Chapter 24: Fatty Meat

Lu Man instructed Hong Ling to cut some meat and mince it to make wontons and prepare a large bowl of minced meat noodle soup. These dishes were intended for Jiang Jiu and Qichang for dinner since Jiang Jiu had a weak stomach, and the dog couldn’t eat spicy food.

She and Lu Ying sliced the remaining meat thinly, cut the tofu into thick slices, diced the agar-agar, chopped the garlic chives, and cut the tofu skins into small squares. They wrapped the chives in tofu skin and secured them with toothpicks. Lacking long skewers, they couldn’t thread them into long strings, so they left them loose.

They started by making the sauce, simmering a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and a bit of water until thickened. Unfortunately, they didn’t have honey, which would have enhanced the flavor and color.

On low heat, they added a little oil to a cast-iron pot and fried the tofu slices until golden brown on both sides. After brushing on the sauce and sprinkling chili powder, Sichuan peppercorn powder, and chopped scallions, the simple tofu teppanyaki was ready. Since they had young guests, they used less chili and Sichuan peppercorn, much to Lu Man’s slight regret due to the incomplete seasoning and insufficient quantity.

Next, they seared the tofu skin rolls, pork belly, agar-agar cubes, chive bundles skewered with toothpicks, and steamed bun slices.

After half an hour, Lu Man and her companions carried the tray from the kitchen to the backyard and then to the main house.

Jiang Zhankui sniffed the air appreciatively, while Jiang Jiu eagerly approached Lu Man, pulling her skirt and exclaiming, “Sister-in-law, it smells so good.”

Qichang had returned and was eagerly sniffing the air with its long tongue out.

Arriving at the main house’s east room, they set the tray on the table. The children immediately kicked off their shoes and sat cross-legged on the floor without being told.

Lu Ying placed a large bowl of noodle soup on the floor, and Qichang eagerly dug in.

Lu Man sat on the floor and placed a small bowl of wontons in front of Jiang Jiu, saying, “Since you have a weak stomach, stick to the wonton soup, it’s easier to digest. Iron griddle dishes can be harder on the stomach.” She then placed an empty bowl in front of herself and Jiang Zhankui, each serving them a slice of pork belly, saying, “Enjoy.”

Jiang Jiu looked worriedly at the meat, saying, “I don’t eat fatty meat; I’m afraid it’ll be too greasy.”

Lu Man reassured her, “The way I prepared this meat, it won’t be greasy at all. Try it and see.” She advised, “Chew thoroughly before swallowing.”

Jiang Zhankui had already finished his pork belly and exclaimed, “Sister, it’s not greasy at all, it’s delicious!”

Jiang Jiu, after some hesitation, finally put the meat in her mouth. As she chewed and swallowed, her eyes lit up with surprise. Chuckling, she said, “Hmm, it’s really not greasy, and it’s so delicious!”

Lu Man then served her half a piece of tofu, saying, “Second Miss, after this, you can only have the wontons.”

Accustomed to such treatment, Jiang Jiu nodded understandingly and finished the tofu, resorting to eating the wontons with a small spoon. Watching Jiang Zhankui quickly enjoy the food, she couldn’t help but feel a bit envious but managed to resist asking for more.

Observing Jiang Zhankui’s delighted expression as he savored the food, Lu Man couldn’t help but laugh. After all, children, when faced with something they enjoy eating, transform from proud roosters to eager little chicks pecking at grains.

Jiang Zhankui, blushing, admitted, “I underestimated you earlier, this teppanyaki is indeed delicious.”

As they ate, there was a knock at the courtyard door, prompting Lu Ying to answer it. A maid in her mid-teens entered, carrying a porcelain cup. She glanced at Jiang Jiu’s bowl, sighed in relief upon seeing the wontons, and then approached Lu Man.

The maid curtsied to Lu Man and introduced herself as Lan Zhi, Second Young Miss’s maid. She explained that due to the Second Young Miss’s weak stomach, she had brought a cup of minced meat congee specifically for her. Placing the cup in front of Jiang Jiu, she expressed her concern for the Second Young Miss’s dietary needs.

Lu Man acknowledged the Second Young Miss’s delicate stomach and the maid’s thoughtful gesture, mentioning the wontons she had prepared and inviting Lan Zhi to try the teppanyaki.

Lu Ying and Hong Ling ushered Lan Zhi to a small table on the floor.

Jiang Jiu pushed the congee aside, commenting, “I prefer Sister-in-law’s wontons over the kitchen’s congee.” She joyfully shared, “Sister Lan Zhi, I had a piece of fatty meat today, and it wasn’t greasy at all, it was delicious!”

Alarmed, Lan Zhi responded, “Even if it’s tasty, Second Young Miss shouldn’t eat it.” She then scolded Jiang Zhankui, “Didn’t I instruct Qichang to give Eighth Young Master a note to ensure the Second Young Miss doesn’t eat randomly?”

Jiang Zhankui retorted, “My sister isn’t eating randomly, she only had one piece of meat and half a piece of tofu.”

Jiang Jiu also chimed in, “Sister-in-law only allowed me to have one piece of meat and half a piece of tofu. I’m a good girl, I didn’t ask for more, just the wontons.”

Once Lan Zhi felt relieved, she smiled at Lu Man and shared, “Eighth Young Master has a plan, he’s taking the young miss to various places for physical exercise and doesn’t allow the servants to follow…”

After exchanging pleasantries with Lan Zhi, Lu Man noticed Jiang Zhankui had eaten quite a bit. He had a hearty appetite, particularly enjoying the pork belly and tofu rolls.

Concerned about him overeating, Lu Man advised, “Eighth Young Master, you shouldn’t eat too much at night, it can be hard to digest. If you like, I can make it again next time.”

Jiang Zhankui replied nonchalantly, “It’s fine, I’ve never had stomach issues before.”

On the other side, Lan Zhi quickly interjected, “Phew, I hope the heavens didn’t hear that.” She then cautioned Jiang Zhankui, “Eighth Young Master, refrain from making such statements, it’s not appropriate.”

Jiang Zhankui chuckled and continued eating.

Trying a few dishes, Lan Zhi remarked, “Oh my, I never knew that tofu, tofu skin, and agar-agar prepared this way could taste even better than the meat.”

Jiang Zhankui lifted his head and said, “Then try the meat, it’s even more delicious than Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.”

His remark elicited laughter from everyone.

After the meal, the siblings and Lan Zhi prepared to leave. Qichang hesitated to depart, prompting Jiang Zhankui to sternly warn, “If you don’t listen, you won’t be allowed back here.”

Reluctantly, Qichang followed suit.

Lu Man accompanied them to the courtyard gate, where a servant woman in her thirties arrived at the scene.

The woman greeted Lu Man with a smile and introduced herself as the Second Miss’s wet nurse. She explained, “It’s getting late, I’ve come to pick her up.” then proceeded to lift Jiang Jiu.

Proudly, Jiang Jiu informed her, “I just had fatty meat, and it wasn’t greasy, it was delicious.”

The nursemaid’s expression turned serious as she raised her voice, “Heavens, how could the young miss eat that! If she gets a stomachache, what will we do?” She scolded Lan Zhi, “You’re foolish, how could you let the young miss eat fatty meat? You don’t understand, even as an adult? If anything happens, how will you take responsibility when blamed by the Third Young Master?”

She emphasized the “Third Young Master” and shot a glance at Lu Man.

Jiang Jiu, feeling a bit scared, pouted and said, “It was just a small piece, I didn’t eat much.”

Blushing, Lan Zhi explained, “The young miss mainly had the wontons, I made sure of that.”

Jiang Zhankui, now displeased, stared and said, “It was just one piece of meat, why are you making a fuss? Shouldn’t you servants be more attentive to my sister?”