Chapter 19
"You both are not wrong to be suspicious of me. However how do you know that all mushrooms are poisonous?"
The both seemingly disbelievingly quickly retorted back.
"We have heard about Uncle Fu eating it and died. Everybody in the village knows that"
Seemingly speechless and helpless Su Ying had no choice but to explain the matter more or the hard earned trust from the kids would disappear and they would be back to the first stage.
"I agree that some mushrooms can be poisonous but not all. You see this one it's white and not colourful. The one your uncle Fu ate was bright and colorful right?"
Thinking about it the kids realized she was right. Although they didn't see him die, they saw the remains of the mushroom and its vivid orange color was still noticeable. So they nodded to her question and waited for her to continue.
Su Ying seeing the kids agree with her was assured. Seizing the opportunity she continued to educate them. In this era where hunger was rampant it was necessary for them to have basic knowledge before the encounter any dangerous mushroom too.
"You see that's why he died. Beautiful mushroom are dangerous to eat. It's not only the beautiful ones but some like this are also dangerous so before you eat any mushrooms bring it to mother so she can verify before you eat it okay?".
On hearing her explanation the kids nodded in affirmation and also learnt something new. Feeling ashamed at how they treated her hostile the bowed their head in shame.
Su Ying seeing the kids like that didn't have the heart to scold them anymore. So ruffling their hair she cheered them up.
"Mother is not angry with you both just a bit sad. Mother knows she was wrong so she is trying to change so I hope you both can trust me and give mother a chance is that okay?
The both looked at each then back to her and agreed.
"Alright mother we will give you a chance to change".
Su Ying hearing their confirmation was delighted. She hugged them and kissed their cheeks while they giggled happily. It was a harmonious moment as she teased them. Finally pulling away she knew it was time to cook her babies should be hungry now. The ginseng had to be sold but she needed to find a suitable day. She thought of the weekend which was usually a market day.
"You both must be hungry so let's stop playing so mother will go cook for you the pheasant chicken and mushrooms with some eggs one for each person".
Smiling they followed her into the house. They were going to have eggs and one each. They were already salivating at the thought. They had never had eggs only on the New Year day when their father bought an egg for both of them to share so about to have one each was making them particularly excited.
Swiftly offloading the firewood and keeping the mushroom she grabbed the pheasant and killed it. As usual she left the plucking of the feathers to the kids while she prepared the mushroom. Due to lack of pot she could only prepare one at a time.
First she lit a fire then washed the mushroom into the pot and started steaming it. It has to be steamed till it was tender so increasing the fire she went outside to check on the kids. As expected they were done and now carefully spreading the feathers like she thought them the last time. Giving them a quick praise she started chopping the pheasant into different parts.
From the insides she carefully removed it and placed it into the bowl for washing. Adding salt she began washing it neatly. After washing like three times she was finally satisfied. Carrying it with the kids she headed back into the kitchen to find the mushroom already steaming well. She left it for more 2 minutes. It was a shiitake mushroom requiring 5-7 minutes to steam till it was tender.
After that, she removed it from the fire and started steaming the pheasant chicken. Chopping the scallions which was the only available condiments apart from the salt she added it. It would be done in the next 25-35 minutes she left it to look for a nice cloth to poach the eggs. To get a good poached egg she needed to tie the eggs with silk and then put it into the boiling water so it could be evenly and well done.
There were no silk clothes so she got neat and nice cloth from her room and came back. The children were still surrounding the pot like guardian. Worried they would get hurt she shooed them to the kitchen door while she checked on the pheasant. It was already done so discreetly adding lake water she left it for two minutes then removed it from the fire.
Then bringing the four eggs she had already washed she tied them and placed it into the pot she had already prepared. Within few minutes she was done too. Picking the plates she began serving for everyone. One egg and two pieces of chicken meat in each plate. She gave them both their plates and they carried it to the dinning area while she scooped her own too before joining them.
Seeing them obediently waiting at the dinning without touching their foods. She felt pleased that they paid attention to what she had thought them the other day.Smiling at their thoughtfulness she asked to eat.
"Go on. You both dig in before it gets cold but be careful not to hurt yourself".
On hearing her confirmation they dug in hungrily and as expected it was delicious as usual. Slowly devouring the eggs the ate the whole food and still looked at her for more. Su Ying immediately went back to the kitchen and scooped more into their plate so they could be satisfied. As for her she was done as she still had to consider her weight loss.
Leaving them she headed back into the room to rest.