Jinxi used all the ready-made ingredients and finally prepared a home-cooked meal that blended the tastes of the north and the south of the Yangtze River. It wasn't that she didn't want to prepare a Manchu-Han banquet, but the ingredients were limited. In terms of time, even an hour of preparation couldn't let her show off.
skill.
However, in such a short period of time, she was able to turn some simple ingredients into a table of delicious food that was as delicious as a four-star hotel, which made her think hard.
"Not bad! The girl's craftsmanship is really good! The fourth child is a lucky one!" Kangxi took a sip of the five-year-old daughter's red presented by Jinxi and sighed with appreciation.
"Yes, I didn't expect Xi'er to have such a good craftsmanship... Come on, E Niang will give you a drink. Next time you have time, you have to come and teach E Niang a few tricks." Concubine De said this.
To be honest, she had only heard about the great craftsmanship and outstanding talents of the Fei Yanggu family before, but she had never tasted it in person. She thought it was just a rumor. Now that she really saw it, she actually admired this little eleven-year-old.
daughter in law.
What's more, if Jin Xi hadn't been willing to cook today, the emperor wouldn't have stayed for dinner... For this, she was really grateful to Jin Xi.
Being in the harem, apart from having the emperor pay more attention to yourself, what else can you ask for? No matter how outstanding your son is, it is only a glory on the face. Only the emperor can cure the loneliness in your heart...
"Your Majesty, you're too polite. My daughter-in-law only knows a few tricks, and she really can't stand on the stage... If my mother-in-law doesn't mind, I'll leave lunch to my daughter-in-law next time she comes to Yonghe Palace." This time Jinxi saw Concubine De.
But he really wanted to make friends with her, so he said politely.
"Hey. I'm really greedy after hearing what the girl said. Jun Yi, next time the girl comes to your place to cook, be sure to let me know. Girl, next time I want to taste what you gave to the Queen Mother last time.
Buddha dance
"Qiang, I heard the Queen Mother say that the delicious taste will make her unable to forget it for more than a month... Haha... I have been looking forward to it for a long time..." Kangxi became a talkative after three glasses of wine.
The ground also ordered the menu.
Jin Xi couldn't help but feel a black thread. She didn't believe that there was no cook in the entire imperial kitchen who could make a Buddha jump over the wall!
In fact, after Kangxi heard the Empress Dowager's praise, he actually asked the cook to make it. As a result, after the made Buddha jumped over the wall and gave it to the Empress Dowager to taste, she even said it was not as good as the one made by Xi Yatou. This made Kangxi think about Jin Xi's craftsmanship from time to time.
.
"It's not easy for Ama Huang to try it. Apart from the preparation of the ingredients, this Buddha Jumping Over the Wall is not difficult to make. How about waiting for my wife to return to Ning in three days and make it for Ama Huang and E Niang to try?"
"Sure! Then I'll be waiting for you?! Fourth child, you have to remind me at all times, and don't let this girl find an opportunity to forget." Kangxi shook his folding fan and joked with a smile.
"I obey the decree." Yinzhen replied cheerfully with the corner of his mouth raised. As soon as he finished speaking, Lai Jinxi rolled his eyes. However, he did not escape the vicious eyes of Kangxi and De Fei, who immediately made them laugh.
After lunch, Kangxi was sent away, and Jinxi served Concubine De as she lay down for a nap, then returned to the main hall. Seeing Yinzhen drinking tea, An Huan and An Huan sisters were a little embarrassed and uneasy sitting next to him. They couldn't help but wonder.
Asked: "What's wrong?"
"Sister-in-law...sister-in-law, you said last time that you wanted to teach us some embroidery..." An Huan glanced at Yinzhen, who was silent, and asked boldly. An Huan, who was demure by nature, held a piece of embroidery and embroidered it halfway.
He also looked at Jinxi with great longing.
"Yeah..." She said, "Do you want me to teach you now?"
"Well... But if sister-in-law is tired and wants to go back to rest, it doesn't matter. When she is free tomorrow, An Huan and I will go find her again." An Huan swallowed her saliva, most afraid of her fourth brother's stern face.
The way he didn't say anything was really terrifying, even more majestic than Huang Ama when he was angry.
"I'm not tired, let's do it now." Jinxi didn't know why they were so interested in Su Xiu, but since they liked it, there was nothing wrong with teaching them a few tricks. But why was Yinzhen's face so ugly?
"What's wrong with you? Are you tired? Or is there something wrong? Why don't you go back first?" Jinxi sat down next to Yinzhen and asked An Huan to bring over the half-embroidered handkerchief in her hand.
"Ahem... If you want to teach me, let's do it after lunch break." After saying that, Yinzhen stood up, pulled Jinxi at the same time, and looked at An Huan who was watching his actions blankly. An Huan said: "Not until the time has passed.
Go to Nansuo to find your sister-in-law." After saying that, he took Jinxi out of Yonghe Palace.
"Pfft..." Jin Xi, who only understood the meaning of his move after a while, couldn't help laughing.
Looking at Yinzhen who looked a little weird, Jinxi glanced at him funny and said softly: "Are you worried that I am too tired?"
Yinzhen pretended to be serious and coughed a few times, "I didn't think about it that much. It's just that after spending so much time asking for an appointment, I already wanted to go back..."
"Okay, you're right." Jin Xi smiled and narrowed her eyes, not revealing his true intentions. Since she was worried about her and her body, she didn't have anything to be dissatisfied about, so she happily held his arm.
arm, go home...
After returning to Nansuo, Jinxi took a nap for half an hour as promised. When she woke up, she saw that it was still more than half an hour before her sisters-in-law came to ask her for advice on embroidery skills. So she went to the main hall of the front yard in high spirits to ask Xing
After summoning the maids from Qinnan Institute, grandma planned to have a good understanding of the situation in Nansuo so that she could properly arrange their future division of labor.
I heard from Jiangrui that Yinzhen went to the Ministry of Finance as soon as she had rested. Although Kangxi gave him three days of wedding leave, he wanted to persuade Kangxi to let him take a month's leave before the year so that he could take Jin Xi's family with him.
Jiangnan, therefore, during this period, he must work harder to settle all the matters at hand.
When the people gathered together, Jin Xi nodded. In addition to the four maids and four mothers-in-law brought by the dowry, Nansuo itself also had four maids, two rough envoy maids, and two boys.
Among them, the eunuch Xiao Lizi followed Yinzhen out, leaving the eunuch named Xiaoluzi. Jinxi asked him to still guard the door. Since the two rough maids were dispatched by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Jinxi also beat them a few times.
After saying a few words about the rules and regulations of Nansuo, they were asked to go out to clean the courtyard. The remaining eight maids and four mothers-in-law were what she needed to worry about arranging.
"Ahem, I just came here yesterday. I'm not familiar with this place. Please introduce yourselves first. For example, what is your name, what you were originally responsible for, what you are good at... Let's start with... Grandma Xing..." Jinxi
He cleared his throat, sat down and spoke loudly. Finally, he nodded to Nanny Xing and asked her to start her head, so that the unfamiliar maids would not be used to it.
"My maid's surname is Xing. I served in the palace of the Empress Dowager earlier. After leaving the palace, I went to General Fei Yanggu's mansion to serve as a nanny to Fujin. Thanks to Fujin's appreciation, I am now a steward...
I will be honored to work with you in the future. I hope we can get along well..."
Jinxi didn't expect that Aunt Xing would beat up the unfamiliar girls in Nansuo for her as soon as they came up, and she couldn't help but feel a little funny. However, looking at Xizhu and the others, their expressions changed from surprised to submissive, so she let it go.
I just let Grandma Xing relax and talk.
After Nanny Xing, there were Nanny Lu who also came from the palace of the Empress Dowager, and the other two Nanny Fang and Nanny Chen, who were nimble and upright in appearance.
After Jiangrui, Zhilan, Peilan, and Fulan introduced themselves one by one, it was the turn of the four maids from Nansuo.
"My servant Xizhu used to serve me in daily life. I am good at needlework."
"My maid, Xihe, used to take turns with Xizhu to take care of my master's daily life. She is good at cooking."
"My slave, Xiju, just came to Nansuo this year. Brother Si asked her to stay in the front yard and decorate the wedding room with Ximei. She is good at...organizing..." Xiju thought for a long time before she came up with a job she was good at.
Wasn't the reason why the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent her to serve the fourth elder brother in the first place because the fourth elder brother wanted a palace maid who was nimble and well-kept? That should be correct.
As soon as Xiju said this, everyone present laughed.
Jin Xi also raised the corners of her lips, "I heard Fourth Brother talking about you. You were the one who took care of the furniture and furnishings in the main house."
"I don't dare, I just want to do my job well." Xiju heard Jinxi praising her, but she didn't know whether it was true or not. She knelt down in fear and straightened her back and said.
"I'm just telling the truth, I scared you... Get up, don't kneel down. You didn't do anything wrong..." Jin Xi sighed with a smile, raised his hand to signal Xi Ju to get up, and looked at the last maid again.
, "What's your name?"
"My maid, Ximei, came with Xiju. She was working in the imperial garden before. After she came, she followed the fourth brother's order and tidied up the yard... She is good at... flowers and plants?"
No, if Jin Xi didn’t have a good ear, I really wouldn’t be able to hear clearly what she is good at.
However, she has since understood Yinzhen's painstaking efforts. Except for the two maids Xizhu and Xihe who have served him for many years, the other two maids were found according to her needs.
Among the four maids around her, Jiangrui is the first-class maid who serves her closely, Zhilan is the second-class maid who serves her closely, Peilan, and Fulan are good at cooking and beauties respectively, so they are both
Example of a second-class maid. In this way,
There is still a lack of a first-class maid, a second-class maid, and two third-class maids. Of the four maids on Yinzhen's side, Xi Zhu is the oldest, followed by Xi He, Xi Ju and Ximei are probably not a few years older than him.
They must have just entered the palace in the past two years.
Thinking of this, Jinxi said with a smile: "Now that everyone has introduced each other, I have a general understanding of your division of labor. I have also discussed with Grandma Xing before. In terms of manpower, we have made the following arrangements for the time being: Xizhu and
Jiangrui follows the role of a first-class maid and takes care of me and my husband's life.
Dingli, Xihe, Zhilan, Peilan, and Fulan are all second-class maids. Peilan is responsible for taking care of the kitchen, Xihe is responsible for etiquette matters, and assists Grandma Xing in managing the warehouse. Fulan is responsible for taking care of the maids and clothes, and Zhilan
Responsible for the decoration of the main house and the tea room. Xiju and Ximei are temporarily listed because they are here for a short time.
They are third-class maids. Xiju is responsible for the layout of the front yard and travel arrangements, and Ximei is responsible for the flowers and plants in the courtyard, including the replacement of flowers and plants in each house. As for the four nuns, Aunt Xing is in charge of the south house, Aunt Lu is in charge of the main house, and Aunt Chen
Aunt Fang manages the front yard, and Aunt Fang manages the courtyard. For the time being, it will be run like this. If there is any
If you are not feeling well, after three months, I will make adjustments based on your ability and adaptability. From now on, if you have anything to do with me, except for things directly related to me, come to me. All other matters must be reported to Grandma Xing first.
If Grandma Xing has the authority to deal with it, deal with it directly. If you can't deal with it, come back to me."
Jinxi's arrangement has initially won over everyone's hearts, especially Xizhu and Xihe. As early as yesterday, after seeing the hands, feet and abilities of Jiangrui and others who followed Jinxi and married into Nansuo, they had already won the hearts of everyone.
I no longer had the luxury of staying in the main house to serve. Unexpectedly, not only
He did not expel them from the main house, but promoted them to first-class maids and second-class maids respectively. One was in charge of the affairs of the main house, and the other was in charge of the treasury and palace rewards and return gifts. These were all considered "high-power" tasks.
, can you not be convinced?
Xiju and Ximei are also very happy. When they were on duty at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Imperial Garden, they were just maidservants with no rank. Now that Fujin came in, he not only raised their rank, but also made them responsible for their preferences.
How can you not be happy in a field of work that you are good at!
As for the maids and nuns in Jinxi, because the tasks they were assigned were almost the same as when they were in the small building, they got started quickly, so they didn't feel any burden at all.
After finally arranging everyone's affairs, Jinxi took Jiangrui and Xizhu to visit Nansuo.
Listening to Xizhu's detailed introduction, Jinxi also had a clear understanding of the distribution of the house in Nansuo.
The entire house occupies an area of about two acres and is divided into a front yard and a main house with two entrances. There are six main rooms in the front yard, two of which are connected in the middle, which is the main hall, one on the left is the dining room, one is the main study, and one on the right
It's a tea room and one is a guest room.
The main house has six rooms. Jinxi has already seen them all before, including the bedroom, study room, main room, and tea room. The two most isolated rooms in the west are warehouses.
There are also quite a few wing rooms on the left and right sides sandwiched between the front yard and the main house. On the left side are the kitchen, a small restaurant for the servants to eat and rest, a pantry, a storage room, a utility room, and a public utility room.
Bathroom. On the right side is the room for the servants. There are two people in each room, six in total. Now that there are more people, every room is full. As for the two servants, in order to avoid suspicion, they live in the front yard.
concierge.
As for the flower gardens in Nansuo, there are two in total.
One is the patio between the two entrances. A long row of osmanthus trees and plum blossoms are planted in front of the door of the ear room. It is mid-September now, and the osmanthus flowers are still hanging on the branches, which is very fragrant.
In the grassland surrounding the two rows of trees, various flowers and plants are planted, including phalaenopsis, begonias, tulips... The breeze causes the flowers and plants to sway, which is unique and charming.
There is a path paved with blue bricks in the middle, leading to the main house and the front yard. On both sides of the path, there are several solid bluestone benches scattered at random, giving it a sense of simplicity.
There is a well near the patio and the front yard. The water in the well is clear and fresh, which is perfect for watering flowers and irrigating trees.
There is also a garden behind the main house, which is the real back garden. It is planted with various common and precious flowers, plants and trees. Against the south back wall, there is a small four-corner pavilion with a table and four stools.
Made of stone.
The east wall of the back garden is opened, and a fence is installed. It is the east residence of the seventh elder brother, and the west end is the west residence of the fifth elder brother.
After walking around the whole south house and returning to the main house, two sisters-in-law, An Shu and An Huan, also arrived.
The three of them chatted and laughed while squatting in the bright tea room, drinking tea and exchanging embroidery techniques. The atmosphere was very harmonious. Jinxi even felt that such a marriage was really good... (To be continued)