Mama Liu was overjoyed at the return of Su Yujin and the others, her face beaming like a golden chrysanthemum.

“Miss is finally back!”

Most importantly, Second Master had returned as well, and they would be staying for a few more days.

Indeed, after being away with Second Master for so long, their bond had deepened considerably.

Most importantly, she had been alone in this empty mansion for over half a year. Although she was busy every day, and occasionally Shuangye and the others kept her company, she was just a servant. Without her master at home, it didn’t feel quite right.

But now that Miss was back, the mansion could finally be lively again, feeling somewhat like home.

“These past six months have been tough on you, Mama Liu,” Su Yujin said with a smile. “There are many things that the Prefect’s wife gave me when we were in Hedong Prefecture. I think this fabric is excellent; Mama Liu, take it and make two new outfits. And this face cream—it feels so smooth to me. Mama Liu, try it.”

“You flatter me, Miss. It’s just my duty; there’s no hardship involved. It’s all what I should do,” Mama Liu said, looking at the things Su Yujin had given her. She pushed the face cream back. “The fabric looks luxurious, and the color suits me well, so I’ll keep it. I’ll make an outfit for the New Year. You should keep the face cream, Miss.”

The Prefect’s wife’s gifts must be of high quality. With her old face, what was the point of being delicate? She just needed some lard ointment to keep her skin from chapping in the autumn and winter.

“Take it,” Ai Cao said, handing the porcelain bottle to Liu Mama. “Miss has plenty more. Besides, Miss made a huge deal in Hedong Prefecture. Miss will earn even more money in the future, so why would Miss need this?”

“A huge deal?” Liu Mama took the face cream Ai Cao insisted on giving her, her eyes wide.

“Absolutely! A deal even bigger than our Huibinlou restaurant!” Ai Cao excitedly recounted the Kang family’s business and the skewers to Liu Mama.

“Miss is truly amazing, finding such a capable Madam Kang,” Liu Mama exclaimed, full of praise.

If things really went according to Madam Kang’s plan, her mistress would never lack money again. Miss would have more confidence, and life would be even better after joining the He family.

Mamma Liu smiled, her eyes crinkling, then suddenly slapped her forehead. “Look at me, I’ve been so happy for you, Miss! You must be tired from your journey. Go and help Second Master rest. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

“In the past six months, I’ve often visited Su’s Shop and Huibinlou, especially Huibinlou, where I learned a lot from Chef Zheng. You and Second Master should try my cooking.”

“Alright, I’ll try Mamma Liu’s cooking.” Su Yujin didn’t refuse, only asking Ai Cao to help Madam Liu while she went to brew tea for He Yanxiu and bring him two dishes of tea snacks to tide him over.

By the time the sky had begun to darken, the dishes Mama Liu had prepared were served onto the table one after another.

Qīngsǔn Shāo Ròupiàn, Qīngzhēng Jiàngzhī Zhǒuzi, half a crispy-skinned duck, vegetarian stir-fried assorted vegetables, Qiàngchǎo Ǒupiàn, celery stir-fried with lily bulbs, Shānyào Dòufu Gēng, and fermented Qiāncéng Bǐng.

The eight dishes completely filled the table, dazzling to the eye and looking perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

Su Yujin ate while nodding repeatedly. “Mama Liu’s cooking skills have truly improved far beyond before.”

“Yes”, He Yanxiu nodded in agreement.

Although not quite Su Yujin’s level, it was already six or seven out of ten, comparable to the chefs of ordinary small restaurants.

Mama Liu was overjoyed to receive the approval and praise of her two masters. She was beaming as she cleared the dishes that evening, especially when she saw Ai Cao still munching on a layered pancake and even had a bowl of yam and tofu soup added to her plate.

It seemed she would have to consult Chef Zheng more often about cooking techniques.

He Yanxiu stayed there for two more days.

Su Yujin had carefully examined He Yanxiu’s health over the past two days.

His recovery was progressing smoothly, but he needed to avoid any strenuous activity for the next month, especially martial arts; he needed to rest for a while.

As for his sense of taste, it was about 80-90% recovered.

Su Yujin had also prepared some pills for He Yanxiu while in Hedong Prefecture, and after taking them back and administering them regularly, both ailments should be almost completely cured in about a month.

He Yanxiu noted everything down, had Xing’an pack it, and then prepared to return to the capital.

Su Yujin, as usual, packed some things for He Yanxiu.

Seeing Su Yujin pile the brocade boxes into a small mountain on the carriage, He Yanxiu raised an eyebrow. “What are all these?”

Why so many?

He remembered that Su Yujin usually prepared some things for him when he left, but those were just pastries for the journey, or pickled vegetables, or dried meat that could last for a while in the capital; normally, it would only be one box.

“These were all bought for Second Master when we were in Hedong Prefecture,” Su Yujin said. “While the fabrics aren’t as exquisite as those from Jiangzhe in the capital, this Lu silk is unique to Shanxi. It’s soft and fine and comes in a wide variety of colors. With embroidery, it makes for very beautiful garments. I’ve selected a few colors that are easy to match, which would be perfect for Second Master to give to the female elders in his family.”

“This is Zhuyeqing liquor, a refining product based on Fenjiu with the addition of twelve kinds of herbs. It’s golden and slightly green in color, with a unique medicinal aroma and a pure, sweet taste. It would be excellent for the Second Master to give as gifts.”

“And these are red dates, walnuts, dried tofu, and aged vinegar, which are unique to Hedong Prefecture. They’re not particularly expensive, but the fact that they were brought back from so far away and they’re things we can eat regularly shows how thoughtful and considerate Second Master is.”

“Second Master gave me some money before, saying I should buy some things to give to my elders. I looked around and didn’t know what to buy, and I was too embarrassed to ask Second Master, so I just decided to buy these. Second Master, please see if you can use them when you get back.”

Since arriving in Hedong Prefecture, He Yanxiu had given her the shopping allowance and hadn’t mentioned this matter again.

But the less he mentioned it, the more important it became to Su Yujin.

She worried that He Yanxiu was just busy with official duties and had forgotten about it for a while. If she also forgot, she would be caught off guard when He Yanxiu remembered it.

So, Su Yujin kept this in mind from the beginning, carefully selecting things, and finally bought these items and loaded them onto the carriage just before leaving Hedong Prefecture.

He Yanxiu nodded slightly upon hearing this.

So that’s what it was all about.

No wonder Su Yujin had Ai Cao and Qing Kui carrying so many things onto the carriage when leaving Hedong Prefecture.

At first, I thought they were just some women’s items that Su Yujin had bought for herself, but I never imagined they were for him.

Speaking of which…

(End of Chapter)

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Something similar to the flatbread mentioned

Braised pork with bamboo shoots