Chapter 582 - 254: Preparations
Jiang Yu ended up storming off with the birdcage, completely forgetting that the bird was bought by Xiaomi.
Wei Ziang peeked through the window at Xiaomi inside: "Aren’t you going to ask for it back?"
Xiaomi shrugged: "No need, it’s nice to have big brother teach the parrot to talk, saves me a lot of trouble."
Wei Ziang nodded: "Indeed, big brother gets bored by himself, giving him something to do is good."
They exchanged a knowing smile, clearly thinking of the same thing.
Not to mention, Liu Ze has his eyes on second sister, Xiaomi and Wei Ziang enjoy hunting.
As for Xiao Wei, it’s even more obvious. He barely studies, and instead spends any free time out in the fields, difficult to drag back.
Only Jiang Yu spends his time studying, taking care of his own things like tidying his room and doing laundry since the Jiang family has no servants.
Besides that, there doesn’t seem to be anything else for him to do. When the family was busier, he could help in the fields, but in the past couple of years, Jiang Hu mostly hired long-term laborers, and the children rarely helped.
Looking at it that way, apart from studies, Jiang Yu doesn’t seem to have any other hobbies.
No wonder Wei Ziang said such things.
However, Xiaomi stroked his chin in thought.
"I think, big brother’s personality is actually quite good. Since he doesn’t have any particular passions, if he gets a chance to work in government, he won’t be easily tempted."
Wei Ziang naturally nodded in agreement: "Indeed, big brother is suitable to be an honest official."
At least for now, big brother doesn’t have many worldly desires. Even if he achieves success young, he’s neither arrogant nor impatient. Having endured hardships when young, as a scholar, he doesn’t concern himself with noble airs, cooking and doing laundry by himself is the norm.
Such a person, it’s hard to imagine what could corrupt him.
On this point, both Wei Ziang and Xiaomi had surprisingly consistent views.
Just as they were saying this, there was a noise outside the door, and Xiaomi propped his hands on the window and leapt out.
"It must be dad and mom returning."
Wei Ziang’s outstretched hand didn’t even touch Xiaomi’s coat as Xiaomi darted out.
"Dad, mom, second sister, Ze brother, Xiao Wei, you’re back. What good things did you bring?"
As he opened the door, he called everyone once over and then stepped aside to let them in first.
When they went out, Jiang Hu had a big basket on his back which is now fully packed, while Liu Ze and Xiao Xue each carried a few boxes of pastries in their arms.
"We bought quite a lot. We found that chef and made a menu. We’ve bought all the spices and ingredients needed for tomorrow’s roast lamb and lamb giblets soup."
A whole lamb isn’t small, and they aren’t many, so besides the roast lamb and lamb giblets soup for lunch, no extra preparations are necessary.
Of course, it’s also appropriate to prepare a separate assortment of pastries.
Though it’s winter, fruits aren’t scarce. Second mom bought a heap of them: oranges, tangerines, and even guavas, jujubes, sugarcanes, and others, a bit of everything.
While sorting things, Xiaomi secretly took a piece of sugarcane.
"This sugarcane isn’t as tasty as the ones we grow at home. Mom, next winter, let’s send some of ours to Sister Yingying."
Not for any particular reason, Sister Yingying gave her a young mare and even found someone to teach her horseback riding. Not to mention two hunting trips together, which are worth many sugarcanes.
"Sure, next year we’ll have more sugarcanes at home, and we can ask Aunt Qian’s caravan to bring some when they pass by Nanyang Prefecture. But you’ll need to arrange a place with Yingying in advance so you don’t have trouble finding her."
"Don’t worry, mom, I know. I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow."
Earlier this year, they got Aunt Qian’s help to bring some sugarcane seeds, but not much, and planted just over a patch of land.
Before they left, Xiaomi was craving and cut a piece to taste.
As for the rest, they couldn’t eat it. It had to be planted in the spring to expand the plantation.
Because she’s tasted theirs, she feels the ones bought outside aren’t as good.
Besides, the home-grown sugarcanes, apart from Xiaomi secretly watering them, had been enhanced when the seeds were initially obtained by exchanging them in space.
They had a simple lunch, and in the afternoon Jiang Hu led the goat out, finding someone to handle it.
The lamb giblets need to be cleaned thoroughly, and the lamb needs to be marinated in advance.
Because they paid properly, the butcher prepped the lamb giblets by cleaning them briefly, at least the waste was rinsed off. They took it home for a more thorough wash.
The cleaning of the giblets was handed over to others, while Jiang Hu shouldered the lamb, and with Jiang Wei carrying the bought array of spices, went to find the previously arranged chef.
The chef had to work at the restaurant in the evening, so there wasn’t time for an extra trip. Jiang Hu and them had to bring the lamb over for marinating, to be picked up the next morning, letting it marinate overnight.
After all, this goat was large, and with a stronger taste, it required a longer marinating to absorb flavors.
The rest of the afternoon was occupied with these tasks.
Luckily, everyone was household-chores savvy, working together, some boiled water, some washed giblets, and others cleaned the vegetables needed for tomorrow, each busy yet content.
Once the giblets were clean, they simmered them with spices and rice wine to remove any gamey smell, then cut them into strips to be handed over to tomorrow’s assisting chef.
Fortunately, everything was prepared before dinner.
They even washed and dried the fruits, arranged them onto fruit plates. Pastries would stay in boxes, waiting to be plated onto small decorative plates tomorrow.
Clearly, everyone took Xiaomi and Jiang Wei’s birthday seriously, part of which was because Yingying would be coming over.
Although Yingying never mentioned it, traveling with several bodyguards, having a secondary manor and a large hunting ground suggested her family was wealthy.
It wasn’t about currying favor; since she was coming for the siblings’ birthday, the household shouldn’t be too casual.
In this way, things inadvertently seemed more formal and elaborate than before.
Even though it’s tiring, everyone bustling together is a rare opportunity, amidst talking and laughing, time passed quickly.
For dinner, they ate the food Jiang Hu had bought, cooked by another chef at the restaurant while their chef marinated the lamb.
After dinner, they double-checked everything, especially ensuring the food was covered and safe from any potential infestation, before retreating to their rooms with yawns to sleep.