Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 73
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 73: Tofu Ice Cream
That night, after Xie Xun fell into the water, the psychological tension and prolonged soaking seemed to have taken their toll. He caught a cold as soon as he returned home. Jiang Shuyao, concerned, immediately instructed the maids to prepare a bowl of ginger soup for him.
Xie Xun, still dazed and disoriented, held the large porcelain bowl in his hands. His mind felt foggy, and his gaze was unfocused, as if he were trying to sift through the haze of his thoughts, attempting to piece together the events that had unfolded.
"Hurry up and drink the soup," Jiang Shuyao said softly, passing by him as she prepared to untie her bun.
The moment Xie Xun heard her voice, his body tensed, and a slight shiver ran through him. He quickly buried his face in the bowl, desperate to hide his flustered reaction.
The problem was... the bowl was simply too large.
Jiang Shuyao passed by him once more, but when she noticed Xie Xun still in a daze, she paused and asked, "Why don't you drink it?"
Xie Xun trembled once again.
He wanted to respond, but as soon as he opened his mouth, an image of Jiang Shuyao emerged in his mind—the memory of her approaching him in the water. The image was so vivid that a sudden warmth and softness seemed to rise from his chin, causing his heart to race uncontrollably. His face flushed once more.
"What's the matter?" Jiang Shuyao asked, her voice laced with concern as she walked closer to him, noticing his silence. Her gaze dropped to his flushed cheeks, and without thinking, she reached out to feel his forehead.
Hot.
"Do you have a fever?" she muttered.
Xie Xun finally moved in a panic and poured the huge bowl of ginger soup into his mouth in one breath.
Jiang Shuyao realized that Xie Xun was holding a large porcelain bowl, one that was always specially reserved for him. She couldn’t help but feel a little speechless. "Why are the maids using such a big bowl for ginger soup? You shouldn't drink too much at night."
Xie Xun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her words and immediately set the bowl down. The base of the porcelain clattered loudly against the wooden table, and before Jiang Shuyao could even react, he hurriedly fled the scene.
Just before the lights were turned off, Xie Xun returned from outside, lingering in the shadows. He stood at a distance, quietly watching her.
To be honest, Jiang Shuyao felt a bit shy and nervous after the intimate exchange with Xie Xun. But given the time they’d spent together, such actions had become second nature, and she didn’t notice anything unusual.
But when she saw Xie Xun standing at a distance, hesitant to approach, Jiang Shuyao suddenly realized—Xie Xun was... shy?
The candlelight flickered softly, casting a warm, unsteady glow. Xie Xun stood there, still exuding his usual coldness, and his expression remained hidden in the shadows.
Jiang Shuyao’s gaze lingered on him. It was then that she felt a strange sensation stir within her. Only months ago, she had been complaining about his expressionless demeanor, but now, she couldn’t help but find him endearing, even with his usual serious face.
It was then that she truly felt it—the fluttering in her chest, the warmth that spread from her stomach, filling her heart. It was like a swarm of butterflies taking flight, filling her with a sensation both new and exhilarating.
"Why are you standing there? Don't you want to sleep?"
Xie Xun hesitated for a moment before walking over slowly.
Jiang Shuyao lay on her side, and as he approached, she propped herself up on one arm, a soft smile unconsciously curling on her lips.
Xie Xun glanced at her, his gaze faint, before lowering his eyes to meet hers.
As his gaze dropped, his long, thick eyelashes cast a shadow across his lower eyelids, adding an air of mystery to his already striking features. With his cool, composed expression, he radiated a sense of aloofness, as if distanced from the world, his arrogance evident in the quiet stillness of his demeanor.
Fortunately, Jiang Shuyao understood him well enough not to misinterpret his aloofness. Instead, her smile deepened. As she gazed at his handsome face, she couldn't help but think—she had somehow managed to deceive a ‘poor Taoist priest’.
Before she could speak, Xie Xun made the first move, suddenly bending down to approach her.
A faint scent of fresh water lingered on his skin, a trace of coolness still clinging to him after his bath. A soft, gentle breeze seemed to follow his movements, brushing lightly over her. As he leaned closer, Jiang Shuyao’s gaze fell to his neck.
His skin was pale, the line of his throat sharp and distinct, adding to his already striking appearance.
Xie Xun shifted his eyes downward, glancing at her with a gaze that seemed to lose its restraint. The change in his expression made Jiang Shuyao’s face flush unexpectedly, a sudden heat rising to her cheeks.
"I......"
She just spoke, but Xie Xun came closer again. This time, she felt that the freshwater vapor on his body completely enveloped her.
He was tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, and his arms seemed very broad. When he got so close, she seemed about to fall into his arms.
Jiang Shuyao suddenly bit her lower lip, her face instantly flushed, and her heartbeat uncontrollably wild.
She felt her mind was blank, and the questions came up one by one. What is happening? Did Xie Xun want to hug her? Want to kiss her? Should she kiss him back?
When she was nervous and shy, Xie Xun suddenly moved. He straightened up his body abruptly, stepped back half a step away from Jiang Shuyao... while holding his pillow.
"I will go to the study to sleep."
He spoke in an unwavering, rigid tone. While hugging the pillow, he turned and left.
Jiang Shuyao: ???
Was he holding the pillow just now? So was it the pillow he was looking for because he planned to go to the study?
Her eyes turned as fierce as a tiger. When she looked back at her nervousness, she felt like an idiot.
She gritted her teeth, "Xie Boyuan!"
Xie Xun tilted his head with his nose tall and his profile tough. His expression was so cold that he looked like a ruthless man who just abandoned his wife.
"What?" he asked.
Jiang Shuyao took a deep breath and ground her teeth, "Come here." Without holding back her anger, she patted the bed twice, "Sleep here!"
"The Ruthless Scum Man" thought for a while, hugged his pillow, and walked towards the bed. Under Jiang Shuyao's angry gaze, he quickly put the pillow down, took off his shoes, and went to bed.
"Huh." Jiang Shuyao turned to face the wall, not wanting to talk to him.
The nervousness was gone.
Xie Xun was a little puzzled, "Are you angry?"
"No."
"I went to the study to sleep because I thought it was too hot—"
"Okay?"
"...Because I feel uneasy."
Jiang Shuyao said nothing.
After a while, when Jiang Shuyao thought Xie Xun was about to fall asleep, he suddenly asked in a very low voice, "Was what you said tonight true?"
Jiang Shuyao asked, "Which one?"
"You said that you are also like me." His voice was very quiet, any more quieter, and it would have been inaudible.
Jiang Shuyao suddenly felt better. The corner of her mouth cocked and she replied, "Yes."
Xie Xun stopped talking. She heard some sound, which told her that he should have turned over and found a comfortable sleeping position. Then there was no movement, so he should have fallen asleep.
With him beside her, Jiang Shuyao had always felt safe and fell asleep deeply.
*
After waking up early the next morning, Xie Xun's figure was gone from her side. Jiang Shuyao rubbed her temples and got up while calling for Bai Zhi.
Bai Zhi came in from outside and assisted Jiang Shuyao to get up.
"Why didn't you call me when I overslept?" Jiang Shuyao asked.
"Miss, master said that you were frightened because you fell into the water last night, so you should sleep a little longer today. He asked the servants not to bother you." Some time ago, Jiang Shuyao had her period. Bai Zhi understood that she had wrongly thought that her young lady was pregnant and was very disappointed.
"Did he bring any food?"
"Master took the cold noodles prepared yesterday. We filled the seasonings into a small bowl as you ordered."
Jiang Shuyao nodded and came out of the room after washing and dressing.
The sun was shining bright. She raised her hand to block the sun, just in time to see Zhou-shi coming from a distance.
She frowned and looked a little sad. When she saw Jiang Shuyao, she gathered up her mind and smiled, "You didn't just get up now, did you?"
Jiang Shuyao defended herself, "I went to bed late last night."
Zhou-shi nodded and said, "I was really excited when I went to the street food market yesterday. I also didn't fall asleep until late." She looked at the sun and sighed, "The sky is also too hot. I have no appetite this morning. I just ate some cold drinks to cushion my stomach."
"Yes, I also wanted to eat some ice." Jiang Shuyao clapped her hands and invited Zhou-shi to her small kitchen. "Speaking of ice, I have a good thing to show you."
Zhou-shi's curiosity was aroused, and she quickly followed.
When they arrived in the small kitchen, Jiang Shuyao pointed to the ironware placed on the table, "That's it."
Seeing the strange iron tool, Zhou-shi walked forward and touched it but did not see anything familiar.
"This is?"
"Blender." Jiang Shuyao opened the blender and showed the blades to Zhou-shi. "It’s used to smash ingredients. Because it is made from a solid iron, it can also be used to shave ice, but it would be a bit laborious."
As early as when the summer arrived, Jiang Shuyao drew a design of a blender and handed them to Lin-shi. The Lin family has focused on shipping for generations, so they have many skilled craftsmen proficient in machinery. After getting the drawings, they made several modifications and created this blender.
Zhou-shi felt the cold, sharp blade and couldn't help but exclaimed, "Their technique is so exquisite." After she sighed, she turned back to the topic, "What can we use it for?"
Jiang Shuyao glanced over the ingredients in the corner, her eyes lit up, and she walked quickly to pick up a piece of tofu.
Zhou-shi wondered, "Tofu? Tofu is so soft and tender. Does it need to be crushed with this blade?"
"After I demonstrate it, you will know the beauty of a blender."
Jiang Shuyao rolled her sleeves, cut the tofu into pieces, boiled it in hot water, and put it in cold water to cool it down.
Then, she put the cold tofu cubes, milk, sugar, and black sesame powder into the blender, held the handle and started stirring. Because the blade was sharp and the tofu was tender, it didn’t take much effort to turn the handle, and it turned very fast. After a while, she stopped and opened the lid. She saw that the ingredients inside were all blended into a fine, flowing, thick milk.
Zhou-shi cried out in surprise and asked, "Will this tofu milk taste good?"
"You can't eat it this way. You have to freeze it for a while."
Jiang Shuyao poured the blended tofu into a bowl, covered it, and placed it in an ice bowl to cool it down.
After putting it away, she turned and said to Zhou-shi with a look of expectation, "Okay, now we just need to wait for the tofu ice cream to freeze. Anyway, there is nothing else now, so why don't you tell me about it?"
Zhou-shi looked at her in surprise and said, "How do you know that I have something on my mind?"
"It can be seen from your face." Jiang Shuyao hesitated a few times before asking, "Could it be, second brother..."
Zhou-shi was taken aback and waved her hand, "How could it be him."
Although it was very inappropriate, Jiang Shuyao was relieved to see her attitude.
"It's my daughter." Zhou-shi sat down on the wooden bench next to her. "Yesterday we went to the street food market to join in the fun. So eldest sister-in-law called the children in the house, including my daughter."
Zhou-shi gave birth early in her marriage, and her daughter was already six years old. The old madam liked girls, and when she saw her cuteness, she wanted to raise this granddaughter herself. The old madam had a good background, and her etiquette and talents were all outstanding. Zhou-shi thought that if her daughter could learn a little bit, she would not be embarrassed at banquets and be squeezed out by others, so she agreed to the old madam.
Later, because of Xie Lang's concubines, Zhou-shi threw herself wholeheartedly at him and became more and more alienated from his daughter. Xie Sheng was only six years old, but she had turned into a small adult. Just like the younger version of the old madam.
Zhou-shi had never seen a child like Xie Sheng. She didn’t like to laugh or make trouble. She only liked to read and study. Her nephews and nieces at the border were still going up the tree to catch birds and steal eggs at thirteen years old.
Every time she faced Xie Sheng, Zhou-shi feels restrained. She fears that her behavior was not in compliance with the rules and made her daughter disgusted. Xie Sheng was arrogant and also didn't like to talk to Zhou-shi.
"I saw her yesterday and felt a little more estranged from her. Don't you think it’s weird? She’s my biological daughter, one I carried for nine months, but I am not very familiar with her. I don't even dare to talk to her, and what's more, I fear that I would shame her."
Zhou-shi had been holding it alone for many years. She had never discussed it with anyone, so she had a lot of talk with Jiang Shuyao. By the time she was finished, the tofu ice cream was almost frozen.
She just poured out her bitterness and didn't expect any comfort. When Jiang Shuyao took out the bowl, she instantly cast aside her worries and looked into the bowl with interest.
Jiang Shuyao brought two spoons, "Try it, it is not frozen enough, but you can taste it first."
When the spoon touched the dense tofu ice cream, it yielded effortlessly, the creamy texture melting instantly into a smooth, velvety arc. The tofu ice cream was soft, its consistency hovering somewhere between traditional ice cream and a luxurious milkshake.
As soon as she took a bite, the slightly chilled treat transformed on her tongue, dissolving into a rich, creamy texture that coated her palate. A refreshing coolness bloomed, followed by a delicate sweetness that swept across her taste buds. The flavors unfolded in layers: a milky richness, the earthy depth of black sesame, and the clean, refreshing essence of tofu, all harmoniously intertwined. It was as if creamy indulgence had been woven into the smooth, delicate texture of black sesame tofu. The fragrance was thick and mellow, leaving a lingering impression of comfort and delight.
The tofu had only a slight soybean flavor, but when stirred with black sesame, the flavor became stronger and more pronounced. Mixed with milk, it turned thick and dense, resembling the creamy richness of soy milk. The taste was fragrant and sweet, with a delicate, smooth texture. Icy cold, the refreshing sensation spread from the tip of the tongue, washing over the body and leaving a comforting, invigorating feeling. The blend of subtle tofu, nutty black sesame, and creamy milk created a harmonious balance, making each bite a satisfying experience of coolness and flavor.
Zhou-shi looked at Jiang Shuyao with surprise, "It's amazing. This is the first time I have eaten food with such texture and taste."
Jiang Shuyao said, "Is it delicious?"
"Of course, it has a mellow scent, and the sweetness is refreshing. No one will dislike it."
Jiang Shuyao pushed the bowl in front of her, "Are you sure?"
"I'm sure." Zhou-shi nodded.
"Then your daughter will like it too?"
Zhou-shi was taken aback, looked at Jiang Shuyao, not understanding what she meant.
"How about giving her a taste? Tofu nourishes the body, produces fluids to quench thirst. It is not too cold to irritate the intestines and stomach, and children can eat it. I believe the texture and taste are also children's favorites."
After hearing what she said, Zhou-shi was very surprised and quickly refused, "No way, this is not what I mean. Besides, I don't dare..." When she said this, she suddenly fell silent.
She was not an indecisive person. In fact, she was impulsive. She straightened her back and stood up with a slap on the table, "Okay, you made it, and you already said so much. If I'm pushing around, what will it look like?"
She picked up the porcelain bowl, paused, and prepared herself mentally, then said, "I'll go find her now."
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