Transmigration: Becoming the Wicked Stepmother of Four Children

Chapter 62 Making Herbal Tea

Time flew by, and after Lu Qingqing and Lin Yunlan returned home,

It was almost noon when Lin Yunlan put the pheasant and rabbit into the cage.

So he went to feed the oxen hay again.

Lu Qingqing saw Wang Xiuxiu busy in the kitchen.

He immediately went over to help:

"Sister-in-law, thank you for your hard work. We're back late."

Wang Xiuxiu replied with a smile:

"It's alright, quickly wash your hands and get ready to eat."

Lu Qingqing responded and went to help carry the food to the table.

Lu Qingqing asked:

"Sister-in-law, where are Father and Second Brother?"

Wang Xiuxiu replied:

"They're probably still at the construction site. Go and call them."

Lu Qingqing responded:

"Okay, I'll go right away."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the construction site.

The sun was high in the sky, and Lu Qingqing quickened her pace.

We arrived at the construction site in no time.

Lin Qingshan and her second brother were busy at work when Lu Qingqing called out:

"Dad, Second Brother, come home for dinner!"

Lin Qingshan looked up and wiped his sweat:

"Wow, you've finished cooking so quickly?"

Lu Qingqing said with a smile:

"Yes, my sister-in-law has prepared everything and is just waiting for you to come back."

The second brother put down his tools:

"Okay, let's go."

Seeing that no one was left at the construction site, she asked Lin Qingshan,

"Dad, where are Uncle Liu and the others?"

Lin Qingshan said,

"It's noon now, they've all gone home for lunch."

Lu Qingqing said:

Why don't they eat at our house?

"It must be tiring for them to travel back and forth from the neighboring village. They can rest for a while if they eat at our house."

Lin Qingshan said:

"Children, they're used to working in other places."

The employer paid each of them twenty copper coins a day, but didn't provide meals.

We also paid them twenty copper coins a day.

I offered to have them eat at our house, but they were too embarrassed.

They said the wages were already so high, how could they possibly offer to stay for meals?

Lu Qingqing seemed to be deep in thought.

"Dad, we won't be like other families."

They worked so hard to build our house, so we should treat them well.

Not only did it keep the workers warm, it also saved them some time.

That way our house can be built faster.

Talk to them again tomorrow and say that they'll have lunch at our house.

"I won't reduce the wage by twenty cash. Is that alright with you?"

Lin Qingshan hesitated and said:

Will this work?

Lu Qingqing said:

"Father, if we are sincere, they will agree."

Lin Qingshan nodded.

"Okay, I'll try again tomorrow."

After the family finished eating, Daya and Erya led the four little ones to play in the river.

After Lu Qingqing and Wang Xiuxiu finished cleaning up the dishes,

She then began to tinker with her herbal tea.

Wang Xiuxiu asked Lu Qingqing, puzzled:

"Qingqing, what are you doing?"

Lu Qingqing raised her head, her eyes filled with a smile:

"Sister-in-law, these are the honeysuckle flowers I picked today."

I want to use mint, bamboo leaves, and ophiopogon japonicus to make a herbal tea.

Herbal tea is great for clearing heat and relieving summer heat.

After saying that, Lu Qingqing began to brew the herbal tea.

She first carefully rinsed the honeysuckle with clean water.

The tiny honeysuckle blossoms unfurled in the water, releasing a faint fragrance.

Then, she picked the mint leaves.

Gently rub to fully release the unique aroma of the mint.

She neatly arranged the bamboo leaves to one side.

Lu Qingqing cut it into small pieces with scissors.

In order to better extract the essence from it.

The Ophiopogon japonicus was also thoroughly cleaned.

Then, Lu Qingqing prepared the honeysuckle,

Put mint, bamboo leaves and ophiopogon japonicus into a pot and add an appropriate amount of water.

As the fire grew stronger, the water in the pot began to boil and bubble.

Various herbs tumbled and leaped in the water, and their fragrance gradually spread.

Lu Qingqing gently stirred the herbs with a spoon to ensure that each herb was heated evenly.

After simmering for a while, she added an appropriate amount of sugar to the pot.

Stir well with a spoon until the sugar is completely dissolved.

This makes the herbal tea taste sweeter.

Throughout the entire process, Lu Qingqing was completely focused.

Constantly monitor the heat and the degree of cooking.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

Wang Xiuxiu leaned closer and smelled it:

"Hmm, it smells pretty good. Qingqing, you're really capable."

Lu Qingqing replied with a smile:

"Once it's cooked, I'll let you try it first, sister-in-law."

Lu Qingqing continued simmering for a while longer before finally turning off the heat, satisfied.

Lu Qingqing scooped a small bowlful with a spoon, handed it to Wang Xiuxiu, and said:

"Sister-in-law, you should try some."

Wang Xiuxiu took the bowl, took a small sip, and her eyes immediately lit up:

"Oh, it's so delicious! The taste is sweet and refreshing, with a faint herbal aroma."

Lu Qingqing said with a smile:

"Sister-in-law, the herbal tea tastes better when it's cooled down. Try the cooled herbal tea later."

As she spoke, Lu Qingqing took the jar she had prepared earlier to the stove.

Wang Xiuxiu said with a smile:

"Qingqing, let me help you fill the jar."

Lu Qingqing nodded happily, a relieved smile on her face.

Wang Xiuxiu picked up a clean spoon,

Carefully scoop the herbal tea into each of the prepared earthenware jars.

Her movements were gentle and steady, as if afraid of spilling a single drop.

Lu Qingqing handed over the pottery jar from the side; the two worked together seamlessly.

In no time, all the herbal tea in the pot was poured into jars.

Next, they began preparing to cool the herbal tea.

Wang Xiuxiu brought a large wooden basin from the yard.

Lu Qingqing drew cool well water from the well and poured it into a basin.

The well water collided with the basin, making a crisp sound and splashing up water droplets.

Wang Xiuxiu gently placed the earthenware jars containing herbal tea one by one into a large basin filled with well water.

As soon as the earthenware pot came into contact with the well water, ripples immediately spread across the surface.

Lu Qingqing stared intently, occasionally gently stirring the well water with her hand.

This allows the coolness of the water to be better transferred to the herbal tea.

As time passed, fine water droplets gradually condensed on the walls of the jar.

Like sparkling pearls.

Wang Xiuxiu touched the side of the jar with her hand and said:

"The temperature is dropping quite quickly; it probably won't be long before it cools down completely."

Lu Qingqing responded with a smile:

"Yes, that way everyone can enjoy refreshing herbal tea as soon as possible."

They stood by the basin, hoping the herbal tea would cool down quickly.

They chatted casually about everyday things.

After repeated changes of well water for cooling, the herbal tea finally cooled completely and became ice-cold.

Lu Qingqing then served Wang Xiuxiu a bowl of cooled herbal tea:

"Sister-in-law, try this cooled herbal tea."

Wang Xiuxiu took the bowl, and only took one bite.

She was amazed by the cooled tea, her eyes shining, and said:

"Qingqing, this cooled herbal tea is absolutely wonderful!"

The hot food was good, but this cold food, once it entered my mouth...

The cool sensation felt refreshing and invigorating, and the sweetness became even more pronounced.

I feel so much better!

Lu Qingqing couldn't resist trying a bowl herself. After savoring it carefully, she exclaimed with delight:

"I have to say, the taste is similar to that of Wanglaoji herbal tea."

Wang Xiuxiu asked curiously:

"Wanglaoji? What's that?"

Lu Qingqing gave a vague explanation:

"It's a very famous herbal tea that I've heard of before."

I never thought I could recreate a similar taste.

Then she added:

"Sister-in-law, let's go and take some to Dad and the others to try."

Wang Xiuxiu replied with a smile:

"Great, they'll be happy to drink it."

Then, Lu Qingqing and Wang Xiuxiu each carried a can of herbal tea.

Carrying several bowls, he walked towards the construction site.