On her way to the house she took out three rabbits and mushroom in a bag and arrived at the chief house. The children immediately ran to hug her as she opened the door.
"Mother, where were you?
"Ah Chen missed mother a lot"
Hearing their coquettish tone her heart softened. She squatted to their level and apologized before giving them a kiss on their cheeks. They grinned happily and said they forgave her. Su Xiao took them with her into the house and met Bai Ling who was preparing to bathe them.
"Good morning Sister Bai"
"Good morning Su Xiao"
After a brief conversation, she took the kids with them while Su Xiao entered the kitchen. Mu Wei was discussing with the men in the other room so she dealt with the rabbit herself. She hung some up over the fire to smoke it and preserve for travelling. She took out six eggs and placed it the egg crate, the ginger and mushrooms were also arranged properly.
As she left the kitchen to go bathe as she felt dirty she bumped into Mu Wei. She greeted him and excused herself to go to the bathroom. As she made her way to leave she remembered the boar meat and turned to him.
"I hunted a wild boar in the mountains and gave some of it the ballifs. I'm about to take a bathe and I think they will bring our share soon, so handle it for me"
"Alright"
Feeling relieved she entered the bathroom with the bucket of water. Mu Wei was surprised for a bit when he heard her say she killed a wild boar but remembering her strength he said nothing. As he pondered on how he could be of help, he heard voices at the door and figured Lu Dan should be here. He made his way to the main door and as expected he was there with the meat tied with some leaves.
Mu Wei welcomed him into the house but the man felt intimidated. Many people didn't know his real identity but Lu Dan did. Although he had been stripped of his title and now a mere exile, the innate aura was still there. He didn't insist when the man said he would be back this evening. He washed the boar meat thoroughly and cut it then left it for Su Xiao at the kitchen while he took the skin to handle it. He began tanning it planning to use the hide to make leather shoes for Su Xiao.
The thought made his lips curve up so he focused. Su Xiao was done bathing and changed her clothes. She glanced at the man who was intently doing something and quietly exited the room to the kitchen. The meat had been thoroughly handled and washed well. She felt happy knowing that the man was also able to help out in the kitchen. She cut some parts and hung it to smoke and roasted some of them. She decided to make some meat sausages.
There was no blender she she mashed the meat with her hand after grounding it. She then seasoned it with spice, garlic, ginger, chilli and some pork fat. Next was shaping it into sausage shape and then she pan fried it till it was totally cooked. She could have made mashed potatoes to pair with it but that would be suspicious. She had no way of explaining the origin of the potato if asked so she went for roasted vegetables. She also cooked some congee and the dish was ready.
Bai Ling entered just to see her serving and congee so she helped take them to the room. She called out everyone and they gathered at the table after washing their hands. Su Xiao had made it a rule that you wouldn't eat her food if you didn't wash your hands so they obediently complied. As they detected the mouthwatering aroma their stomach growled. Su Xiao dishes was something they couldn't get bored of. She always came up with creative ways to make the dishes taste incredible and their taste buds rejoice.
Su Xiao introduced the meat sausages to them and they looked at her with amazement as she explained how it was prepared and how it should be eaten with the vegetables. After showering her with compliments,they immediately dug in. Su Xiao had served the kids their own separately because she didn't trust this hungry wolves of an adult and her decision turned out right. They hardly talked as they focused on stuffing themselves. Su Xiao looked at Mu Wei who despite the rush ate with elegance and sophistication resembling an otherworldly prince.
He ate not too fast and not too slow making her crave for the food she cooked. He caught her gaze and looked at her straight in the eye. Su Xiao not having any shame of being caught complimented him.
"Your eating habit is pleasing"
"You're not bad too"
Mu Wei was right. Su Xiao ate elegantly and quietly. She made a normal food look so refined and appeasing. Su Xiao nodded in agreement to his words and continued eating. Shi Dong and his wife alongside the two brothers heard their words and felt embarrassed at the habit. Shi Dong had abandoned his teachings on eating habit after tasting the dishes. They immediately regained their manners and ate more slowly and normally. The dish was finished in silence and everyone felt stuffed.
Su Xiao entered the kitchen and took out the chamomile tea leaves and made tea for everyone. She returned to the table and made everyone drink it. Without asking questions, they took it and sipped slowly.
"This is so delicious!"
"Madam, is this chamomile tea?"
Su Xiao nodded calmly to Shi Dong's question. She was not surprised he recognized it as he was a scholar. Mu Wei showed only a faint hint of surprise and continued sipping elegantly. The kids were also given their share and the family enjoyed the peace and silence. There was a flash of lightning and it immediately started raining again. Bai Ling ran to close the windows and check on the horses before returning to her seat. Li Tuo sighed before murmuring.
"We're going to stay here for a while"
"Hm. The rain is too heavy and I'm not sure it's stopping soon"
Su Xiao looked at the sky and frowned. She only hoped this doesn't become a flood. She better start making preparations in case of any mishap. Mu Wei looked at her furrowed eyebrows and asked.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm afraid this rain will continue for a long time"
Mu Wei put down his cup and they all turned to her looking serious. Her expression showed there was more to this than what meets the eye. They immediately became nervous.
"I'm afraid it might become a flood"
Her words were akin to a bomb dropped in the room. Everyone looked at her in panic except for Mu Wei who calmly asked.
"Why do you think so?"
"I'm not completely sure but the not stopping rain could lead to it"
"So what should we do?"
Su Xiao turned to look seriously at everyone and shared her thoughts.
"We're going to Yue city to enter Ruoshu Desert then cross the border into the Northern Wilderness right?"
They all nodded in agreement not understand where she was heading to.
"There is a dam before Yue city and the rain had been falling incessantly. What if the dam overflows on our way to Yue city?
There face turned pale as they understood while she considered a flood. It was true that there was dam before Yue city and that too under construction. If they happen to go to Yue city and it collapse then they were dead. Thinking about it made them shiver in fear.
"So what's the plan?
They turned to her to hear her suggestion.