Chapter 1773: Chapter 1773

Chapter 1773: 066, Shredded Chicken and Meat Soup Noodles

Not only Xiao Linshuang and the others, but even the daydreaming Liu Limin laughed along, and when she saw Lin Yuan’s blushing little face and pouty little mouth, she laughed even harder.

“Who’s lost without you? Who’s missing you? Don’t flatter yourself!”

She quietly glared at Xia Zheng, just in time to see Hai Tang bringing in the chicken noodle soup.

Smelling that delicious aroma, Lin Yuan’s mouth watered, looking eagerly at the steaming bowl in Hai Tang’s hands.

“Here it comes, here it comes, I’m starving to death!”

“Spit, spit, spit! What nonsense are you saying!”

As soon as Lin Yuan finished speaking, Lady Liu gave her a firm slap on the forehead, sulking as she made Lin Yuan spit twice on the floor just like her before she was satisfied.

Today is New Year’s Eve; naturally, we should say auspicious words. But she spoke whatever slipped off her tongue, not expecting to blurt out that unkind word, and deserved the scolding.

Following Lady Liu’s instructions, Lin Yuan chuckled, seeing Lady Liu cast an amused glance at her before quickly picking up her chopsticks and digging in.

Indeed, it was shredded chicken noodle soup, with the noodles neatly adorned with a heap of white, tender, oil-fried chicken shreds, plus the fresh green scallions and cilantro, and the oily thick soup with chewy, bouncy, and slick noodles.

Wow, Lin Yuan, without regard for appearance, stuffed her mouth full, enjoying it tremendously with a breath of hot air.

This is what real food should taste like; those palace cuisines are not fit for humans!

After a couple of mouthfuls, Lin Yuan almost choked in her eagerness.

“Slow down, slow down, nobody’s grabbing it from you, what’s the rush!”

Lady Liu handed her water while gently patting her back, though her words were reproachful, her expression was filled with affection.

Each time she visited the palace, she returned hungry, clearly not a place for people to stay. It’s best to keep her daughter from going there too often. Discover more novels at novel•fire.net

Not sure what she was thinking, Lady Liu looked at Xia Zheng with concern, about to speak when Xia Zheng, somewhat nervously, asked, “How is it? Is it good?”

Lin Yuan knew he was asking her and nodded enthusiastically, chewing on the noodles and chicken in her mouth: “Good good, really good.”

With her mouth stuffed full, Lin Yuan’s words were slightly garbled.

But even so, Xia Zheng understood what she meant, his face immediately filling with pride and satisfaction.

Lady Liu shook her head with a smile, the question of asking if he was hungry swallowed back down.

Look at that proud little face, happier than finishing two bowls of noodles, surely not hungry.

“Hehe, big sister, you’re such a great cook, why not appraise this bowl of noodles?”

Xiao Linshuang, snuggled up in Liu Limin’s embrace, suddenly rolled her eyes, chuckled, and playfully winked at Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan was eating her noodles, almost finishing a large bowl; with her stomach filled, she wasn’t in such a rush to eat anymore.

Upon hearing Xiao Linshuang’s comment, Lin Yuan first asked who made it. After hearing from Hai Tang that it was the new kitchen lady, she began her critique.

“Overall, this bowl of noodles is quite good. The noodles are rolled evenly thick, cut uniformly. The chicken is tenderly cooked, but…”

Xia Zheng, enjoying Lin Yuan’s review, suddenly grew a bit nervous and pursued more.

Lin Yuan wondered why he was so anxious but didn’t overthink it; after sipping a mouthful of broth, she continued: “It’s just that everything about the noodles is good, but they were boiled a bit too much. The scallions and cilantro, though tender, were not cut evenly, clearly made by someone who doesn’t cook often.”

Xia Zheng awkwardly coughed into his fist.

Finishing the last sip of soup, Lin Yuan mumbled curiously: “Is this new kitchen lady really a novice? Supposedly, the hardest parts of this noodle dish are rolling the noodles and frying the chicken, if she managed the hardest part, how could she mess up the simplest part of cooking noodles?”

Xia Zheng’s coughing grew louder, inexplicably blushing.

Probably everyone present knew, except Lin Yuan.

Lady Liu chuckled, shaking her head as she handed over a cup of hot tea to her daughter.

Xiao Linzi and Lin Wei exchanged a knowing smile, their eyes full of understanding and teasing.

Xiao Linshuang, meanwhile, snickered, saying loudly: “Big sister, though these noodles aren’t great, they sure beat the palace meals, right? Those palace chefs are all about looks with no substance; I say you should teach them a lesson when you’re free so we won’t feel like we’re on the gallows when we dine at the palace!”

Lady Liu scolded again, tugging Xiao Linshuang’s ear.

This truly frustrated her today, first, the eldest daughter uttered improper words, and now this little one followed suit; it is merely the first year in the Capital City! These two are so inconsiderate!

Xiao Linshuang quickly complied, spitting a few times on the floor per Lady Liu’s demand, and predictably nestled in Lady Liu’s arms, acting spoiled until she made Lady Liu laugh, finally stopping.

Xiao Yongyan looked at his older sister three years his senior like a little adult, full of disdain.

Yet, the little fellow still toddled over to Lady Liu, eyelids drooping heavily, as though about to fall asleep.

“Oh dear, Yan, are you sleepy? Come, Mama will hold you and help you to sleep.”

As she spoke, she held Xiao Yongyan in her arms, gently patting his little bottom while humming softly to lull him to sleep.

However, as the little one nestled into his mother’s arms, his previously sleepy eyes immediately brightened, showing no signs of drowsiness.

Seeing through her little brother’s ploy for attention, Xiao Linshuang felt both angry and amused, turning her head to snuggle in Liu Limin’s embrace, glaring grudgingly at Xiao Yongyan.

Yet as they glared, the two little ones’ eyes grew heavy and, unwittingly, drifted into a slumber.

With the two most rambunctious little ones asleep, the living room grew quiet.

Lin Jiaxin began tinkering with his new inkstone again, a New Year’s gift from Xiao Linzi to this future father-in-law.

Lin Wei and Xiao Linzi huddled near the fireplace, chatting softly, as Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng also sat in another corner of the living room, joking and laughing.

However, Xia Zheng’s handsome blush surprised Lin Yuan.