Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 79
Translated by Serena Love
Edited by Azure
Chapter 79: Entering the Palace
If the Lin family wanted to continue doing business, they would compete with others for profit. So Jiang Shuyao thought that things will not just end like this.
When she was thinking about dealing with it, a letter came from the palace. Concubine Lin suddenly wanted to call her into the palace.
Jiang Shuyao was not close to the Lin family, and she would inevitably have some doubts about the Imperial Concubine Lin.
Xie Xun didn't figure out Concubine Lin's meaning, only to comfort her, not to worry.
It was Jiang Shuyao's first time in the palace since she came in ancient times. Although she had also met the crown prince, the crown prince was friendly, and he was in Duke Xie's mansion at the time, so she didn't feel too much pressure. But entering the palace was different.
She was so nervous that she didn't sleep well all night. The next day before dawn, she got up and changed clothes with Xie Xun. She only learned the rules of entering the palace yesterday. At this time, she can only memorize it on the surface and hope that she can barely pass after entering the palace.
Because she also entered the palace today, Xie Xun did not ride a horse but took a carriage with her.
Seeing Jiang Shuyao's nervous expression, he smiled and said, "How can you be scared just by entering the palace?"
Jiang Shuyao put down the carriage curtain, "It's either scared or a little nervous. After all, it's the palace." Whether it's a feudal emperor or a modern leader, people in power always make normal people feel scared.
"It's like you haven't been to the palace banquet in the past." Xie Xun said, holding Jiang Shuyao's hand.
Jiang Shuyao looked at him suspiciously.
Xie Xun said solemnly, "Don't be afraid. I hold you."
Jiang Shuyao was a little speechless.
Since the two had exchanged their hearts and started holding hands, Xie Xun had suddenly grown more familiar, seeking to be close to her whenever there was an opportunity. But this closeness was merely superficial—like holding hands while sleeping or strolling side by side. Each time, he wore a serious expression, as if afraid she might refuse, even though it was nothing more than a simple hand-holding with no further gestures.
When Jiang Shuyao didn’t pull her hand away, a subtle smile curved at the corner of Xie Xun’s lips. One hand held hers, while the other reached for the teapot to pour her some tea. "Have a cup," he said softly.
Jiang Shuyao shook her head.
"Then eat some cakes. During breakfast, you were busy putting on makeup and combing your hair. You only took a few mouthfuls of porridge. You can't be hungry when you enter the palace."
Jiang Shuyao withdrew her hands.
Xie Xun quickly held it again and looked at her, puzzled.
"I have to use my right hand to eat pastries." Jiang Shuyao said.
Picking up a rock and hitting one's own feet. Hey, caring about your wifey while holding hands is hard to do.
[T/N: "Picking up a rock and hitting one's own feet" is an idiom similar to "shooting yourself in the foot." Meaning your plan backfired, and you hurt yourself.]
Xie Xun reluctantly let go of his hand, opened the low folding table, and served the cakes.
Jiang Shuyao didn't like to eat pastries, but she was afraid of being hungry later. She took a piece of pastry and stuffed it into her mouth. She choked a little, but she didn't dare to drink tea, for fear that she wanted to go to the toilet after entering the palace, that would be too embarrassing.
After she stuffed a small piece, Xie Xun brought the tea over. She shook her head and continued to take another one.
Xie Xun stood up, lowered his waist to maneuver around, and sat on the other side, next to her.
Just when she thought Xie Xun's change of position was something important, Xie Xun silently and quietly covered her left hand with the palm of his hand.
Jiang Shuyao: ...
She stuffed the pastry in her mouth and turned to look at Xie Xun speechlessly.
Xie Xun was secretly amused. Before the corners of his mouth could be put down, he felt her gaze cast over him, and he immediately became guilty. The roots of his ears moved slightly, showing shyness and uneasiness.
He forcibly explained, "You don't need to hold pastries in your left hand."
Jiang Shuyao ignored him and let him go.
When they reached the palace gate avenue, the two got out of the carriage and walked inside. After entering the palace gate, a eunuch was waiting there long ago. Jiang Shuyao remembered the rules and gave him a red envelope, but he refused.
Xie Xun went to the East Palace, separated from Jiang Shuyao by the inner wall. Only the eunuch led Jiang Shuyao on the way. The palace was indeed as she imagined, carved beams and buildings, magnificent and glorious, but there was always a low pressure swirling in the sky. The palace ladies and eunuchs walked silently, and Jiang Shuyao felt depressed and uncomfortable after walking for less than a while.
When they arrived at the Imperial Concubine Lin's Palace, it was another scene.
Concubine Lin had just finished her breakfast. She leaned on the couch lazily and was massaged by a maid. The room's fragrance was very light, and a light curtain swayed, giving her a sense of languidness and laziness.
Concubine Lin's beauty was overwhelming the country as the rumors. Her facial features were bright, and she only applied lipstick, but she could hold down the luxurious pearl hairpin on her bun.
Seeing Jiang Shuyao's salute, she smiled like a spring flower.
"Okay, get up. Come to me." She straightened up, and the maid bowed her head and disappeared on the side.
Jiang Shuyao walked to her side and sat down on a low stool.
Concubine Lin asked her some gossip indifferently, and Jiang Shuyao answered one by one, unable to figure out her purpose.
The two were not familiar with each other, so after a while, they quieted down.
"How is your mother doing?" Concubine Lin said after being silent for a while.
This was a bit more relaxing than the chattering before. Jiang Shuyao said, "Mother no longer has morning sickness, and now she is healthy. Busy with business every day and full of energy. She doesn't look like a pregnant woman at all."
Concubine Lin chuckles, "She is really... as always."
Jiang Shuyao said nothing.
Concubine Lin was talking to herself and didn't want her to talk. She seemed to have thought of something and fell into memory.
Her long silence caused Jiang Shuyao to twist around uncomfortably, and the tiny movements made Concubine Lin regain consciousness.
"Speaking of business, you brought up the idea for the Lin family's food business?"
Jiang Shuyao felt that she had finally brought up the topic and replied, "Yes."
Concubine Lin tapped on the table with her fingertips, "Why do you think of food business? It is enough for the Lin family to lead the shipping industry. It would be impossible to intervene in other businesses."
Jiang Shuyao heard her objection. Although she didn't understand, she explained, "We are not in the restaurant business, but selling some new food to ordinary people. If we really want to make a clear statement, it is not a fight with the restaurant business."
"You didn't interfere with Prince Kang's eyes?" Concubine Lin's voice was light and fluttering, and no one could hear her emotions.
Jiang Shuyao felt tight and said, "We are doing business on our part, so why are we obtrusive? It's just that the street food market has been booming recently and attracted attention. After a while, when Prince Kang calms down, he will find that Lin's business is not the same as his business at all."
Concubine Lin was noncommittal and knocked on the tabletop. "New food? I have heard of it. Eat some dirty ingredients, heart and lungs. Is this really a novelty?"
Jiang Shuyao was not convinced, "Niang-Niang, after cleaning, it is all the ingredients and should not be called dirty."
[T/N: Niang-Niang is one way to respectfully address the queen, imperial concubines, princesses, and other royal, aristocratic women.]
Concubine Lin did not answer, "Your mother is determined to continue this business?"
"Yes." Jiang Shuyao replied decisively, her thoughts drifting to the bond between Concubine Lin and Lin-shi, which had always been so close, like sisters. She should understand Lin-shi's temperament well. "Mother hasn't had an easy time these past years. A few months ago, when she was pregnant, she couldn't eat or drink; her body just couldn't bear it. So, I thought of finding something to occupy her mind. The effect was unexpectedly good. She threw herself into the business, and her spirits completely revived. Now, she’s consumed with it, forgetting everything else. But with this issue at hand, her temper won’t allow her to let it go, no matter how it inconveniences others."
After hearing this, Concubine Lin looked down at her, "What else?"
Jiang Shuyao looked up, puzzled.
"How about you?"
Jiang Shuyao replied smoothly, "Naturally, I don't want my mother to give up."
Concubine Lin raised her arm and poked her forehead, "Damn girl, I think you are the one who doesn't want to give up."
Jiang Shuyao was caught off guard by being poked on her forehead and was momentarily dumbfounded by this intimate act.
Concubine Lin retracted her hand, "I called you today, just to ask you about the plan of this matter."
Jiang Shuyao blinked, "Plan?"
Concubine Lin squinted at her, "tsk," and said in disgust, "If you just do things randomly, is it still called a business? What do you plan to do next, how to do it, and what to do if it fails? You don't understand this?"
Jiang Shuyao was a little dazed, "This..."
Concubine Lin frowned. Her facial features were bright and magnificent, and she had lived in the deep palace for a long time.
Jiang Shuyao lowered her head subconsciously.
"You said you want to make new foods. Was it you alone who thought about these ideas?"
"Yes."
Concubine Lin suddenly felt that this business plan was not achievable and shook her head.
Jiang Shuyao caught this with a glimpse and said hurriedly, "I am more than enough to think about the ideas. What I think of is really not something others can think of."
Concubine Lin Gui was amused by her tone, "Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. I didn't have such a tone when I was sailing with your mother."
[T/N: "Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers" is an idiom. Meaning that the young calf who was just born is not afraid of tigers because they don't know how powerful tigers are. It is generally described for young people as a metaphor because young people have little ideological concerns and dare to act without restraint.]
Jiang Shuyao opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted by Concubine Lin, "The new food you are talking about, isn't it just the intestines and the internal organs?"
Jiang Shuyao nodded first and then shook her head, "Naturally not, novelty should not be limited to ingredients. Taking noodles as an example, I can also come up with countless tricks. It is just that now I am studying cheap ingredients."
Concubine Lin frowned and said nothing.
"And it's not just the intestines, heart, or liver. As long as it's something people can eat, I can make it delicious."
Concubine Lin’s brows unfurled, her gaze softening as she regarded her, like a mother observing a child at play. She sighed gently, "Your mother... She’s such a grown woman, yet she’s still indulging in all of this. I heard she’s finally started cheering up, and I wanted to lend a hand... but forget it. I’m just glad to hear she’s found some energy, even if only for a short while. As long as everything stays in order, that’s all that matters."
Jiang Shuyao said helplessly, "Niang-Niang, I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, just ask me to make something and test me."
Concubine Lin wanted Jiang Shuyao to leave the palace, but at this time, listening to her saying this, she felt that if she just let her go, Jiang Shuyao would still be fooling around with Lin-shi and taking it for granted. She had to suppress her heart and make her sober.
"Okay, then I will test you." Concubine Lin stood up and dragged her golden embroidered skirt on the ground. "You have done all sorts of innards of pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks, so I won't ask you this."
She struggled to find a response for a while, her mind wandering until her eyes landed on the fish raised in the palace. The sight stirred a distant memory of her days aboard the ship before entering the palace. She spoke up, "Back then, your mother and I were constantly traveling to seize business along the rivers, often taking breaks on the shore. We’d watch the children fishing for fish and shrimp in the river, just enjoying the scene. One day, they hauled up a bunch of black river creatures, and I couldn’t help but feel disgusted. I asked your mother what they were, and she told me they were called river snails. People eat fish, shrimp, and crabs, but never snails. Even those who haven't seen meat in years wouldn't bother to fish for them and stew them for soup. Sure, they contain meat, but they’re full of mud and sand and reek terribly. Let alone putting them in our mouths, just the smell is enough to turn one's stomach."
Concubine Lin's eyes gleamed with a hint of triumph, expecting Jiang Shuyao to falter after her boast. "Can you really use river snails as food?" she challenged.
But Jiang Shuyao, unfazed, clapped her hands. "Snails? Of course! I love fried river snails!"
Concubine Lin was momentarily stunned. "Do you even know what a river snail is?"
"Of course," Jiang Shuyao responded smoothly, but realizing the potential flaw in her words, she quickly corrected herself. "I once met an elderly woman while playing in Bezhuang, on the outskirts of the capital. Her grandson caught some river snails, and out of curiosity, I took a few. After trying them and experimenting for a while, I figured out a way to prepare them."
She stood up, her enthusiasm growing. "If Niang-Niang could have someone bring some snails into the palace, I promise I can make a truly delicious dish!"
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