Shen Xiaoyan was currently squatting on the ground, which was how Zheng He managed to do it.
Seeing his successful action, a brilliant smile appeared on Zheng He’s face, “Mother, try it yourself. This tastes really good. It’s the best ‘leaf’ I’ve ever eaten.”
Zheng He didn’t know the name of the baby cabbage, so he simply called it a ‘leaf’.
Shen Xiaoyan was also tasting the baby cabbage in her mouth.
After chewing it twice, the air was filled with fresh, fragrant juice.
This juice filled her entire tongue, causing Shen Xiaoyan’s eyes to squint in satisfaction.
The taste and feeling far exceeded Shen Xiaoyan’s expectations.
As she swallowed the baby cabbage in her mouth, almost instantly, she felt a mysterious warmth fill her internal organs.
This feeling was like ascending to the clouds and swimming in the vast sky.
The lightness and comfort she felt were unlike anything she had ever experienced.
Most importantly, after this feeling slowly subsided, a surge of spiritual energy directly entered her dantian.
Although this surge of spiritual energy was minuscule, even thinner than a strand of hair.
However, it still surprised Shen Xiaoyan.
Not only did it satisfy her taste buds, but it also increased her cultivation.
This was truly blissful.
Shen Xiaoyan savored the lingering taste before reluctantly opening her eyes.
Upon opening her eyes, she noticed that Zheng Wei was across from her, and he had just opened his eyes as well.
Similarly, Zheng Wei had a satisfied expression on his face.
It seemed he had also eaten spirit vegetables, just like her.
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan open her eyes, Zheng He smiled and quickly said, “Mother, didn’t I tell you? Isn’t it delicious?”
Shen Xiaoyan nodded heavily, “You’re amazing, He’er. You really didn’t lie to Mother. It’s incredibly delicious.”
Upon receiving Shen Xiaoyan’s approval, Zheng He became even happier.
In his excitement, he picked up another baby cabbage and was about to put it in his mouth.
Shen Xiaoyan quickly stopped him, “It’s almost time for lunch. Mother will make you something delicious, okay? Shall we use these vegetables?”
Zheng He thought for a moment and then nodded, “Alright, but Mother, you must use these.”
Shen Xiaoyan chuckled softly. It seemed Zheng He truly loved these spirit vegetables.
“Don’t worry, Mother will make them taste even better than this after she cooks them.”
Zheng He nodded vigorously, his eyes filled with longing.
Seeing this, Shen Xiaoyan found it even more amusing. She never expected her family to have such a little foodie.
However, when she saw the same expression on Ruan Ruan’s and Zheng Jiang’s faces, her slight surprise vanished without a trace.
It wasn't just one foodie, but three of them.
And it wasn’t surprising, as she herself was also a foodie.
“Where is Yi Zixie?”
Shen Xiaoyan asked Zheng Wei. Zheng Wei shook his head.
Both of them turned their heads to look aside and saw Yi Zixie squatting in a corner, munching on vegetable leaves.
Not only Yi Zixie, but Lu Taobao and Na Muzhong were doing the same.
The only difference was that Na Muzhong’s eating posture was a bit more elegant.
Shen Xiaoyan pressed her forehead in exasperation, “Are you planning to become herbivores?”
Even if these spirit vegetables were truly good, they didn’t need to eat them like this, did they?
They looked like beggars who hadn’t eaten for days.
“Stop eating. Pick some and let’s go cook. It’s lunchtime anyway.”
Although they were reluctant to part with such deliciousness, thinking that combining them with other ingredients would make them even tastier, the three of them stopped their leaf-munching.
Shen Xiaoyan gave each person a bamboo basket, and even Ruan Ruan and the other two were given smaller baskets, asking everyone to pick their favorite vegetables.
After all, there were many varieties here. They couldn't pick every single one and make a hodgepodge, which would be too wasteful.
While her hands were busy, Shen Xiaoyan asked, “Yi Zixie, you were so engrossed in eating earlier, you haven’t told me yet, what’s so special about these spirit vegetables?”
Yi Zixie paused his actions and stood up, looking at Shen Xiaoyan, “Isn’t that a silly question? If they weren’t delicious, would I have been like that just now?”
Shen Xiaoyan retorted somewhat irritably, “Who asked you if they were delicious or not? I’m asking how they compare to the spirit vegetables you used to eat at the Sun Hot Sect?”
Upon hearing Shen Xiaoyan’s question, Yi Zixie finally understood what she was asking.
He chuckled sheepishly and said solemnly, “I’m not just saying this to flatter you, but these are the most delicious and spirit-energy-rich spirit vegetables I’ve eaten in all these years.”
Although Shen Xiaoyan had prepared herself, knowing that the quality of these spirit vegetables would be very good.
However, after hearing Yi Zixie’s evaluation, she was still startled.
“Are you exaggerating a bit?”
It wasn’t that Shen Xiaoyan lacked confidence, but the Sun Hot Sect was, after all, one of the three major sects. Their spirit vegetables shouldn’t be that bad, should they?
Understanding Shen Xiaoyan’s confusion, Yi Zixie didn’t know what to say.
It was Na Muzhong who couldn’t stand it any longer and said, “As vegetables, the spiritual energy that spirit vegetables can provide is indeed limited.”
Saying this, Na Muzhong picked up a vibrant green spinach leaf, twirled it slightly in his hand, and continued, “Back at the Sun Hot Sect, even eating several large baskets of spirit vegetables wouldn’t provide as much spiritual energy as contained in this single leaf.”
Shen Xiaoyan was astonished, “Really?”
It was that little?
Seeing Shen Xiaoyan’s expression, Na Muzhong knew what she was thinking, so he explained, “After all, they are just vegetables. Think about how much spiritual energy they can contain. It’s you, with so much immortal spring water, that the vegetables grown with it would naturally contain more spiritual energy.”
Shen Xiaoyan thought about it carefully, and it was indeed true.
If it wasn't for the crystal coins, she wouldn't be so extravagant.
After picking the vegetables, Shen Xiaoyan led the group out of the space.
Upon exiting the space, Shen Xiaoyan and Na Muzhong, carrying the vegetables, went directly into the kitchen.
The spirit vegetables were immaculately clean. After a light rinse in water, they were taken out.
Since the spirit vegetables already tasted very good and contained spiritual energy, Shen Xiaoyan didn't plan to over-process them, as that would spoil them.
After starting to cook the rice, Shen Xiaoyan chopped some of the stir-fryable vegetables, quickly stir-fried them in the wok, and then plated them.
She also made a mixed vegetable soup. This lunch was then ready.
When placed on the table, it looked simple. The entire table, except for the rice, was filled with greenery.
However, the aroma swirling around everyone’s noses made their mouths water.
Without further ado, they started eating.
While Shen Xiaoyan and the others were eating heartily in the house, unbeknownst to them, a large crowd had gathered at the city gate of Ying City.
“Do you smell that aroma? Where is it coming from? It smells absolutely amazing.”