Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 74
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 74: Smoothie
Zhou-shi stepped out of the courtyard, clutching a porcelain bowl in her hands. Her maid offered to carry it for her, but Zhou-shi waved her off with a gentle refusal. Her mind was restless, tangled in thoughts of her daughter.
Were there any other mothers in the world as inadequate as she was? Her own flesh and blood, her daughter, seemed to favor her eldest aunt over her. The thought gnawed at her as she walked, the sun blazing overhead. The heat was so intense that the tofu ice cream in the bowl threatened to melt if she didn’t hurry. With quickened steps, Zhou-shi made her way toward Shouning Hall.
As she rounded the garden, a figure caught her eye. Seated at the base of the arch bridge was someone slender and delicate, sitting with perfect posture, a book held gracefully in hand. There was no mistaking it—it was Xie Sheng.
Zhou-shi took a few anxious breaths to steady herself before stepping onto the bridge, the porcelain bowl held carefully in her hands. As she approached, the maids standing beside Xie Sheng bowed in greeting.
Xie Sheng heard the commotion and glanced sideways, her expression calm and composed. Zhou-shi immediately forced a gentle, loving smile onto her face, though it didn’t quite suit her, coming off as stiff and unnatural.
Xie Sheng offered no reaction, simply acknowledging her with her usual polite but distant tone, "Mother."
Zhou-shi hurried over and sat down beside her, placing the porcelain bowl on the table. "It’s so hot today," she said, her voice tinged with nervous warmth. "I brought you something cold to help cool off."
Xie Sheng didn't expect Zhou-shi to come to send her snacks. She was a little surprised, frowned, and looked at her suspiciously.
Xie Sheng's looks followed Xie Lang's appearance, and her temperament was also the same as his, with a strong air of elegance and poetry in the cold and noble face.
This type of person was what Zhou-shi liked most in her life, but it was also this type of person that she was most afraid of.
For some reason, she was a little worried that Xie Sheng would dislike it, so she explained, "Your third aunt made this. The main ingredient is tofu, with milk and sesame seeds. It has a delicate texture. You can try it."
Xie Sheng pursed her mouth and didn't answer. She gently closed the book and placed it down on the stone table. This action made Zhou-shi even more nervous.
She was only six years old, but she liked reading so much. When she was six, she only knew how to play with swords and climb trees.
She tried to say something caring, "Reading is a waste of time. You are still young, don't read all day long, and hurt your eyes at such a young age." After saying this, she felt that her words seemed to hinder her daughter from literacy and would seem ignorant, so she hurriedly gave supplementary advice, "But of course, if you like reading, you can read every day. The most important thing is to live comfortably."
After she finished speaking, she felt extremely annoyed in her heart. She thought that she had really failed this time. She tried to ease the atmosphere and looked at the cover of the book, "What is this?" Before she finished speaking, she saw a few words on the cover. She had never heard of this book.
It was even more embarrassing, and Zhou-shi really wished to smash herself with a sword.
When she was embarrassed and uneasy, Xie Sheng suddenly moved. She raised her hand and dragged the porcelain bowl closer to her, breaking the stagnant atmosphere.
When Zhou-shi saw this, she was relieved. Xie Sheng was willing to give her some face.
Xie Sheng picked up the spoon and stirred the creamy tofu ice cream. The texture was amazing, and her face showed a rare innocent look like normal children. She scooped a spoonful to her mouth, her eyes widened slightly, and she hesitated for a few seconds before swallowing the tofu ice cream in her mouth.
The refreshing milky-sweet taste spread in her mouth. Xie Sheng kept quiet for a few breaths and finally said, "Very delicious."
Zhou-shi immediately laughed. She could rarely speak so smoothly in front of Xie Sheng, "Of course, this is made by your third aunt. She is very skilled in cooking, smart, and has a lot of ideas. Remember the market we took you last time? She made all the food on that street!"
After she finished speaking, she realized that she had forgotten to pretend to be gentle and dignified. She bit her lip in annoyance.
Just as she was thinking about what to do, she suddenly heard Xie Sheng speak, "What about you?"
Zhou-shi was taken aback, "Wh–What?"
Xie Sheng speaks slowly, completely inconsistent with her immature, childlike voice, "I like to read books, and my third aunt likes to cook. What about you?"
Zhou-shi and Xie Sheng are not close, usually she will ask and Xie Sheng will answer. Xie Sheng rarely takes the initiative to talk.
She was very pleasantly surprised and replied seriously, "I used to like--" Martial arts.
But she can't say this, fearing that her daughter would dislike it. Zhou-shi hurriedly changed her words, "I used to have no hobbies, but now I also like to cook. I have been learning how to cook with your third aunt recently. She taught me a lot and let me study recipes by myself, and praised my knife skills..."
As soon as she opened her mouth, she talked endlessly. After a lot of crackling, she reacted and quickly shut up.
Xie Sheng was brought up by the old madam personally. For young girls in Chang’an at her age, when people talk about who knows best, if Xie Sheng was second, no one dared to be the first.
She didn't show a look of disgust or impatience but listened quietly, waiting for Zhou-shi to finish before nodding and saying, "Very good."
Zhou-shi was at a loss for words and didn't know what to say. She played with her palm, thinking about whether she should go and not hinder her daughter from reading.
Just when she thought the atmosphere was going to be a stalemate, she suddenly heard Xie Sheng ask, "Then do you often cook?"
Zhou-shi raised her head and hurriedly answered, "Lately, I practice cooking every day and think of some recipes." At this point, she looked at her daughter's clever face, and she said, " How about I make something delicious for you to try?"
She wanted to be close to her daughter in her heart, and she blurted out some words, only to realize that it was not appropriate after she said it.
She quickly changed her words, "I just said casually--"
"Okay." Xie Sheng suddenly interrupted her.
Zhou-shi is stunned and looked at Xie Sheng.
Xie Sheng lowered her head and continued to eat ice cream. Zhou-shi couldn't see her expression clearly.
Xie Sheng ate the ice cream quietly, her delicate movements making her appear even more graceful and lovely in Zhou-shi’s eyes. Zhou-shi watched her intently, her heart swelling with a mix of affection and longing. She wished this moment could last forever, that the bowl of ice cream would never be finished, and that she could simply sit there, basking in her daughter’s presence.
But reality had other plans. Out of the corner of her eye, Zhou-shi noticed a figure approaching. When she turned to look, her heart sank—it was Xie Lang, striding toward them with his usual air of confidence.
Zhou-shi abruptly stood up, her emotions a whirlwind of frustration and restraint. As much as she longed to stay by her daughter’s side, she couldn’t bear the thought of facing Xie Lang. The heat of the day and the simmering anger within her made her fear she might lose control and act on her impulses.
After explaining a few words to Xie Sheng, she ran away in a hurry. Xie Lang walked over, looked at her back from a distance, and asked Xie Sheng, "Is that your mother?"
Xie Sheng ate the ice cream in the bowl without raising her head, "Yes."
Xie Lang asked again, "She came to you just now? What are you two talking about?"
Xie Sheng paused, looked up into the distance, and said in a flat tone, "Nothing."
Xie Lang couldn't help but laugh when he saw her little lord's look and sat down in front of her, "Who do you think you look like? You look neither like your mother nor me, but you are very similar to your third uncle when he was a child. It's just that when he was a child—"
Before he finished speaking, Xie Sheng interrupted him, "I am like my mother."
Xie Lang was taken aback and laughed, "You are not like her."
Xie Sheng ignored his smile and still seriously said, "I didn't think I look ed like her before, but lately, I understand that I am like her."
Xie Lang rubbed the top of her head, "Little girl, don't keep your face cold all day long." His gaze fell on the porcelain bowl in front of Xie Sheng, "What is this? Did your mother bring it?" At this point, his tone was a little stiff. Zhou-shi loved to bring him some soup every day before, using the most awkward way to ask for warmth. But now, she had become a different person, and she didn’t want to see him at all.
"Yes." Xie Sheng nodded.
Xie Lang's expression softened and sighed, "Your mother always put you on the cusp of her heart. It's just that she is not good at speech and can't speak with soft-spoken manners. Don't hurt her, okay?"
Xie Sheng listened quietly.
Xie Lang was a little sad after speaking but didn't want to show it in front of his daughter. He changed the subject and pretended to be happy while saying, "What are you eating? Give Dad a bite."
Xie Sheng's personality was very quiet, so quiet that she was a little cold. Even Xie Lang didn’t know how to get along with her.
He tried to be more intimate, reaching out to touch Xie Sheng's porcelain bowl.
Xie Sheng dragged away the porcelain bowl suddenly, lowered her head, and muttered, "No."
Xie Lang thought she was unwilling to share her snack with others. He was a little happy; she finally looks like a child. He smiled and said, "Well, well, if I can't eat it, I won't eat it. Is this what your third aunt made?"
rose gracefully to her feet. She was a model of propriety, always adhering to etiquette and rules. She never quarreled with others, treated her elders with respect, and was kind to servants—so much so that even the old madam sometimes remarked on her rigidity.
Xie Lang, assuming she had stood up to greet him before taking her leave, opened his mouth to speak. But before he could utter a word, Xie Sheng’s calm yet firm voice cut through the air.
"Father," she began, her tone steady, "anyone else can repeat what you said before, but you cannot."
Xie Lang blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, he seemed to struggle to process her words. "What?"
Xie Sheng said, "You understand." After finishing speaking, she turned and left without saluting him for the first time in her life.
Xie Lang looked at her back, sitting on the stone chair for a long time without moving. The cold wind blew his flowing robe and awakened him from a daze. He laughed at himself. The gentle and romantic aura had disappeared in his tone, and he said bitterly to himself, "Even children can understand better than you."
＊
Before, Xie Xun would rush back home just to make it in time for meals, but now, his hurry was driven by a different reason—he simply wanted to see Jiang Shuyao sooner.
Though the home remained the same, and the person was still the same person, the mutual understanding between them had transformed everything. Even the air in the courtyard seemed to carry a sweeter, more delightful fragrance.
As Jiang Shuyao stepped out of the room, she spotted Xie Xun returning. Her face lit up, and she quickly waved to him, calling out, "Come here!"
Without hesitation, Xie Xun strode over to her, his steps quick and purposeful.
Jiang Shuyao reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "You came back just in time. You can shave ice for me!"
She led Xie Xun to the kitchen and explained the principle while pointing to the blender.
Xie Xun was interested and studied the ironware carefully.
During this period, Jiang Shuyao mixed ice cubes with a little milk and directed Xie Xun to operate the blender.
Xie Xun had a large appetite, and his strength was not small, so he smashed all the ice cubes after three rounds.
The ice blended with milk was just like smoothies. It was delicate and thick. The ice crystals are transparent and shiny and look like tiny snowflakes. After pouring it out, it was piled up in a small bowl into a mountain shape. Jiang Shuyao puts honey and red bean paste on the top of the smoothie, sprinkles with raisins and hazelnuts, and finally topped it with a spoonful of mulberry sauce.
At the end of spring, mulberries were made into jam and sealed, and now it came in handy. The mulberry sauce was not boiled too finely, and it retains a little graininess. Red, purplish-black jam runs on the smoothie, giving the bright smoothie a layer of rouge.
Jiang Shuyao couldn't wait anymore, so she handed the spoon to Xie Xun, planning to share a bowl with him.
Xie Xun was a little embarrassed, but he thought that the two had already confessed to each other, and they were husband and wife. There seemed nothing wrong with doing so.
He felt relieved and learned how to stir smoothies like Jiang Shuyao. The cold air instantly spread on his face, which was very refreshing. After mixing the jam and nuts, he scooped a spoonful of smoothie into his mouth.
When the smoothie touched the tip of the tongue, it melted almost instantly, transforming into a cool, refreshing liquid. The sweet, milky aroma intertwined with the vibrant, fruity fragrance, blooming between the mouth and nose in rich, layered waves. A soft yet intense chill accompanied each bite, instantly refreshing the senses and dispelling the lingering heat.
The texture of the smoothie was fine yet firm, offering a satisfying bite. With a gentle chew, it emitted a soft "crack" sound, though it wasn’t too laborious to eat. As it crumbled, it turned into icy water, further enhancing the cooling sensation. The red bean paste and raisins added a delightful contrast—soft yet chewy, their subtle sweetness pairing wonderfully with the smooth, icy base.
The mulberry granules were plump and juicy, bursting with flavor at the slightest touch of the teeth. As the berries popped, their tangy, sweet juice overflowed, adding a lively hint of wild fruit to the already sweet and cool smoothie. Each bite was a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, creating a symphony of refreshment that delighted the palate.
When Xie Xun looked at Jiang Shuyao again, his eyes changed, "In the past, I only thought that you were superb in cooking, but now that I think about it carefully, you are obviously brilliant."
Look at this weird-shaped ironware, and then eat this magical and wonderful smoothie. Where is the rumor that Jiang-shi is stupid came from!
Jiang Shuyao quickly denied, "No, no, no, you praised too much." This was the wisdom of modern people.
Xie Xun chewed and remembered something, "By the way, didn't they say that you can't buy ice lately?" There was no more ice basin last night.
"Yes, but you can make it yourself if you can't buy it." Jiang Shuyao said with a vague expression on her face.
Xie Xun suspected that he had heard wrong, "Make it yourself?"
At this time, people typically stored ice in cellars. During the winter, they would gather ice from frozen rivers or lakes, carefully transport it to the cellar, and layer it with straw for insulation before sealing it with soil. When summer arrived and the heat became unbearable, they would open the cellar to retrieve the ice, using it to cool drinks or create refreshing treats.
However, when Jiang Shuyao learned that there was no ice available yesterday, she didn’t panic. Instead, she instructed people to find saltpeter. Saltpeter, a common mineral, was often used in the production of black powder, fuses, glass, and matches. But Jiang Shuyao knew it had another, lesser-known property: when dissolved in water, it could absorb heat, creating a cooling effect that could be used to make ice.
Although Emperor Taizu, who sounded like a standard transmigrator from another world, had introduced many advancements—particularly in the military industry and social systems—he hadn’t focused on every detail of daily life. As a result, the knowledge of using saltpeter to create ice had not spread widely, and most people remained unaware of its potential.
Xie Xun looked at Jiang Shuyao's improper and relaxed appearance, and felt complicated for a while, and asked, "May I see how you make ice?"
"Of course." Jiang Shuyao didn't think this was a great thing.
She led Xie Xun to the small kitchen's area, which was shaded and had a large space, and was convenient for making ice. In the corner was a large copper tank with a jar in it, and both containers were filled with water.
Jiang Shuyao explained to Xie Xun while demonstrating. Put the saltpeter into water in the larger tank. When the saltpeter meets the water, the water in the smaller jar will gradually condense into ice.
Xie Xun watched her demonstration seriously, and when the strange water freezing phenomenon occurred, he stared at the ice for a long time without saying a word.
After a long while, he came out from his surprise and calmed his mood. He raised his head and looked at Jiang Shuyao with a weird tone, "You made ice, just so you can make smoothies?"
Jiang Shuyao said in a puzzled manner, "Uh, what else can I eat?"
Xie Xun, "...Forget it." He felt that he had praised Jiang Shuyao just now, but now he shook his head helplessly, "You have to be rewarded for this method."
He patted Jiang Shuyao on the top of her head and looked at the sky, "Now the palace gate is not locked yet. I will enter the palace to see the prince."
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