Chapter 345 Dried Apricots
Seeing that everything was fine, Lu Qiyan felt relieved. He told Zhao Youcai to take good care of his injuries, and began to pack his bags, planning to return to the military camp in the afternoon.

He still has a lot to do.

As usual, Xia Mingyue prepared some food for Lu Qiyan.

This time I prepared some boiled eggs and dried apricots.

The former is a popular summer cold dish in Xia Ji’s Braised Meat Shop. Even without any seasoning, when you are hungry or have no taste in your mouth, you can just peel one and eat it, it is still very mellow and rich.

The latter was a snack that Xia Mingyue made when she had some free time some time ago.

Apricots that mature when the wheat turns yellow can be picked when they are not fully ripe. They can be cut in half along the middle, and the pits can be removed. They can be marinated with sugar overnight, and then the apricots and the syrup that has seeped out can be cooked together with a little boiled water in a pot.

Soak the cooked apricots in sugar water overnight to make them more flavorful, then take them out, dry them, and expose them to the sun.

Dry the apricots in the sun for five or six days until they are completely dry and feel dry and not sticky to your hands. Then you can collect them and put them in small jars for long-term storage.

When you have free time, take one out and put it in your mouth, chewing it slowly. The dried apricots are thick and firm, and taste sweet and sour. It is a great enjoyment that makes your mouth water.

Especially in the hot summer weather when you have no appetite, eating two sweet and sour dried apricots will immediately increase your appetite and make you feel refreshed.

Xia Mingyue enjoyed the meal, and these dried apricots became her favorite snack during this period.

Lu Qiyan was going back to the military camp at this time, and she wanted to share half of her favorite food with Lu Qiyan.

Lu Qiyan knew what she was thinking, and smiled, "Thank you for giving up your love."

"Be careful on the road." Xia Mingyue reminded with a smile, and then added, "Be careful about everything."

This was to remind him about the military supplies and medicinal materials.

"Don't worry." Lu Qiyan nodded, "I know what I am doing."

"it is good."

Lu Qiyan jumped on the horse and galloped away under Xia Mingyue's gaze.

The man and the horse quickly left the city gate and headed towards the military camp along the official road.

Lu Qiyan reached out and touched the package on his back, opened the jar, took out a piece of dried apricot and put it into his mouth.

The sweet and sour taste immediately spread in the mouth.

Lu Qiyan usually doesn't like sweet food, but at this moment, the sweetness of the dried apricots seemed surprisingly delicious to him, and he couldn't help but squint his eyes.

As expected, my wife’s cooking skills are the best. She can even make sweet dried fruits so delicious...
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After noon, Yin Lingyou came to change the medicine for Zhao Youcai.

Still checking the condition of the wound, removing the festering rotten flesh, then sprinkling anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerating powder on it, and then wrapping it with a clean bandage again.

With the experience of treating injuries yesterday, Yin Lingyou's technique today was more skillful.

Zhao Youcai had also gotten used to the pain and no longer wailed like he did yesterday. Instead, he gritted his teeth and endured it silently.

But even so, layers of sweat still appeared on his forehead.

Mrs. Lu was so distressed that even Zhao Dahu, who came back in the afternoon, had red eyes.

Ever since Zhao Youcai came back, brothers Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu have been very worried about him. They take turns to come back and take care of him every day. Today it is Zhao Dahu's turn.

Zhao Dahu scooped a bowl of stewed bone soup from the clay pot, blew on the hot air, and brought it to Zhao Youcai's mouth, "Dad, drink the soup."

Zhao Youcai blushed when being served like this by his own son, and hurriedly took the bowl, "I only injured my leg, not my hand, why do I need to be fed with soup? I'll do it myself!" As he said that, he didn't care about the heat and just drank the soup in the bowl.

At last he smacked his lips and said, "I'm telling you, this soup tastes pretty good."

"Isn't that right?" Zhao Dahu raised his chin proudly. "After all, I am the chef of Buyunlou now."

Although his craftsmanship is not as good as that of Brother Lou Shanzi, his reputation is still well-known and he can definitely show off.

He also has a certain amount of support from diners, and many diners who come to Buyunlou will order the dishes he cooks.

Zhao Dahu is very proud of this.

Zhao Youcai grinned and said, "Not bad, you are quite promising."

Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu are still young, but they have achieved some success now. They will have a bright future making money, at least better than him as their father.

"The main thing is that my brother and sister-in-law are willing to help, teach carefully and take good care of me." Mrs. Lu added.

"Indeed." Zhao Youcai nodded in agreement.

Regarding the matter of Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu, Lu had discussed with him and planned to take advantage of the situation and join Xia Ji, letting the two brothers set up stalls to sell food and make money. In the future, they would have a way to make a living, and their parents could rest assured a little.

I never thought that Xia Mingyue was so generous that she directly accepted him as an apprentice and taught him cooking. With this skill, he will never have to worry about food and drink for the rest of his life.

Xia Mingyue is not teaching them cooking, but giving them a way to make money in the future!

"You have to help your brother and sister-in-law at home." Zhao Youcai said, "You can't just let your brother and sister-in-law take care of our family."

In everything, we should pay attention to give and take and repay kindness.

"Do I need you to tell me?" Mrs. Lu rolled her eyes at Zhao Youcai. "By the time you think about this, I'm afraid it will be too late."

Then he added, "Don't worry, I'll take care of Xia Ji and try not to let my sister-in-law worry about it. My sister-in-law is usually busy, so I'll help her with all the chores I can. I'll definitely not let her get tired of anything I can do for her."

"My sister-in-law is also very generous. She always thinks of bringing me some of the food, fabrics, facial cream, and other things she uses on a daily basis. I know all about this."

Zhao Youcai was still very confident about his wife's work. He smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard work, my wife."

"We are an old married couple, and you are still talking about this?" Mrs. Lu smiled and picked up the bowl, "Hurry up and drink the bone soup."

"Yes, Dad, drink the bone soup quickly." Zhao Dahu also urged.

"Okay, I'll drink it." Zhao Youcai picked up the bowl with a smile.

In fact, Zhao Youcai was already full with the lunch, medicine and the bowl of bone soup just now, but the soup showed his son's filial piety, so he had to show his support!
Zhao Youcai drank the bone soup in one breath and put down the bowl.

Zhao Dahu took the earthenware jar containing bone soup away, and brought back another earthenware jar to continue helping Zhao Youcai serve soup.

"I've already drunk two bowls of this bone soup." Zhao Youcai said, touching his bulging stomach.

"That was bone soup, and this is fish and shrimp soup." Zhao Dahu said, "I asked Doctor Yin, and he said fish and shrimp are good for the body and bones, so Dad can eat more."

Zhao Youcai, "..."

But he was full.

"It's just a bowl of soup and a pee. Don't let the child down." While persuading, Mrs. Lu served Zhao Youcai a bowl.