Chang’an Small Restaurant Chapter 57 (Part 2)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 57.2 Deputy Magistrate’s Elaborate Manipulation
Those acquainted with <Dream of the Red Chamber> would likely be familiar with rose brine and rose essence. Rose brine involved soaking roses in sugar and honey, while rose essence was extracted through steaming.
Steamed flower essence had been a widely embraced trend among the noble ladies of this dynasty, and also considered as an act of 'entering the kitchen'.
In the imperial palace kitchen, numerous sets of floral steamers, cauldrons, and grates of various sizes were present. Specially customized, these items were crafted from a variety of materials, such as copper and ceramic. Each spring and summer, depending on the blooming flowers, every variety was transformed into essence and dispatched to every imperial concubine’s courtyard for their use or consumption.
Shen Shaoguang had once come across a hu-style ceramic steamer in the West Market. Priced at a few hundred wen coins, it wasn’t exorbitant, but she refrained from purchasing it as she didn't have a need at the time. However, with the Lin Residence request to process these fresh flowers, she now had the opportunity to acquire one.
Whether it was candied, honeyed, or distilled flower essence, Shen Shaoguang was a skilled craftsperson. However, Yu San, A’Yuan, and A’Chang were novices when it came to processing flower essence.
Observing the steamer pot, Yu San remarked, "So, flower essence is made through steaming..."
Shen Shaoguang laughed and inquired, "Didn’t the wife and daughters of your previous master make these kinds of things?"
Yu San paused for a moment and replied, "No."
Could the variance be due to regional differences? Was steamed flower essence only prevalent in the capital city and its environs? Such was a possibility.
Carefully washing all the petals with clean well water, Shen proceeded to soak one-third of them in sugar, another third in honey, and placed the remaining third into the steamer pot.
The principle behind this ancient method of distillation was remarkably straightforward. The warmed vapor of the water would lift the essence of the flower dew, condense into water droplets on the condensation cover, flow from the steamer, and then collect in its own separate compartment. With the right tools and guidance from an experienced individual, even novices could grasp the technique after a few demonstrations.
However, the expertise of a professional and seasoned individual made a significant difference. This expertise rested in the control of heat: if the fire was too intense, the water would evaporate too rapidly, preventing the complete extraction of the flower's essence. Conversely, if the fire was too weak, there would be insufficient steam, causing the essence to remain with the dregs below, resulting in a minimal yield of floral dew with a subtle fragrance; in some cases, it might even turn into a paste. If it reached the paste stage, the batch of floral essence would be ruined.
After watching once, Yu San grasped the principle and left, while A’Chang had no interest in observing these processes. On the other hand, A’Yuan's curiosity lingered, prompting her to peek at the steamer intermittently. Taking notice, Shen Shaoguang made a promise, "Once it's ready, I'll prepare a bowl for you to drink right away."
True to her word, Shen Shaoguang fulfilled her promise. After the flower essence was completed, she added some rose essence into a bowl of well-chilled water and presented it to A’Yuan. Yu San and A’Chang also received their share.
"Mmm, it smells so good!" A’Yuan nodded enthusiastically.
"If you'd like it sweeter, you can add some sugar, but avoid honey as it’ll alter the flavor."
A’Yuan responded, "It's perfect as it is!"
Shen Shaoguang chuckled. It's just a matter of exploring a novel flavor. This may be elegant, but when it comes to taste, nothing beats my trusty ol’ sour plum juice!
To complement the refined floral essence, Shen Shaoguang also purchased several white porcelain bottles, each standing no taller than fifteen centimeters. With small mouths, long necks, and round bodies, they resembled the pill-holding bottles often seen in xianxia films. After filling the bottles with essence, they were sealed with wooden corks and grouped with the jars containing candied and honey-soaked flowers. Now, all that remained was to await Deputy Magistrate Lin's visit and request him to send someone for the collection.
Before Deputy Magistrate Lin arrived, Chamberlain Liu made an appearance. He was here to settle Deputy Magistrate’s monthly meal charge.
Shen Shaoguang requested him to take away the bottles and jars.
Upon his return, he brought a gift in gratitude—a folding screen.
"Our Elder Madam extends her gratitude for your assistance in making honey-soaked roses and flower essence," Chamberlain Liu conveyed.
Shen Shaoguang examined the folding screen. Crafted with a sandalwood frame and a delicate silk canvas, it showcased a picturesque lotus pond. Pink lotuses were in full bloom, with a kingfisher in flight and another preening its feathers. It exuded a leisurely and comfortable atmosphere, making it an ideal decorative piece for the summer.
Had it been an extravagantly expensive gold folding screen or an overly intimate bedside folding screen, Shen Shaoguang would have promptly declined it. However, this folding screen fell somewhere in the middle—neither excessively homey nor entirely impersonal. Yet, accepting such a gift seemed inappropriate. After all, they weren't individuals from comparable backgrounds offering mutual greetings. Moreover, was this truly a gift from the Elder Madam? Deputy Magistrate Lin was truly...
Observing Shen Shaoguang's inclination to decline, Liu Chang smiled and urged, "Miss, we will undoubtedly require your assistance in the future. Please don't reject this gift; otherwise, how can we muster the courage to seek your help again?"
After a moment of contemplation, Shen Shaoguang responded earnestly, "Please convey to Elder Madam that there is no need to be so courteous in the future. We are genuinely embarrassed to accept these."
Liu Chang respectfully cupped his hands, bid farewell, and took his leave.
Upon returning to the Lin Residence, Liu Chang headed to the study room to report, "It has been delivered to Miss Shen."
"Mm," Lin Yan, engrossed in document revision, nodded.
"Miss Shen also mentioned not to be overly formal in the future," Liu Chang remarked cautiously, glancing at Lin Yan.
Lin Yan's brush paused, and he responded, "Understood."
After examining the sizable six-leaf folding screen adorned with a lengthy poem in cursive script, Liu Chang exited the room.
Behind the substantial screen lay the Master's bedroom. Inside the bedroom, there was a smaller folding screen featuring a sandalwood frame and delicate silk canvas. Adorned with lotus leaves, a few pink lotuses in early bloom, and two herons leisurely wandering by the lotus pond, one could easily discern that this screen depicted the same lotus pond as the one gifted.
Liu Chang couldn't help but wonder about the picture on the headboard screen that their Master often used.
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The author has something to say:
There are debates regarding ancient distillation techniques. Some claim the existence of a distillation apparatus from the Han Dynasty in the Shanghai Museum, but distillation technology during the Tang and Song Dynasties is scarcely documented in literature. Some experts posit that with the increasing influence of the Hu people during the Tang Dynasty, various spices and perfume technologies were introduced, fostering the development of domestic distilled floral water and perfume technology. This is the basis upon which I crafted my narrative. As for the distillation process employed by our MC, that part is entirely fictional. So, dear readers, enjoy the story for entertainment rather than factual accuracy.
Our cunning Deputy Magistrate Lin is no longer content with modest gains.
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T/N: The term ‘rose essence’ was is not as accurate as just calling it rose water, but since the raws has it written as ‘玫瑰清露’, I took the liberty to make the adjustment. Floral water is also known as hydrosol, and I found a english video (finally xD) explaining the process - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=PVKzujXJWMg&ab_channel=WholeElise
