Ancient Foodie Survival Guide Chapter 9
Tled by Serena Love
Edited by and unsaltedfish
Chapter 9: Cream Cake
When Xie Xun returned at twilight, he found Jiang Shuyao enjoying the cool breeze in the yard.
As summer approached, the dark sky resembled a satin curtain scattered with stars, and a glimpse of the dazzling galaxy could be seen, making one marvel at the vastness of the universe.
Jiang Shuyao swayed on the rocking chair, thinking about time, space, and the universe for some time, and then muttered, "Summer is the most suitable for dinner dishes like hot and sour noodles, crayfish, barbecue, fried skewers, fried rice noodles, crushed ice topped with brown sugar and sprinkled with peanuts and raisins... and the indispensable cold beer."
Xie Xun didn’t know where she’d found the rocking chair, or why she had never been restrained since marrying him.
The maid next to her sat on a low stool and whipped cream. When she saw Xie Xun approaching, she was shocked and stood up to bow.
Jiang Shuyao, who was lost in thought, was momentarily stunned when she heard them greeting him. Before she could get up, Xie Xun had already walked to the rocking chair and looked at her condescendingly.
His countenance was bright and well-defined, his demeanor distant. When his eyes fell upon another, there was a calm severity, a quiet weight of command. Jiang Shuyao suddenly stood up, making the rocking chair sway back and forth.
"I left two pieces of cake for you, one of which was placed on the table with cream." She smiled, and the hanging beads swayed from side to side on her cloud-like black hair.
Her contented, relaxed, and generous appearance made Xie Xun a little helpless.
It hadn’t been long since they’d gotten married, but he’d gradually gotten used to her enthusiasm. He nodded when he heard her words and hesitated before taking the cake from the table.
She deliberately demonstrated generosity so it wouldn’t be good for him to always refuse. But thinking of her disturbing history and the way she treated him, Xie Xun felt uncomfortable again.
When he walked to the entrance of the small courtyard, Xie Xun turned his head to see her lying unrestrainedly on the rocking chair, which gave him a headache. It was hard to reconcile the claim of her deep infatuation with the way she once comported herself. Even so, she had shamelessly hounded him until she secured the marriage, a mystery hard to decipher.
Xie Xun didn’t want to dwell on these troublesome matters either. Glancing at the odd-looking cakes he had brought back, he internally sighed: Forget it—it’s better to keep an open mind.
He put his distracting thoughts aside and went back to his study to read. Feeling tired after a while, he called someone to fetch water.
After a shower, his stomach felt a little empty, and his eyes fell upon the cake on the table. He was momentarily taken aback but still walked over to pick up a piece of cake and put it in his mouth.
He wasn’t sure if it was due to hunger, but the cake felt incredibly soft in his mouth. It was sweet without being overwhelming, airy in texture, and carried a rich milky aroma that lingered on the palate, arousing his appetite.
He picked up another piece of cake with creamy white filling in the middle and looked at it curiously. The white inner layer looked very hard, but when he slightly pressed it, it felt extremely soft and slippery, reminding him of clouds on the horizon. He had always looked at white clouds greedily when he was young.
He took a bite of the cake, and a burst of rich milky aroma filled his mouth. The tender yellow part of the cake was light and soft, while the milky white part was thick and smooth. The flavor was delicate and left a fragrant taste that lingered in his mouth.
The pastry had both a novel appearance and taste, making it suitable for all ages. The faces of his twin nephews flashed in his mind. Jiang Shuyao should have delivered some to them already.
A look of confusion flashed on his face as he couldn't understand how Jiang Shuyao managed to get along with the two little guys so harmoniously.
Thinking of how she swayed and talked about food on the rocking chair, he felt that she wasn’t much different from a child herself.
...
Jiang Shuyao's carefree, god-like days of leisure had come to an end.
As the heat gradually approached, an invitation for a flower appreciation banquet hosted by the Princess of Zhaoyang was placed on the table in the main hall with Jiang Shuyao's name conspicuously listed on it.
Only then did the Old Madam realize that even if she avoided seeing Jiang Shuyao and let her stay alone in her yard, she was still her daughter-in-law. She would be tied to Duke Xie's Mansion until her son divorced her.
Previously, although Jiang Shuyao was considered a disgrace, she was still under the responsibility of Xiangyang Mansion. If she were to cause trouble now, the responsibility would fall on Duke Xie's Mansion.
Normally, getting invited to the banquet would have been exciting, but today, the atmosphere was dampened by the troubling news.
Xie Pei was young, so she voiced whatever thoughts came to mind. She stomped her foot and complained softly, "Mother, I don't want to go with her, it's too shameful! Don't let her go, just say that she’s sick."
The Old Madam didn’t scold her for being rude, but frowned and said, "Princess Changle has always had a good relationship with her. Not letting her go wouldn’t work."
The Second Madam, Zhou-shi, was less virtuous than the quiet Eldest Madam, Xu-shi. The thought of going to the banquet with Jiang Shuyao made her unable to restrain her words, "Mother, now that she’s married into Duke Xie's Mansion, certain rules need to be established. Mother’s kindness has spared her from the morning and evening greetings, but with the banquet coming up, proper etiquette must be followed. We can’t let others mock our Duke Xie's Mansion."
She only allowed Jiang Shuyao to skip morning and evening greetings so that her eyes and heart wouldn’t be upset. It had nothing to do with "kindness." The Old Madam, of course, would not openly contradict Zhou-shi. She only furrowed her brow in thought, a trace of intent stirring within
Xu-shi, who had stayed quiet and silent all this time, suddenly looked at the Zhou-shi and said, "The Third Young Lady is now of age to think about marriage. There must be young talents at the Eldest Princess’s flower viewing banquet, so younger sister-in-law, you must keep a careful eye.”
This reminded Zhou-shi that her daughter couldn’t be ruined by Jiang Shuya, making her a little anxious, "Mother, even if her behavior isn’t proper right now, having her copy scriptures every day will help correct her behavior. We wouldn’t expect too much from her, it’ll be enough if her etiquette is good enough to attend the banquet quietly."
Xu-shi echoed, "My younger sister-in-law is right. Let her come and serve for some time. Mother could teach her a few things when she's free. Under Mother’s influence, her behavior would definitely change."
Zhou-shi choked. Xu-shi, this person really never forgets to please the old madam. The second branch only had one di daughter[1], so the first branch naturally didn't have to worry, but Xu-shi's steady and introverted demeanor always made her look unpleasant.
"I heard that the two little masters have been frequently visiting her recently. Those who are close to cinnabar are red and those who are close to ink are black[2]. Sister-in-law, do you want more snacks?"
These words didn't seem to affect Xu-shi as her complexion remained unchanged, but after leaving the hall, her mask cracked.
Even after much thought, concern still plagued her, "Ah Zhao and Ah Yao didn’t visit her during these last few days, right?"
The nanny bowed and replied, "Yes, the two young masters have been reading and writing in the room and have only seen their teacher."
Xu-shi sighed with relief, but then heard the nanny continue to say, "It's just that... the third branch often sends fresh pastries, which the young masters seem to enjoy..."
Xu-shi paused abruptly and reprimanded, "What are you talking about? When someone sends food to my sons with good intentions, how could I possibly feel dissatisfied? Do you think I'm a person who can't distinguish right from wrong?"
Upon hearing Xu-shi’s response, the nanny repeatedly admitted her mistake.
Xu-shi returned to her room, sat down, and drank a few sips of hot tea. The more she thought about it, the more she felt wronged. She was always afraid of being influenced by the bitter, impetuous, and stupid Zhou-shi from the second branch. It would seem mean and rude to blindly oppose Jiang Shuyao's interactions with the first branch, whether they were out of love for the children or simply out of goodwill.
After she organized her thoughts, she got up and went to Xie Zhao and Xie Yao's study. As soon as she entered the room, the faint fragrance of milk entered her nose.
Xie Zhao and Xie Yao sat at opposite ends of the desk, diligently practicing their handwriting. The warm sun streamed through the window, and a gentle breeze rustled the shadows of the nearby trees. Occasionally, they would grab the square cakes arranged on the plate in the center of the desk, taking one bite after another, which made their cheeks bulge. Even Xie Yao, who usually didn’t like to eat, reached out and picked up several pieces.
Xu-shi's expression softened considerably. She stood at the door for a while, then, when Xie Zhao saw her, she finally stepped inside.
"Mother." Xie Zhao put his brush down and jumped off the bench.
Xu-shi reached to rub his head, but he evaded her hand and pulled her by the sleeves towards the table, "Mother, taste the cream cakes sent by Third Aunt."
Looking at the visually appealing cakes on the plate, Xu-shi swallowed a little. It must be fragrant and soft in the mouth. What’s in the middle? It looks so fresh...
She quickly stopped her train of thought, smiled gently, shook her head, and said, "No need." She wasn’t a glutton.
Xie Zhao picked up a few cakes, placed them on a small porcelain plate, and handed it to the maid beside Xu-shi. "Mother, aren't cakes your favorite? These are far more delicious than other cakes. Even the Fourth Brother enjoys them."
Xie Zhao's filial piety was commendable, making Xu-shi unable to refuse, so she could only ask the maid to take it back to her room.
After the mother and son chatted, Xu-shi returned to her room and looked at the cake on the table with hesitation.
While tallying the accounts, she glanced at the cake from time to time while scolding the steward. Her nose smelled the sweet scent...
In the end, she chose to cover the cake with a handkerchief so that she wouldn’t see or smell it.
...
As the moon rose up to the upper branches, the people in the houses gradually finished washing and turned off their lights. Xu-shi adjusted the wick of the oil lamp, and the light dimmed a little. When the eldest master, Xie Li, finally lay down on the bed, she turned the oil lamp off completely.
They had been husband and wife for over 20 years and would go to sleep together every night. They loved and respected each other just as they had at the beginning of the marriage.
Xie Li talked about his frustrating experiences as an official for a while, and Xu-shi listened quietly and offered comfort from time to time. When Xie Li's frustration dissipated, he became sleepy and his voice gradually lowered.
Xu-shi also felt a little sleepy and was ready to stop talking and fall asleep, but Xie Li's sleepy whisper reached her ears, "...By the way, the pastry on the table today tasted good. You should ask someone to buy more tomorrow."
Xu-shi's sleepiness disappeared instantly. She turned her head and asked, "What pastry?"
"Well, the plate that was covered with the handkerchief. But why was it covered with a handkerchief?"
Xu-shi lay on the bed and stared into the darkness, having been left speechless for a long time.
Xie Li waited for a while but didn't hear her reply, so he thought she was asleep, but he suddenly heard her say, "Do you know that recently, Ah Zhao and Ah Yao often visit Jiang-shi from the third branch?"
Xie Li was sleepy and his thoughts didn’t follow her words, "Huh? Who?"
"Ah Zhao and Ah Yao, your sons."
He asked vaguely, "What's wrong with my sons?"
"They like visiting Jiang-shi. Jiang-shi is also good to them. The cakes were sent by Jiang-shi."
"Oh...who is Jiang-shi?"
"The third branch's Madam, Xie Xun's wife," Xu-shi replied patiently.
"Oh, oh. Who is looking for her to play?" He continued asking, not really understanding.
"Jiang-shi..." Xu-shi took a deep breath, "Forget it, husband, go to sleep."
After a few breaths, a snore sounded from his side.
Xu-shi sighed after a long time, "I haven't been willing to eat it for a day...but you’re so comfortable, eat and eat, then sleep!"
Xie Li slept soundly all night. Although the officialdom had issues, he had a good wife at home who could always comfort and advise him. She was a dignified mistress and a considerate beauty.
The two met when they were young and they’ve loved each other for decades.
However, the next day, Xu-shi said she caught a cold.
As she was considerate, everything she did was naturally for "Xie Li's sake," which resulted in him having to sleep in the study for several days. But during those few days, he hadn’t slept well at all.
Footnotes:
1. Di daughter refers to a daughter born to a wife, while a shu daughter is born to a concubine.
2. This is similar to the phrase “Birds of a feather flock together.”
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