Secular Martial Arts of 1434

  "Come on, dear sister, be good and listen to your father. Let's drink the medicine." Chen Tianfa said with a bowl in his hand, persuading her sincerely.

  Xi Mei pinched her own little nose, looking at the black soup in Chen Tian Fa's book with disgust, her tone full of disdain.

  "Dad, hurry up and pour it away, I'm not drinking it." Who wants to drink that bitter medicine? Besides, when I had chickenpox before, I didn't hear that not drinking the medicine would make me worse.

  Watching her own father stubbornly insisting on giving her medicine, Xi Mei ignored him and resolutely turned her little head to one side.

  "Are you going to drink or not?" Chen Tianfa, who had been coaxing for half a day without getting him to take a single sip, was getting impatient and his voice rose unconsciously.

  With a sudden turn of her head, Xi Mei looked at her father in incredulity. For the five years she had been in this era, her old man had never spoken loudly to her before, and now he was doing so all because of a bowl of medicine.

  And it's still black and ugly, smelling terrible, shout at her!

  Tears welled up in her eyes unconsciously, silently accusing her father's 'atrocities'.

  Look at this little spoiled brat.

  As expected, her bright big eyes gradually welled up with tears, Chen Tian panicked, threw the medicine aside, and comforted her in a fluster: "Good girl, don't cry, it's Dad's fault, Dad shouldn't have yelled at you."

  Tears fell from her eyes as she said: "Then you can't let me take medicine anymore."

  "Stop drinking, stop drinking, Dad is going to pour it out."

  When he turned around, Xi Mei again made a progress and said: "Father, you bring the account book to me to see, mother doesn't allow me to see it, you have to help me take a look."

  Chen Tianfa said: "Okay okay okay, listen to you, quickly wipe away your tears."

  So, Xi Mei cooperated and wiped away her tears, looking at her father who let out a sigh of relief, secretly making a "V" sign in her heart, humph, you still dare to fight with me.

  With a quick flick of her hand, she wiped away her tears and pointed with her little finger, "Dad, bring me the account book."

  Chen Tianfa had no choice but to get up and go fetch her account book.

  But when he came back, he was startled by the action of his sister in front of him, and hurriedly walked forward, saying: "Sister, you can't scratch, be careful to leave scars."

  Sister Xi pulled down her small face, looking helpless. Alas, Dad, I didn't want to scratch either, but it's really too itchy to bear.

  To shift her attention, Xi Mei turned her head to look outside: "Dad, Mom, where are they?" Hadn't she just heard the voices of San Jie and the others?

  "Your second brother has been sent by your mother to buy New Year's paintings. Your eldest brother is writing couplets over there."

  "Oh", Jiemei nodded, in two more days it will be Chinese New Year, no wonder the whole family is busy.

  Lowering his head to take a look at the account book in his hand, joy overflowed on his face. It seems that this year can be a big fat year after all. The accounts showed that just the dividends from their own family's business for this year alone would amount to three thousand taels of silver.

  Not to mention, all the big and small expenses for this year can be covered by just one stall selling preserved eggs.

  So these three thousand two are pure profit, it's unbelievable.

  However, it's all about how to make money work for you that matters.

  However, I reckon she has some ideas but her mother won't agree with them anyway.

  Alas, I inadvertently let out a sigh, looking old and worn out. Later, I comforted myself, forget it, don't think about it anymore, leave the annoying things to be said after the new year.

  To shift the itch on her body, Xi Mei said: "Dad, my mouth is so dry that I'm about to spit out birds, can you...?" blinking her starry eyes at her father.

  Who would have thought that Chen Tianfa was acting out of character this time, pretending to know nothing and getting up to leave, muttering to himself: "Right, I think your mother said something just now? Yes, we need to steam the year cake, I'll go help."

  With that, she hastily ran out the door and escaped. What could be done? His own daughter was too willful, and he definitely couldn't win an argument with her. If he had to sneak meat for her himself, then his wife would have nothing to say about it. In the end, who would suffer? Himself!

  All is fair in love and war.

  Have to say, following Xi Mei, even the most honest Chen Tianfa has learned to play tricks.

  He hastily followed Chen Tian out the door, leaning against it, and saw his own wife and Xi Mei following with smiles all over their faces.

  Zhao's expression was indeed as expected. She said to the children, "See what I mean? Your father will definitely not be able to get Xǐ Mèi to take the medicine."

  The tone was incredibly smug.

  Just as he was about to speak up, Zhao's wife smiled and said to the girls, "Alright, we've had enough excitement, it's time for us to get busy."

  Chen Tianfa was helpless, it seemed I was just here for you all to laugh at.

  Dragging his feet, he slowly walked towards the kitchen, where several members of the Zhao family were busily preparing to make rice cakes.

  After all, it's the New Year, and niangao is a must-have dish on every family's dinner table. It was supposed to be prepared yesterday, but then suddenly came the happy event of giving birth to a younger sister, which delayed everything.

  Nian gao, homophone of 'year high', means good head plus a variety of flavors, widely popular among adults and children, almost becoming a must-have for the New Year.

  Xi Mei's place is roughly in the northern region, so she likes to eat red dates rice cake made with Jiangmi or yellow rice and hundred fruit rice cake. However, when Zhao was at her maternal home, she also followed the neighbor's aunt to learn how to make southern-style rice cakes.

  Sometimes, at the request of the children, I also make a batch of southern-style rice cakes.

  This is made with glutinous rice flour, white sugar, lard, osmanthus, mint and vegetarian mung bean paste, etc. It has been made into a lovely and delicate small cake shape, with fine workmanship, just looking at it makes you want to eat.

  "Ji Ju, steam these. Zhao Shi instructed her daughter and then looked at her second son who was full of energy and couldn't stop in the kitchen, saying: "Rui Hao, help your mother out, go light the fire."

  Because of the delicious temptation in front of him, Ruihao didn't say anything and happily accepted the task, squatting on a small stool to cook with all his might.

  As the water heated up, Zhao lifted the large pot lid, and the kitchen was instantly filled with waves of steam, which also drove away the cold winter air.

  Once you get busy, time flies by quickly.

  Before long, the kitchen emitted that sweet and greasy smell. Xi He sniffed her nose and looked at Zhao with eager eyes, saying: "Mother, is it done yet? I really want to eat."

  Looking at her greedy appearance, Zhao smiled and said, "It's almost done, just bear with it a little longer."

  Xihe couldn't help it and swallowed her saliva, not because she was too lacking in spirit, but because it really smelled so good.

  Finally, it was time to lift the pot, and Mrs. Zhao gestured for the children to make way, standing by the stove herself, with a cloth pad on her hand before lifting the lid.

  As soon as it was opened, a wave of hot air rushed out, and after the heat dissipated, several children leaned forward to look into the pot.

  Just like in previous years, the rice cakes in the pot are lined up neatly like soldiers, standing at attention in the pot.

  "Bang", Zhao's hand slapped down, scolding: "You're so impatient, first pour it out and offer it to the Stove King."

  The silly boy rubbed his head, Ruihao smiled and said: "Alright, I know, mom, I'll go now." After that, he carried the rice cake and ran to pay respects to the Stove God.

  Although it is said that in the past, people used to offer candied fruit to show respect to their elders, but rural folks didn't mind those things and thought that if there were any good food, they would first offer some to them, which wouldn't hurt.

  After all, more courtesy can't be wrong.

  "Right, none of you go to Xi Mei's house later, don't let her infect you." One child getting infected is already troublesome enough, the remaining few children during the Spring Festival must not give her more trouble.

  So poor Xi Mei had the chance to taste it after everyone else had tried it.

  Across the street, Xu Peifeng, as usual, took the food he had brought from the wine house and sent it to the master of the house.

  It's New Year's Day, but there is no festive atmosphere in this courtyard. Although they have never experienced the so-called family happiness since they didn't have parents.

  But in recent years, the two brothers who have become close to Chen's family have thoroughly enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

  Unfortunately, the master has arrived this year and cannot go to the Chen family for New Year's. He sighed, looking at the faint light shining through the window lattice, twinkling as if it were about to intersect with the bright stars above his head.

  However, it makes this night even colder.

  He lightly opened the door and looked at the figure hiding in the darkness, Xu Peifeng said respectfully: "Master, it's time to eat."

  Half a day later, the black figure finally moved slightly, and some low, hoarse voices entered his ears: "Have all the brothers under your hands been settled?"

  Xu Peifeng's expression turned serious, "Everything has been arranged properly, Master, inside the palace..."

  With worry, he hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. He knew his master disliked being disturbed, but couldn't help the confusion in his heart and asked anyway.

  Holding one's breath, the air was filled with an suffocating silence. Knowing that he had said too much, he turned to leave but just as he was about to retreat, a voice sounded in his ear: "The various forces within the palace have already begun to stir, whoever is in charge of reporting to us, no matter what movements they make, must report back quickly!"

  Xuanyuan Lie's hands grasped the windowsill, gazing out at the street outside, completely disregarding the cold wind hitting his face. Although outside was still filled with joyful voices and a harmonious atmosphere, who knew what undercurrents were surging beneath this tranquility?

  Knowing that the master had already started to lay out his net, Xu Peifeng walked out of the room door without making a sound and quietly closed the door. However, he turned around and took one last look at the lone figure standing in front of the window.

  Can't help but sigh, Master, why do you always have to put on a straight face and look so gloomy? Can't you be like Xi Mei for once and brighten up a bit?

  What to do next to chase after wife?

  Hiss, hiss, Mr. Xu is now starting to worry about his own master.

  Merry Christmas to everyone! Thank you for your continued support, muah muah, may you always be happy and blissful, hehe. By the way, I'd like to give a little plug - check out my friend's book, it's not bad!

  Book number: 2977894

  Introduction: Separated by yin and yang, as a living person, I absolutely will not like dead people!