(Xiao-Xiaoniao's 344846030 long review and update has arrived!)

If it wasn't for the fact that his father was stationed at Ming Province's borders and the family needed the eldest son, He Changqi would rather join the army himself. However, as the eldest brother, he had no choice but to give up on this dream and stay at home to shoulder the responsibilities.

He Changqi was only a fourth-ranked official in the Ministry of Rites, and he wasn't good at running a business. Even though he was the heir of Count Jing 'an, he didn't have much money left.

As an heir, he was worried about money because of his mother's illness.

Chu Lian didn't know about the complications of this. After all, she wasn't the head of the household, and this matter wasn't mentioned in the original book.

Chu Lian was overjoyed to receive a cart full of chili peppers.

Her mind was already filled with chili oil, tender chicken with chili peppers, boiling mutton, hot and sour soup, stir-fried shredded beef, mapo tofu, and other spicy dishes.

When she returned to Songtao Court, she went straight to the small kitchen and didn't even bother with her afternoon nap.

At the entrance of the small kitchen, Senior Servant Zhong and Wenlan were dumbfounded as they watched several female servants move bags of things into the small kitchen.

The cart of chili peppers took up half of the storehouse that was connected to the small kitchen.

Senior Servant Zhong walked to Chu Lian's side and asked in surprise, "Third Young Mistress, what is this?

Why is there so much? "

Chu Lian smiled until her eyes were squinted. She intentionally kept Senior Servant Zhong in suspense, "Don't worry, Senior Servant, it's good stuff. Eldest Brother gave it to me."

"The heir gave it to you?"

Following behind Chu Lian, he saw her open a bag and asked Jing Yan, who was behind him, to find a larger wooden basin. Chu Lian lifted the bag that was as high as her calf and poured the dried chilies into the wooden basin.

Senior Servant Gui also rushed over when she heard the news. When she saw the fiery red thing, she said in surprise, "What is this? It looks pretty good."

Chu Lian reached out her slender hands and poked the chili peppers in the basin. When she saw the bright red chili peppers, she immediately had an evil thought.

She turned her head and looked at the group of maids and old women behind her with curved eyes. "This is a kind of foreign food. You can even eat it directly like this. Do you want to try it?"

The first to nod were the geese, Wenqing, and Wenlan. Their eyes were filled with anticipation. In the past, no matter what Third Young Mistress made, it was just too delicious. These two days, when they looked in the mirror, they felt that they had gained weight!

She always told herself to eat less during meals, but when it came to mealtime, she couldn't control herself. It was really too troublesome.

Seeing that they were willing to try, Chu Lian couldn't help but smile. She took two steps to the side and let them pass.

The geese, Wenqing, and Wenlan each picked up a dried chili and looked at it. They didn't even ask what it tasted like, and directly stuffed it into their mouths.

In less than two seconds, the maids' throats were on fire. They hurriedly spat out the red peppers in their mouths and hurriedly ran to the small kitchen to find water to drink.

This action only made Nanny Zhong and Nanny Gui turn pale with fright. What … what the hell is going on!

Nanny Gui anxiously wanted to check on the maids, but Chu Lian pulled her back. She held back her laughter and said, "Nanny, don't worry. They're fine. It's just that their mouths are on fire after eating this chili. They'll be fine after drinking two cups of cold water."

After saying that, Chu Lian couldn't help but laugh out loud. When Nanny Gui heard Chu Lian say this, she finally let out a sigh of relief. She helplessly glanced at Third Young Mistress, who had purposely fallen into the trap, with a reproachful look.

Nanny Zhong turned around and ordered the two startled maids behind her to quickly go to the small kitchen to pour cold water for the maids.

When the geese and Wenqing returned, their eyes were watery and their cheeks were flushed. They looked at Chu Lian with a wronged expression.

Chu Lian deliberately put on a stern face and lectured, "Let's see if you dare to eat carelessly next time. If I find out that you've done something wrong, your punishment in the future will be to eat a bowl of this chili!"

The geese and Wenqing hurriedly shrunk their heads and repeatedly said that they didn't dare. Even Nanny Gui and Nanny Zhong's expressions became serious.

Actually, Chu Lian's words had a hidden meaning.

Two days ago, Xiyan and the others had handed over all their food and Nanny Gui had taken the initiative to take their wine. Ever since they started eating in the small kitchen, because the Third Branch's food was exceptionally delicious, there would be less of it every now and then.

Chu Lian had only heard a little about it before, but recently, the situation in the courtyard had become more and more intense.

Although Xiyan and Nanny Gui had sent food and wine to He Sanlang for her sake, nothing could be accomplished without rules. After all, she was the one in charge of Song Tao Yuan, and outside of Song Tao Yuan was the larger Duke Jing 'an's residence.

Although taking food and food was a small matter, it would accumulate over time and again, and it would breed greedy and insatiable people. Chu Lian said this to use this opportunity to warn the maids and senior servants in her courtyard.

At the same time, she expressed her stance that even if Nanny Gui made a mistake in the future, she would still punish her.

Chu Lian's gaze swept over the group of people in front of her and felt that her warning had been effective. Her expression relaxed and she became warm and amiable again.

"Fuyan, go take a look in the kitchen to see if there are any fish today. Wenlan, Mingyan, bring two more basins to store the chili peppers. Jing Yan, go look for sesame, garlic, onion, and ginger."

After giving her instructions, Chu Lian stood to the side and instructed a few senior servant girls to wash the dried chili peppers in wooden basins and then chop them up.

For the entire afternoon, Song Tao Yuan was filled with a burning and spicy smell, causing the people in the kitchen to cough repeatedly.

Chu Lian had Xiyan bring over a rose chair to rest against a wisteria in Songtao Court. She held Guilin Restaurant's account book in her hand and scribbled on it. From time to time, she would glance at the little kitchen in the distance, which was still emitting smoke.

She stretched out her hand and Xiyan hurriedly handed over an exquisite small plate. On the plate were small pieces of bitter melon with a bamboo stick.

Chu Lian picked up the bamboo stick and ate a mouthful of the bitter melon, feeling extremely refreshed. Xiyan saw that Chu Lian's expression was one of comfort and hurriedly went forward to massage Chu Lian's shoulders.

Chu Lian even reminded her from time to time, "Focus more on the left side."

Xiyan hurriedly did as she was told.

Chu Lian closed her eyes in enjoyment. What was the life of a rice worm?

This was it!

Not long after, she saw Fuyan and the others covered in the smell of oil and smoke. Their small faces were red from the heat and sweat. They came to Chu Lian's side and coughed incessantly.

Chu Lian put a fist to her lips and deliberately coughed twice. "Is everything done?"

"Third Young Mistress, the chili oil you wanted has been made according to your instructions. There are two jars in total and they can be filled after they cool down," Jing Yan replied.

"Since it's done, hurry back to take a bath and change your clothes. Look at how smelly you all are."

The senior servant girls felt as if they had been pardoned and hurriedly ran away.

Chu Lian proudly ate another mouthful of bitter melon. "Xiyan, did you see that? This is what happens to those who are greedy and side with outsiders!

Don't worry, I still have many bags of chili peppers! "

Xiyan's entire body stiffened at Chu Lian's words.

She had finally admitted her mistake. "Third Young Mistress, in the future, this servant will not dare to make the decision to deal with your personal belongings. Please, Third Young Mistress, spare this servant this time!"

Chu Lian glanced at Xiyan. "Xiyan, it's good that you understand. Don't lose the big picture for the small."

Although those snacks were hard to come by, they were only for the sake of good food. Chu Lian wanted to use this opportunity to remind Xiyan that if she gave her something more important for safekeeping in the future, she would be punished if she still made a mistake.

For dinner, Chu Lian personally cooked a dish of boiled fish fillet and a bowl of hot and sour soup. The other dishes were all commonly eaten in Songtao Yuan.

The bottom of the boiled fish fillet was covered with freshly sprouted bean sprouts. On top was a snow-white fish fillet and on top was a floating bright red chili peppers. Once it was served, a delicious fragrance filled the air.

The fish meat was tender and smooth. Although it was covered with a layer of red chili peppers, it was actually not very spicy. When the thin snow-white fish fillet entered her mouth, the corners of Chu Lian's mouth curled up.

However, it was a pity that she was eating alone at the table. Originally, this kind of Boiled Fish Fillet should have been served in a big bowl. However, because she was eating alone, she only let Xiyan fill a small bowl with it.

Chu Lian had Xiyan divide the rest into two portions and send them to Qingwen Tang and the First Household's courtyard.

Gui Momo personally went to Qingwen Tang and Liu Momo quickly welcomed her in.

"This is the fresh food that Third Young Mistress made today. This old servant has come on Third Young Mistress' orders to bring some for Matriarch to taste. It is just that Third Young Mistress has warned that this boiled fish fillet is a bit strong and that if Matriarch cannot eat it, she can just have a taste."

Liu Momo smiled and responded. She took the food box and handed it to the servant girl behind her for her to bring it in. She also personally sent Gui Momo out of the courtyard.

The First Household naturally received the boiled fish fillet and the heir, He Changqi, was also present at that time.

He Changqi opened the lid of the food box and saw the layer of red chili peppers in the porcelain cup. He said in surprise, "This dish was made by the chili that I brought back in the afternoon?"

"Replying Heir, it is!

Our Third Young Mistress personally cooked it in the evening. She said that this boiled fish fillet has a strong taste and that Heir should eat less if he is not used to it. "

"Since it was made by that chili, I must have a good taste."

Without waiting for Xiyan to leave, He Changqi ordered the servant girls in the courtyard to serve the meal.

He could not wait to taste the unique taste of the dish made by the chili.

The next day, Chu Lian went to Qingchi Hall to pay her respects and did not expect to meet her Eldest Brother, He Changqi.

The Old Matriarch smiled and let Chu Lian sit beside her and jokingly said, "Your Eldest Brother deliberately left half an hour later today just to wait for you to come over to pay your respects."

Chu Lian asked curiously, "Is there something that Eldest Brother needs?"

He Changqi's dark and broad face instantly turned red. He pursed his lips and was too embarrassed to open his mouth. He could only look towards Old Matriarch for help.

"Look at you. You only have this much potential. It is just a small matter and you are embarrassed to say it. Since Third Daughter-in-law is married into our He family, you are her blood-related Eldest Brother!"

Old Matriarch pretended to rebuke He Changqi before pulling Chu Lian's hand and said to her with a smile, "Your Eldest Brother is going to invite his classmate and good friend over to the residence as a guest in two days. He had eaten the boiled fish fillet that you sent over yesterday and felt that it was very delicious. He wanted to request for you to make a dish for the day you entertain the guests to keep up appearances."

When entertaining a friend, there must be good food and wine. Nowadays, secret recipes were very precious, so most residences had one or two delicacies to keep up appearances.

In the past, Duke Jing 'an's residence relied on Kitchen Maiden Zhou's pastries. Now that Kitchen Maiden Zhou was gone, He Dalang felt that he didn't have anything good to offer when entertaining guests, so he kept delaying the food he owed his friend.

Now that he had this opportunity, he naturally couldn't let it go.

Chu Lian thought that it was a difficult matter, but it was just adding two more dishes to her Eldest Brother's dinner table. It was very simple, so Chu Lian immediately nodded and agreed.

He Dalang finally had a load off his mind when Senior Servant Liu suddenly rushed in from outside.

"Old Matriarch, the steward in the front courtyard sent a message. Someone from the palace has come!"