Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 66
Tled by Serena Love
Unedited
Chapter 66: Grass Jelly
The crown prince has taken the top spot in the climbing relative competition, but it was of no use. As a prince, he couldn't pack up some soup leftovers and return to the palace.
It's regrettable, but seeing everyone looking at him resentfully, the prince felt comfortable and cheerful.
"Where is my cousin, I'm going to leave soon, so I have to say hello to her." The prince said grandiosely, thinking that he should have a good relationship with Jiang Shuyao so he can come to freeload a meal next time. If possible, he should ask for some recipes. It would be even better to have her meals in the East Palace.
Xie Xun's gaze swept across this group of people with bright eyes and eager expressions. Oh, they are thinking about his wife ('s food). Their thoughts are simply obvious.
He said, "Your Highness's remark is very bad. After all, this official's wife is a woman. It is difficult to see foreign guests." Xie Xun patted his sleeves, standing tall and indifferent.
In the whole courtyard, he is the only one who still maintains his demeanor.
He stood up and looked at the sky, "It's not early. Your Highness should go back to the palace." He looked down at the mess of the table, then glanced at his colleagues. Each and every one of them has their cheeks flushed with spring breeze.
You eat enough. Now, you can roll.
Everyone present is a human being, but they collectively pretend to be stupid as if they did not hear what he meant. At this moment, their minds were tacit as if they were half-twins. They all refused to leave before they could hear some news about the restaurant.
"By the way, Bo Yuan, when will the Lin family's shops open in the inner city? They can't just open those shops at the pier, right." They have been thinking about it since they ate the Lin family's restaurant at the pier. They looked forward to it for a long time, but they only heard the news that the Lin family only open shops at the piers outside the city.
Jiang Shuyao would chat with Xie Xun before going to bed, so Xie Xun knew about the Lin family's plan.
"The Lin family shouldn't open a market in the inner city. My mother-in-law did this business to do something that would benefit the poor. Wouldn't it be against the original intention to open a restaurant in the inner city?" Xie Xun replied seriously.
Everyone was stunned when Xie Xun said it. They remembered the first-come-first-served rule that the Lin family's restaurant followed when selling meals. Whether it was poor people or small servants sent by high-ranking families, they all paid attention to first-come, first-served. No one could jump in line. It's impossible; that's why they haven't eaten there since that time, just because the little servants who need to hurry can't beat those guys who live or work around there.
Everyone present is court officials, who are concerned about the people's livelihood. After hearing what the Lin family did, they were all touched.
Sure enough, the rumors were not credible, and people all said that Mrs. Xiangyang was pungent and jealous, her body smelled of copper, and she did not look like a noble lady. But seeing her meritorious deed, how can someone with this heart be as unbearable as rumors.
Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but think of Jiang Shuyao, who also had scandalous rumors.
Except for the crown prince, everyone else has seen how Jiang Shuyao used to be. The impression in their minds is vague. They only remember the thick makeup on her face and the funny actions she made to pester handsome men.
Handsome men......?
Thinking of this, everyone raised their heads and stared at Xie Xun.
Previously, when they thought about the Jiang family's daughter marrying Xie Boyuan, their thoughts were: Good luck, good luck. Fortunately, I am not as handsome as Boyuan.
But now, when they look at him again, two lines of tears shed silently in their heart: It's so difficult, so difficult. Why was I not handsome enough?
They comforted themselves that although Xie Boyuan has delicious food every day, his wife looks far inferior to him. He is not so enviable... But, oh oh, even if her look is not exciting, the country has to compliment her with this craftsmanship.
Xie Xun felt their eyes look weird. Thinking that there was something dirty on his face, he raised his sleeve and wiped it.
Afraid that this group of people just wanted to wait for the second round because they didn't leave. He was not polite and simply sent off the guests, "Okay, let's go. I will send you out."
Well, everyone sighed regretfully and walked out with their swollen belly.
Looking at the sky, the old madam wandered around the hall anxiously.
"Call someone to see if they want to let the main kitchen set up food." When she frowned, the vertical lines between her eyebrows were very obvious, and she looked very stern and harsh.
The nanny nodded respectfully and quickly ordered a maid to do it.
After a while, the maid who went out to inquire about the news came back, timidly replied, "Old madam, the third branch didn't ask for the main kitchen to prepare food."
Hearing this answer, the old madam sneered, "Oh, I thought my third child is a clever man, but I didn't expect that he can't think properly. His Royal Highness and so many ministers were in the courtyard, but he really dared to let Jiang-shi be responsible for their meals. Is this being stubborn and not admitting defeat?"
She cracked and talked a lot, and the maid did not dare to speak. Only after she finished panting, she dared to continue replying, "Old madam, I went to the third branch to check. Your Royal Highness, they... seem to be eating and very happy."
The old madam was stunned, her anger was still on her head, and she subconsciously thought she had heard wrong.
"What did you say?"
The maid hurriedly lowered her head and said more respectfully, "The third branch is full of heat, and laughter can be heard across the courtyard wall. This slave maid asked some people. They said that all the small kitchen ingredients are exhausted, and the main kitchen had been evened out. It seemed that they ate happily until there were no more ingredients.
When her voice stopped, the room fell into a strange silence.
The atmosphere was so overwhelming that the maids did not dare to pant loudly for fear that they would annoy the old madam.
When everyone was frightened by the old madam's reaction, and the maid was about to shed a cold sweat, the old madam suddenly spoke.
The voice is still calm and calm on the surface, but there is a hint of gritted teeth, "But what you said is true?"
The maid answered yes, and lowered her head.
The old madam forced herself to calm down and denied it for a while, "Impossible. If other officials like it, I will treat them as having fun and just came here to cheer. But in the third branch, the crown prince is sitting there. What kind of delicacies has he not eaten? He has seen delicacies of mountains and seas and seen all kinds of novelty food. How could he like Jiang-shi's meals so much? It's totally unreasonable-- I know, His Royal Highness must just giving face to my youngest." She found the reason and was extremely angry, "No, no, I can't let my youngest fool around like this. I can't let them lose the face of Duke Xie's mansion."
She stood up. It was time for her to save the field. "Huh, is it good to have this face? It's ridiculous to let His Royal Highness and his colleagues from the East Palace carry Jiang-shi's sedan chair! It's ridiculous!"
When the prince came to the mansion, the old madam had cleaned up. She adjusted her cuffs without wrinkles and said in a deep voice, "Go to the third branch."
A group of people rushed to the third branch with serious expressions. Before reaching the third branch, they ran into the East Palace friends who were driven away by Xie Xun.
They ate a lot, and they walked with their bulging stomachs hanging out.
The hot pot smell is heavy. They wear good materials, breathable, and absorb sweat while also absorbing the smell. So before they walked closer to them, a strong hot pot smell penetrated the old madam's nose.
She looked at the group of people in disbelief, suspecting that she was dreaming.
Where is the elegant and unparalleled crown prince? Where is the energetic and handsome Lin family boy? There is also the talent of the Guan family, which is a family of poetry and calligraphy. The grandson of the Li family, who the literary family raised for generations... Who is this group of lazy people in front of her?!
When they were sweating, they raised their sleeves, rubbed their hair, and made it a little messy. In addition, each of them was flushed from eating a lot of food. They looked like a bunch of dudes wandering in the street drunk, but one by one, they were still reminiscing of the food just now, without any drunken appearance.
"My favorite is the plate of lamb rolls."
"I am different. There are many ingredients on the table. I love duck intestines."
"Hey Lin Cheng, you are not ashamed to say that? There were only two plates of duck intestines, and you had a whole plate alone."
"Hmph, who is to blame for being slow?"
They were babbling, but Xie Xun saw the old madam standing in the dark.
"Mother?" he called.
The quarreling East Palance friends immediately muffled their voices and looked over.
The old madam took a deep breath and walked out of the darkness to bow to the crown prince.
The prince returned to his decent appearance in a second and quickly gave her a hand.
As he gets closer, the smell of hot pot on his body becomes more intense.
The old madam looked up and then actually saw oil spots on his collar!
She looked up stupidly, her eyes falling on the prince's lips.
He had just eaten hot pot, his lips were red, bright, and swollen, and they looked strangely delicate.
The old madam felt as if a sky of thunder descended and hit her at once.
Looking at the other people, all of them have red lips and red cheeks, giving her the illusion that men in Beijing begin to wear makeup.
She was struck dizzy by lightning. She forgot all the words she had prepared and mechanically opened her mouth to say something like "Xie Mansion's poor hospitality."
The prince quickly blocked her words, "Why did the old madam say this? If today's dinner is still called a poor reception, then I am afraid that only a few banquets can be regarded as appropriate." Xie Boyuan was still standing behind him! In case he hears any transgression to his wife, how could he still eat food in the future!
The rest of the East Palace officials also thought of this and hurriedly followed the prince's footsteps to praise the dinner, holding high the banner of "Jiang-shi's craftsmanship is awesome."
The old madam's head became even more dizzy, and she was a little unstable for a while.
Impossible, how is it possible? My third child must have made them do this! That's right. My third child actually begged them to give Jiang-shi a face...
She persuaded herself, but at this point, she could no longer convince herself.
"Mother, what's the matter with you? Why is your complexion so bad?" Xie Xun found that something was wrong with her and helped her.
The old madam returned to her senses and said uneasily, "It's okay, it's okay."
Her face was so bad, Xie Xun quickly asked the maid to help her back.
The old madam walked unsteadily, and as soon as she left, everyone returned to their sluggish look of a full and satiated sluggish man. No one even notice the oil spots on their body, and they were arrogantly chatting and making poems.
"Bo Yuan!" A woman's shout came from behind them, and the East Palace friends who were slanting their shoulders straightened their posture immediately.
They turned their heads in the direction where the shout came and saw Jiang Shuyao, dressed simply but hardly concealed her beauty, trotting towards this side.
Jiang Shuyao always has a modern woman's mind in her bones. She didn't think that a woman could not see a foreigner. She only thought that her husband's colleagues had to leave after a dinner party, and his wife, who managed dinner, should come and see off the guests.
Because it was a summer night, she was wearing a thin shirt with cool colors, complimenting her snow-like skin. Her black hair piled up high, revealing her white and slender neck. She looked bright and beautiful, and she came trotting under the moonlight as if she was a person from a painting strayed into the world.
The East Palace friends turn stupid.
Fairy, who are you?
"Bo Yuan." Jiang Shuyao stopped beside Xie Xun, panting slightly, "You didn't tell me when the guest is leaving."
Everyone: ??!!
So this fairy is Jiang-shi?!
Words cannot describe the impact on the East Palace's people. What about the gaudy women? They said she is vulgar? They said her makeup is thick and funny?
The beauty alone is enough to shock them, but thinking of her cooking skills, everyone can't wait to go back to the day when she deliberately fell into the water, entangled Xie Xun, and dived into the water to rescue her instead.
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Who said she was not worthy of Xie Boyuan? If she is not good enough, Xie Boyuan will die alone!
Stupid people are still in shock, but smart people have begun to seize the opportunity.
"Sister-in-law!"
Hiss, who is this skinless and faceless person?
Everyone turned their heads to see Lin Cheng smiled so brilliantly.
Jiang Shuyao didn't know Lin Cheng, but she guessed who he was. She nodded and smiled at him, then turned to Xie Xun and said strangely, "Why don't you say a word when people leave? I also told the maids to bring some desserts. Hot pot, after all, is a bit greasy and irritates the stomach."
After saying this, she smiled embarrassedly and said politely to Lin Cheng, "I have prepared some cool drinks to remove the fire, but I don't know if it suits your taste."
Before she finished speaking, Lin Cheng nodded frantically, "Yes! Yes! Of course it is! Thank you, sister-in-law!"
So good, Lin Cheng, you are really good!
Everyone expressed serious condemnation and rushed forward to speak, "Hello, sister-in-law!" "Hello, younger sister!"
This group of people suddenly greeted her, as loud and vigorous as they shouted military training slogans, and it shocked Jiang Shuyao.
Jiang Shuyao: Am I familiar with these people?
The prince took a step forward, "Cousin!"
The sound was extraordinarily protruding, which attracted Jiang Shuyao to look at him.
After seeing the face of the prince, she was very puzzled. Who is this? If I remember correctly, how old is Concubine Lin's son?
Xie Xun's facial paralyzed face faintly twitched. This whole situation was too embarrassing. He hurriedly led Jiang Shuyao's attention away, "Cough, cough. You don't need to make sweets. They already eat enough."
Jiang Shuyao hadn't spoken yet, and everyone had formed an alliance and furiously opposed Xie Xun, "Sister-in-law is so caring, of course, I have to support it."
"My sister-in-law has worked hard."
"I love desserts the most."
Xie Xun: ...Forget it, I give up.
So Jiang Shuyao ordered the maids to bring them the grass jelly.
She didn't cook much, it was mainly for herself, but when she thought about it, she made it for them too—a small bamboo cup per person, with spoon and reed straw.
The grass jelly is made from grass. The juice is filtered and then added rice milk and wheat starch. After cooling, it condenses into a black and clear jelly shape. Then it's diced into a bowl, add crushed peanuts and taro balls, candied dates, raisins, and red beans boiled with brown sugar. Then it's poured into milk tea to cool down the heat and quench thirst.
The maids handed the bamboo cups, and everyone looked inside curiously.
The milk tea is full of sweet tea and milk fragrance. The grass jelly was cut into pieces. The black jelly is bright and shiny, and it sinks and floats in the milk brown milk tea, surrounded by red beans, raisins, mung beans, etc., the color is rich, and it looks sweet and tasty.
After Jiang Shuyao delivered the grass jelly, she nodded to Xie Xun, then turned and left.
Everyone held the bamboo cup and said goodbye to Jiang Shuyao doglegged, frightening her to quicken her pace.
As soon as she left everyone's sight, everyone was relieved and quickly picked up the spoon and scooped a spoonful of grass jelly that was so curiously tickling.
The grass jelly was slippery and almost couldn't be scooped. The jelly is full of elasticity and trembles with the shaking spoon. When it is put in the mouth, the slightly bitter taste immediately scrapes away the heavy, spicy hot pot aftertaste.
The grass jelly has a delicate taste. In order to extinguish the internal heat, Jiang Shuyao deliberately added fire-clearing Chinese medicinal materials, such as the shell of the eagle-billed turtle, stilbene, dandelion, etc. It has a deep and mellow bitterness, which is not unpalatable. On the contrary, it refreshed their greasy and hot intestines. Before they chewed, the grass jelly slipped all the way down their throat and into their stomach, making people feel refreshed.
The milk is sweet, and the tea is fresh. The red bean and honey boiled with brown sugar is rich in flavor. The raisins are sour, sweet, and chewy... The rich sweetness blends with the cool and bitterness of the grass jelly. The sultry summer night immediately became refreshing and pleasant.
The peanuts are crispy and crunchy; The beans and raisins are chewy; The grass jelly is smooth and tender. The spoonful of the rich ingredients is scooped into the mouth, and while chewing, the sweet milk tea slowly sways in the mouth. This taste is really wonderful.
The East Palace freeloading team stretched their eyebrows and worked out their mouths one by one. But after being sent out mercilessly from the Xie Mansion by Xie Xun, they suddenly realized that such a small cup isn't enough.
Sister-in-law! Can I have a refill!
＊
When the old madam returned to the yard, she felt tight in her chest. She couldn't figure out what she was thinking.
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The nanny rubbed her temples, not daring to say anything.
Thinking of the scene just now, she felt a fierce pain on her face. When she remembered her words in front of Xie Xun that day to look down on Jiang Shuyao, her chest was tight, and she felt short of breath.
She didn't want to believe it, let alone admit this fact.
She found countless reasons to comfort herself. Even if the crown prince is having a good meal, is it possible that it was all because of Jiang Shuyao? They must have given her third son some face. Even if she showed off her cooking skills, she still couldn't change her unpleasant reputation. She was always the object of the noble mistress' jokes in Beijing. It was just a meal. What's the big deal? What big impact can this meal have?
She said these reasons to herself and could barely fell asleep.
After tossing and turning all night, she slept extremely unsteadily and finally woke up in a lot of comfort the next day.
She regained her energy a bit, and she had just been waiting for people to help her freshen up and wake up when she saw Xu-shi coming in from outside with joy.
After the salute, Xu-shi asked, "Is mother unwell? Why is she up so late today?"
The old madam waved her hand, unwilling to say more, "Hurry, what's the matter?"
Xu-shi was married to the Xie family for many years, but she rarely shows such a happy appearance in front of the old madam.
"Of course, it's a good thing." There was joy in her voice, "The queen gave us a lot of things just now. She said that the sweet drinks made by the third sister-in-law were in line with her heart. She praised her for her ingenuity and virtuousness-"
Seeing the old madam standing in a daze with a stiff expression, Xu-shi hurriedly stopped.
"Mother?" She asked cautiously, "The reward has been sent to the third branch. You are going to join in the fun and be happy--"
Before she finished speaking, the old madam suddenly collapse and fell softly on the bed.
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