In the evening, Zhu Yanyi and Old Li went to the nearby market to buy groceries. They had agreed that the elders would gather for a meal, and since Zhu Yanyi was the one cooking, it was natural for her to handle the shopping.
Of course, bodyguards and guards followed Old Li, so there was no problem even if the master and apprentice bought a lot of items.
"I also brought plenty of cured meat, fish, and chicken for the grandparents. They are all homemade or bought from close villagers, then processed by us. They are cleaner than those bought outside, and the curing process is thorough, so the taste is good. I won't cook them today. When the grandparents want to eat them, they can just take them out, soak them in rice water, wash them, and then cook them. I will cook something fresher today," Zhu Yanyi said to Old Li while picking vegetables.
Considering the age of her masters, Zhu Yanyi did not make heavy-flavored dishes. Instead, she prepared vegetarian meals. She had learned this skill from Master Wisdom in the past.
So, although it was vegetarian chicken, it looked like braised pork. Although it was dried tofu sheets, it looked like eel. Although it was tofu, it looked like delicious monkey brain. Although it was just dried tofu, it looked like fish-flavored shredded pork. Zhu Yanyi turned ordinary ingredients into magic. If Old Li had not seen it with her own eyes, she would never have imagined that Zhu Yanyi's cooking skills had improved so much in just a few years.
The bodyguards and guards following Old Li swallowed their saliva as they looked at the table full of delicacies. If they had not bought the ingredients together and watched Zhu Yanyi make each dish, they would never have guessed that all the dishes on the table were made from vegetarian ingredients.
When all the elders arrived, Zhu Yanyi only had a vegetarian Buddha Jumps Over the Wall left simmering on low heat. Calculating the time, it would only take half an hour. Therefore, Zhu Yanyi did not wait. She asked everyone to start eating the dishes on the table. After all, chatting while eating would make the half hour pass quickly. Zhu Yanyi also specifically said to the bodyguards and guards nearby, "You go eat too. There is a table prepared for you in the outer hall. You can't just watch us eat."
Old Li nodded and said, "That's right. You go eat. We are happy to be free in the living room."
Since there were no heavy oil or meat dishes, and they were in a large courtyard, it was safe. So, the bodyguards and guards naturally went to the table over there to eat.
The elders sat down in the living room. Looking at Zhu Yanyi, their eyes were full of relief. Old Li said, "Ani has grown up."
Zhu Yanyi tilted her head and smiled mischievously, "I am eleven years old. Besides, we haven't seen each other for five years. Of course, I have grown up. You grandparents are only realizing I've grown up now. That's not sincere."
"Girl, you are being playful," Old Yao tapped Zhu Yanyi's head. "Recite a chapter of the Pharmacopoeia for me later."
Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue, "Grandpa Yao, you are saying this because you can't beat me in argument and want to make things difficult for me. But I can recite the Pharmacopoeia backwards by heart."
"This girl, okay. If you can recite it backwards by heart, then recite it backwards for me," Old Yao laughed loudly, trying to make things difficult for his little apprentice.
Zhu Yanyi put on a look of being bullied, "Grandpa Yao, am I still your caring little apprentice? How can you bear to bully me like this?"
"It has been five years since we last met. It is only right to bully you a little," Old Yao laughed. "Besides, since you dare to say you are my apprentice, I must test you more. Otherwise, you might use my name to trick people into giving you food and drink."