight small noodle cakes. She sliced green onions and prepared a dish of minced meat and stir-fried potato shreds.

Finally, she placed several small, deep bowls in a steamer, cracked an egg into each, added some scallions to remove the fishy smell, and steamed egg custards.  Breakfast should be exquisite and simple; this was enough.

Xie Jiu’er carried the breakfast to the dining room.  Mr. and Mrs. Zhu and their son looked at the table full of food. “Isn’t this too much?”

Xie Jiu’er smiled faintly. “It’s not too much; these dishes are meant to be wrapped in the noodle cakes.” She took a noodle cake, laid it flat, added green onions, minced meat, and potato shreds, rolled it up, and handed it to the young master.

Madam Zhu followed Xie Jiu’er’s example, took a bite, and said, “It tastes good and isn’t greasy.”

Mr. Zhu nodded. “This is the first time I’ve had such a refined breakfast.  Aunt Zhang usually just gives us porridge and an egg.” He laughed.

 Xie Jiu’er pointed to the pear soup and egg custard. “Rock sugar pear soup is good for the lungs in winter. Egg custard is easy to digest and nutritious for the young masters.  I’ll leave now.”

Madam Zhu, after taking a sip of the soup, said, “Yes, go eat your own breakfast! Did they leave you some food in the kitchen?”

Xie Jiu’er nodded slightly. “Yes.”

After breakfast, Xie Jiu’er cleaned the kitchen and returned home. The Zhu residence had servants; her job was cooking. After work, she could do her own things.

They were running low on charcoal. The rented house had a small courtyard, making charcoal making inconvenient. Xie Jiu’er and Wuyang built a small kiln in a secluded place outside the city to burn charcoal.  Wuyang worried about theft, collecting firewood nearby and returning home only after dark.

The next day, he returned early and stayed until afternoon. The charcoal should have cooled down by then. Xie Jiu’er took a basket and they collected the charcoal, hurrying home.

Zhou shi used leftover fabric to make shoes to sell. Xie Jiu’er, after finishing her work at the Zhu residence, occasionally strolled through the streets, planning how to improve their family’s livelihood.

Currently, people either opened shops or sold game like they did a few days ago.  It seemed they had to wait until spring. Without capital, everything was difficult.