mtl008 Chapter 281 Mutton and Scallion Buns
Chapter 281 Mutton and Scallion Buns
Chapter 281, Mutton and Scallion Buns
A few days later, one morning, Lu Tao brought the hot compress pack of sea salt that Tian Tian had left behind to the Duke's mansion next door.
After explaining her purpose to the doorman, he politely invited her in and asked her to wait in the front hall.
Soon, the housekeeper arrived.
"Madam Lu," he bowed to Lu Tao, "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Lu Tao shook her head. "You're too kind, butler."
The steward sighed, "The Duke has already gotten up, but it's not convenient for him to see you right now."
With that, the butler led Lu Tao toward the backyard.
Lu Tao went to the backyard...
The courtyard is very simple, with a path paved with bluestone slabs and several wintersweet trees planted on both sides.
Upon arriving at Gu Yu's courtyard, the butler stopped and said, "Please wait here for a moment, Madam."
Lu Tao nodded.
The steward said apologetically, "The Duke's urge to remove his armor has become even more pronounced since returning to the capital, and he has to go through a lot of trouble every morning."
After saying that, he went inside.
A suppressed groan came from the room, the voice low and hoarse, filled with the pain of trying to control himself.
Lu Tao frowned with worry.
She had heard Ling Yao mention the deeds of this Duke that day.
He joined the army at a young age, fought in battles across the country, made outstanding military achievements, and was known for his strict discipline and love for his soldiers.
It was precisely because of their bravery and skill in battle that they suffered such a severe decommissioning.
It is said that when Gu Yu returned to the capital due to serious injuries, the late emperor wanted to bestow a marriage upon him so that he could marry and have children, but he refused because of his serious illness, and so he has remained unmarried to this day.
The door was ajar, and through the crack, a tall figure could be seen struggling to hold onto the bedpost.
Upon closer inspection, Lu Tao noticed that the figure's back was tense due to pain, causing it to move very slowly, pausing briefly after each movement.
The housekeeper wanted to help, but didn't know where to begin.
"Lord Duke." Lu Tao stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.
Gu Yu turned his head, but because the movement was too fast, it pulled on his back, causing him to gasp.
Lu Tao then noticed that Gu Yu's face was pale and his lips were bloodless.
"Your Excellency, this is the future Crown Princess's mother, Madam Lu of the Princess's Mansion," the steward introduced.
Gu Yu's voice was hoarse, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Madam."
Lu Tao curtsied, then looked around the room and located the air conditioner.
She walked over, placed the sea salt hot compress bag aside, and tiptoed over the air conditioner to take down the remote control.
"It's too cold inside..."
She groped around behind the air conditioner to find the plug and then plugged it into the power bank next to it.
The power bank is fully charged.
The indicator light on the air conditioner came on. Lu Tao held the remote control up to the air conditioner and pressed a few buttons before putting the remote control down.
She plugged the sea salt hot compress into the power bank...
Then she returned to the bedside and looked at Gu Yu.
"Please wait a moment, Your Excellency. The room will be warm soon."
Gu Yu had been watching her movements the whole time...?
She just... did a few simple things, without lighting a fire or burning charcoal, and the room was warm?
but...
In just a short while, the room really did... slowly warm up.
While his back was in pain, he often felt a cold wind penetrating into his bones.
In Qingzhou Prefecture, the weather was warm, which greatly alleviated this feeling.
These past few days back in Beijing have amplified this feeling considerably.
Now that it's warm inside, this feeling has eased.
Gu Yu moved his shoulder, and another wave of sharp pain struck.
Seeing this, Lu Tao disregarded etiquette, stepped forward, and supported his back.
The muscles there were as hard as stone and cold to the touch.
"Lord Duke, it's not good for you to keep pushing yourself like this..." Lu Tao gently pressed her hands on his shoulders, neck, and shoulder blades, kneading them firmly.
Her kneading technique differed from ordinary kneading; she used her entire palm to cover the shoulders, neck, and shoulder blades.
The warmth of your palms can also relax muscles.
Gu Yu initially wanted to refuse, but the muscles in her back quickly relaxed under her just-right pressure.
Lu Tao learned this technique from massaging each other every day when her family first started their steamed bun shop.
She first pressed gently, then found the stiff muscle nodules, and then used her thumb to gently knead them apart little by little.
And because of the warmth of my palm, the pain under my muscles gradually subsided.
“My lord, you have been fighting on the battlefield for many years, so my sweetie guessed that your injuries must be very serious,” Lu Tao said while massaging you.
"So I specially prepared a sea salt hot compress pack for you."
"The Duke uses this hot compress every day to dispel cold and relieve pain."
"Given time, he may recover completely."
The Duke chuckled, "After being in pain for so many years, all I wanted was some relief."
I've stopped thinking about getting better.
Lu Tao withdrew her hand...
Gu Yu felt a little disappointed...
However, soon, a warm, heavy object pressed down on my shoulder.
A warm feeling spread down the meridians from my shoulders...
He closed his eyes comfortably...
The sea salt hot compress pack should be glued in place from the front using adhesive tape.
Lu Tao originally wanted Gu Yu to stick it on himself, but he had already closed his eyes and was enjoying it.
She smiled, reached around to his side, tightened the adhesive tape, and then stuck it on.
Gu Yu opened his eyes and saw a section of fair wrist...
"It's done." Lu Tao's voice was slightly surprised.
Then he turned around and called to the housekeeper, "Housekeeper, let me teach you how to use this air conditioner."
The housekeeper followed, "So this is called an air conditioner."
Lu Tao picked up the remote control and started by briefly explaining how to use a power bank, then went into detail about turning the air conditioner on and off, adjusting the temperature, etc.
There are also instructions on how to use sea salt hot compress packs.
The sea salt hot compress pack is connected to a power source. If the power is unplugged, the hot compress pack will only stay hot for a little over half an hour.
To keep it warm, it has to be plugged in all the time, and the switch can only be turned on after a maximum of sixty minutes.
The hot compress was placed on the Duke's shoulder, and the switch was located at the power source.
Lu Tao then explained it to the steward in detail.
"It would be best to put a bed here," Lu Tao gestured, "so that the Duke can sit here to handle affairs when he has nothing to do, or he can rest here."
Her features were gentle, and she spoke softly...
As Gu Yu watched her explain earnestly, he suddenly felt that the capital city... wasn't so cold after all.
After instructing the steward, Lu Tao bowed to Gu Yu and said, "Your Excellency, I will be returning now."
Gu Yu nodded slightly, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam Lu."
Lu Tao bowed slightly again, then turned and left...
Gu Yu's gaze followed her, but was blocked by the approaching butler.
"The Princess of Fufeng and her family are all very kind," the steward remarked.
"This air conditioner is amazing! It warms up the room in just a few moments after I turn it on."
“Master, from now on, when you are handling official business at night, I will not urge you to rest.”
The housekeeper reached out and touched the hot compress pack. "Oh, this hot compress pack is really warm."
"Master, from now on, I will heat it up for you every day before you go to court."
"Madam Lu said that this stuff heats up rather slowly, it will take quite a while."
"Madam Lu was so thoughtful just now, she warmed up the room as soon as we entered."
Remembering Lu Tao's words, the butler said, "Oh, sir, I'll go and arrange for someone to put a bed there right away."
Gu Yu pointed to the bed that was already in the room, "Let's move that over there."
*
After returning from the Duke's mansion, Lu Tao was constantly worried about Gu Yu's injuries.
That evening, she prepared a dough and mixed it with minced mutton and scallions.
Liu San Niang was extremely curious, "Sister Lu, why did you make the filling of mutton and scallions?"
"Nobody in my family likes mutton-filled buns."
Lu Tao awkwardly told her, "This isn't for my family."
"Not for the family?" Liu Sanniang frowned. "Could it be for... Qin Qingyun?"
Lu Tao shook her head again, "No."
Liu San Niang realized something was wrong, "Who is that for?"
Lu Tao smiled awkwardly, "Don't ask anymore."
The more she said that, the more curious Liu San Niang became. "Who is it for? Sister, please tell me!"
Lu Tao had no choice, "It's just... the Duke next door."
Liu San Niang's eyes widened. "The... Duke from next door?"
"Oh my god..."
"Is that the one you went to teach him how to use the air conditioner?"
"You...made steamed buns for him?"
"Sister Lu, you wouldn't be...?"
"You were lustful at first sight, weren't you?!"
Lu Tao was taken aback, then grabbed the rolling pin beside her. "Liu San Niang, you're talking nonsense!!"
Liu San Niang laughed loudly, "Otherwise what?"
Lu Tao put down the rolling pin. "The Duke is weak and cold, which is a problem he developed because of Daqi. I just... admire him."
Liu San Niang said seriously, "That's right, such heroes deserve our respect."
"Then... I'll make steamed buns with you tomorrow morning."
True to her word, Liu San Niang went to the kitchen together the next morning.
The mutton and scallion filling also has some minced ginger added, which can also help to dispel cold.
Then I added some warming and nourishing medicinal herbs...
The two started making steamed buns.
"It's been a long time since I've made these, but my skills haven't gotten any worse," Liu San Niang sighed.
The two of them made small, white, and tender steamed buns.
Liu San Niang asked curiously, "Sister Lu, is that Duke's injury very serious?"
Lu Tao nodded, "Even a tough guy who's been on the battlefield was tortured to the point of groaning."
"Isn't it amazing?"
Liu San Niang thought about it for a moment, and indeed...
"The air conditioner that Tian Tian installed for him should be quite useful."
*
Lu Tao arrived at the Duke's mansion alone, carrying a bag of steamed buns.
"Madam Lu, you've arrived." The butler was delighted to see Lu Tao.
"The air conditioner that the princess installed is extremely beneficial to our Duke's injury."
"And that sea salt hot compress pack, my Duke wears it in the room, especially before getting out of bed, he heats it up for a while, and it's not so difficult to get up."
"Thank you so much, Princess and Madam."
Upon hearing this, Lu Tao's expression became excited, "Really?"
"That's really nice."
“A hero like the Duke should not be tormented by illness like this.”
She held up the steamed bun in her hand, "I specially made mutton buns today, with added warming herbs, which are perfect for the Duke to nourish himself."
The butler exclaimed, "Really?"
"The master has never had a good appetite and doesn't like the food in the capital, but he likes mutton the most."
"Madam is thoughtful."
Lu Tao asked, "Is the Duke at his residence?"
"Master has gone to court." He looked up at the sky. "I reckon he should be back in about half an hour."
"His Majesty knows that you have injuries and illnesses, so he usually won't keep you in the palace for meetings."
"Then I'll take the steamed buns to the kitchen to keep them warm."
"Mrs. I'm here."
Lu Tao went to the kitchen and warmed the buns.
The cook, smelling the aroma of the steamed buns, asked, "Madam Lu, are these steamed buns filled with mutton?"
Lu Tao nodded.
The cook said, "My husband loves mutton the most."
"If our master likes these steamed buns, I'll make some for him later."
Lu Tao nodded. "Mm."
The cook sniffed. "I'm just afraid my husband is too picky. He won't eat just anyone's cooking."
She said it casually, but Lu Tao blushed inexplicably.
The cook was also busy. She timed it perfectly, cooked a small pot of thick white porridge for Gu Yu, and served him a side dish.
“My husband is a rough man and he’s never particular about food.”
"If it were any other family, how could this plain porridge and side dishes possibly catch the master's eye?"
Lu Tao smiled.
The cook placed the white porridge and side dishes on a tray and stood at the doorway to look out.
A moment later, she turned her head and exclaimed, "The Duke is back!!"
The cook helped Lu Tao place the buns on a tray.
The two walked together toward the main courtyard.
"Master, you're back," the cook called out from outside. "It's time for breakfast."
"Look, who brought you breakfast?"
After the cook finished speaking, she turned to the side.
Gu Yu turned around and saw Lu Tao.
"Lord Duke," Lu Tao called out.
Gu Yu was still wearing his court robes when he saw Lu Tao and was slightly taken aback.
Then, his gaze fell on the tray in her hands, and he took a sniff; it was the aroma of his favorite lamb.
“Madam Lu, this is…” His voice was a little hoarse.
Lu Tao stepped forward and put down the buns. "I made some mutton buns for the Duke to nourish himself."
Gu Yu stood there, momentarily dazed.
It's been so many years... it seems like... no one has prepared breakfast for him like this since his mother passed away.
The cook also put down the white porridge and side dishes.
"Master, don't just stand there, come and try the steamed buns made by Madam Lu."
"This old servant can smell it, and oh my, it smells incredibly fragrant."
Gu Yu walked over and sat down...
The cook immediately said, "Madam Lu, please sit down as well."
"This old servant has cooked enough porridge for two people. Please have some with our master."
Lu Tao was taken aback, then quickly waved her hand, "No, I've already eaten at my residence."
To everyone's surprise, the cook pushed her to sit down, saying, "Then Madam Lu, please keep our master company for a chat."
Lu Tao sat there awkwardly... the atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
Gu Yu picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of a steamed bun, and the delicious broth burst in his mouth, carrying a strong mutton flavor and a faint medicinal aroma.
"Did they add medicinal herbs to this?"
Speaking of steamed buns, Lu Tao said, "Thinking that the Duke's injury was related to the cold, I added some warming and nourishing medicine to the mutton filling."
"However, I added very little, just a faint medicinal taste, so it shouldn't taste too bad."
Gu Yu exclaimed sincerely, "It's not bad, it's delicious."
Lu Tao coughed lightly, "It's delicious...please have more."
Gu Yu finished one bun in a few bites and then picked up a second one.
The housekeeper and cook were overjoyed to see this.
It's clear that this is the most satisfying meal the Duke has had since he returned.